Frequently Asked Questions
Start by creating a new Next.js project and installing the required dependencies, including the MessageBird Node.js SDK and optionally Prisma for database interactions. Set up environment variables for your MessageBird API key and database URL in a .env.local file. If using Prisma, modify the schema.prisma file to store user data related to 2FA.
The MessageBird Verify API is a service that allows you to send and verify one-time passwords (OTPs) via SMS or voice calls. It's used to implement two-factor authentication (2FA) or verify phone numbers, enhancing security and reducing fraudulent sign-ups.
OTP adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code sent to the user's phone, making it much harder for unauthorized access even if passwords are compromised. This helps protect against account takeovers and strengthens overall security.
Implement 2FA whenever enhanced security is needed, like during login, high-value transactions, or account changes. This is especially important for sensitive data or when regulatory compliance requires stronger authentication methods.
Yes, the MessageBird Verify API allows message customization. You can set the 'template' parameter in the API request. Use '%token' as a placeholder within the template. For example, 'Your verification code is %token.'
Use try...catch blocks in your API routes to handle errors during OTP requests and verification. Log the detailed error object from the MessageBird SDK for debugging purposes. Return clear and user-friendly error messages to the frontend.
For production, store the 'verifyId' securely on the server-side. Options include using secure, HTTPOnly cookies (potentially encrypted) linked to the user's session or storing it in server-side session storage like Redis, linked to a session identifier in a secure cookie.
The frontend sends the 'verifyId' and the user-entered OTP code to the /api/auth/verify-otp route. This route uses the MessageBird SDK to call the verify.verify API method, which checks if the code is valid and responds accordingly. Ensure 'verifyId' is handled securely.
Key security measures include protecting your MessageBird API key, implementing rate limiting, rigorous input validation, secure verifyId handling, and protecting API routes with authentication. Ensure only authorized users can initiate or verify 2FA.
Testing methods include manual testing of the complete user flow, unit testing API routes with mocked MessageBird responses, and optionally automated integration testing using tools like Playwright or Cypress to simulate browser interactions.
Check the MessageBird dashboard logs for delivery status. Verify the phone number's correctness and the user's network connectivity. Consider potential temporary carrier issues and test with different carriers if necessary.
E.164 is an international standard for phone number formatting. It begins with a '+' sign followed by the country code and then the national subscriber number. Example: +1234567890.
The tutorial mentions a complete code repository. If not found within the tutorial, contact the tutorial provider or search for relevant repositories online (e.g., on GitHub).
Implement rate limiting in your API routes to prevent abuse. This can be done with middleware in Next.js using libraries like 'rate-limiter-flexible', or through platform features (Vercel's IP rate limiting).
Common issues include incorrect or expired tokens, invalid phone numbers, and API key errors. Make sure your MessageBird API key is valid and stored correctly. Also verify phone number format. Check MessageBird error logs for detailed information and potential carrier-side issues.
This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for integrating MessageBird's Verify API into a Next.js application to implement robust One-Time Password (OTP) or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) using SMS. We will build a complete flow from requesting an OTP to verifying it, focusing on best practices for security, error handling, and user experience.
By the end of this guide, you will have a functional Next.js application capable of sending OTPs via MessageBird and verifying user input, laying the foundation for secure user authentication or phone number verification processes.
Project Overview and Goals
Goal: To add SMS-based OTP verification to a Next.js application using MessageBird's Verify API.
Problem Solved: This implementation enhances security by adding a second factor of authentication or verifies user phone numbers, reducing fraudulent sign-ups and securing user accounts against unauthorized access.
Technologies Used:
Architecture:
(Note: An architecture diagram image (e.g., PNG/SVG) would ideally be placed here for better visualization across different platforms.)
/api/auth/request-otp
).id
to the API Route.id
temporarily (e.g., in session, encrypted cookie, or returns it to the client – careful with security implications) and signals success to the frontend.id
to another API Route (/api/auth/verify-otp
).id
and the user'stoken
(the OTP code).id
and responds to the API Route.isTwoFactorEnabled = true
).Prerequisites:
Setting up the Project
Let's initialize a new Next.js project and install the necessary dependencies.
Create Next.js App
Open your terminal and run the following command, choosing options like TypeScript (recommended), Tailwind CSS (optional), and App Router (recommended):
Follow the prompts. We'll assume you're using the App Router and TypeScript.
Install Dependencies
Install the MessageBird Node.js SDK:
(Optional) If you plan to store user data or 2FA status, install Prisma:
Configure Environment Variables
Create a
.env.local
file in the root of your project. Never commit this file to version control. Add your MessageBird Live API Key and (if using Prisma) your database connection string.MESSAGEBIRD_API_KEY
: Obtain this from your MessageBird Dashboard under Developers > API access (REST). Ensure you are using a Live key for actual SMS sending. Test keys won't send real messages.DATABASE_URL
: Your database connection string. Format depends on your database provider.(Optional) Prisma Schema Setup
If using Prisma, modify the generated
prisma/schema.prisma
file to include relevant user fields for 2FA.Apply the schema to your database:
This creates the
User
table in your database.Implementing Core Functionality (API Routes)
We'll create two API routes within the
app/api/
directory: one to request the OTP and one to verify it.Create Helper for MessageBird Client
It's good practice to initialize the MessageBird client once. Create
lib/messagebird.ts
:API Route to Request OTP (
/api/auth/request-otp
)Create the file
app/api/auth/request-otp/route.ts
:google-libphonenumber
for production.mbClient.verify.create
: Calls the MessageBird API.phoneNumber
: The user's number in international E.164 format (e.g.,+14155552671
).params
: Configuration options.originator
: Updated explanation regarding alphanumeric IDs and virtual numbers for global reliability.template
: The message text.%token
is replaced by the generated OTP.timeout
: How long the OTP is valid (default 30s).success: true
and theverifyId
. Crucially, handling thisverifyId
securely is vital. See comments in the code.async/await
if supported by the SDK version.API Route to Verify OTP (
/api/auth/verify-otp
)Create the file
app/api/auth/verify-otp/route.ts
:verifyId
and basic OTP format (assuming 6 digits).mbClient.verify.verify
: Calls MessageBird to check the code.verifyId
: The ID received from thecreate
call.token
: The 6-digit code entered by the user.err.errors[0].description
for specifics.verified: true
.userId
from the user's session or authentication token.async/await
if supported by the SDK version.Frontend Implementation (UI Components)
Now, let's build simple React components for the user interface on a page.
