# Connecting an SMS inbox

An **SMS** inbox connects a phone number you rent from Twilio or Bandwidth. Text messages to that number arrive as conversations, and your replies go out as SMS.

## Before you start

You need an account with one of the two providers, a phone number bought there, and the credentials from its console: for Twilio the **Account SID** and **Auth Token** (or an API key), for Bandwidth the **Account ID**, **API Key**, **API Secret** and **Application ID**.

## 1. Add an SMS inbox

Go to **Settings → Inboxes → Add Inbox** and choose **SMS**. Under **API Provider**, pick **Twilio** or **Bandwidth**.

![SMS channel form with Twilio selected](../../.gitbook/assets/guides/sms-add-inbox-form.jpg)

## 2. Enter the provider details

| | Twilio | Bandwidth |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Name and number | **Inbox Name**, **Phone Number** (with country code) | **Inbox Name**, **Phone number** |
| Credentials | **Account SID** and **Auth Token** | **Account ID**, **API Key**, **API Secret**, **Application ID** |
| Options | **Use a Twilio Messaging Service** (enter the **Messaging Service SID**); **Use API Key Authentication** (**API Key SID** and **API Key Secret**) | — |
| Button | **Create Twilio Channel** | **Create Bandwidth Channel** |

## 3. Add agents and paste the callback URL

Pick the agents who will answer and **Add agents**. The last step shows a **Callback URL**: copy it into the messaging webhook of your number in the provider's console, so incoming texts reach the inbox. Until that is done, you can send but nothing arrives.

## After the inbox is live

The inbox's **Configuration** tab shows the callback URL again if you need it. Everything else, from **Collaborators** to **Business Hours**, is explained in [Inbox settings, tab by tab](/settings/inbox-settings-tabs). SMS blasting uses this inbox; see [SMS and API blasting](/campaigns/sms-and-api-campaigns).

## Related

* [Inboxes and channels](/settings/inboxes-and-channels)
* [SMS and API blasting](/campaigns/sms-and-api-campaigns)
* [Inbox settings, tab by tab](/settings/inbox-settings-tabs)

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Source: https://help.mampuai.com/settings/connecting-an-sms-inbox