## Texting needs a mobile (07) number
The AI can only send and answer texts on an SMS-capable mobile (07) number. UK landlines - including 01, 02 and 03 numbers - cannot do two-way texting (it's a limitation of how UK landlines work, not a RingDesk setting), so:
- Your RingDesk mobile number can text. If your RingDesk number is a landline, add a dedicated texting number from Setup (an SMS-capable 07 mobile, £5/month).
- People text that number, and the conversation appears under your desk's Messages tab. Reply yourself, or turn on auto-reply and the AI answers from your business info.
- Advertise the texting number for texts - for example "Text us on 07...".
Texting and call forwarding are separate. If you forward calls from your existing business number to RingDesk, that only forwards voice calls - it does not forward texts. So:
- Texts sent to your own business number never reach RingDesk - the AI can't see or answer them.
- Porting won't fix this for a landline. Even if you ported your landline into RingDesk, a landline still can't do two-way texting. To answer texts, use an SMS-capable mobile (07) number and advertise that for texts.
Reply yourself or let the AI
- Open Messages, pick a conversation, and type a reply - it's sent from your RingDesk texting number.
- To have the AI answer texts automatically, open Setup and switch on Reply to texts automatically. The agent answers from your FAQs, hours and offers, keeps it short, and offers to pass anything it can't answer to your team.
Good to know
- Texts are always saved in Messages even if auto-reply is off.
- If someone replies STOP, they're opted out and you can't text them until they reply START (a legal requirement).
- The AI won't invent prices or availability - if it doesn't know, it says someone will follow up.
### Related articles
- Send a follow-up text after a call - Get a text when a call needs you - Adding the chat widget to your website - Your call notification emails - Managing your notification preferences