Overview
Cobalt sends your messages from phone numbers set up for your business. Every account has an iMessage number and an SMS number, which is either a 10DLC or a Toll-Free number. On the Enterprise plan you can also add a short code. You can see all of your numbers in Account Settings > Phone Numbers.
The kinds of numbers
iMessage: Comes with every account. Our team sets it up for you once your account is approved, and we aim for same-day activation. It reaches iPhone subscribers in flows and conversations.
10DLC: A 10-digit phone number with a local US area code and a higher allowed messaging volume. It is the recommended choice during setup and usually takes 2-3 business days to register with the carriers.
Toll-Free: A number with an area code such as 800, 888, 877 or 866, widely used for customer service and marketing. It usually takes 4-5 business days for the carriers to verify.
Short Code: Part of the Enterprise plan. You request one on the Phone Numbers page and our team sets it up with you.
How you get each number
You choose 10DLC or Toll-Free on the Business Verification step when you set up your account. After our team approves your account, Cobalt registers that number with the carriers for you. If you started with a Toll-Free number, you can request a 10DLC number later from the Phone Numbers page.
Which number sends your messages
You can hold a Toll-Free number, a 10DLC number and a short code at the same time, but Cobalt sends SMS and MMS from only one of them. That number reads Enabled on the Phone Numbers page, and the others read Inactive. iMessage runs alongside your SMS number, so it has its own status.
Campaigns are sent as standard SMS or MMS only, never over iMessage since Apple prefers conversational content, so they always go out from your SMS number.
Helpful Information
You cannot send messages until the carriers verify your business and your number is ready.
When a 10DLC number you requested is ready, it becomes the number Cobalt sends from, and your Toll-Free number reads Inactive.
Get support
Questions? Please message our team via Live Chat on the bottom right or send us a text message at: 321-318-9777