Getting Started · 5 min read

How to set up the Android Gateway

Turn a spare Android phone into your own SMS gateway. Pair it with a QR code, send from your own SIM, and fire reminders on time — no per-message provider fees.

Important limitation

Android only supports 30 messages per 30 minutes. That means you can send a maximum of 1,440 messages within 24 hours. If you need higher concurrent messaging, we do not recommend using this service. Alternatively, you can choose sent.dm or a custom carrier API.

Before you start

  • An Android phone running version 8 or newer
  • A charger and cable (the phone needs to stay plugged in)
  • Wi-Fi for the initial pairing step
  • A Repeat Raven account (free to create, no card needed)
1

What you need

Any Android phone from version 8 upwards works. Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi, OnePlus — the lot. The phone needs a working SIM with SMS capability, and it will need to stay on charge and connected to the internet to receive jobs from your dashboard.

Android phone

Version 8 or newer

Charger

Stays plugged in

Wi-Fi or mobile data

For pairing (Wi-Fi preferred)

Android Apple

Android only — no iPhone version

Apple doesn't allow apps to send SMS on their own, so the bring-your-own-phone option is Android only.

2

Sign up to Repeat Raven

Head to repeatraven.com and create a free account. No credit card needed to get started. Once you're in, you'll land on the dashboard where you can manage campaigns, reminders and sending methods.

Desktop screenshot

Coming soon

3

Choose 'Use my phone'

In your Repeat Raven dashboard, go to Settings → SMS Provider and select Device. A QR code appears on screen. This code is unique to your account and expires after a few minutes for security.

Desktop screenshot

Coming soon

Keep the phone on the same Wi-Fi while pairing

The phone and your computer need to be able to reach Repeat Raven's servers during the initial handshake. After pairing, the phone only needs mobile data or Wi-Fi for receiving jobs.

4

Install the app and scan

Download the Repeat Raven Gateway app onto your Android phone. Open it, grant camera permission when asked, and point the camera at the QR code on your dashboard. The phone pairs to your account in seconds. No passwords, no manual setup codes.

9:41
5G
Scan pairing QR
Point the camera at the QR on your dashboard
Auto-captures · No tap needed

Once paired, the app shows your account name and a green active indicator. The link between your phone and your Repeat Raven account is encrypted, and the secret that proves it's yours is stored safely on the device.

5

Pick your SIM

If your phone has dual SIMs, the app asks which one to use for sending. Choose the number you want recipients to see. You can change this later from the app's settings. The app sends a one-off test SMS to confirm the SIM works.

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Step 2 of 3

Which SIM should send?

Recipients see this number. Change anytime from Settings.

1
Telia
+46 70 ••• 45 67 · 5G
2
Tele2
+46 73 ••• 12 89 · 4G
We'll send a one-off SMS to your dashboard email to confirm the SIM works.
6

Send a test message

Before you schedule real campaigns, fire a test message to confirm everything is working. In Repeat Raven, go to Settings → SMS Provider and click Send test. Enter your own phone number and hit send. You should receive the SMS within a few seconds.

Desktop screenshot

Coming soon

Message limit: 30 per 30 minutes

Android caps SMS sends to 30 messages per 30 minutes (1,440 per 24 hours). For higher volume, use sent.dm or a custom carrier API instead.

7

Leave it running

Plug the phone into its charger, make sure it stays connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data), and leave it somewhere with decent signal. The gateway auto-starts on boot, handles retries automatically, and reports every send back to your dashboard.

PLUGGED IN & RUNNING

SMS goes over the mobile network, not Wi-Fi. Your gateway keeps sending even if your home Wi-Fi is down, as long as the phone has mobile data for receiving jobs and decent mobile reception for SMS. The app handles retries automatically if a send fails.

Troubleshooting

QR code won't scan
Make sure the phone and your computer are both connected to the internet. QR codes expire after 5 minutes for security — if yours has expired, go back to Settings → SMS Provider and generate a fresh one. Clean your camera lens and hold the phone steady about 15–20 cm from the screen.
Test message not received
Check that the phone has mobile signal and that SMS is working on the chosen SIM. Try sending a manual text from the phone's default messaging app to confirm the SIM can send. Also verify the phone is still paired in your dashboard — if it shows as offline, try tapping Sync now in the app.
Gateway stops after reboot
On some phones, Android's battery optimisation can prevent apps from starting automatically. Open your phone's Settings → Apps → Repeat Raven Gateway → Battery → set to Unrestricted. Also make sure you granted the Run in background permission during setup.
Phone is lost or stolen
One click in your Repeat Raven dashboard unpairs the device and stops it sending. The app also clears its local data. No support tickets, no waiting around. If you get the phone back, just pair it again with a fresh QR code.

What's next?

Your Android gateway is paired and tested. Now you can build your first campaign in Repeat Raven and send through your own phone.

Start sending Learn more about Android Gateway

Last updated 14 May 2026 · Android Gateway overview ↗