Configure Twilio SMS Gateway in Login with Phone Number Plugin – 5 Simple Steps

Learn how to configure Twilio SMS Gateway in the Login with Phone Number WordPress plugin.Step-by-step instructions for seamless SMS authentication.

The Login with Phone Number WordPress plugin allows users to authenticate using their phone number. Integrating Twilio as the SMS gateway ensures OTPs (One-Time Passwords) are sent reliably. In this guide, we will configure Twilio in the plugin to enable SMS authentication .

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure you have:

• A Twilio account
• A Twilio Account SID, Auth Token, and From Number
• WordPress installed with the Login with Phone Number plugin activated
• You will need to purchase the Twilio version.
  

Now everything is ready and you have your own configuration.

1.First, go to the “Login with phone number” settings page
2.select gateway
3.select Twilio

you should now be on this page.

1.in the Enter Twilio SID section, you must enter the SID amount.

To find your SID on the Twilio website, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the Twilio Console.
2. On the Dashboard page, view the Account SID value.
3. Enter this value in the Enter Twilio SID field in the Plugin Settings section.

2.in the Enter Twilio Token section, you must enter the token amount.

To find your Auth Token on the Twilio website, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the Twilio Console.
2. On the Dashboard, go to the Account Info section.
3. You will see the Auth Token value next to the Account SID.
4. Click the eye icon 👁 to display the Auth Token value.
5. Click the displayed value to copy it.

⚠ Security Tip: Keep the token in a safe place and do not share it with anyone.

3.in the Enter Twilio From number section, you must enter the Verified phone

1. Log in to the Twilio Console.
2. In the side menu, click Phone Numbers.
3. In the Manage Numbers section, you will see a list of numbers registered to your account.
4. Copy the number you want to use to send SMS and paste it into the From field of your code.
   If you don’t have a number:

You can purchase a new number from this section.
If your account is Trial, you can only use the default Twilio number specified in this section.

NOTE :

1. Verified or purchased phone number from Twilio
   Go to the Phone Numbers section in the Twilio Console.
   Purchase a phone number or use a number you already purchased.
   Put this number in the From field.
2. Twilio Trial Number (in trial mode)
   If your account is still in trial mode, you can only use the number provided to you by Twilio.
   This number is visible in the Phone Numbers section of the Twilio Console.
3. Alphanumeric Sender ID (for international SMS)
   In some countries, you can register a business name (for example, “MyBusiness”) instead of a phone number.
   This option is available for SMS messages, but is not supported in some countries.
   To set it up, go to Messaging > Alphanumeric Sender ID in the Twilio Console.So the From value must be a valid and verified number in your Twilio account.

So the From value must be a valid and verified number in your Twilio account.

4.in the Enter Twilio Text section, you must enter the Verified phone

1.Text is the text message you want to send via Twilio.
2.To send a text message via Twilio, you need to include your message in the API request.
3.This message can be any text you want to send to the recipient.
4.Example: “Hello, this is a test message from Twilio!”

For more information on Twilio’s API, you can visit the Twilio API documentation.

For more information onther gateway like custom gateway you can visit the configure custom gateway

Additional Benefits of Using Twilio for SMS Authentication

Using Twilio for SMS authentication provides several benefits beyond just securing your website login process. With Twilio, you can also easily scale your SMS messaging needs as your user base grows. This makes it an ideal choice for websites with a global reach or those planning to expand. Twilio’s APIs are robust, offering features like two-factor authentication, phone number verification, and secure OTP generation that enhance the overall user experience.

Twilio also allows for high customizability. For instance, you can send personalized messages or configure the message delivery based on user time zones. These small details can significantly improve user engagement and increase trust in your login process.

Troubleshooting Common Twilio SMS Issues

While Twilio is a reliable platform, there may occasionally be some issues that users encounter when setting up or using the SMS gateway. Here are a few common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

1. SMS Not Received: If users are not receiving OTPs, ensure that the From Number you’ve entered is correctly verified in Twilio. Also, check whether there are any network or carrier issues that might be delaying message delivery.
2. Incorrect Twilio SID or Auth Token: Double-check that the SID and Auth Token entered in the plugin settings are correct and have not expired. You can always regenerate new credentials from the Twilio console if needed.
3. Limitations in Trial Accounts: If you’re using a Twilio trial account, you may be limited to using only the default number provided by Twilio. Consider upgrading to a paid plan for access to additional features.

Best Practices for SMS-Based Login Systems

When implementing SMS-based login systems using Twilio, there are several best practices to follow to ensure that the system is both secure and user-friendly:

• Limit OTP Expiry Time: Set an expiry time for OTPs (usually between 5 and 10 minutes) to ensure that expired OTPs can’t be used for unauthorized access.
• Avoid Overuse of OTP Requests: Implement a rate limit on OTP requests to prevent abuse and minimize the chances of users generating multiple OTPs in a short period.
• Two-Factor Authentication: Enhance security by combining SMS OTP with another form of authentication, such as email verification or Google Authenticator. This provides an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.
• Store OTPs Securely: Never store OTPs in plaintext. Ensure that OTPs are stored in an encrypted form in your database and deleted once they expire.

Conclusion: Simplifying User Authentication with Twilio

By configuring Twilio SMS Gateway for the Login with Phone Number plugin, you’re making a crucial step toward enhancing the security and ease of use of your website’s authentication system. Users today are more likely to trust a platform that offers secure and convenient login options, such as SMS authentication. With Twilio’s reliable service and easy integration, you can provide a seamless experience for your users while maintaining the highest level of security.