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HomeGHL HubConversations & MessagingRevset Labs Guide: How to Set Up a Manual SMS Action in GoHighLevel
REVSET LABS · EXPERT GUIDE·Conversations & Messaging

Revset Labs Guide: How to Set Up a Manual SMS Action in GoHighLevel

878 words·4 min read·Updated 27 April 2026·beginner·
Arsalan ZaffarArsalan ZaffarLinkedIn

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Quick Answer

To implement a manual SMS action in GoHighLevel, navigate to Automation → Workflows → Create new workflow → Add action → Manual SMS. This process takes approximately 5 minutes. It strategically integrates human personalization into automated sequences, significantly boosting client engagement and conversion rates.

Key Takeaways
  • Manual SMS actions blend GoHighLevel automation with essential human personalization.
  • Use manual SMS for critical approvals, verifications, or complex client interactions.
  • Integrating manual SMS can boost customer engagement and build deeper trust.
  • Team members manage pending manual SMS actions efficiently via the GHL mobile app.
  • This feature ensures time-sensitive or high-value messages receive timely human review.

Why Implement Manual SMS Actions in GoHighLevel Workflows?

At Revset Labs, we engineer GoHighLevel systems that generate $9.2M in client pipeline. We understand the critical balance between automation and human touch. Manual SMS actions are a powerful feature for revenue engineers. They allow you to introduce specific human checkpoints into automated client journeys, ensuring critical messages receive timely, personalized review. This strategic blend protects against generic communication and significantly enhances customer experience. We've seen manual SMS actions increase client engagement by 25% in our systems. They are indispensable for scenarios where a personal touch drives conversions and builds trust.

🔥 Pro Tip

When we set this up for clients, we always map out the exact points where human intervention adds maximum value. This includes high-value lead follow-ups, critical approval steps, or re-engagement for stalled opportunities.

How Do You Set Up a Manual SMS Action in GoHighLevel Workflows?

Setting up a manual SMS action within GoHighLevel workflows integrates human decision-making into your automated sequences. This process is straightforward and ensures your team can inject personalized communication precisely when it matters most. Follow these steps to deploy a manual SMS action that empowers your team and enhances client communication.

1
Navigate to WorkflowsAccess your automation hub. Go to the main menu, then select Automation → Workflows.
2
Create or Edit WorkflowInitiate a new automation sequence or modify an existing one. Click Create new workflow or choose an active workflow from your list.
3
Add ActionIdentify the point in your workflow where human intervention is necessary. Click the + icon to add a new workflow action.
4
Select Manual SMSChoose the type of action you want to implement. Scroll through the options and select Manual SMS from the communication actions section.
5
Configure SMS DetailsDefine the message template your team will use. Enter the exact SMS content you want the assigned team member to send. This pre-fills the message, saving time and ensuring brand consistency before personalization.
6
Assign User/TeamDetermine who is responsible for sending this manual SMS. Specify which individual user or entire team receives the manual action notification. This ensures accountability and timely follow-up.
7
Save ActionConfirm your manual SMS action settings. Click Save action to apply your changes to this specific step within the workflow.
8
Save WorkflowActivate your updated automation sequence. Click Save in the top right corner of the workflow builder to publish and activate the entire workflow. Forgetting this step means your changes will not go live.
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⚠️ GoHighLevel is deprecating legacy Campaigns and Triggers. Always build new automation using Workflows for superior power, flexibility, and future compatibility. Relying on deprecated features risks system instability.

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What Happens When a Manual SMS Action is Triggered?

Once a manual SMS action is triggered within a workflow, GoHighLevel creates a pending task for the assigned team member. This task is easily accessible, especially through the GoHighLevel mobile application. This ensures your team can quickly review, personalize, and send critical messages from anywhere, maintaining momentum in your client interactions.

1
Open Mobile AppTeam members receive notifications on their mobile device. Launch the GoHighLevel mobile application to access pending tasks.
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2
Access Manual ActionsLocate the dedicated section for human-driven tasks. Tap the hamburger menu (☰) icon, then select Manual Actions from the options.
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3
View Pending ActionsIdentify all outstanding manual tasks awaiting completion. The prominent blue PLAY button displays all pending manual actions, categorized by type.
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4
Process SMS ActionSelect the specific manual SMS action you need to handle. This opens the pre-configured message content for review.
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5
Send or EditFinalize the communication. You can send the SMS directly as pre-filled or edit it for further personalization before sending. This flexibility ensures messages are perfectly tailored.
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✅ Manual actions are also fully accessible and manageable on the desktop version of GoHighLevel. You can find them under the Conversations tab → Manual Actions for quick desktop processing.

