# Introduction to Communications

> Learn where texts, calls, and phone and texting settings live, and which screen handles each one.

Source: https://jobwisepro.com/help/communications/introduction-to-communications
Category: Communications
Updated: 2026-10-22

Communications lets your team text and call customers from one business number.

It sits in the sidebar as [**Communications**](/go/communications). Its [**Messages**](/go/communications/messages) and [**Calls**](/go/communications/calls) are tabs on the same page.

## Open Messages and Calls

1. Open **Communications** in the sidebar.
   - If you do not see **Communications**, your role has no access to **SMS / Phone**, or Communications is not turned on for your organization.
   - If **Communications** is locked, your organization does not have the Communications feature.
2. On a phone, tap **Messages** or **Calls** in the tab bar at the bottom of the screen.
   - On a computer, switch between **Messages** and **Calls** with the control at the top of the list column.

Communications opens on **Messages**.

The **Messages** and **Calls** lists refresh every 20 seconds while the browser tab is visible, and only when the business number is active.

## Get a business number

Until the business number is active, the page shows number setup instead of the **Messages** and **Calls** tabs.

The business number can be in one of three states: being set up, active, or failed.

Searching for numbers needs Full access to **SMS / Phone**.

Setting up the number is covered in [get a business number](/help/communications/get-a-business-number).

## Register for texting

Texting unlocks once registration is approved.

Registration needs an active business number.

Opening **Communications** sends you straight to the [registration form](/go/communications/register) when all three of these are true.

- You have Full access to **SMS / Phone**.
- The business number is active.
- Registration has not started, or it failed.

Once the business number is active, registration status stays at the top of the page until registration is approved.

While registration is pending, the page checks its status every 20 seconds.

Only users with Full access to **SMS / Phone** get the action button in that banner.

## Text a customer

Text conversations are listed on the **Messages** tab.

Sending a text is covered in [text customers](/help/communications/text-customers).

On a phone, an open text conversation hides the bottom tabs.

## Place and receive calls

Calls are listed on the **Calls** tab. A call you place or answer opens in a panel at the bottom right of the screen.

Making and receiving calls is covered in [make and take calls](/help/communications/make-and-take-calls).

- The panel shows the call's status while it rings, then a running timer once the call connects.
- A recorded call shows a recording indicator in the panel.
- The microphone button mutes and unmutes the call.
- The keypad button opens a keypad of 0 through 9, `*`, and `#`. Each key sends its digit during the call.
- The chevron button in the panel header minimizes the panel.
- **Hang up** ends the call.
- After the call ends, **Close** dismisses the panel.
- Incoming calls do not open this panel. They appear in a dialog instead.

## Change phone and texting settings

**Phone & Texting** covers the business number, texting, and call forwarding.

1. Open **Communications** in the sidebar.
2. Open **Settings** under **Communications**.
   - If **Settings** is not listed under **Communications**, your role does not have Full access to **Settings**.

The [**Phone & Texting**](/go/settings/communications) page opens. Until the business number is active, it asks you to set up a number first.

## What the main settings change

You need Edit access to **SMS / Phone** to change these settings. Recording needs Full access.

- **Enable texting** turns texting on or off for your business number.
- **Text message notifications** appears while **Enable texting** is on. Once you turn it on, quotes, invoices, and receipts also go out by text, as well as by email. The setting is off by default. A text also needs an active business number and an approved texting registration. Review requests are not affected, because they use their own text setting.
- In the **Ring my phone** card, **Also ring my cell** rings your mobile at the same time as the app. Whichever you answer first connects. The server turns the setting off when no mobile number is saved, so enter one in the same card.
- In the **Voice calling** card, **When someone calls** sets who answers: everyone on the team, a specific team member, an outside number, or straight to voicemail. **Ring for (seconds)** sets how long each call rings, from 5 to 60 seconds.
- **Record calls** records answered inbound and outbound calls. Callers hear a spoken announcement before the call connects. It always plays while recording is on and cannot be turned off.

Each option is explained in [phone and texting settings](/help/communications/phone-and-texting-settings).