Key Takeaways
- Self-hosted Android phone as SMS/MMS gateway: you still fund the SIM and keep the radio online — “self-hosted” is not free carrier traffic.
- Our product pairs an official APK with a hosted control plane; fully DIY stacks add VPS/TLS ownership.
- MMS needs data/APN and reachable attachments — not only SMS airtime.
- OEM exemptions and spare charged devices beat brochure SLAs.
- We meter devices and send volume when you use us. Operator credit is always yours.
Self-hosted phone still needs a SIM
Use your Android phone as SMS/MMS gateway — self-hosted in depth: what changes when the control plane or media fetch path lives closer to you, and what never changes (operator credit, OEM, RF). Hub: Android phone as SMS gateway. MMS: MMS gateway. Setup: device setup.
Hosting the panel in your rack does not move the SMSC into your rack — the SIM still bills the operator.
Hosted control plane vs DIY
| Piece | Our SaaS path | Fully DIY / script |
|---|---|---|
| Queue / API | Hosted control plane | Your VPS + TLS + backups |
| Android app | Official APK | Whatever the script ships |
| SIM / airtime | You | You |
| MMS attachments | URLs handset can fetch | Same — plus your media host |
SMS and MMS on the same handset
SMS can work while MMS fails on APN/data — see failed MMS troubleshooting. Live fields: Developer Center.
What you operate
Power, OEM exemptions, RF, and airtime alerts. Dual SIM is not two batteries — multi-device and dual SIM.
Cost
Devices plus SMS send volume on our plans. DIY adds hosting cost; never removes operator airtime. Free: 1 device / 300 SMS lifetime. Starter, Professional, and Business list Unlimited SMS as platform send volume; that is not unmetered carrier SMS.
Checklist
- SIM funded; OEM exemptions done.
- Spare charged device.
- MMS: data + URL canary.
- TLS/backups if you host the panel.
- Not conflated with CodeCanyon SKUs we do not sell.
Next steps
Related product pages
Jump to the live product docs for this topic—not another long-form article.
- MMS gateway on your own SIMMultimedia where supported
- device and SMS volume pricingPlans and allowances
- Android SMS gateway product guideDefinition, product, and how to buy
- SMS API documentationLive endpoint reference
