What is a sender?
The sender is what the recipient sees as the “From” on your SMS.
Choosing the right sender affects:
whether customers can reply
where replies are delivered
how conversations are managed
how professional your messages appear
Mobile Message supports four sender options.
Option 1: Shared number (testing only)
A shared number is a Mobile Message number used by multiple accounts. It’s provided so you can test sending and receiving messages when you first sign up.
Best for:
testing your account
sending test messages to yourself
confirming replies work before going live
Key points:
customers can reply
replies appear in the Messenger
not suitable for live or customer-facing messaging
should not be used for campaigns or ongoing conversations
Shared numbers are intended for testing only.
Option 2: Dedicated number (recommended for live use)
A dedicated number is a Mobile Message mobile number assigned exclusively to your account.
Best for:
live customer messaging
two-way SMS conversations
replies managed in the Messenger
ongoing use with customers
Key points:
customers can reply
replies appear in the Messenger
you can respond from the platform
ideal for support, bookings, confirmations, and follow-ups
A dedicated number is the correct choice for any real-world or production use.
A dedicated number is available free after you purchase SMS credits.
Option 3: Your own mobile number
You can send messages from your own mobile number in some cases.
Best for:
simple one-off sends
situations where replies should go back to your phone
Key points:
customers can reply
replies are sent directly to your phone
replies do not appear in the Messenger
conversations are not managed inside Mobile Message
This option is useful if you want messages to look like they came from your personal phone and don’t need replies in the platform.
Option 4: Custom sender ID (business name)
A custom sender ID shows your business name as the sender instead of a phone number.
Best for:
one-way notifications
brand recognition
alerts and marketing messages
Key points:
replies are not supported
customers cannot reply
sender IDs must meet Australian registration and compliance requirements
Custom sender IDs are designed for outbound-only messaging.
How to choose the right sender
Use this as a quick guide:
You are testing your account
→ Use a shared numberYou want replies inside Mobile Message
→ Use a dedicated numberYou want replies to go to your own phone
→ Use your own mobile numberYou don’t need replies and want a business name
→ Use a custom sender ID
Important things to be aware of
Replies always go back to the sender used
Changing sender options changes where replies are delivered
Shared numbers should never be used for live messaging
For real customer communication, always use a dedicated number