Sending MMS with Node.js, Express, and Sinch - code-examples -

Frequently Asked Questions

You can send MMS messages by creating a Node.js application with Express that uses the Sinch MMS JSON API. This involves setting up a project with dependencies like Axios and dotenv, configuring your Sinch credentials, and implementing an API endpoint to handle MMS requests. Refer to the provided code examples for a step-by-step guide.
The Sinch MMS JSON API is a specific Sinch API endpoint and protocol for sending multimedia messages. It's important to consult the official Sinch documentation for the most up-to-date details on its structure, authentication methods, and required parameters, as these may change.
Sinch offers multiple APIs, such as legacy APIs and a unified Messages API, to cater to different integration needs and preferences. This tutorial specifically uses the MMS JSON API for its dedicated MMS capabilities.
Use the Sinch MMS JSON API when you need to send multimedia messages (MMS) containing images, videos, or audio alongside text within your application. It's ideal for automating communication workflows requiring rich media.
While this guide utilizes Axios, you can potentially use other HTTP client libraries for Node.js, but you'll have to adapt the code to the respective client's API and usage patterns. Axios is recommended for its ease of use with promises.
Set up Sinch credentials by creating a .env file containing your `SINCH_SERVICE_PLAN_ID`, `SINCH_API_TOKEN`, and `SINCH_NUMBER`. These are essential for interacting with the Sinch API. Never commit the .env file to version control, as it contains sensitive information.
The `fallbackText` parameter provides the message content for a fallback SMS if the recipient's device cannot receive MMS or if MMS delivery fails. It's required unless fallback is explicitly disabled using `disableFallbackSms`.
The MMS payload should be a JSON object with specific keys like 'to', 'from', 'message-subject', and 'slide'. The 'slide' key holds an array of slide objects. You must verify the correct structure according to the latest Sinch documentation for the MMS JSON API.
The provided code examples demonstrate error handling using try...catch blocks and status codes. The code logs detailed error information from Sinch, allowing you to identify the cause of failure. For production, enhance logging with tools like Pino and consider retry mechanisms with exponential backoff for transient errors.
The `client-reference` parameter is an optional field where you can include your own internal reference ID for the message, up to a recommended maximum of 64 characters. This helps you track and identify messages within your system.
Implement retry mechanisms when you want to increase the resilience of your MMS sending. Retries are useful for transient errors like network issues or temporary Sinch API unavailability (5xx errors). Use exponential backoff to prevent overwhelming the API.
Verifying the official Sinch MMS API documentation is crucial because endpoint URLs, payload structures, and other API specifics may vary depending on factors like your account settings, region, and API version. Using outdated information can lead to integration errors.
Media (images, videos, etc.) are added using the 'slides' parameter. Each 'slide' object can have media specified as a URL. These media URLs must be publicly accessible and return a Content-Length header. Always consult the Sinch API documentation for correct slide structure.