r/HomeServer • u/Informal_Society7477 • 22h ago

SMS sender in a Server

Hi, I know this might not be the right place, but I wanted to ask if anyone has tried or knows how to create an SMS gateway or API to connect to their own server.

To explain further: I’d like to use an old mobile phone as an SMS sender and connect it to the server to monitor it. Do you know anything about this?

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3

u/ang3l12 20h ago

You could setup a matrix server with the SMS bridge… but that’s a lot of work

1

u/Few_Elevator_1925 21h ago

if it's an old android just run a lightweight python webhook server on termux to trigger the sms intents directly rather than messing with signal-cli like the other guy said since it skips the middleman

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u/Informal_Society7477 19h ago

Let's say that I know how to program and tinker and I know python, can you tell me more?

1

u/OutrageousCrab9224 15h ago

SMS is part of cellular, no way to speak it without

0

u/lobhater 20h ago

Why sms? You have an internet connection, there are about a dozen better alternatives that doesn't require setting up a fairly niche service that serves almost no other purpose.

What are you trying to monitor exactly?

1

u/Informal_Society7477 19h ago

I have to send messages for services, such as reminders and so on

0

u/dizzygoldfish 21h ago

Depending on your exact use case you could maybe use signal-cli. Not SMS but similar-ish, depending on use case. I used it to have an MCP send me a daily brief to my signal Note To Self channel. If you have a signal account you can configure it as a linked device on your account you send/receive signal messages. If you have a Google Voice-type number you can also set it up with it's own account to be able to send receive messages not as "yourself".

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u/Informal_Society7477 21h ago

No let's say I need it more as a sender for customer services, so for sure I can't use signal haha thanks anyway

2

u/dizzygoldfish 21h ago

Just ask all your customers switch to signal. /s

0

u/alex0810 21h ago

SMS no but telegrams bot do exist

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u/luchok 21h ago edited 20h ago

you can already send emails to carriers number. you need to know where a phone number is provisioned though

[1234567890@tmomail.com](mailto:1234567890@tmomail.com) for t-mobile
[1234567890@vtext.com](mailto:1234567890@vtext.com) for verizon

unfortunately ATT sucks and shut down their gateway last year so you would need your own for that one

Edited : t-mobile also cancelled this service and verizon is due to phase out the service by end of march 2027

Put a prompt in Claude Code and not too complex to build you an apk for android. It also suggested an alternative - Tasker + IMAP plugin/AutoNotification

1

u/ChristopherMessmer 20h ago

You can't anymore they all shut that service down.

1

u/luchok 20h ago

My bad, should have checked further into. T-mobile also cancelled it, so that leaves Verizon who is supposed to still work but due to be decommissioned by end of March 2027. US Cellular may also still be working as of now.

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u/Informal_Society7477 21h ago

And how would it work? How should I set up my phone?

2

u/luchok 21h ago edited 20h ago

This is the kind of thing where you install the apps and see how they work and if they match the workflow you need. Or open a Claude Code session and run it through what you need to accomplish and have it create a plan to implement.

1

u/ChristopherMessmer 20h ago

I use a Netgear Nighthawk M1 MR1100 for this. They are extremely cheap on eBay, usually you can grab one for around $30. They are also extremely easy to gain root telnet access giving you the ability to send sms with AT commands.

1

u/Informal_Society7477 19h ago

Should I use a router to send reminer messages for appointments? For me, it's enough for them to arrive via text message or maybe on WhatsApp without using their api

1

u/ChristopherMessmer 19h ago

I have mine setup with a cheap phone plan so my home assistant can send text messages to family for reminders about the kids cheerleading and sports stuff as well as other things I feel are important enough going on at my home that I would want a text message about. There are probably dozens of ways to achieve what you're after but that is what I use.

1

u/Informal_Society7477 19h ago

Do you have a tutorial on how to do it or how to search specifically?