How To Send a Message With ZOLEO

The ZOLEO app and device have the ability to send app-to-app messages, SMS, and email messages.

Note: The supported characters for each message type mentioned in this video are outdated. Please see the article below for more information.

When a message is sent, the ZOLEO app will determine the least cost route for the message. The ZOLEO app will try to send in the following order: Wi-Fi, cellular data, then satellite via the ZOLEO device. If Wi-Fi or cellular data are not available, the app will send the message over the Iridium satellite network via the ZOLEO device. If a message is queued to be sent over satellite using the ZOLEO device and a Wi-Fi or cellular data network becomes available, the message will automatically be sent using the Wi-Fi or cellular data network, ensuring the least cost route is always used to send the message.

How To Send a Message

1. Tap the Chats icon in the bottom left of the ZOLEO app.

2. Tap the Compose icon to start a new message.

3. Select a contact from your device, which will be sorted by:

   • All: All device contacts.
   • ZOLEO App: All of your contacts that have the ZOLEO app installed will appear in this list. This will allow you to send app-to-app messages up to 900+ characters and see delivery receipts.
   • Email: Send up to 200 characters.
   • SMS: Send up to 160 characters.

   Note: If you would like to send a message to a recipient that's not in your contact list, enter the SMS number, email address, or phone number of a ZOLEO App recipient in the search bar, then select "Use this contact" to proceed.

4. Compose your message and press the Send button (paper plane icon).

5. Message status:

   • Pending (two circular grey arrows).
   • Sent (green checkmark). Satellite messages may take a few minutes.
   • ZOLEO device LEDs blink blue during transmission; an ascending tone confirms success.

   Note: If your message has been sent via satellite using the ZOLEO device, your satellite connection will stay open for the next 2 minutes in anticipation of receiving a reply from the recipient. This allows for replies to be received quickly and in near real-time. 

6. If a message fails, a red exclamation mark will appear, and the ZOLEO device will flash amber with a descending tone. To resend, hold the message and tap Resend.

Switching from App-to-App Messaging to SMS

App-to-app messaging provides the ability to send long messages and view when a message has been delivered to the destined recipient. The delivery method can be temporarily switched from app-to-app messaging to SMS, and SMS will be used as the preferred delivery method.

In the ZOLEO app, a sender linked to a ZOLEO device can long-press the Send button to change the delivery method to SMS. The delivery method is temporarily changed to SMS until the sender switches back to app-to-app messaging. To switch back, long press the Send button again and select app-to-app messaging.