How to send SMS from a phone to Android: all methods from standard to hidden

Sending SMS from an Android smartphone seems like a simple task - until you encounter unexpected restrictions: the message does not go away, the contact is not displayed, or you need to send SMS from your computer. Despite the spread of messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, standard SMS remains in demand: to confirm registration, pay for services or communicate in areas without the Internet.

In this article we will look at all current methods of sending SMS on Android - from the basic Messages application to automation via Tasker or IFTTT. We will pay special attention to typical problems: why SMS does not reach, how to send a message to a short number, and what to do if the smartphone does not see the SIM card. And for advanced users, we will reveal the hidden functions of Android, which even manufacturers are silent about.

1. Standard method: "Messages" application

The basic SMS application is pre-installed on all Android devices, but its interface and capabilities depend on the OS version and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS etc.). The general algorithm is the same:

1. Open the application —usually it is called “Messages” (Messages), "SMS" or has an envelope icon with a cloud.
2. Click on the icon ✉️ (new message) in the lower right corner.
3. In the "To" field, enter the phone number (in format +79XXXXXXXXX or 89XXXXXXXXXor select a contact from the list.
4. Write the text of the message (maximum 70 characters for Cyrillic in one SMS, then it is divided into parts).
5. Press the send button (arrow → or airplane ✈️).

On some smartphones (for example, Samsung Galaxy or Xiaomi Redmi) the Messages application can be replaced with a proprietary analogue. The functionality remains similar, but added bonuses:

• 🔹 Message templates — quick answers for common situations (on MIUI available in the menu ⋮ → Templates).
• 🔹 Delayed sending — schedule an SMS for a specific time (there is in One UI from Samsung).
• 🔹 List of black numbers - blocking spam directly in the application.

⚠️ Attention: If you use two SIM cards, before sending, check which of them is selected by default. On Android 12+ this is configured in Settings → SIM cards → SMS by default.

2. Google Messages: advanced functions

Application Google Messages (previously Android Messages) - an alternative to the standard SMS client with support RCS (Rich Communication Services). This is a protocol that makes SMS similar to messages in instant messengers: you can send files, see the “read” status, use reactions.

To use Google Messages:

1. Download the application from Google Play (if it is not pre-installed).
2. Open it and allow access to SMS, contacts i storage.
3. Click Start chat and select a contact or enter a number.
4. Write a message and send. If the recipient also has RCS enabled, you will see blue clouds (as in iMessage), if not - green (standard SMS).

Advantages Google Messages:

• 📎 Sending files up to 100 MB (photos, videos, documents) via RCS.
• 🔒 End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for chats with other users Google Messages.
• 🌐 Web version — SMS control from a computer via a link messages.google.com/web.
• 🤖 Integration with Google Assistant — quick replies and reminders.

⚠️ Attention: RCS does not work in all countries and depends on the telecom operator. If the function is not activated, check support on your provider's website.

3. Sending SMS through instant messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram)

Many instant messengers can send SMS, but they do it in different ways:

• 📱 WhatsApp — sends SMS only to confirm the number during registration. Regular messages are sent via the Internet.
• 💬 Viber — supports SMS, but only if you provide access to messages (configured in Settings → SMS).
• 📡 Telegram —does not work with SMS directly, but you can use a bot @SMSBot (paid service).
• 🤖 Signal — sends SMS as a backup option if the recipient does not have Signal.

The most convenient option for replacing standard SMS is Viber:

1. Open Viber and go to More → Settings → SMS.
2. Enable the option "Use Viber for SMS".
3. Select a contact and write a message - it will be sent as an SMS if the recipient does not have Viber.

Disadvantages of this approach:

• 🚫 Advertising —in the free version, Viber can display banners.
• 🔄 Duplication —messages are saved both in Viber and in the standard application.
• 📶 Dependence on the Internet —if there is no network, SMS is not will be sent.

