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Getting Started with SmishAlert (iOS)

Whether you're protecting yourself or your business, this guide will help you get up and running quickly on your iPhone or iPad.

Sophie avatar
Written by Sophie
Updated over 8 months ago

📲 Installing the App

SmishAlert is available on the App Store.

  1. Open the App Store

  2. Search for SmishAlert

  3. Tap Get to download

  4. Wait for installation to complete

✅ Minimum requirement: iOS 15 or later

👤 Initial Sign-Up

Once installed, launch the app:

  1. Open SmishAlert from your home screen

  2. Tap Sign Up

  3. Enter:

    • Your name

    • Company name (if applicable, or use "Self")

    • Email address

    • Phone number

  4. Tap Create Account

🔒 All data is securely encrypted and never shared.

🔔 Accepting Notifications

When prompted, be sure to Allow Notifications so SmishAlert can:

  • Confirm submitted alerts

  • Notify you of flagged or suspicious messages

To enable manually:

  • Go to Settings > Notifications > SmishAlert

  • Toggle on Allow Notifications

🧭 Navigating the Main App

After sign-in, you’ll land in the Alerts tab. Here's what you'll see:

🔍 Alerts View

A list of messages you’ve submitted or received:

  • Each alert shows:

    • Threat level: 🔴 High, 🟠 Medium, 🟢 Low

    • The sender’s phone number

    • A preview of the message

    • Date of report

Tap on any message to see the Detailed Alert View

Swipe left on any alert to 'Mark as Safe'

📖 Detailed Alert View

Tap any alert to view:

  • Sender phone number, code, or email address

  • Full message contents

  • SmishAlert AI threat assessment

  • URL scan results

  • Date reported

Tap 'Mark this as Safe' at the bottom if it is known to not be a threat.

👤 Account Tab

View your info or manage your subscription:

  • View your current plan

  • Restore purchases

  • Log out

💬 Navigating the iMessage Extension

SmishAlert includes a built-in iMessage Extension for fast alerting:

  1. Open Messages

  2. Start or open any conversation

  3. Tap the SmishAlert icon in the app drawer

  4. 📸 Take a screen shot of the message you wish to scan

  5. Tap "SmishAlert" button when you are ready

  6. Select the screenshot from your photo library

  7. Wait for analysis within Messages app, or feel free to navigate elsewhere; a notification will let you know when analysis is complete

  8. Review submitted messages in the main SmishAlert app

SmishAlert will flag smishing messages instantly and notify your security team (if connected to a Business account)

🖼️ How to Take a Screenshot

You need to take a screenshot of a suspicious SMS to submit via iMessage:

iPhone with Face ID:

  • Press Side Button + Volume Up together

iPhone with Home Button:

  • Press Power Button + Home Button together

iPad:

  • Same as above depending on model

All screenshots are automatically saved in Photos. You can select them in the iMessage extension or within the app.

✅ Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of SmishAlert

  • Submit anything suspicious — even if it's just a strange text with no link

  • Invite your team to use the app for collective protection

  • Use the "Mark as Safe" feature to help train the AI

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