I tested Cash4SMS, an app that claims you can earn passive income by selling your unused SMS messages. It does pay, but the risk is not worth the reward, in my opinion. Below is how it works, and which passive income apps I recommend instead.
Tested by Mikael (EarnWithMike)Founder and lead testerMikael founded PaidFromSurveys in 2016 and has personally tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites since then. He shows his tests and payment proof to 555K+ subscribers on his YouTube channel, EarnWithMike. He tested Cash4SMS himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Last retested · First published
It pays, but the risks are not worth the reward
You let the app send and receive SMS on your phone for tiny amounts. Android only, installed from an APK file.
On this page
The short answer
Cash4SMS really pays you for selling your unused SMS, automatically through PayPal.
But you give an app access to send messages from your phone, and you have no idea what they will use the SMS messages for. The earnings are small, it can cost you money if your carrier’s rate is too high, and you install it manually from an APK file. In my opinion, the risk isn’t worth the reward.
- A passive form of earning
- Pays through PayPal
- Processes payments automatically every month
- Available worldwide, if your carrier allows international SMS
- Earning involves risks that are not worth the reward
- You install it manually from an APK file
- Android only
- No guarantee you earn from incoming SMS
- You lose money if your carrier charges more than €0.005 per SMS
My experience with Cash4SMS
I installed Cash4SMS, set it up and made a video about how it works. This is what I did myself, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- December 2022Review first published Dec 5, 2022
- Latest retest
- Checked: earning methods, payouts, support
- Incoming SMS I received
- NoneWhile I tested the app
- Install method
- APK fileFrom the Cash4SMS website, not an app store
- Installing the app from the APK file and setting it up
- Selling incoming SMS. I never got any SMS while I tested it.
- How selling outgoing SMS works and what it costs
- The payout rules, the FAQ and the support email
- A payout. My review does not show a cashout from Cash4SMS.
- The app on iOS. Cash4SMS is Android only.
My video about Cash4SMS
In the video below, I explain exactly how Cash4SMS works and what you should know before you install it.
Screenshot from my test
Cash4SMS is risky for very little money. These sites and apps pay you in a safer way.
See the best alternativesCash4SMS at a glance
| What it is | Android app that sells your unused outgoing SMS and pays you for incoming SMS |
|---|---|
| Ways to earn | Selling outgoing SMS, selling incoming SMS |
| Pay per SMS | Incoming: €0.02 each, but no guarantee you get any. Outgoing: depends on your carrier’s rate; Cash4SMS uses a dynamic payment system. |
| When it costs you money | If your carrier charges more than €0.005 per SMS to other countries |
| Payout | PayPal, automatically in the first week of the next month. From €5, you can ask for a withdrawal earlier. |
| Install | APK file from the Cash4SMS website. It is not in any app store. |
| Devices | Android only. Your phone must be connected to the internet. |
| Where you can join | Worldwide, if your carrier allows sending SMS to other countries |
| Support | FAQ page and email: hello@cash4sms.today |
Is Cash4SMS legit and safe?
Cash4SMS does pay. But legit does not mean it is safe or worth it. Here is what you should know before you install it.
- You do not know what your SMS are used for
If you give an app access to send messages from your phone, you have no idea what they will use the SMS messages for. I personally don’t like apps that do this, because it is extremely risky.
- It can cost you money
Check your carrier’s rates and policies for sending SMS to other countries first. If it costs more than €0.005 per SMS, you lose money instead of earning.
- Installed from an APK file
The app is not available in any app store, so you install it manually. I prefer apps from the app store, since they are vetted by Google or Apple. With an APK, you never really know what will happen.
- No guarantee of incoming SMS
Incoming SMS pay €0.02 each, but there is no guarantee you receive any. When I tested the app, I never got any SMS.
My takeI know that the app does pay, but in my opinion, you also have to consider what you will allow the app to do on your mobile device. Allowing an app to send and receive text messages is something that I’m not okay with personally.
How you earn on Cash4SMS
There are 2 ways to earn. Selling outgoing SMS brings in most of the money. Tap one to read more.
Selling outgoing SMSDepends on your carrier
Cash4SMS runs in the background and sells your unused outgoing SMS automatically. You do not have to do anything after you set it up, but your phone has to be connected to the internet.
First check your carrier’s rate for sending SMS to other countries, and whether it allows it at all. If it costs more than €0.005 per SMS, Cash4SMS is not suitable for you, because you will lose money.
Selling incoming SMS€0.02 each
This one does not cost you anything. When you enable it, Cash4SMS first sends you an SMS with a random text to test if your carrier can receive SMS from other countries. If it arrives, you earn €0.02 for every incoming SMS.
There is no guarantee you keep receiving SMS. When I tested the app, I never got any, so think of it as a bonus.
How much can you make?
It depends on your carrier’s rate for sending SMS to other countries. Most of your earnings come from outgoing SMS. For example, if your carrier charges €0.001 per outgoing SMS, you earn an average of $0.004 per SMS. Cash4SMS uses a dynamic payment system, so do not expect a fixed amount.
Overall, the earning potential is not that good, considering the risks you have to take. If you are fine with what the app does, do some research and calculate your potential earnings first.
Payout method and schedule
| Method | When | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal, automatic | Everything you earned in a month, paid in the first week of the next month | Usually in your PayPal account within one to two business days |
| PayPal, on request | When you have at least €5 before the month ends | Processed within one to two business days |
For example, if you earned €4 in July, the money goes to your PayPal account during the first week of August.
If you want more apps and sites with a convenient payment method, see the top sites that pay via PayPal.
Cash4SMS alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawns | Passive earning by sharing internet, plus surveys and games | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Honeygain | Completely passive: share your unused internet | $20 PayPal; $0.50 through JumpTask | 3.7 / 5 |
| PacketStream | Passive earning from your bandwidth, paid through PayPal | $5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| EarnApp | Passive earning from your unused internet, PayPal and Wise | $2.50 PayPal and Wise | 3.1 / 5 |
See the best passive income apps. They all offer safe ways to earn extra money passively. On an iPhone, see the best money making apps for iOS.
How I scored Cash4SMS
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Cash4SMS scores 32 out of 100. If you want to earn extra money, try these sites and apps instead.
See the best alternativesCash4SMS FAQ
Is Cash4SMS legit?
It does pay. But you let the app send and receive SMS on your phone without knowing what they are used for, and in my opinion the risk isn’t worth the reward.
How much does Cash4SMS pay per SMS?
Incoming SMS pay €0.02 each, but there is no guarantee you get any. Outgoing SMS pay depending on your carrier’s rate; Cash4SMS uses a dynamic payment system.
Can Cash4SMS cost me money?
Yes. If your carrier charges more than €0.005 per SMS to other countries, you lose money instead of earning.
How does Cash4SMS pay?
Through PayPal. Everything you earned in a month is paid in the first week of the next month. From €5, you can ask for a withdrawal earlier.
Is Cash4SMS on the Play Store or for iPhone?
No. You download the APK file from the Cash4SMS website, and it only works on Android.
How do I contact Cash4SMS?
Check the FAQ page first, or email hello@cash4sms.today.
Who tested Cash4SMS for this review
Founder of PaidFromSurveys.com since 2016. Mikael has tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites and shares his tests with 555K+ subscribers on YouTube (October 2026).
If you have any comments, questions, or experience with Cash4SMS, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.