4. Sending SMS from a computer

If you need to send an SMS without touching the phone, there are several ways:

Method	Requirements	Pros	Cons
Google Messages Web	Android 5.0+, Chrome/Edge browser	Real-time synchronization, RCS	You need to scan the QR code from your phone
Samsung Flow	Samsung smartphone + Windows PC	Integration with the Samsung ecosystem	Works only on Samsung devices
Pushbullet	Installing the application on your phone and extension for browser	Support for notifications, files	Limit 100 SMS/month in the free version
MightyText	Android 4.0+, registration	SMS archiving, backups	Paid functions (from $5/month)

The most universal option is Google Messages Web:

1. Open on your phone Google Messages and click on the profile avatar → Message devices.
2. Select QR code scanner.
3. On your computer, go to messages.google.com/web and scan the QR code from the screen.
4. Now you can send SMS directly from your PC - they will be synchronized with phone.

⚠️ Attention: When using third-party services (Pushbullet, MightyText), your SMS may be stored on their servers. If confidentiality is critical, it is better to use official solutions like Google Messages.

5. Automation of sending SMS (Tasker, IFTTT, MacroDroid)

If you need to send SMS on a schedule, under certain conditions (for example, low battery) or in response to events, automation will help. Let's look at three tools:

🔧 Tasker

Tasker —the most powerful automation app on Android. To set up SMS sending:

1. Download Tasker from Google Play (paid, there is a trial version).
2. Create a new task (+ → New task).
3. Add action Telephony → Send SMS.
4. Specify the recipient number, message text and SIM card (if there are several).
5. Save the task and assign it to an event (for example, Time → By schedule).

Example of use: sending an SMS to your wife when you leave work (by geolocation).

⚙️ IFTTT

IFTTT (If This Then That) allows you to link SMS with other services. For example, send a message when publishing a new post in Instagram:

1. Register on ifttt.com.
2. Create a new applet (My Applets → New Applet).
3. Select as a trigger Instagram → New post by you.
4. As an action - Android SMS → Send SMS.
5. Customize the message text and save.

🤖 MacroDroid

A simpler alternative Tasker. To send SMS when the battery is low:

1. Install MacroDroid and open it.
2. Click Add macro.
3. Select as a trigger Battery → Charge level < 15%.
4. As an action - SMS → Send SMS.
5. Indicate the number and text (for example, “The battery is almost empty, I’ll turn off soon”).

⚠️ Attention: Automatic SMS sending may consume credits on your tariff. Before setting up, check the cost of outgoing messages with your operator.

How to bypass the limit on the number of SMS in Tasker?

If your operator limits the number of SMS per day, you can use a workaround: send messages through email-to-SMS gateways. For example, for the number 89123456789 on MTS the address will be 89123456789@sms.mts.ru. In Tasker, instead of the "Send SMS" action, use "Send email" with this address.

6. Hidden Android functions for working with SMS

Android hides several useful features for working with SMS that are not obvious at first glance:

• 📡 SMS via Wi-Fi/4G (without SIM) — some operators (for example, Tinkoff Mobile or Yota) allow you to send SMS via the Internet, even if there is no SIM cards. To do this, you need to install their proprietary application.
• 🔄 SMS redirection —you can set up forwarding of incoming messages to another number. On most smartphones, this is done through a code: enter in the calling application *21*NUMBER# and press call.
• 📱 SMS from another number —if you have two SIM cards, you can manually select which number to send the message from. In a standard application, this is done by long pressing the send button.
• 🔒 SMS encryption - applications like Signal or Session can encrypt the text of messages, but the recipient must also use the same software.

Important: Android 10+ has a hidden setting that allows you to block SMS from unknown senders at the system level. To activate it, go to Settings → Google → Security → SMS spam blocking Another little-known feature (for example, for USSD requests or service commands). Many applications block such messages, but you can bypass the restriction: Settings → Google → Security → SMS spam blocking.

Another little-known feature - sending SMS to short numbers (for example, for USSD requests or service commands). Many applications block such messages, but you can bypass the restriction:

1. Open the standard "Phone" application.
2. Enter a short number (for example, 112 or *100#).
3. Click call button, and then in the menu select Send SMS (if the option is available).

7. Typical problems and their solutions

Even with a simple task like sending an SMS, difficulties can arise. Let's look at the most common ones:

❌ SMS is not sent

Possible reasons and solutions:

• 📶 No network —check the signal level or switch to another SIM card.
• 💳 Not enough money — for some operators, sending SMS is paid (for example, 1.5 rubles per message).
• 📵 SMS center is not configured —the center number should be registered automatically, but sometimes it gets lost To check. enter in the calling application ##4636##, then go to Phone information → SMSC.
• 🔧 Error applications — clear the Messages app cache in Settings → Applications.

