> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.globalalerting.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.globalalerting.com/monitoring-and-response/working-with-devices/device-actions-and-commands.md).

# Device Actions & Commands

Some devices support receiving messages from GAP (MT messaging).  This allows GAP to send text messages and / or commands to the device.

{% hint style="info" %}
Support for text messaging and other forms of remote commands is dependent on the type of the device.
{% endhint %}

Messages and commands can be sent to individual devices or groups of devices.

## Individual Devices

### Sending a Text Message

The most common type of MT messaging capability is text messaging.

To send a text message to a device:

1. In the GAP Portal, click "Devices" from the banner menu.
2. Click the name of the device you want to message.
3. Under the "Context" section, click "Send Text Message".
4. Enter a message in the text box.
5. If the device in question supports SMS and has a phone number added to its device record, you can force the message to be sent as an SMS by checking the "Force SMS" check box.
6. Click the "Send" button.

#### Conversation View

If you are likely to be sending multiple messages (e.g. engaged in a conversation with a device user), you may find it more convenient to use the Conversation View.

1. In the GAP Portal, click "Devices" from the banner menu.
2. Click the name of the device you want to message.
3. Under the "Context" section, click "Conversation".
4. Enter your message in the "Enter your message" text box at the bottom of the screen.
5. Click the "Send" button.

### Requesting a Location Update

Many devices support being polled for a location update.

To request a current location from a device:

1. In the GAP Portal, click "Devices" from the banner menu.
2. Click the name of the device from which you want to request a location.
3. Under the "Context" section, click "Request Location".

When you request a location update, the device is marked as "Pending Location Request".  This status is cleared when a response is received from the device.

### Requesting a Check-In

Many devices support requesting the user to check in.  If the user does not check in within the specified period, the device is marked overdue.

To request a check-in from a device:

1. In the GAP Portal, click "Devices" from the banner menu.
2. Click the name of the device from which you want to request a check-in.
3. Under the "Check-In Actions" section, click "Request Check-In".
4. Select the period after which the device will be marked as overdue using the "Check-In Period" drop-down list.
5. Click the "Send" button.

## Groups

### Sending a Text Message

{% hint style="info" %}
If one or more devices in a group do not support text messaging, the message will not be received by those devices.
{% endhint %}

To send a text message to a group of devices:

1. In the GAP Portal, click "Options" from the banner menu.
2. Click "Groups".
3. Click the name of the group you want to message.
4. Click "Send Text Message".
5. Enter a message in the text box.
6. If any of the devices in the group support SMS and has a phone number added to its device record, you can force the message to be sent as an SMS by checking the "Force SMS" check box.
7. Click the "Send" button.

### Requesting a Location Update

{% hint style="info" %}
If one or more devices in a group do not support location requests, the request will not be received by those devices.
{% endhint %}

To request a current location from a group of devices:

1. In the GAP Portal, click "Options" from the banner menu.
2. Click "Groups".
3. Click the name of the group from which you want to request a check-in.
4. Click "Request Location".
5. Click the "Send" button.

When you request a location update, the devices are marked as "Pending Location Request".  This status is cleared when a response is received from the device.

### Requesting a Check-In

{% hint style="info" %}
If one or more devices in a group do not support check-in requests, the request will not be received by those devices.
{% endhint %}

To request a current location from a group of devices:

1. In the GAP Portal, click "Options" from the banner menu.
2. Click "Groups".
3. Click the name of the group from which you want to request a check-in.
4. Click "Request Check-In".
5. Select the period after which the device will be marked as overdue using the "Check-In Period" drop-down list.
6. Click the "Send" button.

When you request a location update, the device is marked as "Pending Location Request".  This status is cleared when a response is received from the device.

## Broadcasting

You can also send text messages and location requests to large numbers of devices using criteria such as country, tag value or being within a particular zone via the "Send Text Message" and "Send Check-In Request" feature (under "Broadcast") on the GAP Portal home screen.

See [Message Broadcast](/monitoring-and-response/working-with-devices/message-broadcast.md) for more information.

## App Administration

See the [GAP Guardian v3 Administration Guide](/devices/gap-guardian-app/gap-guardian-v3-administration-guide.md) for additional information on administering the GAP Guardian smartphone app (including remote configuration).