How to Use Contact Picker

The Contact Picker feature allows you to quickly select recipients from your device’s contact list instead of manually typing phone numbers. This saves time, reduces errors, and ensures numbers are formatted correctly. This guide shows you how to use the contact picker on both iOS and Android.

Benefits of Using Contact Picker #

Why Use Contact Picker? #

• ✅ Faster: No need to type phone numbers
• ✅ Accurate: Numbers are automatically formatted correctly
• ✅ Convenient: Access all your contacts in one place
• ✅ Error-Free: Eliminates typos in phone numbers
• ✅ International Format: Automatically uses correct format

Prerequisites #

Before using contact picker, ensure:

• ✅ Contacts permission is granted to the app
• ✅ You have contacts saved on your device
• ✅ Contacts have phone numbers saved

Granting Contacts Permission #

First Time Use #

When you first try to use contact picker, the app will ask for permission:

iOS #

1. Permission Prompt Appears:
   • “SMSGatewayCenter would like to access your contacts”
   • Tap “Allow” to grant permission
2. If Permission Denied:
   • Settings > SMSGatewayCenter > Contacts
   • Toggle “Contacts” to ON
   • Return to app and try again

Android #

1. Permission Prompt Appears:
   • “Allow SMSGatewayCenter to access your contacts?”
   • Tap “Allow” to grant permission
2. If Permission Denied:
   • Settings > Apps > SMSGatewayCenter > Permissions
   • Tap “Contacts”
   • Select “Allow”
   • Return to app and try again

Using Contact Picker #

Step 1: Access Contact Picker #

When Composing SMS:

1. Open Quick SMS or Send SMS screen
2. Look for contact icon (👤) next to recipient field
3. Or tap “Select Contact” or “Choose from Contacts” button
4. Contact picker opens

Step 2: Select Contact #

In Contact Picker:

1. Browse Contacts:
   • Scroll through your contact list
   • Contacts are usually alphabetically sorted
   • Use search bar to find specific contact
2. Search for Contact (if available):
   • Tap search bar at top
   • Type contact name
   • Matching contacts appear
3. Select Contact:
   • Tap on the contact you want
   • Contact is selected
   • Phone number is automatically filled

Step 3: Confirm Selection #

After Selecting:

1. Number is Filled:
   • Recipient field shows selected number
   • Number is in correct international format
   • Ready to use
2. Multiple Numbers (if contact has multiple):
   • App may show list of numbers
   • Select which number to use
   • Choose mobile, work, home, etc.
3. Continue Composing:
   • Type your message
   • Send SMS as usual

Platform-Specific Features #

iOS Contact Picker #

Features:

• Integrates with iOS Contacts app
• Shows contact photos (if available)
• Supports contact groups
• Shows multiple phone numbers per contact

How It Works:

1. Tap contact icon
2. iOS native contact picker opens
3. Select contact
4. Number fills automatically

Contact Groups:

• Can select entire contact groups
• Useful for bulk SMS
• Groups from iOS Contacts app

Android Contact Picker #

Features:

• Integrates with Android Contacts
• Shows contact photos
• Supports Google Contacts sync
• Shows multiple phone numbers

How It Works:

1. Tap contact icon
2. Android contact picker opens
3. Select contact
4. Number fills automatically

Contact Groups:

• Can select contact groups
• Useful for bulk messaging
• Groups from Google Contacts

Using Contact Picker for Bulk SMS #

Selecting Multiple Contacts #

For Bulk SMS:

1. Open Bulk SMS Screen:
   • Navigate to Bulk SMS
   • Tap “Select Contacts” or contact icon
2. Select Multiple Contacts:
   • Tap contacts to select (checkboxes appear)
   • Select all contacts you need
   • Selected contacts are highlighted
3. Confirm Selection:
   • Tap “Done” or “Add” button
   • All selected contacts added
   • Numbers formatted correctly
4. Review Recipients:
   • Check recipient list
   • Remove any if needed
   • Proceed to compose message

Troubleshooting #

Contact Picker Not Opening #

Problem: Contact icon doesn’t work or picker doesn’t open.

Solutions:

1. Check Permission:
   • iOS: Settings > SMSGatewayCenter > Contacts > Enable
   • Android: Settings > Apps > SMSGatewayCenter > Permissions > Contacts > Allow
   • Grant permission if not granted
2. Restart App:
   • Force close app
   • Reopen app
   • Try contact picker again
3. Check Contacts App:
   • Ensure you have contacts saved
   • Open device Contacts app to verify
   • Add contacts if needed

No Contacts Showing #

Problem: Contact picker opens but shows no contacts.

Solutions:

1. Check Contacts on Device:
   • Open device Contacts app
   • Verify contacts exist
   • Sync contacts if using cloud (iCloud, Google)
2. Check Permission:
   • Ensure contacts permission is granted
   • Re-grant permission if needed
3. Sync Contacts:
   • iOS: Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Contacts > Enable
   • Android: Settings > Accounts > Google > Sync Contacts

Wrong Number Selected #

Problem: Contact has multiple numbers, wrong one selected.

Solutions:

1. Select Correct Number:
   • When contact has multiple numbers, app shows list
   • Select the correct number (mobile, work, etc.)
   • App remembers preference for next time
2. Edit Contact:
   • Edit contact in Contacts app
   • Set preferred number
   • App will use preferred number

Number Format Issues #

Problem: Number from contact picker not in correct format.

Solutions:

1. Check Contact Number Format:
   • Edit contact in Contacts app
   • Ensure number includes country code
   • Save contact with international format
2. App Auto-Formats:
   • App should format automatically
   • If not, manually edit number after selection
   • Add country code if missing

Tips for Best Results #

1. Organize Your Contacts #

• Keep contacts updated
• Use consistent naming
• Include country codes in numbers
• Set preferred numbers

2. Use Contact Groups #

• Create groups for common recipients
• Useful for bulk messaging
• Easy to select entire groups

3. Keep Contacts Synced #

• Sync contacts to cloud
• Backup contacts regularly
• Ensures contacts available on all devices

4. Verify Numbers #

• Double-check selected numbers
• Especially for important messages
• Edit if needed before sending

Related Articles #

• How to Send Quick SMS
• How to Send Bulk SMS
• How to Import Contacts