SMS Simulator: Test SMS in RingQ Without a Provider
The SMS Simulator lets you set up and try any SMS number before you have a provider account. RingQ answers exactly like the chosen provider would, so Chat, queues and your own software behave just as they will when the number goes live. Nothing is sent to a real phone and nothing is charged.
Turn on the Simulator
- Add or edit an SMS number and pick its provider.
- Switch Simulator on. The provider keys are no longer required.
- Choose how the provider should answer in Answer like.
- Click Save. The number shows a Simulator badge in the list.
| Answer like | What happens |
|---|---|
| Accepted and delivered | Messages are accepted and marked delivered |
| Wrong API key (401) | The provider's own "unauthorised" error, to test what agents see |
| Number not on this account | The provider's "number not found" error |
| Provider down (timeout) | No answer, as if the provider were offline |
Pretend a customer texts you
- Click Simulate incoming SMS on the number.
- Enter a Customer number and a message, then send it.
- RingQ builds the same webhook the real provider would send, including its security signature, and passes it through the normal incoming path.
- The result shows each step, and a new chat appears in RingQ Chat for the number's queue.
Replies and test messages
When an agent replies to a simulated chat, or you click Send test message, RingQ answers in the provider's format straight away and no text leaves the system.
For developers
The SMS Playground (Integrations › RingQ APIs) works with simulated numbers too. Send SMS calls from your own code get a realistic answer while no real message is sent, so you can build and test safely.
Go live
- Edit the number and enter your real provider keys.
- Switch Simulator off and click Save changes.
- Click Send test message to confirm a real text arrives.
Only admins can use the Simulator.