Text Message API on Your Android Phone
Run your own text message API on Android hardware. FlixySMS replaces paid carrier APIs with your existing SIM plan and adds Shopify, WooCommerce, and webhook integrations.
TL;DR
FlixySMS installs on an Android phone and exposes a REST API for sending and receiving SMS. You avoid per-message carrier fees and instead pay a flat monthly subscription while using your existing cellular plan. The phone handles 30-100 messages per minute and supports multi-segment concatenation, webhooks, and direct integrations with Shopify and WooCommerce.
You can run a text message API directly from an Android handset instead of paying per-message fees to carriers or cloud providers. FlixySMS installs on your device and exposes a REST endpoint that accepts JSON payloads for outbound messages while polling for inbound replies.
What a Text Message API Actually Does
A text message API accepts HTTP requests and translates them into SMS packets sent over the cellular radio. Traditional services like Twilio bill $0.0075 to $0.05 per message. FlixySMS routes traffic through your existing SIM plan, so the marginal cost drops to whatever fraction of your monthly carrier fee you allocate to the platform subscription.
The Android radio typically sustains 30 to 100 SMS per minute before carrier throttling kicks in. Multi-device clusters spread load across several phones to reach higher sustained rates.
Turning an Android Handset into the Gateway
Install FlixySMS from the Play Store, grant SMS permissions, and register the device with your account at dashboard. The app then opens a local web server that listens for API calls on port 8080. You can forward that port or place the phone behind a reverse proxy for public access.
See the exact steps on the how it works page. The phone stays in your office or server room; no carrier contract changes are required.
REST API Basics
Send a single message with a POST to /api/v1/send. The payload includes the destination number in E.164 format and the message body. Multi-segment messages longer than 160 characters are split automatically and reassembled with concatenation headers.
{
"to": "+15551234567",
"body": "Your order 98765 has shipped via USPS tracking 9400110899223400000000.",
"from": "+15559876543"
}
Delivery receipts arrive as webhooks to the URL you configure in the dashboard. Status codes include sent, delivered, and failed with carrier error strings.
Integrations That Trigger Messages
Connect FlixySMS to the platforms you already use. Shopify order confirmations fire an SMS when an order status changes to paid. WooCommerce abandoned-cart flows send reminders 30 minutes after checkout abandonment. Google Sheets accepts a bulk import of phone numbers and message templates for one-off campaigns.
Custom webhooks let any internal system post to the same endpoint. The api-docs page lists every field and error code.
Cost Comparison
Traditional APIs charge per message while FlixySMS charges a flat monthly fee based on quota.
| Provider | Per-message cost | Monthly fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twilio | $0.0075–$0.05 | $0 | Carrier-based |
| FlixySMS Free | Carrier rate | $0 | 500 messages quota |
| FlixySMS Pro | Carrier rate | $29 | 10 000 messages quota |
| FlixySMS Business | Carrier rate | $79 | 50 000 messages, multi-device |
Check current limits on the pricing page. Quotas reset on the first of each month.
Two-Way Conversations and Auto-Responders
Inbound messages trigger rules you define. A STOP keyword automatically unsubscribes the number and logs the event for compliance. An opt-in confirmation replies with a short welcome message. You can also route keywords to different response templates or forward the thread to email.
The system stores conversation history so you can continue a thread from the web dashboard or via the API.
Delivery Tracking and Reporting
Every message receives a unique ID returned in the API response. Query that ID later to retrieve final status, carrier timestamp, and any error detail. Export logs as CSV for 30-day windows or stream them to your own database via webhooks.
Getting Started
Create an account at dashboard. Add your first Android device, then test a single send from the API playground. Once the test succeeds, wire up your first integration and monitor delivery rates for a week before scaling volume.
Read the faq for common carrier throttling questions and multi-SIM setup tips. Contact support at contact if you need help mapping your existing phone numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a text message API cost on Android?+
FlixySMS charges a flat monthly fee while messages travel over your normal carrier plan. Traditional services add $0.0075 to $0.05 per message on top of any subscription.
Can I send bulk SMS with an Android text message API?+
Yes. A single device reaches 30-100 messages per minute. Multiple phones run in parallel to increase throughput while staying under carrier limits.
Does the Android gateway support two-way SMS?+
Inbound messages trigger auto-responders or custom webhooks. You can handle STOP keywords, order confirmations, and ongoing conversations from the same dashboard.
Which platforms integrate with FlixySMS?+
Native connectors exist for Shopify order events, WooCommerce hooks, Google Sheets imports, and generic webhooks for any other system.
Is delivery tracking included?+
Every send returns a message ID. You can poll status or receive webhook callbacks that include carrier timestamps and error codes.