Business SMS/MMS FAQ ==================== What is Business SMS/MMS? ------------------------- Business SMS/MMS lets you send and receive text messages and multimedia files using your business number. You can use one number for MMS, voice, fax, and text messaging. How do I activate Business SMS/MMS? ----------------------------------- If you plan to use local domestic phone numbers in North America, you'll need to [complete the SMS registration](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/Setting-up-TCR-registration-assigning-numbers-to-SMS-campaigns.html?brand=RingCentral&product=RingEX&language=en_US "") and link your phone numbers to the registration. Each application you submit using the SMS Registration form needs to include [use cases](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/Choosing-the-right-SMS-campaign-for-your-local-phone-numbers.html?brand=RingCentral&product=RingEX&language=en_US "") to show how your business will use text messaging. If you plan to use toll-free phone numbers, a separate registration [needs to be completed](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/Verifying-your-toll-free-number-for-SMS.html?brand=RingCentral&product=MVP&language=en_US ""). What are the requirements for sending SMS/MMS messages? ------------------------------------------------------- Review the [
RingCentral
text messaging requirements](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/ringex-text-messaging-requirements.html?brand=RC_US&product=RingEX&language=en_US ""). Can I send SMS/MMS if my extension doesn't have an assigned number? ------------------------------------------------------------------- If your extension doesn't have a direct local number or DigitalLine assigned, you can only send a text message to a user's extension within your own account. Users assigned to a [shared SMS inbox](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/managing-a-shared-sms-inbox.html?brand=RingCentral&product=RingEX&language=en_US "") linked to the company main number, or a call queue number can use those numbers to send outbound messages. What devices can I use to send and receive SMS/MMS? --------------------------------------------------- You can send and receive messages using the
RingCentral
app on your desktop or mobile device. Visit the [App Gallery](https://www.ringcentral.com/apps/ "") to find other available tools for text messaging. Can I use my toll-free number to send out SMS/MMS? -------------------------------------------------- You can send outbound SMS using a toll-free number. MMS isn't currently supported for toll-free numbers. To set up toll-free SMS, contact [Support](https://support.ringcentral.com/contact-support.html ""). Can I send SMS/MMS to a group? ------------------------------ Yes, you can [send a group text message using the
RingCentral
app](https://support.ringcentral.com/app/phone/desktop-web/sending-group-text-message-ringcentral-app.html ""). Can I send international SMS and MMS from a US or Canadian phone number? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yes, you can [turn international SMS on](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/Enable-Disable-International-Calling-Feature.html?brand=RC_US&product=RingEX&language=en_US "") in the Admin Portal for specific countries. If you'd like to prevent users from sending SMS messages to international numbers to avoid long-distance charges, you can turn off international SMS on your account. If you turn it off, the feature will be disabled across your entire account, and you'll need to reach out to [Support](https://support.ringcentral.com/contact-support.html "") to enable it again.
RingCentral
won't block valid outbound traffic. However, downstream carriers may block SMS traffic. If your message to an international number is blocked, we can open a support case with the carrier, but we can't guarantee resolution. All outbound traffic is billed once it leaves the
RingCentral
network, even if it's blocked. Is there a limit to the number of recipients I can send an SMS/MMS to? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes. You can send an individual SMS or MMS to up to 50 recipients from the
RingCentral
app. A group SMS conversation is limited to 10 recipients. If you need to send a text message to more than 50 recipients, use an app from the [App Gallery](http://www.ringcentral.com/apps ""), such as SMS Campaigns or BeeTexting. Is there a limit to the number of SMS/MMS I can send? ----------------------------------------------------- US and Canada
RingEX
customers have [a monthly message allowance](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/Enhanced-Business-SMS-new-Price-Changes.html?brand=RC_US&product=RingEX&language=en_US "") for sent and received messages. Once you reach your limit, additional per-message charges apply. Is there a character limit for SMS messages? -------------------------------------------- When you send a text message, your mobile carrier may break it up into chunks, known as SMS segments, depending on the number of characters it contains. Visit [Character limits for text messages](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/Character-limits-for-text-messages.html?brand=RingCentral&product=MVP&language=en_US "") for the latest guidelines. What file types are supported for MMS? -------------------------------------- Review the [supported file formats for MMS attachments](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/ringex-text-messaging-requirements.html?brand=RC_US&product=RingEX&language=en_US ""). Can I block numbers from sending SMS/MMS? ----------------------------------------- Yes, you can block local long codes and toll-free numbers. However, blocking short codes isn't supported. Can I turn off the text messaging feature? ------------------------------------------ Yes. To turn the text messaging feature off for one or multiple local numbers on your account, contact [Support](https://support.ringcentral.com/contact-support.html ""). If I transfer my number to
RingCentral
, when is Business SMS activated? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We recommend [completing your SMS registration](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/Setting-up-TCR-registration-assigning-numbers-to-SMS-campaigns.html?brand=RingCentral&product=RingEX&language=en_US "") before transferring your phone number to
RingCentral
. After your SMS registration is complete, notify your current provider that you're moving both voice and SMS services. This helps them complete deprovisioning and can speed up the transfer process. If deprovisioning is already complete, your number is typically enabled for SMS within a few hours. If deprovisioning is still pending, it may take up to 72 hours to complete provisioning. How can former employees retrieve SMS messages after leaving the company? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- For legal and compliance reasons, coworkers can't access a former employee's SMS messages. If a former employee needs their messages, an admin must create a [Support case](https://support.ringcentral.com/new-case.html "").
RingCentral
can then provide an export for the company to share with the former employee. Is SMS supported for toll-free Canadian numbers? ------------------------------------------------ Yes, SMS is available for toll-free Canadian numbers. If Canadian customers want to send SMS messages to US customers, they must follow the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), and US carrier rules. **Additional resources** [Registering your business to send text messages](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/Setting-up-TCR-registration-assigning-numbers-to-SMS-campaigns.html?brand=RingCentral&product=RingEX&language=en_US "") [SMS registration FAQ](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/TCR-business-registration-FAQ.html?brand=RingCentral&product=MVP&language=en_US "") [Viewing SMS usage logs in the Admin Portal](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/Viewing-SMS-usage-logs-in-the-Admin-Portal.html?brand=RingCentral&product=MVP&language=en_US "") [Verifying your toll-free number for SMS](https://support.ringcentral.com/article-v2/Verifying-your-toll-free-number-for-SMS.html?brand=RingCentral&product=MVP&language=en_US "")