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

# Migrating SMS Data to WeGive

> What SMS-related data you can bring into WeGive when switching from another platform, what starts fresh, and what to know about text message capabilities.

When your organization switches to WeGive from another platform, you
can bring some of your SMS-related data with you — but not everything
carries over. This guide explains what transfers, what starts fresh,
and what to expect for text messaging after migration.

## What you can import

Using WeGive's Import Wizard (a CSV upload), you can bring in the
following SMS-related information for your existing supporters:

* **Phone numbers** — mobile, office, home, and other phone number
  fields
* **Opt-out preferences** — if a supporter was marked "Do Not Text"
  on your previous platform, you can carry that preference over by
  including a `do_not_sms` column in your CSV (set to `1` for opted
  out, `0` for opted in)
* **SMS notification preferences** — whether a supporter has SMS
  notifications enabled or disabled

New supporters created through import default to opted in (allowing
SMS) unless you explicitly provide opt-out values in your file.

For a full walkthrough of the import process, see
[Importing Existing Supporters](/external/support/settings/importing-existing-supporters).

## What does not transfer

Some types of SMS data cannot be imported and will start fresh in
WeGive:

### Consent records

WeGive automatically records when and how a supporter consented to
receive text messages — including the exact disclosure they saw, the
context (registration, checkout, or communication list opt-in), and
the date. These records are created in real time as supporters
interact with your forms and cannot be backfilled from a previous
platform.

After migration, new consent records will begin accumulating from
the first time each supporter provides their phone number through
your WeGive-powered forms.

### Text message history

Historical text messages sent through your previous platform cannot
be imported into WeGive. Your SMS conversation history and outbox
will start from the first message you send through WeGive.

### Engagement metrics

Delivery confirmations, click tracking, and other engagement data
from your previous platform's text messages do not carry over.
WeGive begins tracking SMS engagement from the first message sent
on the new platform.

## Text messages are plain text only

WeGive sends text messages as SMS (plain text). Media attachments
such as images, video, or other files cannot be included in outbound
text messages. If your previous platform supported MMS (multimedia
messaging), plan to adjust any messages that relied on image or
media attachments to work as plain text.

Links included in your text messages are automatically shortened for
tracking and to keep messages within carrier length limits.

## Planning your SMS migration

Here is a recommended approach:

1. **Export your contact list** from your previous platform with phone
   numbers and opt-out preferences included.
2. **Prepare your CSV** with at least `mobile_phone` and `do_not_sms`
   columns, plus an identifier field (such as email) for matching
   to existing supporters.
3. **Import using the Update action** if your supporters already exist
   in WeGive (for example, after a recurring-plan migration), or the
   **Create action** if you are importing supporters for the first
   time.
4. **Set up your phone number** in WeGive under Settings > Phone
   Numbers before sending any text messages — see
   [Adding a Phone Number for SMS](/external/support/getting-started/adding-a-phone-number-for-sms).
5. **Recreate any automated text messages** by attaching them to
   triggers in WeGive — see
   [Set Up Automated Text Messages](/external/support/communications/set-up-automated-text-messages).

## Quick reference

| Data | Transfers? | How |
| - | - | - |
| Phone numbers | Yes | CSV import |
| Opt-out preferences | Yes | CSV import (`do_not_sms` column) |
| SMS notification settings | Yes | CSV import |
| Consent audit records | No | Created automatically going forward |
| Past text messages | No | History starts fresh in WeGive |
| Engagement metrics | No | Tracking starts fresh in WeGive |
| MMS / media attachments | Not supported | WeGive sends plain-text SMS only |


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