change user ID showing on outgoing text messages

[seh]

How do I change the user ID that is seen by recipients of my text messages?

[Liptonbrisk]

By paying for Fongo Plus or Fongo Ultimate and following the steps listed at https://support.fongo.com/hc/articles/2 ... -Caller-ID

[seh]

This support article refers to caller ID on voice calls. I'm asking about changing/hiding the sender ID that the text message recipient sees?

[Liptonbrisk]

This support article refers to caller ID on voice calls.

My apologies. I scanned your question too quickly while I was in the middle of troubleshooting a new PC build.

I'm asking about changing/hiding the sender ID that the text message recipient sees?

You can’t. You can’t spoof outbound phone numbers using Fongo Mobile, and text message names are based on what’s stored in the recipient’s contact list for the incoming number.

For Fongo Mobile and standard consumer SMS, you cannot change the sender ID that recipients see. They’ll see your Fongo number and whatever contact name they’ve saved for it. Unlike voice calls which have network-level caller ID names (CNAM), consumer SMS doesn’t have a similar system for displaying sender names from the network.

Some business messaging services can display verified company names, but these require special A2P (application-to-person) messaging platforms and carrier partnerships, which are not available through Fongo Mobile’s consumer VoIP service.

With Fongo Mobile (and most consumer SMS services), you cannot change what recipients see: the network transmits only your assigned 10-digit Fongo number. Consumer SMS offers no network-side name database unlike voice CNAM. Branded or alphanumeric sender IDs are available only through enterprise A2P channels—short codes, 10DLC, or RCS business messaging—which are not supported by Fongo Mobile.

[seh]

Good answer. So if I'm understanding correctly, when sending an SMS to someone for the first time, and if I've never identified my self to them, they will see only my Fongo number - correct?

[Liptonbrisk]

Good answer. So if I'm understanding correctly, when sending an SMS to someone for the first time, and if I've never identified my self to them, they will see only my Fongo number - correct?

They'd have to have your phone number saved in their contact list or use a third party app in order to see a name.

When you send texts from Fongo Mobile, the recipients will see one of three things:

1) A name from their contacts

If they have saved your Fongo number in their phones’ address books or contact lists, they will see the name they chose for your number.

2) A name from an app

If they use an app, such as Truecaller, the app can search for your Fongo Mobile number in the app service’s database and display a name if a result is found.

3) Just your number

If #1 and #2 don't apply, recipients will only see your 10-digit Fongo Mobile phone number.

You can't control the name that appears from your end using Fongo Mobile. The display is determined entirely by the recipients' devices, either through their local contacts (on their phones) or a third-party identification app they have installed.