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Documentation Index

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Text reaches subscribers on the phone number they use everywhere, making it one of the most direct channels available. OneSignal supports three message formats:
  • SMS: text-only messages up to 160 characters. Supports plain text, numbers, and emojis.
  • MMS: extends SMS with rich media: images, video, audio, and GIFs. Supports up to 1,600 characters of text alongside the attachment.
  • RCS (Rich Communication Services): branded, app-like experiences with buttons, carousels, keyword replies, and read receipts. Requires a dedicated RCS sender resource.

Types of texting programs

OneSignal supports three types of texting programs. Each has different consent requirements, sender configurations, and compliance rules.

Promotional messaging

Sales, flash offers, abandoned carts, product launches, and re-engagement campaigns.

Transactional messaging

Order confirmations, shipping updates, appointment reminders, and account alerts.

One-time passwords

Verification codes, two-factor authentication, and account security messages.
Each program type requires a dedicated sender. If a subscriber texts STOP to a shared sender, they are opted out of all messages from that sender, including transactional messages and OTPs they still want. Use separate senders per program.

Set up SMS

Before sending, you need a brand, a sender, and at least one approved sender resource.

SMS setup

Understand brands, senders, and sender resources. Choose between OneSignal SMS and Twilio integration.

Sender resource applications

Apply for sender resources by country and type. Includes per-country approval timelines and requirements.

Opt-in and collection

Collect valid consent for promotional, transactional, and OTP programs.

Consent keyword management

Manage STOP, HELP, START, and custom opt-out keywords.

Send messages

Composing messages

SMS/MMS and RCS editors, character limits, segments, trackable links, and billing categories.

SMS keywords

Two-way keyword campaigns, preference centers, and auto-responders.

Journeys

Automate multi-step messaging flows triggered by user actions.

API

Send messages programmatically via the REST API.

Analytics and compliance

SMS message reports

Delivery metrics, click-through rates, and failure troubleshooting.

Regulatory compliance

Consent standards, quiet hours, prohibited content, and fraud prevention.

Supported countries

OneSignal supports sending text messages to the following countries:
AmericasEuropeAsiaOceania
ArgentinaAustriaHong KongAustralia
BrazilBelgiumIndiaNew Zealand
CanadaDenmarkJapan
ChileFinlandMacao
MexicoFranceMalaysia
PeruGermanyPhilippines
Puerto RicoIcelandSingapore
United StatesIrelandSouth Korea
ItalyTaiwan
LuxembourgThailand
NetherlandsTurkey
NorwayUnited Arab Emirates
Poland
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
For country-specific sender resource types, approval timelines, and compliance requirements, see Sender resource applications.