What AT&T’s email to text shutdown means for alerting systems
AT&T provided a service for many years that allowed emails to be delivered as simple SMS messages. The process was straightforward. An email was sent to an address such as number@txt.att.net and AT&T converted the message into a text that appeared on a mobile device. Many organizations used this method because it required no technical integration and worked reliably for a long time.
As of June 17, 2025 this option is no longer available. AT&T officially discontinued its email to text and text to email gateway. This information is confirmed on the AT&T Support website and on the FirstNet help page for the email messaging gateway. Since the shutdown messages sent through these domains no longer reach the intended recipients.
▶︎ Read more: safeREACH email2alarm
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Why this change matters
Email to text offered a simple way to forward information from existing systems to mobile phones. At the same time it depended entirely on email as the source. Email was never designed for urgent or time sensitive communication. The shutdown makes these limitations more visible. Organizations that relied on the workflow now face gaps in their notification processes. Emails still leave the system, but no SMS is delivered.
▶︎ Read more: Why is effective IT incident management so important for companies?
Typical challenges when using email for critical alerts
Email is universal and easy to set up. For important or time sensitive situations it introduces several challenges because the medium itself does not guarantee fast or traceable delivery.
- Email delivery is not guaranteed in real time
- Messages can be delayed by spam filters or routing rules
- There is no confirmation that a message was opened
- No automatic escalation is possible without additional tools
- Mobile devices may not notify users when an email arrives
- Silent mode or focus settings can hide new messages
- Compliance and auditability are limited
- When email is forwarded to a telecom gateway, delivery depends on a service that can be changed or discontinued at any time
Email to text helped bridge some of these gaps by bringing information to a device as an SMS. The shutdown at AT&T shows that this dependence is fragile. When such a gateway is removed the email still leaves the system but no message is delivered.
▶︎ Read more: How alerting software like safeREACH saves valuable time
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The need for a dependable way to convert emails into real alerts
When an email contains operational or safety relevant information organizations need a reliable method to ensure that the right people receive the information quickly. A modern solution should therefore process the email and turn it into a controlled alert with visibility, acknowledgement options and escalation.
▶︎ Read more: Sending important email as a text message
safeREACH email2alarm as a replacement
safeREACH email2alarm was developed for scenarios where emails must trigger dependable and traceable notifications. It replaces the old gateway workflow with a secure and controlled alerting process.
How email2alarm works
- Your system sends an email to a dedicated safeREACH address.
- The message is converted into an alert.
- Recipients are reached primarily through the safeREACH app for fast push alarms.
- SMS can be used as a secondary channel when required.
- Delivery status is visible in real time.
- Escalation ensures that unanswered alerts are forwarded to backup personnel.
Advantages of safeREACH email2alarm
- Modern alternative to the discontinued email to text workflow.
- Reliable delivery through app alarm or SMS
- Confirmation and escalation logic included.
- Works even in silent mode.
- Independent of telecom operated gateways.
- No code changes required in existing systems.
- Designed for organizations that need dependable communication.
▶︎ Read more: Delivering critical emails securely
Test email2alarm in 2 minutes
Test email2alarm for free with just a few clicks. Create a test account, enter your email address & receive an alarm.
safeREACH email2alarm as a modern replacement
The end of AT&T’s email to text service highlights that email based notification workflows are convenient but not perfectly suited for time critical communication. Organizations benefit from dedicated alerting systems that ensure fast delivery, confirmation and escalation.
safeREACH email2alarm offers a modern and reliable way to turn important emails into actionable alerts. It ensures continuity even when telecom operated gateways are changed or discontinued.
▶︎ Read more: More about the safeREACH alerting system
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▶︎ Alert App of safeREACH
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