Send your first text from Ody
You send a text from the Ody inbox by opening a conversation, typing in the composer at the bottom, and clicking Send (or pressing ⌘↵).
Before you start
- Your workspace must have completed Text messaging setup (10DLC) before a US local number can send texts. An admin does this once in Settings → Numbers → Text messaging setup; texting is usually live a few minutes after you submit. Until then the composer shows a banner above the message box, Texting isn't on yet (nothing submitted) or Texting is being connected (submitted, connecting your number), with a button that takes you straight to the setup card. Calls work the whole time. See Messaging limits and compliance.
- Conversations are created when someone texts or calls your Ody number — share your number so customers can reach you. Incoming messages appear in the inbox automatically. To text someone first, use New message at the top of the Inbox — see Text a new number from the inbox.
Step-by-step
Click Inbox in the left sidebar (on your phone, tap the Inbox tab).
Select the conversation you want to reply to. The full thread opens with the customer's messages on the left and yours on the right.
Type your message in the composer at the bottom of the thread.
Click Send in the bottom-right of the composer, or press ⌘↵ (Ctrl+Enter on Windows).
Your message appears in the thread immediately with a delivery status that updates as the carrier confirms it (queued → sent → delivered).
Troubleshooting
- "Texting isn't set up yet" — your workspace hasn't completed 10DLC registration. An admin can start it in Settings → Numbers → Text messaging setup.
- "Texting on this number is being connected": you submitted the setup and Ody is connecting the number to its approved campaign, usually within a few minutes. The owner gets a Texting is live email when it's done.
- In the iPhone or Android app, a banner above the composer says "Texting isn't on yet" — same cause. The app shows the current setup state (not started, being connected, needs a fix, enter your code) and the button opens the setup page on app.ody.co; registration is completed on the web. On a free trial the banner also offers Start my plan, because turning on texting ends the trial — see Texting during the free trial.
- The link I typed went out as
link.ody.co/…— your workspace has link tracking on. The customer lands on the page you typed and you'll see "… clicked your link" in the thread when they open it. See Tracked links in your texts. - The inbox says "No conversations yet" — no one has texted or called your Ody number so far. Calls and texts to your number create conversations automatically — or click New message to text someone first.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I start a brand-new text thread to any number?
Yes — click New message at the top of the Inbox, type the number or pick a contact, write your text and send. See "Text a new number from the inbox".
Why is my message blocked with "texting isn't set up yet"?
A US local number can text once your workspace has completed Text messaging setup in Settings → Numbers and the number is connected, usually a few minutes after you submit.
Do texts come from my business number?
Yes — every message is sent from the Ody number whose inbox the conversation lives in, so customers always see your business line.