Ways of verifying a phone number - authentication

Hi im working on a phone number based android app,
Im currently using google firebase.
Google firebase is pretty expensive when it comes to phone authentication,
I was thinking if there are any other ways to authenticate a phone number.
Programmable sms like twilio is fairly cheaper but still pretty expensive for my budget.
Is it possible to use voip to auth a phone number?
Are there any other alternatives?

Using twilio is right option for limited number of sms for your purpose, as for voip they all depend on SMS gateways, and to have gateway which may be cheaper but require massive sms, as they are more expensive.

Related

Is there possibility to forward content from WhatsApp to our application using business api?

Is it possible to use the WhatsApp business API to communicate with users and also allow them to forward content from WhatsApp directly to our application. For example enabling Web-hooks for different WhatsApp channels to receive the messages from those channels. If yes, can someone guide me how can we implement this feature? and how can we authorize those channels with our WA business account
Finding sources/documentation for developing needed feature
Whatsapp API allows you to Broadcast messages to Unlimited Users, automate notifications, integrate Chatbots, provide Live Chat on Multiple devices and many more functions. Install the WhatsApp Business API Client and then Install your API client. Once your client is working, you can update your application settings. Start using the client, Register your phone number with an API call to /account and send a test message with a call to /messages . let me know if u find this helpful.
Yes, it is possible. The WhatsApp Business Platform allows medium and large businesses to communicate with their customers at scale. Using their APIs, businesses can connect thousands of agents and bots to interact with customers programmatically and manually. Additionally, the APIs can be integrated with numerous backend systems, such as CRM and marketing platforms
Here is the link for the documentation: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/overview
Link for different types of webhooks:
https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/webhooks
There are multiple ways given in the documentation. But keep in mind, do read the documentation carefully, they have their updated and the previous version so use them as per your requirements.

Low cost phone number verification than firebase

Is there a solution cheaper than using firebase phone number verification.
SMS pricing is high after free plan.
Then I found TextNow but its not working in India.
How other applications verifiy phone number at cheaper costs mostly the OTP comes from virtual phone numbers.
Is there a way I can verify phone number other than otp or any cheaper api ?

Is there a way to use WhatsApp API with third party apps?

I am new to using WhatsApp API. I am not sure but it seems that the api is for business users only. I want to use the api to send messages to users automatically based on a change in an app, (say PowerBI). I want to send updates regarding a report whenever a change is made and send it through whatsapp instead of email.
Yes, WhatsApp API is for business users. But, if you still looking for a WhatsApp bot I recommend Twilio, there are a lot of content about it in the internet. Check out this video, It's using python and really easy.

SMS Retriever API - phone picker source

Does Google's SMS Retriever API get the list of phone numbers from the SIM lines on the user's device (which means that it's similar to TelephonyManager), or from the user's Google Play account?
I'm the product manager at Google for this API. Yes, as of the latest version of Play Services, the Phone Selector shows both the phone number for the device from the TelephonyManager (if it can be parsed as as a valid phone number) as well as recent phone numbers for the active Google Accounts on the device.
This is not directly addressed from the docs but if we infer from this statement in the Obtain the user's phone number:
Often, it is the best user experience to use the hint picker to prompt
the user to choose from the phone numbers stored on the device and
thereby avoid having to manually type a phone number
we can deduce that SMS Retriever API gets the contacts from your device.
Update
Please look at #Steven Soneff's answer
The numbers are retrieved from Smart Lock for Passwords on Android. They are retrieved if the user already stored it using Smart Lock else they will be empty. You may also ask the user to store the number for future use-cases using Smart Lock for Passwords.

Sending sms through my application coded in vb.net

My client requires an sms to be sent to him, whenever an invoice is made on his system by any of the employees. I have no idea how to configure it. Do I need to buy any sms-server service?
How to integrate into my application?
Any help will be highly appreciated.
Thanks
I am not sure what country you are in. But in the UK i use this provider.
They have excellent examples
I can send SMS from my webserver, my Windows .NET Form application, a iPhone app if i wanted to. This is possible because it uses a simple HTTP Request API, so even using JavaScript AJAX from the client will work.
Just search for SMS Gateway and find your countries advisability. Look at a few and decide which one suits your needs and also the costs involved.
My Provider charger per sms.. no signup fees, no contracts, just top up.
Using a mobile phone is more involved, but obviosly it has the benefit that you control every aspect of sending, receiving and processing data.
for example 1, 2, 3
You can even buy a module from china just designed to interface via Serial to send/recieve SMS, and even use the GPRS to get/send HTTP request.
There is two option
1) have to buy service from provider or
2) you have to connect your mobile with pc and send msg using AT command
A lot of carriers will allow SMS via e-mail. This may be a better option for you.
Here is a list of the e-mail address formats for a number of carriers.