Skip to main content

How to send bulk texts with 8x8

note

Bulk Texter Pro's 8x8 integration is available starting with Bulk Texter Pro v3.6.0, which is currently pending release.

Overview​

8x8 Work doesn't include built-in bulk texting or mail merge capabilities. Bulk Texter Pro adds those features, allowing you to send personalized text messages through your existing 8x8 number. Since messages come from your existing 8x8 number, recipients can recognize you as the sender and continue the conversation naturally.

Whether you're a teacher reminding students about assignments, a church contacting members, or a small business following up with customers, Bulk Texter Pro lets you import contacts from a spreadsheet and send individualized text messages that appear as normal 8x8 conversations.

Why 8x8?​

Many organizations already use 8x8 Work for everyday phone and messaging. Bulk Texter Pro extends those capabilities by adding features such as:

  • Personalized mail merge for bulk messaging
  • CSV / Google Sheets / Excel spreadsheet imports
  • Individual conversations at scale
  • Scheduling messages in advance
  • Group conversations with parents and students
  • Sending photos
  • Live progress tracking

No API setup or admin access required​

Bulk Texter Pro is the easiest way to add bulk texting and mail merge to an individual user's 8x8 phone number.

Most other options for bulk texting through 8x8 rely on the 8x8 SMS API, which means generating API keys, standing up an integration, and getting your administrator involved before you can send a single message.

Bulk Texter Pro doesn't work that way. There's no API to configure, no keys to manage, and no admin access needed on your 8x8 account. If your 8x8 number is already set up for texting, all you have to do is:

  1. Install the Bulk Texter Pro browser extension.
  2. Sign up for a subscription.
  3. Start sending.

How does it work?​

With Bulk Texter Pro, every individual user on an 8x8 account will be able to send bulk personalized texts from their own account's phone number.

Bulk Texter Pro works by performing clicks and other actions on the 8x8 Work for Web portal on your behalf. You must have an active, SMS-enabled 8x8 phone number and be signed into the web portal for Bulk Texter Pro to work.

Prerequisites​

To use Bulk Texter Pro with 8x8, you must meet the following criteria:

Setup​

Step 1: 8x8 SMS setup​

Sign into the 8x8 Work for Web portal. Make sure that you're able to send SMS messages via the 8x8 web app linked above, before you start using Bulk Texter Pro with it.

8x8 requires SMS to be live on your account before any texting – manual or automated – will work. SMS on 8x8 requires brand registration, campaign registration, and then having SMS enabled on your specific phone number. If your number isn't texting yet, your 8x8 administrator will need to complete these steps:

Note that 8x8 only supports SMS on US and Canadian phone numbers, and only one phone number per user can be SMS-enabled.

Subscribe to Bulk Texter Pro for 8x8, if you haven't already.

Step 2: Send texts​

Try manually sending texts without Bulk Texter Pro, to make sure your 8x8 account is configured correctly.

Now that your 8x8 account is set up, you can start using Bulk Texter Pro!

See our guides on typing in recipients and uploading a CSV for a complete rundown on how to use Bulk Texter Pro.

To send texts with 8x8, just make sure that you've selected "8x8" in the Texting Platform drop down in the 1 – Choose Settings section.

While Bulk Texter Pro is sending texts, it will show its progress live in a popup on your 8x8 tab:

Frequently Asked Questions​

Does Bulk Texter Pro use my 8x8 number?​

Yes, Bulk Texter Pro will send messages via your own 8x8 number, and conversations will appear in your 8x8 account.

Do I need to set up the 8x8 API?​

No. Bulk Texter Pro does not use the 8x8 SMS API, so there are no API keys to generate and no developer setup to complete. It works directly through the 8x8 Work web app that you already use, which is what makes it the simplest way to add mail merge to an individual 8x8 number.

Do I need admin access to my 8x8 account?​

Not for Bulk Texter Pro itself. You only need admin involvement for 8x8's own SMS registration, which has to be completed before your number can send texts at all. Once your number can text, any individual user can start using Bulk Texter Pro on their own.

Can recipients reply?​

Yes, your messages will come from your own 8x8 number, and recipient responses will be sent back to your 8x8 number.

Will recipients see each other's responses?​

Bulk Texter Pro supports both bulk individual texts and bulk group texts.

By default, each recipient receives their own private conversation, so recipients cannot see anyone else's replies.

However, you can intentionally create group conversations whenever appropriate, such as including both a student and their parent or guardian in the same conversation.

Who uses Bulk Texter Pro with 8x8?​

Bulk Texter Pro with 8x8 is commonly used by:

  • Virtual schools
  • Teachers
  • Coaches
  • Churches
  • Nonprofits
  • Healthcare practices
  • Small businesses
  • Government agencies
  • Volunteer organizations

Can 8x8 send bulk texts?​

8x8 Work does not support mail-merge style bulk texting on its own. Your other option is to build an integration on top of the 8x8 SMS API, which requires developer work and administrator access. Bulk Texter Pro adds mail-merge functionality for mass texting via your 8x8 account, with no API setup required.

How many messages can I send with 8x8 and Bulk Texter Pro?​

Bulk Texter Pro does not impose any limits on messaging beyond what 8x8 imposes.

Your throughput depends on the campaign your number is registered under, since carriers apply message rate limits based on your approved 8x8 SMS campaign.

For more information, see our best practices and recommendations.

Bulk Texter Pro isn't working as expected.​

See our comprehensive troubleshooting guide.