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Every Messages.dev account includes a sandbox line: a shared iMessage number you can use immediately to send and receive up to 50 messages per day.

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How it works

The sandbox is a Messages.dev-owned iMessage line that all users share. To keep messages private, each user pairs their personal phone number with their account through an activation code.

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Activation

  1. Go to the Lines page in your dashboard
  2. Scan the QR code with your phone, or copy the activation code and text it to the sandbox number
  3. Once the message is received, your sandbox is activated and your phone number is paired
After activation, you can send messages to your paired phone and receive webhooks for incoming messages, just like a dedicated line.

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Limits

Messages per day50
Reset timeMidnight UTC
RecipientYour paired phone number only
FeaturesSend, receive, reactions, typing, read receipts, webhooks
The daily limit is per account, not per API key. All your API keys share the same 50-message sandbox budget.

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Sending messages

Use the sandbox line handle as the from field and your paired phone number as to: 
import { createClient } from "@messages-dev/sdk";

const client = createClient();

await client.sendMessage({
  from: "+15551234567",
  to: "+15559876543",
  text: "Hello from the sandbox!",
});

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Receiving messages

Register a webhook on the sandbox line to receive notifications when your paired phone sends messages back:
  1. Go to Webhooks in the dashboard
  2. Select the sandbox line and enter your endpoint URL
  3. Webhooks are scoped to your account; you only receive events for your paired phone number

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Upgrading to a dedicated line

The sandbox is designed for testing and evaluation. For production use:
  • Set up a dedicated Messages.dev daemon
  • Get your own dedicated iMessage line with no daily limits
  • See the quickstart guide for setup instructions

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Errors

StatusCodeMeaning
403sandbox_not_activatedYour sandbox hasn’t been activated yet. Text the activation code to the sandbox number.
400sandbox_contact_mismatchYou can only send to your paired phone number on the sandbox line.
429sandbox_quota_exceededDaily limit of 50 messages reached. Resets at midnight UTC.