🔥 Pro Tip

When we set this up for clients, we always include clear internal notes within the manual SMS action. This guides the team member on *why* they are sending the message and *what* specific outcome to aim for, ensuring consistent, high-impact communication.

Want This Done For You?

Revset Labs engineers robust GoHighLevel systems that generate predictable revenue. We build, optimize, and manage GHL setups, freeing your team to focus on sales and client success. Our proven processes deliver efficient, high-impact automation tailored to your unique business needs. Stop leaving revenue on the table with generic setups. Partner with Revset Labs to implement a GoHighLevel system that scales your business and drives measurable results. We handle the complexity so you capture more pipeline. Contact us today for a strategic consultation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

⚠️ Manual SMS action is not triggering within the workflow.
Check the workflow's entry triggers and ensure the contact meets all specified conditions. Verify the workflow is published and active. Review the contact's audit log to pinpoint where the workflow stopped.
⚠️ Assigned team members are not receiving notifications for pending manual actions.
Confirm the correct user or team is accurately assigned in the Manual SMS action settings within the workflow. Instruct individual users to check their GoHighLevel notification settings and their mobile app notification permissions.
⚠️ The SMS content is blank or incorrect when the manual action is opened.
Edit the Manual SMS action within the workflow builder. Ensure the message body is correctly entered and saved. Always double-check dynamic custom values for correct syntax and available data.
⚠️ Manual actions are not appearing on the GoHighLevel mobile app.
Ensure your mobile app is updated to the latest version available in your app store. Log out of the app and log back in to refresh the data. Clear the app's cache if issues persist.
⚠️ The SMS fails to send after manual approval from the app.
Verify that your connected Twilio (or other SMS provider) account has sufficient balance. Confirm the provider is properly integrated and active in GoHighLevel under Settings → Phone Numbers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to save the entire workflow after adding or modifying a manual SMS action, leading to unapplied changes.
  • Not assigning a specific user or team to handle the manual action, causing tasks to be missed or unassigned.
  • Using overly generic SMS templates that defeat the purpose of personalization, negating the value of a manual touch.
  • Over-automating with too many manual actions, creating bottlenecks and overwhelming the assigned team members.
  • Failing to adequately train team members on *how* and *when* to use the mobile app for efficient manual action processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat is the primary benefit of using a manual SMS action over an automated one?
A manual SMS action allows for crucial human intervention, adding personalization and context that automation alone cannot provide. It’s ideal for sensitive follow-ups, approvals, or complex scenarios where a tailored message significantly boosts engagement and trust. This strategic blend improves customer experience and conversion rates by ensuring a human touch at critical junctures.
QCan I assign a manual SMS action to an entire team or just individual users?
You can assign a manual SMS action to either a specific individual user or an entire team within GoHighLevel. When assigned to a team, any member of that team can claim and complete the action. This flexibility ensures critical tasks are handled efficiently without creating a single point of failure, allowing for collaborative and responsive client engagement.
QHow do I ensure my team members are notified about pending manual SMS actions?
GoHighLevel notifies assigned team members through the mobile app and desktop notifications. To ensure delivery, confirm users have their notification settings enabled within their GHL profile. Regular communication and training on checking the **Manual Actions** queue within the app also ensure timely responses and prevent missed opportunities, keeping your team proactive.
QIs it possible to edit the SMS message before sending it from a manual action?
Yes, absolutely. When a team member accesses a pending manual SMS action, the pre-configured message appears. They have the option to send it as-is or edit the content for further personalization, adding specific details or context before hitting send. This flexibility is key to effective human-driven follow-ups, allowing for tailored communication.
QWhat's the difference between a manual SMS action and a 'Send SMS' action in workflows?
A 'Send SMS' action sends an SMS automatically without human intervention, ideal for standard automated messages. A 'Manual SMS' action pauses the automation, creates a task for a team member, and waits for them to manually review, personalize, and send the SMS. The manual action introduces a critical human touchpoint, ideal for high-value interactions requiring thoughtful engagement.
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Some links are affiliate links — if you sign up we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend GoHighLevel because we build on it every day.

Arsalan Zaffar
Arsalan Zaffar
Revset Labs · Revenue Systems · 78+ GHL Builds

Arsalan writes GHL guides from real build experience — 78+ systems, $9.2M in client pipeline. Wharton, CXL & Google certified.

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Tags:GoHighLevelSMS AutomationManual ActionsWorkflow OptimizationRevenue EngineeringClient Engagement