Frequently Asked Questions

Text Automator is an Android app that automates your SMS text messaging. You can schedule recurring messages, auto-reply to incoming texts, forward messages to other contacts, and send to contact groups — all running in the background.

Text Automator works on Android devices running Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher. It is not available for iPhone because Apple does not allow apps to send SMS messages programmatically.

No. Text Automator sends standard SMS text messages through your phone's cellular connection. It does not require Wi-Fi or mobile data. All your data stays on your device.

If your phone is powered off, messages scheduled during that time will appear in the Unsent tab when you turn it back on. If your phone restarts, Text Automator automatically restores all schedules — no action needed.

Yes. Text Automator uses a foreground service to run reliably in the background. You'll see a small persistent notification while it's active. For best results, exempt the app from battery optimization when prompted.

No. Text Automator is an independent app by CodePixel Labs. Standard SMS rates from your carrier may apply.

Free accounts can create up to 10 scheduled texts. Premium accounts have no limit.

Text Automator is designed for recurring messages. For a one-time send, create a scheduled text and disable it after it sends.

Use {name} in your message to insert the recipient's name automatically when the message sends. This works in all message types across the app.

An override lets you change the message for just the next send without editing the recurring schedule. After it sends, the message reverts to the original. Great for one-time personalization like "Happy birthday! Don't forget to take your meds today."

Yes. When creating a new scheduled text, you can set a first send date so the message goes out on a specific day rather than the next matching day.

Text Automator listens for incoming SMS messages using Android's broadcast receiver. For some devices, it can also use notification access as a fallback to detect messages from your messaging app.

Only if you configure it that way. You control exactly who gets replies (everyone, contacts only, non-contacts, or a specific whitelist), when replies are active (time windows), and how often (frequency limits).

Yes. Create multiple cards with different messages, time windows, and filters. Cards are matched by priority order — the highest-priority matching card sends its reply.

Natural delay adds a random pause of 5 to 30 seconds before sending the auto-reply, making it feel more human. It's a Premium feature.

Auto-reply works with standard SMS messages. It does not respond to MMS (picture messages) or group texts.

Yes. Each forwarding card can have multiple destinations. All destinations receive a copy of the forwarded message.

When enabled, the app sends a reply to the original sender confirming their message was received and forwarded. Useful in professional or on-call scenarios.

A Premium feature that lets you only forward messages containing specific words. For example, forward only texts that mention "urgent" or "emergency."

No. Auto-forward works with standard SMS text messages only. MMS and picture messages are not supported.

Text Automator sends an individual SMS to each group member separately. It's not a group MMS — recipients don't see each other or each other's replies. This gives you more control and privacy.

Free: 3 members per group, 2 groups total. Premium: unlimited groups and members.

Yes. Use {name} in your message and each person receives it with their own name filled in.

The app tracks delivery status for each member individually. You can retry just the failed recipients without re-sending to everyone.

Monthly: $4.99/month. Yearly: $39.99/year (saves 33%). Lifetime: $99.99 one-time purchase.

Unlimited scheduled texts, auto-reply/auto-forward cards and sends, groups and members, time windows per card. Plus natural reply delays, keyword filtering for auto-forward, and all future features.

Yes. The free tier includes all four features with generous limits. Try everything out before deciding to upgrade.

Open the Google Play Store app → Profile → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions → Text Automator → Cancel. Your Premium access continues until the end of the current billing period.

Install Text Automator, go to Settings, and tap Restore Purchases. This checks your Google Play account for existing purchases.

Only when Auto-Reply or Auto-Forward features are enabled. It processes incoming messages locally on your device to check against your rules. No message content is ever uploaded or shared externally.

No. Text Automator does not transmit any data to external servers. There are no analytics, no ad tracking, and no third-party data sharing. The only network communication is anonymous crash reports via Sentry.

Yes. Backup files are encrypted with AES-256 using a password you choose. Without the password, the file cannot be read.

Each permission serves a specific purpose: SMS permissions to send and receive texts, contacts to pick recipients, foreground service for reliable background operation, boot receiver to restore schedules after restart, and battery optimization exemption to prevent Android from stopping scheduled sends. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Check: (1) The message is toggled on. (2) Auto-SMS is not globally paused (check the menu). (3) SMS permission is granted (Android Settings → Apps → Text Automator → Permissions). (4) Battery optimization is disabled for the app (Settings → Apps → Text Automator → Battery → Unrestricted). (5) The phone was not off during the scheduled time.

Check: (1) The card is enabled. (2) Auto-Reply is not paused. (3) The current time is within the card's active time window. (4) The sender matches the sender filter. (5) The reply frequency limit hasn't been reached for that sender.

Upgrade to Premium to remove all limits. Tap the upgrade prompt or go to Settings → Upgrade to Premium.

Common causes: SMS permission was revoked, no cellular signal, invalid recipient number, or carrier blocked the message. Check error details in the Failed tab.

Use Settings → Export Backup on your old phone. Transfer the backup file to your new phone (email, cloud storage, etc.), install Text Automator, then use Settings → Import Backup.