---
title: "Activate or Deactivate Automation Services for SMS"
slug: "activate-or-deactivate-automation-services-for-sms"
description: "Learn how to use automation API to enable SMS communications with Sidekick and other 3rd party services."
updated: 2026-03-07T22:38:02Z
published: 2026-03-07T22:38:02Z
canonical: "help.gladly.com/activate-or-deactivate-automation-services-for-sms"
---

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

# Activate or Deactivate Automation Services for SMS

| **REQUIRED USER ROLE** Administrator | **PERMISSION OVERVIEW** [View permissions by role](https://help.gladly.com/docs/managing-users-and-roles#roles-and-responsibilities) |
| --- | --- |

Allow [Gladly AI](https://help.gladly.com/docs/what-is-gladly-ai) and other 3rd party [automation services](https://developer.gladly.com/rest/#tag/Message-Automation) to utilize SMS.

> [!WARNING]
> Only activate if utilizing an automation partner or Gladly AI
> 
> A third-party automation provider coordinates the handoff to Gladly using the Automation API. Unless you're working with an automation partner or utilizing Gladly AI for SMS, leave this box unchecked.

1. Click ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/7047b671-c4f2-4df0-bb0a-b9b511fd2452/Images/Documentation/hamburger-menu-icon(2).svg) on the top left corner of the screen.
2. Click **Settings**.
3. Under the **Channels**category, click **SMS**. The SMS page will show you a list of SMS-enabled phone numbers you own.
4. From the SMS settings page, hover over the phone SMS-enabled phone number you want to activate and allow Gladly AI or third-party automation support, then click ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/7047b671-c4f2-4df0-bb0a-b9b511fd2452/Images/Documentation/pencil-edit-icon.svg).
5. Check the box next to**Enable <phone number> for 3rd Party Automation Services**. When the checkbox is selected, Gladly AI and 3rd party automation services can send and receive SMS through that number. If activating, click **Yes, proceed on** the confirmation modal. ![Editing SMS configuration with internal name and automation service options displayed.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/7047b671-c4f2-4df0-bb0a-b9b511fd2452/Images/Documentation/sms-third-party-automation.jpg)
  - **Deactivate SMS automation –**To deactivate this functionality, uncheck the box, then click **Save**.
6. Click **Save**.