textbee is an open-source SMS gateway that turns an Android phone into a REST API for sending and receiving text messages. Developers use it instead of paid SMS services like Twilio when they already have a phone and SIM card and want to avoid per-message fees.
Developer: Nuver Labs (textbee) · License: AGPL-3.0 (open source) · Price: Free
Before you start: you need an Android phone running Android 7.0 or newer with an active SIM card, and a free account at textbee.dev. Download the APK from textbee.dev/download, install it, and grant the SMS permissions it asks for.
Official file from the developer's release · Sep 21, 2026 · SHA-256 a8519e6bcbbeb473…
Key features
- Send SMS from a REST API, the web dashboard, or the official JavaScript and Python SDKs
- Bulk SMS via CSV upload, scheduled messages up to 72 hours ahead, and multi-device/multi-SIM support
- Receive SMS on the phone and read them from the API or dashboard, with account-level message history
- SMS filters on the phone to forward only messages matching allow or block rules
- Webhooks signed with HMAC-SHA256, plus an official MCP server for AI agents like Claude and Cursor
Why isn’t textbee on Google Play?
The app is distributed as an APK directly from textbee.dev/download and published on GitHub by its developers, not through the Play Store.
Is textbee safe?
textbee is fully open source under the AGPL-3.0 license, and the Android app, API, and dashboard code are all in the same public repository. The app requests SMS permissions since it needs to send and receive text messages on your behalf, and you can either use the free hosted service at textbee.dev or self-host the whole stack with Docker Compose for full control over your data. textbee comes straight from its developer rather than through Google Play, so it hasn’t gone through Google’s app review. As with any app, check the permissions it asks for and install it if you’re comfortable with them.
How to install
- Tap the download button above: the APK file downloads straight to your phone.
- When Android asks, allow your browser to install unknown apps.
- Open the file and tap Install.
FAQ
Is textbee free to use?
Yes. It is open source under AGPL-3.0, and there is a free hosted plan at textbee.dev. You can also self-host the API, dashboard, and app yourself with Docker Compose.
How do I connect my phone to the textbee dashboard?
Create an account at textbee.dev, install the Android app, then click Add device in the dashboard and scan the QR code shown there with the app. This registers the phone and creates an API key, and the whole process takes about 2 minutes.
How is textbee different from Twilio?
textbee uses your own Android phone and SIM card to send and receive SMS, so costs come from your carrier plan rather than a per-message fee and a rented number. It is also open source and self-hostable, which Twilio is not.
More free apps you won’t find on Google Play: Open Source Apps · Best Android apps not on the Google Play Store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is textbee free to use?
Yes. It is open source under AGPL-3.0, and there is a free hosted plan at textbee.dev. You can also self-host the API, dashboard, and app yourself with Docker Compose.
How do I connect my phone to the textbee dashboard?
Create an account at textbee.dev, install the Android app, then click Add device in the dashboard and scan the QR code shown there with the app. This registers the phone and creates an API key, and the whole process takes about 2 minutes.
How is textbee different from Twilio?
textbee uses your own Android phone and SIM card to send and receive SMS, so costs come from your carrier plan rather than a per-message fee and a rented number. It is also open source and self-hostable, which Twilio is not.
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