Texting from a business number in the United States requires carrier registration under a program called A2P 10DLC (application-to-person, 10-digit long code). Without it, messages are blocked. FrontDesk turns the whole process into one short form.
Before you start
- A paid plan, or a card on file on the Free plan or a trial. Without a card the Texting card reads "Add a card to register for texting." and the button is Add a card: it opens Add your card, and once the card is saved the registration form opens. Registering is free; the card isn't charged for it. Only the account owner can add a card. If a paid plan's subscription isn't active, the button reads Update billing and opens Settings → Billing.
- Your legal business name exactly as it appears on your IRS EIN letter, your EIN, and your business address. A sole proprietor without an EIN can register with name and address only.
- A phone number on the location (see Get a phone number).
Register
- Open Settings → Phone & SMS and click the Texting tab. The card reads Texting is off with the badge Not set up.
- Click Set up texting. The Enable SMS Messaging form asks for Legal Business Name, EIN (Employer Identification Number) or the checkbox I'm a sole proprietor without an EIN, and Business Address (street, city, state, ZIP).
- Click Enable SMS Messaging. The Authorize SMS Compliance Policies screen explains the texting rules you agree to; click Agree & Enable SMS. The agreement is required; without it the form will not submit.
FrontDesk submits the rest on your behalf: the use case (appointment reminders and customer care), the sample wording and the opt-in description. It also hosts an SMS Privacy Policy and SMS Terms & Conditions page for your practice, linked from the Texting tab, so you do not need to add anything to your website.
While it is reviewed
The card reads Texting registration pending and lists the progress: submitted, carriers reviewing, texting turns on automatically. Approval takes three to seven business days. Sending is blocked in the meantime; a message attempted now reports "This phone number is not yet registered for texting (A2P 10DLC). Texting will be enabled once registration is approved."
When it is approved
The card reads Texting is on. A Send a test message panel with Send test lets you confirm delivery to your own phone. Reminders, confirmations and two-way texting from the Inbox all work from this point on a paid plan; see Send and receive SMS. On the Free plan, texting covers the texts FrontDesk sends for you, such as online booking confirmations; the Inbox and automatic reminders come with paid plans.
Each plan includes a monthly text allowance (100 on Free, 2,000 on Pro, 5,000 on Elite). Pro and Elite have overage billing available; Free stops at 100 until the 1st. A sole proprietor registration is limited to one phone number and lower daily volume.
If it is rejected
The card reads Texting registration rejected with the carrier's reason. The common cause is a mismatch between the business name, EIN or address you entered and IRS records. Click Fix & Resubmit, correct the details to match your EIN letter, and submit again. Contact Support is on the same card if the reason is unclear. See SMS isn't sending for delivery problems after approval.