Fallback Delivery Method for Automated Messages

Modified on Fri, 7 Feb at 11:27 AM

A fallback delivery method is an alternative way to send a message or notification when the primary method fails. In this article, we’ll explore various scenarios where fallback delivery methods are used for automated messages, along with the expected outcomes.

Things to know:

You can specify a fallback delivery method (email, SMS, push notification) when the primary method is unavailable.
- Use if available: This is the primary method that will be attempted first
- Use if other methods not available: This method will be attempted if the primary option is unavailable (because contact information is not on file or the user opted out)
- Never Use: This method will not be used, even if none of the other options are available
Delivery methods configured before February 3, 2025 (when fallback delivery methods were introduced) will have the following default selections:
- For enabled delivery methods, the 'Use if available' option will be selected.
- For disabled delivery methods, the 'Use if others are not available' option will be selected.
To receive SMS notifications, the client must have a valid phone number on file and is single-opted in to receive transactional SMS
To receive email notifications, the client must have a valid email address on file and is opted in to receive transactional emails
Push notifications can only be sent to clients who have your custom MyTime Guest App installed on their mobile devices

Automated Message Scenarios

Delivery Method	Fallback Method	Expected Result
Email: Use if available	Text: Use if other methods not available PUSH: Never use	Email will be attempted first If email is unavailable, a text message will be sent. Push notification will not be sent, even if email and text are unavailable
	TEXT: Never use PUSH: Use if other methods not available	Email will be attempted first. If email is unavailable, a push notification will be triggered. Text will not be sent if both email and push notifications are unavailable
	TEXT: Never use PUSH: Never use	Email will be attempted first. Neither text message nor push notifications will be sent, even if email is unavailable.
	TEXT: Use if other methods not available PUSH: Use if other methods not available	Email will be attempted first. If email is unavailable, a push notification will be sent first. If push notifications are also unavailable, a text message will be sent.
TEXT: Use if available	EMAIL: Use if other methods not available PUSH: Never use	Text message will be attempted first. If text message is unavailable, an email will be sent Push notifications will not be sent, even if both text message and email are unavailable.
	EMAIL: Never use PUSH: Use if other methods not available	Text message will be attempted first. If text is unavailable, a push notification will be triggered An email will not be sent, even if both text message and push notifications are unavailable.
	EMAIL: Never use PUSH: Never use	Text message will be attempted first. Neither email nor push notifications will be sent, even if text message is unavailable
	EMAIL: Use if other methods not available PUSH: Use if other methods not available	Text message will be attempted first. If text message is unavailable, a push notification will be sent first. If push notifications are also unavailable, an email will be sent.
PUSH: Use if available	EMAIL: Use if other methods not available TEXT: Never use	Push notifications will be attempted first If push notifications are unavailable, an email will be sent A text message will not be sent, even if both push notifications and email are unavailable
	EMAIL: Never use TEXT: Use if other methods not available	Push notifications will be attempted first If push notifications are unavailable, a text message will be sent An email will not be sent, even if both push notifications and text messaging are unavailable.
	EMAIL: Never use TEXT: Never use	Push notifications will be attempted first Neither email nor text message will be sent, even if push notifications are unavailable
	EMAIL: Use if other methods not available TEXT: Use if other methods not available	Push notifications will be attempted first If push is unavailable, a text message will be sent If text message is also unavailable, an email will be sent

For more information, contact us at [email protected].

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Transactional vs Marketing Automated Messages

Push Notifications for Automated Messages