This guide shows how end users can send and receive SMS and MMS messages within Microsoft Teams, using two connector options: the SMS Connector App and the new Unified Connector App. It outlines how message presentation differs between the two apps.
In this guide
Connector Apps Overview
Key Differences of the Two Connector Apps
Feature Differences
Accessing from Within Microsoft Teams
Launching the SMS Page
From the SMS Connector App (Legacy)
From the Unified Connector App
Summary and Next Steps
Connector Apps Overview
ConnecttoTeams supports two connector apps for SMS and MMS messaging: the SMS Connector App (legacy) and the Unified Connector App (new). Both apps provide access to the SMS Page, but they differ in how they present SMS/MMS conversations within the Microsoft Teams client.
The SMS Page
Both connector apps include the same SMS Page — the dedicated SMS screen for browsing and managing your conversations.
Recent conversations appear on the left, and the selected conversation opens on the right.
Click the contact card icon to reveal the other party's contact details.
SMS and MMS messages can be sent and received here regardless of which connector app your organization has deployed.
The Two Connector Apps
ConnecttoTeams provides two connector apps:
The SMS Connector App (Legacy) is a standalone SMS app.
The Unified Connector App bundles SMS together with other ConnecttoTeams services such as PBX, CallApp, and Chat into a single, integrated app inside Microsoft Teams.
Each enterprise deploys one of the two connector apps for its users — not both. The app you see in Microsoft Teams is the one your organization has chosen.
Recommendation for Enterprise Administrators
If your organization is still using the SMS Connector App (Legacy), the time to plan your migration to the Unified Connector App is now.
The Unified Connector App is the strategic direction for ConnecttoTeams — and where all future development is focused. It delivers the same SMS features as the legacy app, plus AI-Powered SMS with Natural Language, the AI Messaging Assistant available from any Teams conversation, and a single, streamlined experience that brings SMS together with PBX, CallApp, and Chat. All new capabilities going forward will ship exclusively on the Unified Connector App; the legacy app will not receive them. Every release widens the gap between what your users can do today and what's available in the modern app.
Don't wait. Contact your ConnecttoTeams service provider today to scope and schedule your enterprise's migration before the legacy app's feature gap impacts your team's productivity.
Key Differences of the Two Connector Apps
Both connector apps connect to the same underlying SMS service, but they differ in how they organize messages inside Microsoft Teams and in which features they offer. The two sections below describe each app on its own terms; the Feature Differences table that follows summarizes them side by side.
SMS Connector App (Legacy)
Operates through Teams and Channels
Each hosted phone number is linked to a Team
Each channel is linked to the other SMS party.
Includes the SMS Page as an embedded tab within the app for direct access to SMS conversations aside from teams and channels.
Unified Connector App (New)
Operates through Chats
Displays SMS and MMS messages as Chats in the Microsoft Teams chat interface.
Provides a streamlined, private messaging experience aligned with typical Teams chat interactions.
Includes the same SMS Page as an embedded tab within the app for direct access to SMS conversations aside from Teams chat.
Adds AI-Powered SMS with Natural Language: send SMS messages using plain, everyday language directly from the Chat tab — no special commands or navigation required.
Adds the AI Messaging Assistant: a Teams message extension that lets you compose an SMS from any Teams conversation.
Note: AI-powered messaging is limited to plain SMS (text only). MMS messages (pictures, videos, and other media attachments) must be sent through the SMS Page or the existing chat thread, as described in the sections below.
Feature Differences
The table below compares the two connector apps across the SMS features end users interact with most often. Entries marked with Not available are not present. Use this table as a quick reference for what to expect in your day-to-day messaging.
Feature | SMS Connector App | Unified Connector App |
|---|---|---|
Where SMS conversations appear in Teams | Teams and Channels | Chat |
SMS Page in the app (available only when Secure SMS is off) | ||
SMS Composer dialog (for sending SMS) | Not available. | |
Secure SMS support | ||
Outlook Contact Integration | ||
SMS Group support | ||
When Sync App is required | Every time a number assignment changes. | Only when a user is assigned a number for the first time. |
AI-Powered SMS (Natural Language) | Not available | |
AI Messaging Assistant (Teams Message Extension) | Not available |
Accessing from Within Microsoft Teams
How you find an SMS conversation inside Microsoft Teams depends on which connector app your organization has deployed. The SMS Connector App (Legacy) surfaces messages as Teams channels organized under a team for each hosted SMS number, while the Unified Connector App surfaces them as regular Teams chats. The sub-sections below walk through each approach so you know where to look in your version of the app.
Accessing Messages from Channel and Composer (SMS Connector App(Legacy))
Looking for the full guide?
This section covers how messages are organized in Teams when using the legacy app. For the full user guide, see the Using the SMS Connector App (Legacy).
With the SMS Connector App (Legacy), the messages are represented in a channel (representing the other party) under a team (representing the hosted SMS number.)
