Getting started with digital messages
This guide helps new users get started with Digital Messages. It explains how to activate the service, complete compliance applications, and send digital messages. You can also use this guide to estimate the time required for your project.
Important information
Key timelines
Total integration time: 10 to 15 business days (including carrier filing).
Earliest possible sending time: After your qualification, signature, and template are approved (approximately 3 to 5 business days).
Stable production: After the carrier identity verification filing is complete (7 to 15 business days).
Understand the process
Step | Description | Supported methods |
① Preparations | Register an Alibaba Cloud account, complete identity verification, and activate Short Message Service. If you use the API to use Short Message Service, you must also create an AccessKey. Digital Messages is an independent sub-service that requires separate activation. Go to the Digital Messages signature management page, click Activate Service, agree to the service terms, and complete the activation. | Console: Activate Short Message Service Console: Activate Digital Messages |
② Apply for qualification | Submit application: Qualifications for digital messages and text messages are shared. To send messages in compliance with regulations from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and carriers, provide the qualification certificates of the signature owner. For more information, see Review rules and Instructions. | Console: Domestic Messages - Qualification Management API: SubmitSmsQualification | QuerySmsQualificationRecord | QuerySingleSmsQualification |
Wait for review: You can apply for a signature only after your qualification is approved. Due to requirements for identity verification filing for SMS signatures, the number of qualification verification tickets has increased. The review may take longer than usual. The review is expected to be completed within 2 business days. Review hours: 9:00 to 21:00 from Monday to Sunday. The service is unavailable on public holidays. | ||
③ Apply for a digital message signature | Submit application: You must apply for a digital message signature separately. An SMS signature is an identity of the sender and must clearly identify the sender. You can use the name of your own entity or an authorized entity as the signature. We recommend that you use the name of your enterprise or public institution. For more information, see Review rules and Apply for a digital short message signature. | |
Signature review and identity verification filing: Digital message signatures are subject to platform review and carrier filing. You can apply for a template only after the signature is successfully filed with at least one carrier. Carrier filing: 5-7 business days. | ||
④ Apply for a digital message template | Submit application: A digital message template must be associated with a signature. The template can contain images, text, audio, and video files of up to 2 MB. A template consists of variables and content. You can use variables to customize the content of digital messages. Use variables in a standardized way. For more information, see Digital message template rules and Add a rich media message template. | |
Template review and filing: Digital message templates are subject to platform review and carrier filing. You can send digital messages only after the template status is "Approved". Carrier filing: 5-7 business days. | ||
⑤ Send digital messages | Send messages: Use an approved digital message template to create a batch task and send digital messages to target users.
Important After the signature filing status is | Console: Batch sending feature API: SendSms | SendBatchSms |
⑥ Query sending details | Get results: Query the message sending status. The status can be sent, failed, or waiting for receipt. | Console: Batch sending feature| Sending records |