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
I’ve put £10 on my account so I can enter a text competition
however it still won’t let me send the text
I have a block on my account tap I can’t go over £10 a month hence why I’ve put £10 on any help greatly received
Smarty does not currently allow the use of short code text messages, which are typically five digits long, and used to enter competitions, that’s why your texts are not going through.
Why am l unable to enter any competitions on the radio which l have to send a text to enter
Christo_1740587 This is because Smarty doesn’t support short code texts at present.
From what I understand, the competitions give a short code text number, which are unavailable on SMARTY at the moment.
I understand they will make an appearance, but won't be included on your free text limit, you will need a paid extra in addition to what you have on your SIM.
Hi, I need to send a text message to my bank to authorise a payment. They use a short code number and my texts are failing. Does Smarty support short code text numbers?
Thanks
Ironic twist, the credit card I use to pay for Smarty requires these short codes. It is now declining all transactions until I reply to the short code, so Smarty's own policy means Smarty cannot be paid.
This needs to be changed, it's ridiculous.
Harry_2659500 This point has been raised frequently over a long period but for whatever reason, Smarty have not actioned it yet.
Yep, this has happened to me too. I have a virgin credit card and it's now declining all my transactions because I can't reply to the security text confirming that the transaction is valid.
Virgin doesn't seem to have an alternative, and neither does Smarty, so one of them is going.
I get that there are costs with short code messages but my phone already warns me of that automatically. I'm not a child, I expect my phone company to allow me to send a text message if I want to. I will be leaving Smarty as soon as possible. I'm currently stuck overseas without my preferred credit card available.
Just to add to this old thread...
I've just had a text from Barclaycard (from a 5 digit short code) for a security check asking me to reply with 'Y' if I recognised the last 3 transactions. I hadn't realised it wouldn't send and the transaction was then declined. Bit annoying.
I am trying to send a message to an Irish friend. Keep getting error 0
Maureen_2585523 You are sending an International text and that is not included in your Smarty plan.
If you need to send a text, then you need to add credit to your account for out of plan usage - check the Price Guide for details of International calls and texts.
As JJP2RidesAgain correctly says, may be easier to use WhatsApp (over mobile data or wifi) if both you and the friend have it.
Why can I not send a message to pay for messages and get an error 0
SharonM_2434689 Suspect that you are trying to send to a short code number. Smarty do not currently support that system.
Did you read other posts in this thread?
It wa a 5 digit number. I was able to send it successfully last night.
AngelaR_2083405 😳 That's unusual ! They say that they don't support short codes.
Can't enter competition's on my phone. Why is that and I've got add on..???
Hello SHAUNCO_1449045 . This is usually because those competitions rely on a 'short code' number and Smarty currently does not support that service.
When and if they eventually do include such a service, you will need to add credit to your account so that you can pay for each message accordingly.
How can I enter competitions that require payment
Hello AlfieRh_2083838 . Currently you cannot do that on Smarty as they do not support texts to short codes (that's what most of the competitions use).
There do not seem any plans for them to enable that just yet from what I have read.
If they DO enable it, you would need to add credit to your account so that each text could be paid for from the balance.
Thanks, it would be a good addition. Looking forward to seeing the development
Hi Has there been any resolution to sending messages to short numbers I recently joined Smarty and despite adding £10 credit I cannot send a text to enter competitions ? Have I just wasted £10 ? I read that someone is unable to access some NHS facilities due to this This is very worrying I paid to leave my previous contract with 3 to join Smarty I think now this may not have been my smartest move
Hello ANGELAS_2029248 While Smarty is not yet supporting short code texts, don't forget that a large number of organisations do not use that type of message.
I have had many NHS messages come through without problem, as well as banks and verification texts for numbers things.
As Rebekah_150 says, you can use the credit towards your future Smarty plans.
Hey ANGELAS_2029248,
It is something that we are looking into but it is not currently a feature. If you have added £10 as credit it can be put towards your next belling.
Hi everyone,
I use a number of services that require multi-factor authentication where a service will send an SMS message to verify identity. Until last week (May 23) I had no issues but overnight, some of these messages have stopped being delivered to my Smarty Sim. I have verified with friends that they can receive messages from these servers (LastPass, Cisco Meraki etc) with no issue.
I have tried various suggestions from clearing the cache/storage on the Android messaging app to factory resetting the phone and nothing has worked. I can receive messages from services such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft.
The only thing I can think of is that some of these messages are sourced from abroad, specifically the US with a +1 international code.
Wondered if anyone was experiencing the same issue or had any suggestions?
Cheers!
At the current time, Smarty does not support short code text messages.
See here :
Did you resolve your issue? I appear to have the same issue...
Just an update to add that I added an eSim to my phone from Lyca. Verification SMS messages from the websites I'm struggling with do work with that number/SIM. Looking more like an issue with SMARTY.
Cannot send sms to bt even though I have previously to the same number that's why I topped up £5 the first time I needed to send bt a sms
Tanyastephenson Currently, you can only send an sms to a standard UK mobile number. The link article is here: https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/952515-are-all-texts-free-with-smarty-plans
If BT use a short code (5 digits) then it will not work. You can still use your £5 credit towards the next Smarty plan, so all is not lost.
Why can I not send a sms to a out of plan when I have £5 left to used so I can sms these numbers
Hello Tanyastephenson . If it is to a short-code number, then Smarty do not support that service.
There are quite a number of posts on the subject. also, here is a help article: https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/952515-are-all-texts-free-with-smarty-plans
Basically, you can only send sms to standard mobile numbers at present.
