---
page_type: error
code: 21606
message: >-
  21606: The 'From' phone number provided is not a valid message-capable Twilio
  phone number for this destination/account
level: ERROR
product: Programmable SMS
---

## Description

You can only send SMS messages from a phone number, Alphanumeric Sender ID or [short code](/docs/glossary/what-is-a-short-code) provided by or ported to Twilio. Phone numbers must be SMS-capable. For Short Codes, the `From` number must be in the same country as the `To` number.

Visit the [phone numbers page](https://www.twilio.com/console/phone-numbers/incoming) of your account portal to view a list of phone numbers that you own and to determine whether they are SMS-capable.

### Possible Causes

- The number you are using may not be capable of sending messages.
- The number may be formatted incorrectly. Twilio accepts numbers in [E.164 format](/docs/glossary/what-e164).
- If the number is a Short Code, it must be associated with the same country as the destination address.
- The number you are using is in the process of porting/hosting.
- The number you are using does not belong to the account whose credentials are present in the API request.

### Possible Solutions

- Check that you are using a Twilio phone number with SMS capabilities. You can see your purchased phone numbers and their capabilities in the [Twilio console](https://www.twilio.com/console/phone-numbers/incoming).
- Ensure the number you are using is in [E.164 format](/docs/glossary/what-e164).
- If you are sending from a Short Code, verify that the country you are sending to matches the country of the Short Code.
- If you have ported/hosted the `From` number, ensure that the process is complete. You can follow up on this in the Twilio console for [porting](https://console.twilio.com/us1/develop/phone-numbers/port-host/porting-requests?frameUrl=%2Fconsole%2Fphone-numbers%2Fporting-requests%3Fx-target-region%3Dus1) and [hosting](https://console.twilio.com/us1/develop/phone-numbers/port-host/hosted-numbers?frameUrl=%2Fconsole%2Fphone-numbers%2Fhosted%3Fx-target-region%3Dus1).
- Check that you are using account credentials that correspond with the account that owns the phone number.
- If you are sending messages with test credentials, verify that you are using one of the [available test credential "magic phone numbers"](/docs/iam/test-credentials#test-sms-messages-parameters-From).