BulkSMSOnline - How to upload my pre-created SMS contac...

How to Upload a Contact List to BulkSMSOnline

BulkSMSOnline allows you to upload a prepared contact list directly into your SMS dashboard. This makes it easier to send bulk SMS campaigns without entering each number manually.

You can upload contacts through Group & Personal Contacts or through the File Manager, depending on how you want to use the list later. This guide explains how to prepare your contact file, upload it correctly, and avoid common formatting errors.

Why Upload a Contact List?

Uploading a contact list helps you manage your SMS recipients more efficiently. Instead of typing numbers one by one, you can prepare a clean file, upload it to your dashboard, and use it for future SMS campaigns.

This is useful for:

Marketing SMS campaigns
Customer notifications
Appointment reminders
Payment reminders
Delivery updates
Staff alerts
Event announcements
International SMS campaigns

Before You Upload Your Contact List

Before uploading your contacts, make sure your file is properly formatted. Incorrect formatting may cause upload errors or failed SMS delivery.

Your contact numbers should:

Start with the correct country code.
Contain numbers only.
Not include spaces.
Not include plus signs.
Not include brackets, dashes, commas, or special characters.
Be placed one number per line.

Step 1: Prepare Your Contact File

To prepare your contact list, follow these steps:

Open Notepad or another plain text editor on your computer.
Paste your mobile numbers into the text file.
Make sure each number is placed on a separate line.
Make sure each number starts with the correct country code.
Remove all spaces, plus signs, dashes, brackets, and special characters.
Save the file as a .txt file.

Correct Contact List Format

Your contact list should be prepared in a plain .txt file, with one mobile number per line. Each number must start with the correct country code and should not include spaces, symbols, plus signs, brackets, dashes, commas, or special characters.

Example of the correct format:

911111111111
911111111112
911111111113
911111111114

Each number should be written on a new line. Do not add names, commas, plus signs, brackets, spaces, or extra text unless the selected upload section specifically supports that format.

Incorrect Contact List Format

Avoid using the following formats because they may not be accepted by the system:

+91 11111 11111
91-11111-11111
(91)1111111111
911111111111, John
091111111111

These formats are incorrect because they include special characters, spaces, local number format, commas, names, or extra text.

BulkSMSOnline allows different upload limits depending on where you upload the contact file:

File Manager: Up to 50,000 contacts per file.
Group & Personal Contacts: Up to 1,000 contacts per upload.

If you have a large contact list, the File Manager may be more suitable. If you want to organize contacts into a saved personal group, use Group & Personal Contacts.

Step 2: Upload Contacts Through Group & Personal Contacts

Use this option when you want to save your contacts into a personal contact group inside your dashboard.

Log in to your BulkSMSOnline account dashboard.
Click the Favorites tab.
Select Group & Personal Contacts.
Choose an existing group or create a new group.
Open the selected group.
Click Import Contacts.
Click Choose File.
Select your prepared .txt contact file.
Upload the file and review the imported contacts.

Contacts uploaded through Group & Personal Contacts will be stored under your Personal Group section.

Step 3: Upload Contacts Through File Manager

Use the File Manager option when you want to upload a larger contact file for bulk SMS sending.

Log in to your BulkSMSOnline dashboard.
Click the Favorites tab.
Select File Manager.
Go to the Upload Files section.
Click Choose File.
Select your prepared contact file.
Upload the file to your dashboard.

Contacts uploaded through the File Manager will be available under the Bulk Files subsection when using Send SMS.

Group & Personal Contacts vs File Manager

Both upload methods are useful, but they are designed for different purposes.

Upload Method	Best For	Contact Limit	Where Contacts Appear
Group & Personal Contacts	Saved contact groups and smaller lists	Up to 1,000 contacts	Personal Group
File Manager	Larger bulk SMS lists	Up to 50,000 contacts	Bulk Files under Send SMS

Best Practices Before Uploading Contacts

To improve upload success and SMS delivery performance, check your contact file before uploading.

Remove duplicate numbers.
Use international number format with country code.
Remove invalid or inactive numbers where possible.
Keep one number per line.
Use a plain .txt file when required.
Separate different campaigns into different files or groups.
Separate contacts by country if you send international SMS.
Make sure recipients have agreed to receive SMS where required.

