The heartbit Android app
Turn any Android phone into your business line
A gateway is an Android phone running the heartbit app. It sends and receives texts through its SIM card and brings every conversation into your heartbit inbox, so your team can work from any browser.
Android 8.0 or later
What you need
Most businesses already have everything on this list.
An Android phone
Running Android 8.0 or later. A spare or dedicated phone works best, since every text it receives goes to your team.
A SIM card with texting
Your texts are sent through your carrier plan. Dual-SIM phones can use both numbers.
Internet and power
Wi-Fi or mobile data to reach your account, and ideally a charger so the phone stays on all day.
Set up a gateway
It takes about five minutes. You’ll need the phone and access to your heartbit dashboard as an admin.
-
Download and install the app
On the phone, open the download link and tap the file to install it. If Android asks, allow installs from your browser.
-
Create a connection code
In your dashboard, open Setup Guide and choose Generate enrolment code. Each code works once and expires after an hour, so create it when the phone is in front of you.
-
Scan the code with the app
Open heartbit on the phone, tap Get Started, then Scan. Can’t scan? Choose Enter manually and type the address and code shown in your dashboard.
-
Allow the permissions
Android will ask for access to texts, phone and notifications. heartbit needs all of them to send and receive messages for you.
-
Send a test message
Within a few seconds the phone shows as online under Gateways. Send a text from Messages to a phone you can check, and you’re done.
Keep it running smoothly
Android can pause apps to save battery. A few quick settings keep your gateway online around the clock.
- Set battery use to Unrestricted for heartbit in Android settings.
- Keep the phone plugged in if it’s used as a full-time gateway.
- Pin the app so it isn’t closed from the recent apps screen.
- Check your phone brand’s settings. Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and OPPO have an extra background-app setting to turn on.
Add as many phones as you need
Connect a phone for each location, team or number. The price per phone goes down as you add more. See pricing.
Always up to date
The app tells you when a new version is ready, and your dashboard shows which version each phone is running.
Gateway questions
Why isn’t the app on Google Play?
Because heartbit sends and receives texts for your business, it’s distributed directly by heartbit instead of through Google Play. Every version is signed by heartbit, and Android will only install updates that carry that same signature.
Does it use my mobile plan?
Yes. Texts go out through the SIM card in the phone, so your carrier’s normal texting plan applies. heartbit doesn’t charge per message.
What happens if the phone goes offline?
Messages you send wait and go out when the phone reconnects. If a phone stays offline for too long, the message is marked as not delivered so you know to follow up.
Can I use my personal phone?
You can, but a dedicated phone is better. Every text that phone receives appears in your team’s inbox.
I connected a phone to the wrong account. Can I move it?
Phones can’t be moved between accounts, so earlier conversations stay with the account that received them. Archive the gateway, then connect the phone again with a code from the correct account.
What if my account is paused?
Texts that arrive while your account is paused are kept safely on the phone and delivered to your inbox as soon as service resumes.
Connect your first phone today
Start a free 7-day trial, download the app, and see your first message arrive in minutes.