You may send a SMS text message to any SMS-supporting cellular phone (e.g., iPhone) or device for free (and without ads), from the command line. To do this, you need TextBelt. TextBelt is a very simple, outgoing SMS API that uses carrier-specific gateways to send messages.
To send an SMS (text message) from OS X command line to a cellular phone or device:
1.Launch Terminal
2.Enter the following Terminal command:
curl “http://textbelt.com/text” -d number=1234567890 -d “message=this is where you put your message”
Like this:

If your message is delivered successfully, you will get:
{“success”:true}
If not, you will get an error message, like these:
{“success”:false,”message”:”Exceeded quota for this phone number.”}
(note TextBelt allows maximum 75 outgoing messages per day)
or
{“success”:false,”message”:”Invalid phone number.”}
Related: How to tell if you’re sending an iMessage or a text message (SMS)
Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.
Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.
In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.
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