Example of Country Code Format

If you are sending SMS to India, the number should start with the country code 91, followed by the mobile number.

Example:

919876543210
919812345678
917654321098

If you are sending SMS to another country, replace 91 with the correct destination country code. Always use the full international number format without spaces or special characters.

Why Country Code Format Is Important

Country code format helps the system identify the correct destination for each mobile number. If you upload numbers in local format, the system may not recognize the destination correctly, which can cause failed messages or incorrect routing.

For international SMS sending, always use the full international number format without special characters.

Using Uploaded Contacts for SMS Campaigns

After uploading your contact list, you can use it when sending SMS campaigns from the BulkSMSOnline dashboard.

If your contacts were uploaded through Group & Personal Contacts, select the relevant Personal Group when sending your campaign.

If your contacts were uploaded through File Manager, find the uploaded file under Bulk Files in the Send SMS section.

To learn more about sending campaigns, visit the Send Bulk SMS Online page.

Using Uploaded Contacts With the Web SMS Platform

The BulkSMSOnline Web SMS Platform allows users to upload contacts, manage contact groups, use templates, send bulk messages, and track delivery reports from a browser.

Uploading your contact list correctly helps you prepare campaigns faster and reduce sending errors.

Check SMS Pricing Before Sending

Before sending SMS to your uploaded contact list, check your balance and review the SMS price for the destination country. SMS cost may vary depending on the country, route type, and message length.

You can review pricing here: Bulk SMS Pricing.

Sending SMS to Multiple Countries

If your contact list includes numbers from different countries, it is better to separate them by destination. This makes it easier to check pricing, choose the correct route, and monitor delivery results.

You can review supported destinations here: Bulk SMS Countries.

Contact List Privacy and Responsible Use

Your contact list is important business data. Upload only contact lists that you are allowed to use and make sure your SMS campaigns follow applicable consent rules, privacy requirements, and platform policies.

You can review BulkSMSOnline policies here: Terms and Conditions.

Troubleshooting Contact Upload Issues

If your contact list does not upload correctly, check the following:

Make sure the file is saved in the correct format.
Make sure each number is on a separate line.
Check that all numbers start with the correct country code.
Remove spaces, plus signs, dashes, brackets, and special characters.
Check that the file does not exceed the upload limit.
Remove empty lines from the file.
Remove duplicate or invalid numbers.
Try uploading a smaller test file first.
Use File Manager for larger lists.

Need Help Uploading Contacts?

If you need help preparing your contact file, uploading contacts, choosing between File Manager and Group & Personal Contacts, or sending your first campaign, visit the BulkSMSOnline Help Center.

For account-specific support, contact the BulkSMSOnline team through the official contact page:

Contact BulkSMSOnline Support

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I upload a contact list to BulkSMSOnline?

Prepare your contact list in a plain text file, make sure each number starts with the country code and contains no special characters, then upload it through Group & Personal Contacts or File Manager.

What file format should I use?

A plain .txt file is recommended when preparing a simple contact list with one number per line.

How should phone numbers be formatted?

Phone numbers should include the country code and contain numbers only. Do not include spaces, plus signs, brackets, dashes, commas, or special characters.

How many contacts can I upload?

For File Manager uploads, the file limit is up to 50,000 contacts. For Group & Personal Contacts, the upload limit is up to 1,000 contacts.

What is the difference between File Manager and Group & Personal Contacts?

File Manager is suitable for larger contact files and stores them under Bulk Files. Group & Personal Contacts is suitable for saved contact groups and stores them under Personal Group.

Why did my contact file fail to upload?

Your file may fail if it contains unsupported characters, missing country codes, empty rows, duplicate numbers, unsupported file format, or more contacts than the allowed upload limit.

Can I upload contacts for international SMS campaigns?

Yes. Make sure all numbers include the correct country code and consider separating contacts by country for easier pricing, routing, and reporting.

Where can I get help with contact upload issues?

You can visit the Help Center or contact support through the Contact Us page.

How to upload my pre-created SMS contacts group to my dashboard?