Virtual Number

Virtual/ Longcode Number


1. Virtual Number:


A Virtual Number is a 10 Digit Mobile Number (sometimes also called a Longcode Number) to which your clients or members can send an SMS starting with a keyword. 

You will be able to receive the messages in your MSG91 inbox, on your email, and also on your callback URL. You will also be able to set an auto-reply SMS to all the numbers from which you have received responses. Now if you want to send the reply SMS after some calculation on the text received from your client, you will need to integrate the SMS API in your software which will shoot your SMS after the calculation.

For eg. in Kaun Banega Crorepati, you are supposed to send an SMS to 56565 with KBC<SPACE>A/B/C/D


2. Keyword:


If someone sends an SMS starting with your keyword, you will be able to receive the messages in your MSG91 inbox, on your email, or also on your callback URL. So KBC is the keyword. You can choose any keyword for yourself.

You can also set an automatic reply for the SMS you receive. 

A keyword of 6 or more than 6 characters would be free of cost. Other than that the pricing would be as follows:

5 Character: 1,000 Rupees

4 Character: 2,000 Rupees

3 Character: 3,000 Rupees

2 Character: 4,000 Rupees

1 Character : 5,000 Rupees


3. Inbox Balance: 


That is the number of SMS you can receive in your Inbox. You need to purchase the inbox balance so as to receive the SMS your customer is sending to you.

For a video tutorial refer to this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNOb4qApnzw

What is a Virtual Nu...

November 12, 2024


When someone sends an SMS on your keyword and you aren't receiving it, there can be three main reasons behind this situation:

  1. In case, your inbox balance is zero, you'll not receive messages through the keyword.

  2. If your inbox balance is not zero and still you are not receiving the message, the reason behind this is that the expiry date of your inbox has passed and you need to get it extended by contacting our support team.

  3. Other than the above reasons, one more reason is if the format of the keyword is not correct, you might not receive messages in this case. 

You can contact our support team for the same.

I am not able to rec...

November 11, 2024


Shared Long-Code is the common number for a group of people. For MSG91 the shared Long-Code is 9229224424/6262642222. Using this number will be free of cost, you will be charged only for the incoming SMS. Incoming SMS is differentiated by keyword, and hence your keyword must be unique.


Dedicated Long -Code will be 10 digits mobile number of your choice. There will be a one-time set-up cost for the new mobile number. The keyword can be of your choice as the incoming SMS are differentiated by the mobile number in this case.


P.S. Everything you want to know about Long Code Service

What is the differen...

November 12, 2024


You can send a personalized SMS to all the numbers who send an SMS to your Longcode number.

1. You need to put in a callback URL in our webhook on which we will push the data of the SMS received from the client.

2. You can fetch the data and store it from that URL and integrate an API to customize your SMS according to the SMS received.

P.S. You can learn how to set a callback URL from the link mentioned below:

How-can-i-get-the-delivery-reports-on-my-webhook-url

How to send custom S...

November 11, 2024


To add a new keyword, follow the below-mentioned steps:


1. Go to the Virtual Number option.

2. Select the option of Keyword. 


3. Click on the ADD button and enter the keyword of your choice.


4. Send it for approval and we'll let you know if this keyword is available.

NOTE: The maximum character limit for a keyword is 20.


Where I can add new ...

November 11, 2024


Yes, you can export the reports of a particular keyword from the panel by following the steps written below:

  1. Click on the option of Virtual Number.

  2. In the inbox tab, fill the details in the fields available. (Select the desired keyword, long code, and date for which you want the reports.)  

      3. Click on the option of Export them and the report will be sent to your 

      e-mail ID.

Is it possible to ex...

November 11, 2024


Long Code

A long code is the same as a mobile number but is maintained by an operator. Thus, it has some extra features:

1. It can receive thousands of SMS in a minute.

2. Can be developed for various custom applications like voting, gathering feedback, and placing orders.

3. It works in real time.

4. The sender pays only for a normal SMS, with no extra charges.

5. Affordable and easy to understand for a developer.

How to subscribe the Long-code number?

If you want to use the Longcode services in your account please reach out to your account manager and they will assign the Longcode number in your account to use the services.

The one-time setup fee for the long code number is 5000 INR + GST (It will be waived off in the yearly plan) and the monthly rental of the number is 1500 INR & amount will be directly deducted from the MSG91 wallet every month.

In the monthly plan, you will get 30k incoming messages free per month, and post-free usage the pricing is 10 Paisa/SMS.

Once the number is activated in your account you can check the same in the Numbers section of your account.

For the integration please click on the Edit button and the page will be open.

If you want to add any callback url please click on the Add Callback button.

Here you can add the Keywords, Webhook Url of your choice and click on save button

If you want to receive the Incoming SMS on Hello you can enable this toggle please be informed that incoming is not available for the Indian longcode number.

​To check the logs please go to the Logs section:


For checking the reports please go to the Reports section:


Note: 2-way communication is only available for international long code number.

Feel free to reach out to the MSG91 Support team at [email protected] or you can Call or WhatsApp at 8818888733 in case of any queries: 

How to activate a de...

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To check your long-code balance follow the steps below:


1. Go to the virtual number option from Dashboard.


2. In the Inbox option, you will see your balance. 

How to check long-co...

November 11, 2024