An Android phone can send and receive messages for you using the SIM card and plan it already has, so you can get started in any country without an account with a messaging provider. Contacts text the phone's number, and messages are charged to its plan.

Before you start

You'll need an Android phone with a SIM card that can send and receive SMS. The app isn't in the Google Play Store, so you'll install it from TextIt directly:

1. On the phone, open its browser and go to https://textit.com/android/ to download the app.
2. Open the downloaded file from the phone's notifications. If Android asks, allow installing apps from this source, then go back and tap Install.
3. Open the app. It registers the phone and then shows a claim code.

Adding the channel

Go to Settings > Channels and click New Channel. Android is under SMS & Voice, or you can type its name in the search box.

Enter the Claim Code the app shows and the phone's Phone Number, including its country code, and click Add Channel.

Considerations

The phone sends and receives your messages itself, so keep it switched on, charged and connected to the internet.

To learn more about channels in general, see Introduction to Channels.