# Configuring Softphones

Softphones allow the user to receive calls and make outbound calls over
the Internet from a computer or smart device. This software acts as a
phone interface, allowing users to dial numbers and carry out other
phone related functions via a screen (such as a computer or smartphone)
using a mouse, keypad or keyboard.

Softphone applications may be downloaded from a variety of providers,
and are easily configured to become seamless components of the
phone.systems(TM) PBX. phone.systems(TM) is compatible with all SIP-compliant
softphones, including the phone.systems(TM) softphone which is highly
integrated into phone.systems(TM).

The SIP Account contact method is used to add softphones as a component
of phone.systems(TM) (see the section [SIP Accounts](../Contact-methods/sip-accounts.html#ps3-sip-accounts)
for details). The SIP credentials such as username, password and domain
that are required for configuring a SIP device are automatically
generated by phone.systems(TM).

To view and copy these credentials, edit the [SIP Account Contact
Method](../Contact-methods/sip-accounts.html#ps3-sip-accounts).

[![../../_images/fig126.png](../../_images/fig126.png)](../../_images/fig126.png)


**Fig. 1.** SIP Accounts Credentials

The full list of SIP credentials are displayed, together with the
current status of the SIP device (**Offline** or **Online**).

Clicking on the [![softphonesinline](../../_images/inline.png)](../../_images/inline.png)
icon next to the Username, Password and Domain
fields copies the configuration data to a clipboard for convenient use
in configuring the SIP device.

Once the softphone is configured with the required credentials and the
SIP account has been activated on that device, then that softphone will
be automatically be connected to phone.systems(TM) and is usable as an
integrated end-device.

Note

If this softphone is also to be used for outbound calling, then the **Enable outbound calls** option must be enabled in
the contact method configuration screen shown above.