---
title: "Importing Mobile Numbers for SMS"
slug: "import-mobile-numbers-for-sms"
updated: 2025-08-27T07:49:56Z
published: 2025-08-27T07:49:56Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mapp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Importing Mobile Numbers for SMS

## Goal

Import contacts and profile attribute data from a CSV, XML, or text file into an existing group, using mobile numbers as identifiers.

---

## Prerequisites

- An existing Mapp Engage group (must be created before import).
- A CSV, XML, or text file formatted correctly and not exceeding 50 MB.
- Mobile numbers in the file must:
  - Include the international code.
  - Exclude optional leading zeroes.
  - Be formatted with or without a plus sign (`+`). Valid examples:
    - `49123456789`
    - `+49123456789`

---

## Configuration Note: SMS Channel Read Mode

If you import mobile numbers and email addresses in the same file, Mapp Engage automatically sets the SMS channel's read mode to “deny.” This prevents SMS messages from being sent to these contacts.

To enable SMS messaging, configure the read mode for each mobile contact as `"allow"` or `"prefer"` in the import file:

- **XML format:** `<channel type="mobile" mode="prefer"/>` or `<channel type="mobile" mode="allow"/>`
- **CSV format:** Header: `member.MobileChannel` Values: `"allow"` or `"prefer"`

---

## Procedure

1. Go to *Audience > Contact Management > Group Members in the main navigation*.
2. From the **Group** drop-down list, select the target group.
3. Click **Import**.
4. Click **File** to browse and select the import file from your computer.
5. Under **Type**, choose the appropriate file format: CSV, XML, or text.
6. From the **Character Set** drop-down list, select the file’s encoding.
7. From the **Import Mode** drop-down list, select how to handle the incoming contacts and profile data.
8. From the **Add Members** drop-down list, choose whether new members receive a notification, invitation, or nothing.

> [!NOTE]
> To send SMS messages, ensure the system message is enabled for the SMS channel. See [System Messages via SMS](/v1/docs/system-messages-via-sms).
9. Expand **Advanced Options** to configure additional settings if needed.
10. Click **Import** to start the process.

An Import Report will be emailed to the user who initiated the import.

---

## Samples

#### Sample XML File with SMS Numbers

```xml
<userdata xmlns="http://webservices.ecircle-ag.com/ecm">
    <list>
        <user>
            <FirstName>Joseph</FirstName>
            <LastName>Example</LastName>
            <MobileNumber>498912345678</MobileNumber>            
   <channel type="mobile" mode="allow"/>
     </user>
        <user>
            <FirstName>Jane</FirstName>
            <LastName>Sample</LastName>
            <MobileNumber>4989012345678</MobileNumber>            
   <channel type="mobile" mode="prefer"/>
     </user>
    </list>
</userdata>
```

#### Sample CSV File with SMS Numbers

```xml
"user.MobileNumber","user.FirstName","user.DateOfBirth","member.MobileChannel" "498912345678","Jane","1961-11-14","prefer" "498998765432","Joe","1981-12-21","prefer"
```

## Related

- [XML Format for Contact Imports](/xml-format-for-contact-imports.md)
- [CSV Format for Contact Imports](/csv-format-for-contact-imports.md)