> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.beem.africa/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction

> Receive inbound SMS messages on your application through a callback URL.

The **Two-Way SMS API** allows you to receive inbound SMS messages on your application through a callback. You must have an active Two-Way SMS number assigned to your account.

This API currently supports the **SMS channel only**. Future releases may support two-way conversations on additional channels and rich media formats.

<Info>
  This section covers **local Two-Way SMS** (REST product) where you configure the callback URL on your number in the Beem dashboard.

  If you use **Two-Way SMS on a Multicountry SMS account**, inbound callback URLs are **set manually by the Beem team** — see [Inbound two-way SMS (Multicountry)](/guides/multicountry-sms/inbound-two-way).
</Info>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Inbound SMS">
    Receive messages sent by subscribers to your short code or long code.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Callback-driven">
    Beem POSTs each inbound message to a callback URL you configure on your number.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## How it works

```text theme={null}
Subscriber sends SMS
        │
        ▼
Mobile Network
        │
        ▼
Beem Two-Way SMS Number
        │
        │ HTTP POST (JSON)
        ▼
Your Callback URL
        │
        ▼
Your Application processes message
```

***

## What's in this section

* [Prerequisites](/guides/two-way-sms/prerequisites) — request a number and configure your callback
* [Inbound callbacks](/guides/two-way-sms/inbound-callbacks) — callback payload, parameters, and response format
* [Security](/guides/two-way-sms/security) — optional API key validation on callback requests

***

## Learn more

For details on number types (short codes, long codes, keywords), visit [beem.africa/two-way-sms-api](https://beem.africa/two-way-sms-api/).

***

## Billing

Inbound two-way SMS messages are billed according to your account tariff. Billing details may appear in the `billing` object of each callback payload. Contact [support@beem.africa](mailto:support@beem.africa) for pricing and balance questions.