> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bilby.health/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# SMS

> Turn on SMS with your practice's own number, the monthly limit, and turning it off.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Not every practice has this yet. Bilby turns it on for each practice. If you can't see it, contact Bilby support.

With SMS on, your practice gets its own mobile number. Reminders and messages go out from it, and patients can reply. Your practice phone number doesn't change. Sending texts is on [Messages and follow-up](https://docs.bilby.health/messages/overview).

## Turn on SMS

Go to **Settings › SMS** and select **Turn on SMS**. Setting up the number usually takes under a minute, and the page updates by itself. Texts are billed on your Bilby subscription; replies are free.

## Monthly limit

Your practice has a sending limit: a small allowance during a trial, then a monthly limit. Long texts count as more than one. Admins get a notice as you near the limit. Once it's reached, texts stop until next month (or until a paid subscription starts, on a trial). Contact Bilby support if you need it raised.

## Turn off SMS

> [!WARNING]
>
> Turning SMS off gives up your number. Patients can no longer text it, and scheduled SMS reminders are cancelled. Turning SMS on again gets a new number.

On **Settings › SMS**, select **Turn off SMS**, then confirm.

## Turn SMS on again

Because turning SMS on again buys a new number, Bilby reviews it first. Select **Turn on SMS**, and the page says Bilby is reviewing. Once it's approved, come back and select **Turn on SMS** again.

## Troubleshooting SMS

| Message | What to do |
| - | - |
| "This is taking longer than it should." | Select **Try again**. |
| "We could not set up your number, so no texts are being sent. Try again, and if it still fails, contact Bilby support." | Select **Try again**. If it still fails, contact Bilby support. |
| "SMS is paused until the Bilby subscription is active again." | Pay the Bilby subscription in **Settings › Plan & billing**. |
| "This month's limit of N segments is used up. Texts send again next month." | Wait for next month, or contact Bilby support to raise the limit. |
| "Your N trial SMS segments are used up. Texts send again once a paid subscription is active." | Subscribe in **Settings › Plan & billing**. |


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