# MessageBird SMS Quick Start
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To connect with MessageBird, you will need a [MessageBird account](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/en/sign-up).
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Messagebird is a cloud communications platform that allows you to send and receive SMS text messages through web service APIs.
This Messagebird integration lets you respond to SMS messages directly from our platform.
## Setting Up MessageBird
### Purchasing **a Virtual Number**
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Note that you will have to [top up your MessageBird account](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/en/paymentflow/add-funds) in order to purchase a Virtual Number.
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**Step 1: Sign in to your MessageBird account**\
Navigate to the [MessageBird dashboard](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/). If you are not already signed in, you may have to log in with your [MessageBird account](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/en/sign-up/) first.
**Step 2: Buy a Number**\
On the sidebar, select **Numbers.** On the Numbers page, select the blue **Buy a Number** button on the top right.
**Step 3: Choose a phone number**\
Select a phone number that you prefer and best suit your company needs. You can select a number from any country available on MessageBird.
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Be sure to select a phone number that supports SMS capability as it is required for this connection to work.
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## Connecting MessageBird
**Step 1: Navigate to Channel Settings**\
From **Settings** Module, navigate to the menu item, **Channels**
**Step 2: Add Channel**\
Press **Add Channel** and choose **SMS.** Select **MessageBird** on the second step
**Step 3: Sign in to your MessageBird account**\
Navigate to the [MessageBird dashboard](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/) and navigate to [Flow Builder](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/en/flow-builder).
**Step 4: Select Call HTTP endpoint with SMS template**\
Locate the **Call HTTP endpoint with SMS** template and press **Try This Flow**
**Step 5: Select the preferred phone number**\
Select the preferred phone number and press **Save**
**Step 6: Configure Forward to URL**\
From the Flow Builder, press on **Forward to URL** icon and select **POST** as the method.
**Step 7: Add the generated URL to the field**\
From the ISMessenger platform, copy the generated URL and paste it to the URL field at MessageBird
**Step 8:** If there are no errors, you may proceed to publish and activate the flow.
**Step 9:** On the IS-Messenger platform, follow the instructions and click **Next**.
**Step 10:** Navigate to the [Developer Access Page](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/en/developers/access) and click **Show Key**. Add the API key to the IS-Messenger platform.
**Step 11:** Select the phone number from the dropdown on the IS-Messenger platform.
**Step 12:** Click **Save Changes** to complete the setup.
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Once you completed the setup, any SMS sent to the MessageBird phone number will now be received in your space.
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## Channel Configuration
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MessageBird SMS channel can be configured with a unique channel name.
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**Step 1:** Navigate to **Workspace Settings** > Click **Channels**.
**Step 2:** Locate the MessageBird SMS Channel > Click **Manage > Configuration.**
**Step 3:** Configure the Channel name, which is used internally to identify the account.
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Ensure all your details are entered correctly as errors may cause outbound messages from your MessageBird SMS account to fail.
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**Important**: As for the other details, take extra note while updating as it might fail to receive messages from the connected MessageBird SMS account.
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**Step 4:** Click **Save Changes** to update the Channel configuration.