Android App

Turn any Android phone into an SMS gateway with the Vendel app.

Requirements

  • Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher
  • Active SIM card with SMS capability
  • Internet connection (WiFi or mobile data)

Installation

Option 1: Download APK

Download the latest release for your device architecture from GitHub Releases:

ARM64 (recommended)

arm64-v8a · Most modern devices

ARM 32-bit

armeabi-v7a · Older devices

x86_64

x86_64 · Emulators

Universal

All architectures · Larger file
  1. Enable "Install from unknown sources" in your phone settings
  2. Open the downloaded APK to install

Not sure which to pick? Most modern phones use ARM64 (arm64-v8a). If in doubt, download the Universal APK — it works on all devices but is larger.

Option 2: Build from source

git clone https://github.com/JimScope/vendel-android.git
cd android
./gradlew assembleRelease

Setup

1. Open the app

Launch Vendel. On first launch you'll see a brief onboarding explaining the app, then the device setup screen.

2. Connect your device

You have two options to pair the app with your Vendel server:

Option A: Scan QR code (recommended)

  1. Open the Scan QR tab
  2. Grant camera permission when prompted
  3. Scan the QR code from your Vendel dashboard (Settings → Devices → Add device)
  4. The app will connect automatically

Option B: Manual entry

  1. Open the Manual tab
  2. Enter your Vendel server URL:
https://sms.yourdomain.com
  1. Enter the device API key from your dashboard
  2. Tap Connect

3. Grant permissions

The app will request the following permissions:

  • Send SMS - Required to send messages
  • Receive SMS - Optional, for incoming message webhooks
  • Read phone state - To detect SIM status
  • Run in background - To process messages when app is closed

Important: Disable battery optimization for Vendel to ensure reliable message delivery when the screen is off.

Battery optimization

Android aggressively kills background apps. To prevent this:

  1. Go to Settings → Apps → Vendel
  2. Tap "Battery"
  3. Select "Unrestricted" or "Don't optimize"

On some phones (Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung), you may need additional steps. See Don't Kill My App for device-specific instructions.

Troubleshooting

App shows "Disconnected"

  • Check your internet connection
  • Verify the server URL is correct
  • Make sure your server is running

Messages stuck in "Sending"

  • Check if the SIM card has SMS credits
  • Verify the phone number format
  • Check the Android SMS app for errors

App killed in background

  • Disable battery optimization
  • Lock the app in recent apps (on supported devices)
  • Add the app to any "protected apps" list

Next steps