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Getting Started with PNotifier

This guide will walk you through installing and setting up PNotifier to forward your SMS messages to your email.

Installation

  1. Download the app from the Google Play Store (link to be added)
  2. Open the app after installation
  3. Grant the required permissions when prompted

Required Permissions

PNotifier requires the following permissions to function properly:

  • SMS Permissions: To receive and read incoming SMS messages
    • RECEIVE_SMS: To intercept incoming SMS messages
    • READ_SMS: To read SMS content
  • Internet Access: To send emails via SMTP
    • INTERNET: To connect to email servers
  • Contacts Access (Optional): To display contact names instead of phone numbers
    • READ_CONTACTS: To look up names from your address book

Initial Setup

After installing and opening PNotifier for the first time, follow these steps:

  1. Grant SMS Permissions: When prompted, allow the app to access your SMS messages
  2. Navigate to Configuration: Tap the "App Configuration" button on the home screen
  3. Configure SMTP Settings: Enter your email provider's SMTP settings (see examples below)
  4. Save Configuration: Tap the "Save Configuration" button
  5. Test the Setup: Tap "Forward Test Message" to verify your settings work correctly
  6. Check Your Email: Look for a test message in your inbox to confirm everything is working

Configuration Options

In the configuration screen, you'll find the following settings:

SMTP Settings

  • SMTP Host: Your email provider's SMTP server address
  • SMTP Port: Usually 587 for TLS or 465 for SSL
  • SMTP Username: Your email address
  • SMTP Password: Your email password or app-specific password
  • Email From: The sender address (usually your email)
  • Email To: The recipient address (can be the same as your email for forwarding to self)

Advanced Settings

  • Automatically ignore new addresses: When enabled, new phone numbers will be automatically added to the ignore list
  • Use address book: When enabled, displays contact names instead of phone numbers in forwarded emails

Testing Your Configuration

After saving your configuration:

  1. Tap the "Forward Test Message" button
  2. Wait for the notification confirming success or showing an error
  3. Check your email inbox for a test message with the subject "✉️ SMS from 123456 at [time]"

If you don't receive the test email, check:

  • Your SMTP settings are correct
  • Your internet connection is working
  • Your email provider isn't blocking the connection
  • Your firewall or antivirus isn't blocking the app

Using the App

Once configured, PNotifier works automatically in the background:

  1. Incoming SMS messages are intercepted by the app
  2. Each message is formatted as an email and sent using your SMTP settings
  3. The originating phone number is recorded in the SMS History
  4. Messages from ignored addresses are not forwarded

You can view the SMS History by tapping the "SMS History" button on the home screen, where you can:

  • See all phone numbers that have sent you messages
  • Toggle whether to ignore messages from specific numbers
  • Clear your entire history if needed

Troubleshooting

If you're having issues with the app:

  1. Check Permissions: Ensure all required permissions are granted in your device settings
  2. Verify SMTP Settings: Double-check your SMTP configuration against your email provider's documentation
  3. Test Connectivity: Ensure your device has a stable internet connection
  4. Check Battery Optimization: Some devices may kill background apps to save battery - add PNotifier to the whitelist
  5. Review App Logs: Check your device's logcat for any error messages from the app