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

# SMS

> Follow up with a contact by text after a call

SMS is a follow-up text channel to a customer your Genie has already called.

<Note>
  SMS is not a bulk messaging or marketing tool — it only continues a conversation with a
  contact your Genie has already been in touch with.
</Note>

## The SMS thread

Opening a text thread (from a call's **View text thread** link, or from a contact in
[Audience detail](/outbound-guide/audiences)) shows a familiar message view:

* A contact header with an opt-in/opt-out state badge.
* A bubble thread with inbound messages on the left and outbound on the right, each with
  a relative time and delivery status (Delivered, Queued, Not delivered, Failed) where
  relevant.
* A reply composer at the bottom.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/helpgenie/T7RqFuvybCGYiRg_/images/outbound-guide/sms-thread-composer.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=T7RqFuvybCGYiRg_&q=85&s=269890506aaf0ea664c0258490f4d843" width="1679" height="1000" data-path="images/outbound-guide/sms-thread-composer.png" />
</Frame>

Messages are grouped by day (Today, Yesterday, or the full date).

## Sending a message

Type a reply in the composer and send it. The message goes out through your Genie's
number via the same suppression checks used for calls.

## Opted-out contacts

If a contact has opted out or is otherwise suppressed, the composer is replaced by a
blocked banner and no message can be sent.

<Note>
  The block mirrors the same suppression rule Outbound enforces on every send, so it
  can't be worked around from the screen.
</Note>