Get up and running with HighSMS in under 10 minutes. By the end of this guide, you'll have sent your first SMS from your own phone number through the dashboard.
What You Need
- A HighSMS account — create one here if you haven't already
- An Android phone (Android 8.0+) with a SIM card and an SMS plan
1. Open the Devices Page
Click Devices in the left sidebar to open the Devices page.
2. Click Add Device
Click the Add Device button on the Devices page.
3. Name Your Device
Enter a name for your device (e.g., "Office Phone" or "Sales Line") and click Add Device.
4. Download the App
A QR code will appear on screen. Download the HighSMS APK from the download link shown on this screen.
5. Play Protect Warning
When you try to install the APK, Google Play Protect will block it because the app is not from the Play Store. Tap Got it to dismiss the warning.
6. Pause Play Protect
To install the app, you need to temporarily pause Play Protect.
Open the Google Play Store app, tap your Profile icon (top right), then tap Play Protect.
Tap the Settings gear icon (top right) in Play Protect, then turn off Scan apps with Play Protect.
You'll see a confirmation that Play Protect is paused.
7. Install the APK
Now open the downloaded HighSMS APK file again and tap Install.
8. Allow Permissions
Open the HighSMS app. On Android 13+, you'll first see an "App was denied access to SMS" screen — don't worry, we'll fix this in a moment. Continue past it.
The app will ask for permissions one by one. Tap Allow on each one. Here's what each permission is for:
Camera — needed to scan the QR code that connects your phone to the dashboard.
Phone call logs — needed for the missed call text-back feature, so the app knows when you miss a call.
Notifications — needed to show you the foreground service notification that keeps the app running in the background.
Phone calls — needed to detect missed calls and identify which SIM card is active on your phone.
After allowing all the prompts, you'll see a "Permission Required" screen with a Grant Permission button and an Open App Settings button. Tap Open App Settings to go to the HighSMS app settings.
In the app settings, tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right corner and tap Allow restricted settings.
Now go back to the HighSMS app and grant SMS permission when prompted.
9. Scan the QR Code
In the app, tap Scan QR Code and point your camera at the QR code on your dashboard screen.
10. Device Connected
Your device will show as Online in the dashboard — you're connected and ready to send!
11. Set Battery to Unrestricted
After connecting, the app will show a "One More Step" screen with battery optimization steps specific to your phone brand (Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, etc.). Tap Open Battery Settings, set HighSMS to Unrestricted, then come back and tap Done, Continue.
12. Send Your First SMS
Go to the Send page, select the country code from the dropdown, enter the phone number, write your message, pick your device, and hit Send. The SMS goes out from your actual phone within seconds.
