MSG-020 Error - Number is a landline and can not accept messages

What does the MSG-020 Error mean?

If a message you sent is not delivered to the end device and returns a MSG-020 error code, this means that delivery of your message failed due to the destination being a landline and incapable of receiving SMS, or an unreachable destination carrier.

How do I stop sending messages to landlines?

By default, Sakari will attempt to send a message to any phone number type that has not opted-out of communication. When text messages are sent to a landline phone number they will error, but these are still chargeable messages.

We offer an additional service to validate all phone numbers as mobile prior to attempting to send a text message.  By confirming a phone number as being a mobile number, you will save money not attempting to send text messages to landline phone numbers.  

The cost for each number validation is $0.01 USD, and is turned on at the account level.

Troubleshooting

If you believe the landline error was returned incorrectly, here are some items you can check:

  • Is the destination device powered on?
  • Does the device have sufficient signal? If not power the device off, wait 30 seconds, and then power it back up.
  • Test a simple and short message to see if that will send. Keep the message short (ideally less than 160 characters) and remove links and images.
  • Is the device connected to the home carrier's network? We cannot guarantee message delivery on devices roaming off-network.
  • Can the device receive non-Sakari text messages?
  • Can the device receive messages from another Sakari number (non-Alphanumeric Sender ID), or with a shorter one-segment (non-concatenated) body?
  • Can other devices using the same mobile carrier receive your messages?

In some cases a delivery error may occur once due to a network issue downstream of Sakari.

If you continue to have issues, please reach out to the Sakari support team by emailing: help@sakari.io