Business Identity
Publish a dedicated number for customer enquiries instead of exposing an employee’s personal phone.
Get a Virtual Phone Number to Receive SMS for Your Business
Add a cloud-based business number for supported incoming SMS without keeping another phone switched on. Bring customer enquiries, booking requests and operational messages into your AutoForward Text inbox, then route them to email, Slack, WhatsApp, CRM systems, webhooks or the people responsible for responding.
Receive Business SMSNo Dedicated PhoneShared InboxCRM & Webhooks
A business number
Keep customer SMS separate from personal communication.
Cloud-based reception
Receive supported messages without a dedicated handset or SIM.
Built for workflows
Route messages to teams, inboxes, CRM and automation.
Business SMS number
Receive Customer Text Messages Without Using a Personal Number
A virtual number gives a business a dedicated entry point for supported SMS while AutoForward Text controls where each incoming message goes next.
Shared Visibility
Give the team access to incoming communication rather than leaving every message with one person.
No Extra Handset
Use a supported cloud number without maintaining another physical phone and mobile SIM.
Workflow Routing
Send each message into email, collaboration, CRM and automation workflows where it can be handled.
More than an online inbox
Route Virtual-Number SMS Where Your Business Already Works
Receiving the message is only the first step. AutoForward Text can make supported SMS visible in the destination best suited to the customer or workflow.
Web Inbox
Review supported conversations and message history from the dashboard.
Send customer messages to Gmail, Outlook or a shared support inbox.
Slack
Notify sales, support or operations channels when an SMS arrives.
Route selected SMS into supported WhatsApp contact or group workflows.
CRM
Send supported leads and conversations into HubSpot, Pipedrive or GoHighLevel workflows.
Webhooks
Pass message events into your own applications, databases and internal systems.
Automation & AI
Trigger n8n, Make.com or custom classification and routing logic.
Another Phone
Forward important messages to the owner, manager or duty phone.
Business-first use cases
Turn Incoming SMS Into Leads, Tasks and Follow-Up
A business virtual number is most useful when the incoming message reaches the person or system responsible for acting on it—not when it sits in another isolated inbox.
Lead capture
Create or update supported CRM contacts when a prospect texts the number.
Team escalation
Route urgent keywords to a manager, Slack channel or duty phone.
Example lead workflow
1. Prospect texts your virtual business number.
2. AutoForward Text records and checks routing rules.
3. CRM contact, note and follow-up workflow are created where supported.
4. Sales receives an email, Slack or phone alert.
How to get a number
Get a Virtual Phone Number to Receive SMS in Four Steps
Available countries, area codes and capabilities can vary. Confirm number availability before building the number into published business materials.
1
Create Your Account
Sign in to AutoForward Text and open the Virtual Numbers area.
2
Choose an Available Number
Select a supported country, number type or available option for your business.
3
Configure Destinations
Choose the inbox, email, Slack, WhatsApp, CRM or webhook routes you need.
4
Send a Test SMS
Confirm the number receives the message and every selected route behaves correctly.
Choose the right channel
Virtual Number, Android + SIM or Twilio?
All three can receive SMS, but they solve different operational needs. Choose based on whether you need a new cloud number, an existing mobile number or programmable Twilio infrastructure.
Requirement
Virtual
Android
Twilio
New cloud number
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Existing SIM number
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No physical device
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AFT routing workflows
Calls and voicemail
Use Supported Virtual Numbers for More Than SMS
Depending on the number type, a virtual number can also receive calls, capture missed-call events and record voicemail. AutoForward Text can route voicemail details into email and supported team workflows.
Missed Call Alerts
Make unanswered business calls visible outside a hidden call log.
Voicemail Capture
Record supported voicemail and route details to email or workflows.
Transcription
Use available transcription to scan voicemail without replaying every recording.
Missed-Call Follow-Up
Trigger supported SMS or WhatsApp follow-up through a connected sending channel.
Business use cases
A Virtual SMS Number for Customer-Facing Teams
Sales Enquiries
Publish a number for quotes and route new leads directly to sales.
Customer Support
Centralize incoming support texts in a shared inbox or helpdesk workflow.
Appointments
Receive booking requests and alert the person managing the schedule.
Property & Real Estate
Capture tenant, buyer and maintenance messages in team workflows.
Operations & Dispatch
Route vendor, driver and field-service updates to operations.
Agencies & Client Work
Give each supported workflow a business contact point without another device.
Before you publish the number
Availability, Compliance and Workflow Limits
Availability varies
Countries, area codes, number types and SMS capabilities are not identical everywhere.
Verify SMS support
Confirm the selected number can receive the message types and regions your business expects.
Follow messaging rules
Consent, carrier, registration and local communication requirements still apply.
Test every destination
Validate forwarding, replies, CRM records and after-hours behavior before launch.
Virtual number FAQ
Business Virtual Phone Number Questions
Confirm availability and supported capabilities for the specific number before purchasing or publishing it.
Ask About AvailabilityCan I get a virtual phone number to receive SMS?+
Yes. AutoForward Text provides supported virtual numbers that can receive SMS and feed incoming-message workflows. Number availability and capabilities depend on the country and number type available when you order.
Is a virtual phone number useful for a business?+
Yes. A business virtual number can separate customer communication from a personal phone, provide shared message visibility and connect incoming enquiries with email, CRM, Slack, WhatsApp and automation workflows.
Do I need a physical phone or SIM for a virtual number?+
A virtual number is cloud-based and does not require a dedicated physical phone or SIM for supported message reception. Other AutoForward Text channels can still use Android phones and existing SIM cards.
Where can incoming virtual-number SMS be forwarded?+
Supported messages can be routed to destinations such as email, another phone, Slack, WhatsApp, CRM systems, webhooks and the AutoForward Text inbox.
Can my team reply to messages received on the virtual number?+
Supported virtual-number workflows can provide inbox or connected reply options. Reply availability depends on the number, destination and messaging configuration.
Can a virtual number send messages into my CRM?+
Yes. Supported incoming messages can feed connected CRM workflows, including available HubSpot, Pipedrive and GoHighLevel integrations.
Can a virtual number receive calls and voicemail?+
Supported virtual-number configurations can receive calls, capture missed-call activity and voicemail, and route voicemail details into email or other workflows. Capabilities vary by number type.
Can I use a virtual number for bulk SMS marketing?+
This page is focused on legitimate business enquiries, customer support, operational communication and transactional workflows—not unsolicited bulk messaging. Carrier, consent and messaging rules still apply.
A number owned by the workflow
Give Your Team a Virtual Business Number for SMS.
Create a dedicated customer contact point and route messages, follow-up and available conversation context to the people and systems responsible for responding.