To use RapidPro with an Android phone
Buy an Android phone
UNICEF Innovation recommends using Samsung phones which are available in many local markets around the world. In East Africa, these devices can be found locally for around $90USD. We also recommend that the Android phone is dedicated to RapidPro alone.
Get a local sim card
You might already have a local number to use. If so, just pop it in your Android phone. Otherwise, you will want to acquire a sim card from your local carrier of choice. We recommend setting the account up to be data enabled instead of relying solely on a Wi-Fi connection. We also recommend a post-paid plan so you don't have to worry about the phone running out of credit.
Install the RapidPro app
1. Open Play Store
First find the "Play Store" or "Market" application on your phone and open it. You might need to press "Home" or find the launcher menu first.
2. Search for RapidPro
Once you open the Play Store, search for "RapidPro". Begin your search by tapping the magnifying glass, enter "RapidPro", then tap on the result that comes back.
3. Install
On the RapidPro application page tap the "Install" button.
4. Confirm Installation
You will now be asked to confirm the installation. Tap "Accept and Download" to begin the download.
5. Allow Updates
The RapidPro app gets regular updates. To make sure you don't miss any, tap the "Allow automatic updating" checkbox.
6. Wait for Download
Depending on the speed of your connection, RapidPro may take a few minutes to download. You can keep track of the progress by swiping down from the top of the screen.
7. Open RapidPro
Once RapidPro has been installed, open the app drawer and tap on the RapidPro icon to start the app.
8. Enter Claim Code
When you first open RapidPro, the app will register your device with Google and our servers. Once that is complete, it will display a claim code.
Enter that claim code in the form and click "Add Phone" to connect your device.
9. For non-UNICEF installations of RapidPro, you'll need to make sure your RapidPro server is available from the public Internet, so you'll need to set up a proxy like ngrok. You will also need to tell the Android client where that server is located. Tap the RapidPro logo on the Android client 11 times to unlock advanced settings, then enter the IP or domain you set up.
From then on, that Android phone will handle all the messages sent from and received by your RapidPro account.
10. To increase the number of messages that can be sent and work around Android's per-app message limits, install the SMS Channel Packs. In the Google Play store, select 'More by Nyaruka Ltd.' and then install up the channel packs to increase your message throughput capacity.
FAQ: RapidPro and Android phones
What if I need to send a lot of messages?
We encourage people to validate their ideas and experiment before focusing on scaling. Starting with Android phones is a logical starting point for most projects and you'll have no problem sending up to around 1,000 messages per hour. If you do outgrow that, we can help you connect your RapidPro account with a local aggregator or even a direct connection with the carriers themselves.
What happens if the battery dies?
Android phones are great because they have redundant network connections and a backup battery. So, if the office where it is located loses power or the network goes down, the RapidPro app will continue to relay messages. In most cases, using an Android phone with RapidPro means you can just set it and forget it. We'll notify you automatically if the phone is running low on battery, out of credit, or if it doesn't have network connectivity so someone can check up on it.
Can I use a short code? What about reverse billing?
While these features are generally viewed as unique to SMPP accounts, in some countries the carriers will allow short codes to point to sim accounts. This means texting or calling that short code would route to your Android phone. In some cases these sim-based accounts can also be reverse-billed.
Does the fee I pay to RapidPro include messaging fees?
No, the fee covers the use of the RapidPro platform. Any messaging rates imposed by your carrier apply.
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