Installing a Microsoft Outlook SMS add-in lets you send and receive text messages directly within your inbox. There are two main ways to install these tools: through the official Microsoft AppSource / Outlook Store (for standard providers like touchSMS) or by uploading an XML manifest file (for custom third-party integrations like TXTImpact or CompleteSMS).
Here is the step-by-step guide to installing your SMS add-in using both methods. Method 1: Installing via Microsoft AppSource / Add-in Store
This is the easiest path for standard, publicly available SMS tools.
Open Outlook: Launch your desktop client or log into Outlook Web.
Locate Apps: Click More options (…) or the Apps icon on your home panel or inside an open email. Open Store: Select Add apps or Get Add-ins.
Search: Type your SMS provider’s name (e.g., “touchSMS”) into the search field.
Install: Click Add to automatically integrate it with your mailbox. Method 2: Sideloading a Custom XML Manifest File
Many commercial SMS tools require you to download a configuration file from their platform and load it manually.
Download Manifest: Log into your SMS vendor’s dashboard and download the provided Manifest (.xml) file.
Access Add-ins: In Outlook, open any email message, click the Apps (…) button in the reading pane, and select Get Add-ins.
Navigate to Custom Settings: Click My add-ins on the left menu, then scroll down to the Custom Addins section.
Upload File: Click Add a custom add-in, choose Add from File, and select the downloaded XML file.
Confirm Installation: Click Install to finish loading the plugin. Final Step: Activating & Sending
Log In: Open any email, click the newly added SMS Provider icon in your app bar, and enter your SMS vendor account credentials to link them.
Compose: Click New Message inside the sidebar panel, enter the recipient’s phone number, type your text, and click send.
If you are looking to narrow down your setup, please let me know: Which specific SMS provider are you using?
Are you on Classic Outlook, New Outlook, or the Web version?
I can give you exact button locations tailored to your layout! Use add-ins in Outlook – Microsoft Support
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