SMS for BYO PBX
Connect your own Telnyx or Twilio number to a SessionCloud BYO PBX project so users can send and receive text messages in the softphone. Your provider account supplies the messaging service, and you choose which softphone account uses each number.
Availability. Use an app version and portal that support Telnyx and Twilio messaging. If provider controls are missing, contact SessionTalk to enable this feature for your portal.
This setup applies to BYO PBX plans. Teams Hosted plans use their own messaging setup.
Before you start
You need access to the SessionCloud project, a Telnyx or Twilio account, and a number enabled for SMS. You also need the SIP username and domain of the softphone account that will use the number.
Your messaging number can be separate from your calling number. Enabling the SMS option in SessionCloud makes messaging available in the app; it does not activate SMS on a provider’s phone number.
Choose your provider
| Provider | Details to have ready | Setup guide |
|---|---|---|
| Telnyx | API key, public key, messaging profile and SMS number | Set up Telnyx |
| Twilio | Account SID, Auth Token and SMS number | Set up Twilio |
Set up messaging
- Open the BYO PBX project in SessionCloud and go to Provisioning > Advanced > Messaging.
- Enable SMS and save the project settings.
- Add your messaging provider using the relevant setup guide above.
- Copy the incoming-message URL shown in SessionCloud into your provider’s messaging settings. The provider calls this a webhook URL.
- Assign the messaging number to the user’s SIP username and domain.
- Give the user updated account provisioning, then test sending, receiving and background notifications.
Enter phone numbers in full international format, starting with + and the country code, for example +447700900123. Use the SIP account details when assigning a number, rather than the user’s display name.
Receiving messages
Messages sent to the assigned number appear in Messages in the softphone. Mobile users can receive a notification while using another app or while the phone is locked. Notifications require internet access, push enabled for the account and permission to show notifications on the phone.
If the phone is offline or an alert is missed, opening the app after reconnecting lets it check for new messages. Notification previews depend on the phone’s privacy settings.
What to test
Ask the user to send a short text to a test mobile number and reply to it. Then leave the softphone using the phone’s Home gesture, lock the screen and send another reply. Confirm that the notification opens the correct conversation. Repeat on Wi-Fi and mobile data.
These guides cover one-to-one text messages. Photo, video, file and group messaging are not covered by this setup.
For everyday use, see Text messages with Telnyx or Twilio. For setup problems, see Troubleshooting SMS.