🔄 The message leaves, but does not arrive

If an SMS is sent (disappears from the "Outbox" folder), but the recipient does not receive it:

• Check whether the recipient is blocking your messages.
• Check whether your operator supports SMS reception (sometimes there are failures with virtual operators).
• Try sending a message from another number.

📵 The phone does not see the SIM card

If the smartphone does not detect the SIM, SMS cannot be sent it will work out. Actions:

• Restart the phone.
• Remove and insert the SIM card back (after turning off the device).
• Check whether the contact on the SIM card is bent.
• Update the operator settings: enter ##4636## → Phone information → Update PRL profile.

📱 You cannot send SMS to a short number

Many applications block sending to numbers shorter than 5 characters. Workarounds:

• Use a USSD code instead of SMS (for example, instead of SMS to 112 just dial 112 and press call).
• Add a country prefix (for example, +7112 instead 112).
• Install an alternative application for SMS (for example, Textra or Pulse SMS).

⚠️ Attention: SMS center settings and operator tariffs may change. For accurate information, check the data in your provider's personal account.

8. Alternative applications for SMS

The standard Messages application is not always convenient. Let's consider the top 5 alternatives with unique features:

Application	Key functions	Cons	Link
Textra SMS	Themes, delayed sending, blocking spam	Advertising in the free version	Google Play
Pulse SMS	Synchronization with PC, backup, blacklist	Paid subscription for some functions	Google Play
QKSMS	Open source code, night mode, RCS support	Fewer features than competitors	Google Play
Chomp SMS	Templates, spam blocking, notification personalization	Outdated design	Google Play
Signal	End-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages	SMS only works as a backup option	Google Play

If confidentialityis important to you, the best choice is Signal or Session. For maximum customization, Textra or Pulse SMS.

When choosing an application, pay attention to:

• 🔒 Security —whether the application supports encryption.
• 📱 Synchronization —whether you can manage SMS with PC.
• 🗑️ Backup —are messages saved in the cloud.
• 🛡️ Blocking spam —is there a built-in filter for unwanted messages.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about sending SMS on Android

Is it possible to send SMS without a SIM card?

Yes, but with reservations. Some operators (for example Tinkoff Mobile or Yota) allow you to send SMS over the Internet without a physical SIM card if you have their virtual number. You can also use services like Google Voice (not available in all countries) or email-to-SMS gateways (for example, send a letter to NUMBER@gate.mts.ru for MTS subscribers).

How to send SMS to iPhone from Android?

SMS from Android to iPhone is sent the same way as to any other phone - through the standard Messages application or alternative clients. However, if the recipient has iMessageenabled, your SMS may arrive as a green bubble (standard message) rather than a blue one (iMessage). To ensure that you send an SMS and not an iMessage, ask the recipient to temporarily disable iMessage in the iPhone settings.

How many characters can be sent in one SMS?

It depends on the encoding:

• GSM-7 (Latin, numbers, basic characters) - 160 characters.
• UCS-2 (Cyrillic, hieroglyphs, emoji) - 70 characters.

If the text is longer, it is divided into several SMS. For example, a message in Russian of 140 characters will be sent as 2 SMS.

Is it possible to cancel sending an SMS?

No, the standard SMS protocol does not support cancellation of sending. However, some operators provide a short window (usually 3–5 seconds) during which the message can be recalled. To do this you need:

1. Immediately after sending, open the message menu (long press).
2. Select the "Cancel sending" option (if available).

Also, some applications (for example, Pulse SMS) allow you to delay sending for a few seconds in order to change your mind.

How to save SMS to the cloud?

There are several ways:

• Google Messages - automatically synchronizes SMS with your Google account (configured in Settings → Backup).
• SMS Backup & Restore —an application that saves messages to Google Drive or to an SD card.
• Pulse SMS —offers cloud storage as part of a subscription.
• Manual export —some applications (for example, Textra) allow you to export SMS to a file .xml or .csv.

Important: when backing up SMS to the cloud, keep in mind that messages may become available to third parties (for example, if your Google account is hacked).