Skip to main content

ClickSend SMS Chrome Extension — Setup & User Guide

The ClickSend SMS Google Chrome Extension allows you to compose and send SMS messages directly from your browser without opening a new dashboard tab. This guide walks you through installing the extension from the Chrome Web Store, authenticating

Installation & Account Connection

  1. Install the Extension: Download the ClickSend SMS Extension from the Chrome Web Store.

  2. Pin to Toolbar: Click the extensions icon in Google Chrome and pin ClickSend SMS for quick access.

  3. Connect Credentials:

    • Open the extension and navigate to the Settings page.

    • Enter your ClickSend Username and API Key.

    • Need credentials? Use the in-app links to navigate directly to your API dashboard or register a new account.

    • Click Save / Connect. A confirmation banner displaying Success. You're logged-in. will appear once authenticated.

Sending an Outbound SMS

  1. Choose Sender ID (From field): Select your preferred registered number or alphanumeric Sender ID from the dynamic dropdown.

  2. Enter Recipient (To field): Input the target mobile phone number:

    • Local Format: Enter standard local digits (e.g., 0411111111).

    • International Format: Include the plus sign (+) and country code (e.g., +61411111111).

  3. Write Message: Enter your text in the Message body field.

    • Standard single SMS limit is 160 characters.

  4. Send: Click Send SMS for immediate transmission.

Scheduling a Message for Later

  1. Fill in the From, To, and Message body fields as normal.

  2. Under Scheduled Message, click the Date and Time Picker.

  3. Choose your desired dispatch date and time.

  4. Click Schedule Message to queue your dispatch.

Troubleshooting Common Error Messages in the ClickSend Chrome Extension

Encountering an issue while using the ClickSend SMS Google Chrome Extension? Below is a list of common error messages, why they occur, and how to resolve them.

"Your username or API key are incorrect. Please try again."

  • Why this happens: The username or API key entered in the extension settings contains a typo, extra spaces, or the credentials have been revoked.

  • How to fix it:

    1. Go to your ClickSend API Dashboard.

    2. Copy your exact Username and API Key.

    3. Open the extension, navigate to the Settings tab, paste the credentials, and save.

"That number doesn't look quite right. Check it and try again."

  • Why this happens: The recipient phone number has missing digits, unsupported special characters, or is missing the international country code.

  • How to fix it:

    • Double-check the number format in the To field.

    • If you are sending to a different country, ensure the number is in international E.164 format starting with a + and the country code (e.g., +61411111111).

"You need to fill out the message field to continue."

  • Why this happens: The message was sent while the message body field was completely empty or contained only spaces.

  • How to fix it:

    • Type your message content into the Message body field before clicking Send.

"You don't have enough credit to send."

  • Why this happens: Your ClickSend account balance is zero or too low to cover the cost of the outgoing SMS.

  • How to fix it:

Sender ID dropdown is empty

  • Why this happens: The extension cannot retrieve your Sender IDs due to an authentication issue, or your account does not have any active, approved Sender IDs.

  • How to fix it:

    1. Open the Settings tab in the extension and confirm your status shows Success. You're logged-in.

    2. Visit ClickSend Manage Senders in your web browser to confirm your Sender IDs are verified and active.

    3. Close and reopen the extension popup to refresh the list.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Where do I locate my ClickSend API credentials?

Log in to your ClickSend Dashboard and navigate to Developers > API Credentials to view or copy your Username and API Key.

Q2: Which recipient phone number formats are accepted?

Both local and international formats are supported. If you are messaging a recipient outside your account's primary country, you must use the international E.164 format with the appropriate country prefix (e.g., +1 for USA, +44 for UK, +61for Australia).

Q3: How does character counting work?

  • Standard GSM characters allow 160 characters per single SMS segment.

  • Exceeding 160 characters converts the message into a multi-part concatenated SMS (billed per 153 characters).

  • Special symbols and emojis use Unicode encoding, which limits segments to 70 characters. For more details, see the ClickSend SMS Character Guide.

Q4: Can recipients reply back to messages sent from the extension?

The initial V1 release focuses on one-way outbound messaging. Replies depend on whether your selected Sender ID is a two-way virtual number or an alphanumeric tag (which does not support inbound replies).

Q5: Can I switch between multiple ClickSend accounts?

No. The extension currently supports only one active ClickSend account at a time.

To use a different account, you will need to open the Settings page, replace your existing Username and API Key with the credentials of the new account, and click Save / Connect.

Related Articles
Did this answer your question?