Forum Discussion
[Announcement] BIG NEWS: You can now text shortcodes! 🎉
Yes, we heard you loud and clear—it’s been a long time coming, but the wait is finally over...SMARTY now supports shortcode messaging.
So, what’s the big deal with shortcodes?
They’re those snappy little numbers (3-6 digits, usually five) that let you:
✔️ Enter epic competitions
✔️ Vote for your favourite reality TV stars
✔️ Confirm important appointments
✔️ Donate to causes that matter
...and much more.
Heads up! Chargeable shortcodes aren’t included in your plan, so you’ll need an out-of-plan add-on to text them.
If your shortcode is free, such as to confirm a doctor’s appointment, text away.
Not sure how much a chargeable shortcode costs? No worries! We’ve built a super-handy shortcode checker so you can see the details upfront.
For all the nitty-gritty, check out our help article.
And as always, thanks for keeping us on our toes with your awesome feedback—we’re here to make your life easier.
Now go forth and text wisely!
500 Replies
With the qualifiers of Eurovision 2023 ongoing, it is important to remember if you are with SMARTY, and want to vote for your favorite song, you will have to do this through the Eurovision app.
You are also able to cast your vote directly through the website.
Eurovision 2023 Voting (esc.vote)
Happy dancing!
Yeah i couldn't vote this year either, they are not updates on why SMARTY numbers cannot call and vote and no updates about when they are going to fix this issue. It's sad that we have to switch to other networks, feels like they are pushing us to competitors.
Supersonic-2005 They have never offered short code text service and also never suggested when they will do that.
Presumably they are prepared to stand the loss of those customers who find it an important feature.
Shocking that we still can’t (after a year) text these 15p sms numbers. I just don’t see what the issue is here.
Smarty haven’t provisioned it, that’s the issue.
Take it up with Smarty directly - This community forum is populated by Smarty customers, who do not work for Smarty, so we have no input in to their decisions.
As of 2024, if you want to vote in Eurovision, you'll need to use a none smarty phone number 😞
Had a slow drawn out text chat with a human on customer services today. Here's the condensed outcome of that conversation :
I have checked with my team and they have informed me that at the moment you can't currently call the following numbers with any of the SMARTY plans:
- Premium numbers beginning with 09 or 07
- Satellite numbers (numbers that start with 0088 or 0087)
- Directory enquiries (118)
I have highlighted your issue with my team so we can active above number to make call from out of plan add ons
Once you are able to call above numbers we will update you through SMARTY website or dashboard
Bumblebear I don't think that Eurovision voting will be on any of that type of number.
As far as I could see, sms votes are on a short code and calls are on a non-standard number - perhaps Irish?
How do I enter competition with having bought extra credit to do so and message not sending?? Help please
I had same problem put £5 credit to send text didnt work but was able to use £5 to pay for monthly plan
As Chalkychap says, you cannot send short code texts as Smarty does not support that currently. The extra credit has not been lost - you can choose to use it towards your next Smarty Plan.
SMARTY don't currently support short-codes on their network, so you'd need to enter online. Most competitions usually have an online entry form LauraWe_1311036.
🍀
You can't send "STOP" to 85004 BillyDick_86143 - SMARTY do NOT currently support use of short-codes on their mobile network.
Does this mean we can't report spam to 7726 (OFCOM)
I have received a text message from my midwife/health visitor service to opt in for an app. I have to reply yes - and the text message wont send. I have attempted to buy on add on as I know I cant text into competitions etc.
The reply to the opt in is a free text that does charge and is registered with uk regulator? This is for my medical care?
SMARTY, please unblock texting FREE short numbers.
I'm not able to reply to my bank's authentication requests because of short number texting is blocked to ALL numbers - the one I need is FREE. This is very inconvenient.I also got the same problem and Smarty really can't help on this! I don't know why even the 'out of plan add on' cannot be help in this case! Now it is a right moment to think switching my bank accounts or switching my number to another telephone company. Can anyone know which telephone company could provide this service, even if it is chargeable.
Unfortunately, Smarty currently does not support messages to short code numbers (I suspect this is what you are trying to send).
They say that they are looking into it. It may be worthwhile you having a web chat with the Support Team to log your problem - the more they get, then perhaps action will be quicker?
Is it possible that you can download the app if your head;th professional sends you a link? Hope it works out for you.
I get text messages that I want to unsubscribe from by sending ‘STOP’ - however whenever i try to unsubscribe it says ‘Message failure’
Unfortunately Thisisausername, SMARTY Mobile don't support short-codes for sending/replying to an SMS. This means you can't send STOP in response to a text message from a short-code.
There's a jointly owned UK company for mobile short-codes, which has more information about short-codes at https://www.short-codes.com/useful-information.
Hi I gather from a few other posts that these are not possible at the moment!
I found this in some information blurb from SMARTY -
" At some point you'll be able to send other kinds of messages which will be chargeable. This will include premium-rate texts and short-codes, which are used for entering competitions, buying ringtones and voting on reality TV shows, and paying for parking."
As other people say they don't indicate when this will be available! I agree with the others that it should be no problem with a decent quality service!
I too, like some other people may well be switching to another provider which doesn't have this problem!
Finally Smarty are allowing short SMS. Just entered the 6 nations competition!
I receive txt messages following hospital appointments when they txt for me asses their service I'm unable to send my response even though the message says it is a free service Smarty does not let me reply. What must I do to fix this situation?
EileenB_2976700 Unfortunately nothing you can do because Smarty does not support the short code text system.
I suggest calling the hospital appointments office.
I think the evidence is that Smarty have no intention of providing short form text service. The fact that they no longer reply to comments is indicative that the Smarty business will simply be folded into Voxi or Vodafone once the 3 Business has been assimilated by Vodafone UK over the coming months.
AndrewT_1896481 You may well have a point there. On the other hand, the business may continue as it is - hard to tell at the minute. If that were the case, then Voda/Voxi or whatever would need to consider changing things for over a million customers suddenly.
I’ve received hospital appt texts and other automated messages but the reply texts fail. Have I got to reset anything? Other texts seem to work ok.
I'm just wondering if these are genuine. I say that because the NHS (hospitals or GP's) usually sends out reminders of appointments that are no-reply.
Smarty currently only allows texts to standard mobile numbers and not short codes
Is the text from
6476673759
That doesn't look like a UK mobile number ValerieP_160962 - to send an SMS overseas, you'll need to buy an add-on for your SMARTY plan.
If the messages have come from a short-code, then you won't be able to reply GrahamS_1741072.
Apparently, SMARTY do not currently allow messaging to short-code numbers.
Good luck GrahamS_1741072.
Hi lesliec_1738186 we currently do not support short-codes - this is something that may come in the future.
Hi I'm trying to make a donation to a charity by SMS and it keeps failing with Error 38. Can anyone help sort this error issue?
This is still not an option, come on Smarty this is poor, otherwise an excellent service.
SimonPi_2719314 That's because it relies on the short code sms system and they don't support that.
Loads of threads on this from way back.
Still does not allow, very poor. come on Smarty, otherwise an excellent service.
I was just trying to donate by text to the Vernon Kay Children in Need ultra marathon BBC Radio 2 appeal and it wasn't working. I thought I was doing something wrong. I don't normally donate by text message but thought it would be convenient this time. I'll donate on the web instead. Thanks for asking the question and for the answers.