Create the Page
Create a page file, for example,
app/verify/page.tsx
:'use client'
: Necessary because this component usesuseState
and interacts with browser events/APIs.useState
to manage phone number input, OTP code input, loading state, errors, success messages, theverifyId
, and the UI flow (isOtpSent
,isVerified
).handleRequestOtp
: Sends the phone number to/api/auth/request-otp
. On success, it stores the returnedverifyId
in state and updates the UI to show the OTP input form.handleVerifyOtp
: Sends theverifyId
(retrieved from state) and the user-enteredotpCode
to/api/auth/verify-otp
. Updates UI based on success or failure.isOtpSent
andisVerified
states.verifyId
in React state. The note in Section 4 is also strengthened. This approach is acceptable for a simplified example but not recommended for production. It's vulnerable to issues like losing state on page refresh and potential client-side manipulation. A more robust approach involves managing theverifyId
server-side, typically by storing it in a secure, httpOnly cookie tied to the user's session or in a server-side store (like Redis or a database) linked to a session identifier. The server would then retrieve theverifyId
based on the session when the verification request comes in, rather than relying on the client to send it back.Security Considerations
MESSAGEBIRD_API_KEY
is highly sensitive. Keep it in.env.local
and ensure this file is listed in your.gitignore
. Never expose it client-side. Use environment variables in your deployment environment./api/auth/request-otp
,/api/auth/verify-otp
) to prevent abuse (e.g., flooding users with OTPs, brute-forcing codes). This is often done using middleware in Next.js. Libraries likerate-limiter-flexible
can be integrated, or platform features like Vercel's built-in IP rate limiting can be used.verifyId
presence/format.verifyId
Handling (Crucial): As highlighted previously, returningverifyId
directly to the client and storing it in frontend state is convenient for demos but insecure for production. An attacker could potentially intercept or manipulate it. Prefer server-side management: Store theverifyId
in a secure, httpOnly cookie (potentially encrypted) or in server-side session storage (e.g., Redis linked to a session ID stored in a secure cookie). When verifying, retrieve theverifyId
on the server based on the user's session, not from the client request body.Error Handling and Logging
try...catch
blocks in API routes. Log detailed errors server-side (including MessageBird error objects) for debugging. Return clear, user-friendly error messages to the frontend, avoiding exposing sensitive details.err.errors
array provided by the MessageBird SDK callback for specific error codes and descriptions (e.g., invalid phone number, invalid token, expired token). Check thedescription
field for the most accurate information. See examples in API route code. Refer to the official MessageBird API documentation for a list of error codes.fetch
calls.Testing
npm run dev
)./verify
.messagebird
SDK to simulate successful and error responses fromverify.create
andverify.verify
without making actual API calls. Test input validation logic.Deployment
MESSAGEBIRD_API_KEY
andDATABASE_URL
(if used) as environment variables in your deployment platform's settings. Do not hardcode them.npm run build
.Troubleshooting and Caveats
MESSAGEBIRD_API_KEY
in.env.local
and your deployment environment variables. Ensure it's a Live key.+
followed by country code and number, e.g.,+14155552671
). Ensure your frontend sends this format and your backend validation checks for it. Check theerr.errors[0].description
from MessageBird for specifics (error code21
often relates to invalid parameters).originator
values varies by country (e.g., not supported in the US/Canada). Test with a purchased virtual number from MessageBird as the originator for better reliability, or stick to the default 'Code' / 'MessageBird' if acceptable.verify.verify
will fail. Handle this error by checking theerr.errors[0].description
(which might indicate an invalid or expired token/ID, sometimes associated with code10
) and prompting the user to request a new code. Ensure the correctverifyId
is being used (especially relevant if using the less secure client-side storage method). Refer to official MessageBird error documentation for definitive code meanings.verifyId
Handling: Re-iterate the security implications. If theverifyId
is handled insecurely on the client-side, it can be lost (breaking the flow) or potentially compromised. Server-side session storage is strongly recommended for production environments.Complete Code Repository
A repository containing the complete code for this guide should be created and linked here for reference. (Ensure you create a repository and replace this section with the actual link upon completion.)
Conclusion
You have successfully implemented SMS-based OTP verification in your Next.js application using the MessageBird Verify API. This involved setting up the project, creating API routes for requesting and verifying codes, building frontend components for user interaction, and considering crucial aspects like security, error handling, and testing.
This provides a solid foundation for enhancing your application's security with 2FA or implementing reliable phone number verification flows. Remember to adapt the
verifyId
handling to use a secure server-side mechanism and integrate database updates according to your specific application requirements and security standards for production deployment. You can further enhance this by adding support for voice OTP (type: 'tts'
) as a fallback or primary method.