Messaging • Last Updated 9/29/2023

Hosted SMS: How to Guide

A guide to start SMS hosting with Telnyx. Learn everything you need to know to get started.

By Tony Furnas

Hosted SMS how to guide

Hosted SMS

Hosted SMS is a way to allow numbers that are on a different voice provider in the US and Canada to utilize the Telnyx platform for SMS and MMS. When you host your numbers with Telnyx, your voice capability remains with your current provider.


Take advantage of insights from 1 billion+ messages with our '2023 Guide to SMS and MMS'. Download your copy to learn from Telnyx experts and shape your ideal SMS/MMS strategy.


Obtain Your LOA and Current Bill

Before you start using Hosted SMS, you’ll need two documents in PDF format:

  1. The Letter of Authority for the numbers Telnyx will be hosting, this must have Authorized Name and Authorized Address fields. You can download the form here.
  2. A bill from your current provider. Make sure the Authorized Name and Address match with the LOA.

Hosted LOA

An example Letter of Authorization (LOA), used when setting up Hosted SMS with Telnyx.


Now, follow these simple steps to get setup:

Create Portal Account

  1. Go to Telnyx.com/sign-up
  2. Enter your business email, full name and password
  3. Click “Create My Account”
  4. TIP: You can also register using Google, Facebook, or GitHub

Hosted Create Account

Creating a Telnyx Mission Control Portal account.


Create Messaging Profile

  1. Go to your Mission Control Portal
  2. Click Messaging
  3. Click "Add new profile"
  4. Name your new Messaging Profile
  5. Click "Save"

Hosted Messaging Profile

Creating a Messaging Profile in the Telnyx Mission Control Portal.


Host Your Number

  1. In your Mission Control Portal click on Numbers.
  2. Click on Hosted SMS.
  3. Click on Add new order.
  4. Fill out the numbers you’d like to host and select a messaging profile to assign these numbers to.
  5. Once you click on Create Order, you’ll be redirected to a page where you can upload a LOA and a bill. These need to be in PDF format.
  6. Click on Submit. You’ll need to wait up to 24 hours before the number goes active if the documents and the numbers are approved for hosting.

Hosting a Number

Hosting a number for SMS in the Telnyx Mission Control Portal.


That’s it! We’ll be in touch to let you know as soon as your number has been activated for SMS.

Find out more about the Telnyx SMS API or join us on Slack with any questions you have — we’re available 24/7.

Share on Social

Sign up for emails of our latest articles and news

Related articles

Sign up and start building.