Overview
Cobalt can reach a subscriber in two ways. iMessage is Apple's messaging service, so it reaches iPhone subscribers. SMS is the standard text message that works on any phone, and MMS is a text message with a picture. Which one Cobalt uses depends on where in Cobalt the message is sent from.
Where each one is used
Flows: Each message step in a flow has its own channel: Send Text Message, Send MMS or Send iMessage. A Send auto-reply step answers an iPhone subscriber over iMessage and an Android subscriber over SMS. To build one, see Build a Flow.
Conversations: When you reply to a subscriber, the message box shows Replying over iMessage or the other channel the conversation is on. You cannot switch it. Each message shows the channel it travelled on, such as iMessage or SMS. See Reply to Subscribers in Conversations.
Campaigns: Campaigns are sent as standard SMS or MMS only, never over iMessage since Apple prefers conversational content. See Create and Send a Campaign.
How Cobalt knows who has an iPhone
The Subscribers page has a Phone Type column that shows iPhone or Android, or a dash when Cobalt has not recorded one. Cobalt keeps it up to date from the way each subscriber actually texts you.
If someone cannot receive an iMessage
If a Send iMessage step reaches a phone that is not on iMessage, Cobalt sends it as a standard text instead. The channel shown under the message in Conversations tells you which one was used.
Your iMessage number
Cobalt sets up your iMessage number for you once your account is approved. In Settings > Phone Numbers, the iMessage Contact Card is shared automatically whenever you start a new conversation with a customer, and Cobalt support manages it.
Helpful Information
A sent message shows Delivered, and shows Read when the customer's iMessage read receipt arrives.
A Send iMessage step can include an image.
Get support
Questions? Please message our team via Live Chat on the bottom right or send us a text message at: 321-318-9777