SMS Reply Handling

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Overview

SMS Reply Handling in Mapp Engage defines how inbound SMS messages are processed when contacts respond to your campaigns. Each Mapp Engage group can support only one reply-handling method at a time. This means you must set up separate groups to manage subscriptions and unsubscriptions via SMS.


Navigation Path

  1. Go to Audience > Group Management > Groups

  2. Click the Change Settings icon

  3. Select the Reply Handling tab and scroll down to the SMS section.


Key Characteristics

  • A single group cannot process both subscribe and unsubscribe replies. To support both, use multiple SMS groups.

  • The inbound mobile ID is required and must be configured via your SMS service provider.

  • Mapp Engage offers various handling methods depending on your desired outcome (e.g., automation triggers, email forwarding, subscription management).

  • System messages must be enabled for SMS for specific reply-handling methods to function correctly.


SMS Reply Handling Methods

1 Unsubscription

SMS Reply Handling Method

Description

Send Unsubscribe Instructions

Sends a double opt-out message containing an unsubscribe code and URL. Contacts must confirm via the link. Uses the system message SysMsgUnsubscribeInstructions.

Initiate Event-based Automation

Automatically unsubscribes contacts upon matching keyword replies (e.g., “STOP,” “unsubscribe”). This is a single opt-out process.


2 Automation

SMS Reply Handling Method

Description

Initiate Event-based Automation

Triggers one or more automation events based on inbound SMS content. Automations can be filtered by keywords.


3 Email Forwarding

SMS Reply Handling Method

Description

Send to Group Owner

Converts incoming SMS to email and forwards to group owners or managers. No filtering is applied.

Send to Email Address

Converts incoming SMS to email and forwards to a specified email address.

Store in IMAP

Converts incoming SMS to email and stores it in the group’s IMAP inbox. It is accessible via an email client.


4 Subscription

SMS Reply Handling Method

Description

Treat as Mobile Subscribe Request

Adds the sender's mobile number to the group and sends SysMsgWelcomeToGroupPasswd.

Treat as Email Subscribe Request

Adds an email address from the SMS to the group, with options to:

  • Add Without Notification

  • Add With Notification

  • Invite

Note: If a contact already exists in Mapp Engage with an email address, they must have permission to update their own address and profile data in order to successfully subscribe via SMS.

4.1 Subscription Behavior by Method

Reply Handling Method

Sent to Contact by Email

Sent to Contact by SMS

​Send Unsubscribe Instructions​

SysMsgUnsubscribeInstructions

​Treat as Mobile Subscribe Request​

SysMsgWelcomeToGroupPasswd

​Treat as Email Subscribe Request​

​Add without Notification​

Store email & mobile

SysMsgMobileEmailSubscribeSuccess

Store email only

​Add with Notification​

Store email & mobile

SysMsgWelcomeToGroup

SysMsgWelcomeToGroupPasswd AND SysMsgMobileEmailSubscribeSuccess

Store email only

SysMsgWelcomeToGroup

​Invite​

Store email & mobile

SysMsgInviteToGroupPasswd

SysMsgInviteToGroupPasswd AND SysMsgMobileEmailSubscribeSuccess

Store email only

SysMsgInviteToGroupPasswd


5 Other Methods

SMS Reply Handling Method

Description

Ignore and Delete

Discards all inbound SMS messages without action. Not recommended.


System Message Handling & Behavior

  • System messages for SMS must be explicitly enabled for the relevant group.

  • If both a mobile number and an email address are stored, Mapp Engage sends an additional SMS confirmation message using the SysMsgMobileEmailSubscribeSuccess system message.

  • This SMS is sent in addition to any email notification or invitation (e.g., SysMsgWelcomeToGroup, SysMsgInviteToGroupPasswd).

  • If you do not want to send the SMS confirmation, you can suppress the SysMsgMobileEmailSubscribeSuccess message in the group settings.