The SMS Sync app turns your Android phone into a personal SMS gateway. Every message you send from CRM is relayed through your phone’s SIM, and every reply is synced straight back into your CRM conversations.
What You Need Before Starting
Make sure you have these ready before you begin:- An Android phone with an active SIM and a working cell/SMS plan
- The phone plugged into power (so it can run the app 24/7)
Part 1: Set Up the SMS Sync App on Android
Now we’ll install the app on your phone. It acts as the bridge between your SIM and your CRM.Download the SMS Sync App
In your CRM dashboard, open your device page. Tap Download SMS Sync (or scan the install QR code with your phone) to download the app. This same screen also holds the QR code and Activation Code you’ll use to link your phone later.
Disable Play Protect (Important)
Google Play Protect can block the app from installing or running correctly, so turn it off first.
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Tap your profile icon (top right) → Play Protect.
- Tap the settings gear and turn off all Play Protect scanning.
Download & Install the App
- Open Chrome on your Android phone.
- From your dashboard’s device page, tap Download Android App to download the APK file (allow the download if prompted).
- Open the downloaded file from Files → Downloads, tap the APK, then tap Install.
Allow All Permissions
When you open the app, it asks for the permissions it needs to send, receive, and relay messages. Tap Allow for every request.
- SMS Messages: send and receive texts through your phone
- Phone: read your number to identify this device
- Contacts: resolve sender names for incoming messages
- Notifications: show sync status in the notification bar
- Unrestricted Battery: keep sync running reliably in the background
If a permission is greyed out, go to Settings → Apps → SMS Sync → ⋮ (3 dots) → Allow Restricted Settings, then grant it. Also turn off “Pause app activity if unused” so the app never gets suspended.
Link the Device
On the Link Device screen, connect the app to your CRM with an activation code.
- Select the SIM card you want to use for messaging (important on dual-SIM phones, pick the SIM with an active number).
- Give the device a Device Name (e.g. your phone model) so you can recognise it in the dashboard.
- In your CRM dashboard, copy your Activation Code and paste it into the app, or tap the QR icon to scan it instead.
- Tap Link Device.
Part 2: Send a Test Message
Final Checklist
Keep your gateway running reliably:- Keep Alive in Background is ON
- Sync Received is ON
- Phone stays plugged into power
- App is not battery-optimised or “paused when unused”
- Correct SIM selected (dual-SIM phones)
- Use the app for all messaging, not your native SMS app
Troubleshooting
If messages aren’t sending, work through these in order:| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| App won’t install / keeps closing | Play Protect is ON → turn it off |
| Messages stuck / not sending | A permission is missing → Allow all |
| Syncing stops when screen is off | App is being paused → disable pause & enable unrestricted battery |
| Replies not reaching CRM | App isn’t the default SMS app → set it |
| Nothing routes at all | Device not assigned to sub-account, or SMS routing not enabled in the dashboard |
Dashboard Monitoring
In your dashboard, check the device’s status (Active), battery level, connection (Wi-Fi/Mobile), permissions status, and last ping. Errors here usually point straight to the setup issue. Start texting! Your Android phone is now a fully connected SMS gateway for your CRM.Support
If you need help with the setup or onboarding:- Email: support@messagesync.ai