The team name : a raw SMS number, an SMS group name, or, if available, an Outlook Contact name.
The channel name : a raw SMS number or, if available, an Outlook Contact name.
Accessing Messages from Chat (Unified Connector App)
Looking for the full guide?
This section covers how messages are organized in Teams when using the new Unified app. For the full user guide, see the Using the Unified Connector App for SMS.
The new Unified Connector App brings together all integration connectors—including SMS—into a single, streamlined experience.
The SMS/MMS messages are presented just like a regular chat. The chat name follows the format source(destination).
Search for the chat thread tied to your SMS number or associated Outlook contact’s name. Send your message and view incoming texts just like a normal chat. Send MMS just like a normal chat with file attachment.
Important Update
With ConnecttoTeams version 2.19.0, you can also send SMS messages by typing a natural language request in the Chat tab and via the AI Messaging Assistant available from any Teams conversation. The AI handles the rest. Note that MMS (media attachments) must still be sent through the regular chat interface.
Launching the SMS Page
The SMS Page is the dedicated SMS view embedded inside both connector apps.
You can use it to browse all your recent SMS conversations, send a new message, respond to group texts, and manage contacts. The steps for opening it depend on which connector app your organization uses — and, for the Unified Connector App, whether your enterprise is using messaging service only or both calling and messaging services.
From the SMS Connector App (Legacy)
In your Teams client, navigate to Apps > Built for your org.
Look for the SMS app. Note that your Service Provider may have renamed this app.
Click the Open button.
The SMS Page is available in the first tab of the app.
Tip
Pin the app as you would any other Teams app for quicker access next time.
From the Unified Connector App
Open the app
In your Teams client, navigate to Apps > Built for your org.
Look for the SMS app. Note that your Service Provider may have renamed this app.
Click the Open button.
Launch the SMS Page.
Launching the SMS Page differs depending on the services available and how the Service Provider customized the order of the various service screens.If your Enterprise is using messaging services only
If your Enterprise is using the CallApp service, the Dialer Manager tab will be present.
Click the “Relaunch” button. The Dial Manager will launch as a new app window.
In the Dialer Manager app window, locate the History section.
Click on the chat icon on the History section to launch the SMS Page.
If your Enterprise is using the PBX service, the PBX End User Portal may be shown in the first tab.
To access the SMS Page, look for the chat icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
Click on the chat icon to launch the SMS Page.
Summary and Next Steps
Whichever connector app your enterprise has deployed, you can send and receive SMS and MMS messages directly from Microsoft Teams. The SMS Connector App (Legacy) organizes conversations as teams and channels, while the Unified Connector App presents them as Teams chats and adds AI-Powered SMS and the AI Messaging Assistant. In both apps, the embedded SMS Page remains available as your central SMS workspace.
If you’re not sure which app you have, open Microsoft Teams and check Apps › Built for your org — the connector app listed there is the one available to you.
Next: your app-specific user guide
Once you've identified your connector app, the dedicated user guide walks through everything you can do with it — sending and receiving SMS and MMS, managing contacts, group texting, and (for the Unified Connector App) using AI-Powered SMS and the AI Messaging Assistant.
FAQ
Which connector app do I have?
Open Microsoft Teams and go to Apps › Built for your org. Your organization deploys one connector app for SMS — the one listed there is yours. Your service provider may have given it a custom name, but the icon and the way conversations are organized (Teams and channels vs. regular chats) will tell you which one it is.
Once you know which app you have, head straight to its dedicated user guide: Using the SMS Connector App (Legacy) or Using the Unified Connector App for SMS.
Can I send a picture or video using the AI?
No. AI-powered messaging in the Unified Connector App's Chat tab supports plain text only. To send pictures, videos, or other attachments, use the regular chat thread or the SMS Page directly.
Why don't I see an SMS Composer in the Unified Connector App?
You don't need one. In the Unified Connector App, just ask the AI Messaging Assistant to send the message. The SMS Composer is specific to the legacy app.
How do I see contacts by name instead of phone numbers?
Both apps integrate with Outlook Contacts. If the other party's number matches an entry in Outlook, their name appears in place of the raw phone number — in chats, channels, team names, and the SMS Page. Add frequent SMS contacts to Outlook for a cleaner experience.
How do I send a group text?
Reply to an existing group text in its channel or chat as you would any other conversation. To start a new one, use the SMS Page (available in both apps) or — in the Unified Connector App — ask the AI Messaging Assistant.
Can I use the connector app on Teams mobile or Teams on the web?
The connector apps work in any Microsoft Teams client that supports custom apps deployed by your organization — desktop, web, and mobile. Some screens may render differently on smaller displays, but core SMS and MMS functionality is the same.
I can't find the app under Built for your org. What now?
Either the app hasn't been deployed to your account yet, or your service provider has given it a custom name and you're looking for the wrong one. Search the Teams app catalog using the custom name your IT team provided, or contact your administrator to confirm the app is installed for you.