Overview
An automation does not use your personal communication number. Each SMS step picks its own sending number:
The campaign number attached to the lead, when there is one
A fallback number you set on the step, for leads whose campaign has no number
Because campaigns in 6.0 do not have to have a phone number, the fallback is not optional in practice. Without it, a step can end up with no valid number to send from.
Steps
Step 1: Open the automation
Step 2: Edit the SMS step
Step 3: Choose the campaign number
Select the marketing campaign number when you want the message to come from the number tied to the lead's campaign. This keeps the conversation on the number the seller already recognises.
Step 4: Set a fallback number
For leads whose campaign has no phone number attached.
Step 5: Review your later steps
Each communication step can use a different number if that is what you want.
Step 6: Save and test both cases
Test with a lead from a campaign with a tracking number and one without. Testing only the first case is how the gap goes unnoticed.
Important Notes
Not every campaign has a phone number in 6.0. This is the whole reason the fallback exists.
Steps can differ. Later steps in the same automation can send from different numbers, deliberately.
The builder remembers your last choice. When you add an SMS or AI Call step, the number you picked last is preselected — you can still change it on any step.
A2P first-message handling is separate. Setting the sending number does not deal with the A2P requirement — see How to Add A2P 10DLC Language to an Automation.
This is not Smart Routing. Smart Routing governs manual calls and texts you send yourself. Automations use the step configuration described here.
Automations send only to the selected contact and number. Since 18 September 2026 an automation no longer messages additional phone numbers or other contacts on the property.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the campaign has no phone number?
The automation uses the fallback number you selected on the step.
Do all SMS steps have to use the same number?
No. Different steps can use different numbers.
Should I always use the campaign number?
It depends on your workflow. Campaign numbers give continuity; a fallback is necessary for campaigns without an attached number.
Troubleshooting
A step has no valid sending number
Check both the campaign-number option and the fallback. A campaign with no number and no fallback set leaves the step with nowhere to send from.
Messages go out from an unexpected number
Check which campaign the lead belongs to, and what that step is configured to use.
It works for some leads and not others
Almost always the campaign-number gap. Test with leads from campaigns with and without tracking numbers.
An automation used to text several numbers on the same property
That was fixed on 18 September 2026. Automations now send only to the contact and number the step is set to use.
Related
How to Add A2P 10DLC Language to an Automation
How Smart Routing Chooses Which Phone Number to Use — the equivalent for manual calls and texts
Do Marketing Campaigns Need a Phone Number?