How to set up SMS Connect (Android SMS Bridge)

How to set up SMS Connect (Android SMS Bridge)

SMS Connect lets you send and receive real SMS messages from a physical Android phone’s SIM card inside ChatConnector / Double My Leads, and into your HighLevel (GHL) conversations when the SMS Marketplace app is installed.

You keep your own carrier plan (BYOD). ChatConnector does not sell phone numbers — it bridges your phone’s SMS to the dashboard and CRM.

What you need

Item Notes
Android phone Dedicated phone recommended (budget Android is fine). Keep it powered and online.
Active SIM Must be able to send/receive SMS on your carrier.
SMS Connect slot $10/month per active SIM. Does not require a DML Platform plan.
Stable internet Wi‑Fi or mobile data so the bridge can stay connected.
Official app SMS Bridge APK from ChatConnector only.

Workspace rule: each workspace (GHL sub-account) supports 1 active SIM. Extra SIMs on the same phone can pair but stay inactive until you free a slot or use another workspace.

Step 1 — Buy SMS Connect

  1. Sign in to ChatConnector / Double My Leads.
  2. Open the workspace where you want SMS.
  3. Go to SMS Connect · Devices (workspace SMS settings, or Plugins → SMS depending on your layout).
  4. If you have no SIM slots yet, click Buy SMS Connect · $10/mo.
  5. Complete checkout. Your account gains 1 active SIM slot per purchase.

You can buy additional slots on the same account for more workspaces/numbers.

Step 2 — Download SMS Bridge

Install only the official release:

https://chatconnector.app/android/sms-bridge

  1. Open that page on the phone (or download on a computer and transfer the APK).
  2. Tap Download approved APK.
  3. Allow install from unknown sources / this browser if Android asks.
  4. Install the app. The app name is SMS Bridge.

Important: Only install APKs from that ChatConnector page or a link from ChatConnector support. Do not use third-party “SMS gateway” apps for this product.

Updating: install the new APK over the existing app. Uninstalling forces you to pair again.

Step 3 — Grant permissions

Open SMS Bridge and allow:

  • SMS — send, receive, and read SMS (required for the relay)
  • Phone — SIM / subscription info for sender registration
  • Notifications — required on modern Android so the service can stay visible
  • Battery unrestricted / Ignore battery optimization — so Android does not kill the bridge when the screen is off

The phone is not ready until critical SMS, phone, and notification permissions are granted.

Tips for reliability:

  • Plug the phone into power (or keep charge high).
  • Prefer Wi‑Fi that does not sleep aggressively.
  • Leave SMS Bridge running in the background; do not force-stop it.

Step 4 — Pair the device (QR only)

Pairing is QR-only for customers. After a successful scan, the connection starts automatically (no offline/online toggle).

In ChatConnector / HighLevel

  1. Open SMS Devices for the correct workspace:
    • Dashboard: workspace → SMS Connect / SMS Devices
    • HighLevel custom menu: SMS Connect embed for that sub-account
  2. Click Pair Android device.
  3. A QR code appears (pairing token is short-lived — generate a new one if it expires).

On the Android phone

  1. Open SMS Bridge.
  2. On Home, tap Scan QR code (or open Pair).
  3. Scan the QR from the dashboard.
  4. Wait until the dashboard shows the device online and an active SIM (phone number / SIM slot).

If the QR fails, generate a new pairing QR and try again. Do not reuse old screenshots of QR codes.

Step 5 — Confirm it works

On SMS Devices you should see:

  • Devices online: at least 1
  • Active SIM (this workspace): 1 with your number when available
  • Account capacity: how many SIM slots you purchased vs in use

Then:

  1. Open the SMS inbox (or HighLevel conversations if GHL SMS is linked).
  2. Send a test SMS to a real mobile number you control.
  3. Reply from that phone and confirm the inbound message appears.

Using SMS with HighLevel (GHL)

If you use HighLevel:

  1. Install the ChatConnector SMS Marketplace app on the sub-account (separate from WhatsApp QR).
  2. Keep the Android device paired to that same workspace/sub-account.
  3. Outbound SMS from GHL conversations and inbound replies flow through the bridge when the Marketplace install is active.

WhatsApp QR / Baileys is a different product path. Disconnecting WhatsApp does not unpair SMS, and vice versa.

Limits & billing (quick reference)

  • $10/month per active SIM (flat; no Platform plan required).
  • 1 active SIM per workspace (1 per GHL sub-account).
  • Extra SIMs on a dual-SIM phone may appear paired but inactive if the workspace or account is full.
  • Unpairing a device deactivates its SIM senders for that workspace.

Troubleshooting

Symptom What to try
Device stuck offline Open SMS Bridge, confirm permissions + battery unrestricted, stable internet, phone not force-stopped. Refresh SMS Devices.
“No SMS Connect SIM slots” Buy SMS Connect ($10/mo), then pair again.
SIM paired but inactive Workspace already has 1 active SIM, or all account slots are in use. Free a slot, unpair another device, buy another slot, or use another workspace.
Pairing QR does nothing Create a new Pair Android device QR; ensure you’re scanning with SMS Bridge (not a generic camera-only flow that doesn’t hand off to the app).
Messages fail after update Install the new APK without uninstalling. If you uninstalled, pair again with a new QR.
Can’t install APK Enable install from that source in Android settings; download again from the official page.

Still stuck? Contact support via your ChatConnector / Double My Leads help channels (ProductLift Help / in-app support).

Last updated for SMS Bridge customer releases on chatconnector.app. Pairing flow: QR from SMS Devices → scan in SMS Bridge → keep phone online.

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