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!

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!

THIS DOES NOT WORK. The App just takes you to the phone dialler and Smarty won’t connect the call. Very annoying.

Any news on this, George ? Since I joined Smarty on June 2nd this year (2023) it’s been great, I hope I have been a decent contributor to this forum, but I may have to sadly switch to another network simply because Smarty does not allow its users to use short codes. In the little over three months since I have been with Smarty, I have received, and been expected to reply to, short codes from my water company, doctors surgery and now my bank. All of which of course I cannot currently reply to using Smarty. I emailed my water company, but as you can imagine, ringing my GP surgery and bank was a massive user of time, “You are number 19 in the queue” etc when a simple 5 second text message would have got the job done….Do I want to leave Smarty ? Heck no, I don’t, but Smarty really needs to get its backside in gear re short code texts, which seem to be increasing in their use by various organisations. If Smarty doesn’t rectify this issue very quickly, they will be responsible for eroding their own customer base, which would be a crazy state of affairs.

I have - they have to link it to my mobile number and that's the only way currently to access my medical text service. Will need to look at another provider as this happens with my regular blood bookings also. This is a free text service with no charges so frustrating that these are blocked.

Very disappointed as I'm unable to vote! "Sorry, you have not been give access to this service"The app just redirects you to the same number!SMARTY, you let me down 😞

[Announcement] BIG NEWS: You can now text shortcodes! 🎉

500 Replies

PeterWh_1550878
SMARTY Maverick
18-02-2023
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!
- George
  Team SMARTY
  18-02-2023
  Hey, PeterWh_1550878
  
  We understand how this service is becoming more popular with our customers and have already been feeding back. This is something we are still looking into, hopefully, this is available for you soon.
  - JJP2
    SMARTY Pro-coach
    07-09-2023
    Any news on this, George ?
    
    Since I joined Smarty on June 2nd this year (2023) it’s been great, I hope I have been a decent contributor to this forum, but I may have to sadly switch to another network simply because Smarty does not allow its users to use short codes.
    In the little over three months since I have been with Smarty, I have received, and been expected to reply to, short codes from my water company, doctors surgery and now my bank. All of which of course I cannot currently reply to using Smarty. I emailed my water company, but as you can imagine, ringing my GP surgery and bank was a massive user of time, “You are number 19 in the queue” etc when a simple 5 second text message would have got the job done….
    Do I want to leave Smarty ? Heck no, I don’t, but Smarty really needs to get its backside in gear re short code texts, which seem to be increasing in their use by various organisations. If Smarty doesn’t rectify this issue very quickly, they will be responsible for eroding their own customer base, which would be a crazy state of affairs.
- Ajg79
  SMARTY Pioneer
  09-12-2022
  Hi all, I am having an issue when sending a premium text (a short text to give money to charity I.e text Donate to 79430) contain toy fails. Anyone know what o can do? I have topped up with plenty of money as both add on and money on account. Any advice greatfully received.
  - JS
    SMARTY Maverick
    10-12-2022
    I have the same issue which is stopping me contacting my bank. I contacted customer services and was told Smarty doesn't (or has chosen not to) support short codes but that they plan to in the future. They were unwilling to provide date. It's pretty poor to be honest and will likely lead to me leaving at some point.
- KatieWi_1905420
  SMARTY Pioneer
  10-03-2023
  I too have just joined Smarty & topped up to use premium rate numbers & texts. Not allowing? Trying to enter a competition text to win?
  - Chalkychap
    SMARTY Trendsetter
    10-03-2023
    I'm not sure premium rate text messages are mentioned anywhere on the website, or app KatieWi_1905420, in the top-up (add-on) pages.
    Anyway, SMARTY Mobile don't support sending messages to short-code numbers KatieWi_1905420, so this excludes you from many premium rate text message services.
    Unfortunately, if you want to text premium rate short-codes, you'll need to switch to another service provider KatieWi_1905420 🙁
BryanMa_1391222
SMARTY Maverick
15-05-2025
Very disappointed we couldn't vote at Eurovision. We've added money but no success. We tried both numbers and just got a message to say we couldn't get access. Very disappointed.
sam_vasu
SMARTY Maverick
15-05-2025
Still can’t vote in Eurovision 2025… I have out of plan credit. Trying to vote by phone call as the UK doesn’t allow text votes…
KevinBa_1585598
SMARTY Pioneer
16-05-2025
Why can't we call Eurovision to vote again this year! I was really disappointed last night when I couldn't. I even added credit to my account so that I could
Matthew_SMARTY
SMARTY Maverick
12-05-2023
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.
App | Eurovision Song Contest
You are also able to cast your vote directly through the website.
Eurovision 2023 Voting (esc.vote)
Happy dancing!
- JohnStu_1251059
  SMARTY Rookie
  13-05-2023
  THIS DOES NOT WORK. The App just takes you to the phone dialler and Smarty won’t connect the call. Very annoying.
  - Chronicfathead
    SMARTY Pioneer
    13-05-2023
    It's so frustrating.
- Jo
  SMARTY Pioneer
  13-05-2023
  Very disappointed as I'm unable to vote! "Sorry, you have not been give access to this service"
  The app just redirects you to the same number!
  SMARTY, you let me down 😞
  - Antanas
    SMARTY Pioneer
    13-05-2023
    Getting the same, no way to vote...
- AdamBarnettUK
  SMARTY Observer
  13-05-2023
  Yup... partner has bought credit to be able to vote, but refuses to connect when using the App because it just opens the phone number. Annoying.
  - MSF
    SMARTY Guru
    14-05-2023
    AdamBarnettUK - At least all is not lost as the credit can still be used towards another Smarty plan when current one ends.
Mikejo
SMARTY Pioneer
01-11-2023
Still no progress from Smarty as to removing the premium rate restriction on text messages. This affects so many people, so I can't understand why Smarty is dragging their heels. They keep promising that its coming soon. When?
- Chalkychap
  SMARTY Trendsetter
  02-11-2023
  It appears this feature / service is a case of #LessSMARTY, #MoreMalarkey, Mikejo.
- LynneGr_2137925
  SMARTY Enquirer
  30-11-2023
  I have just been reading and adding to previous threads on this subject.
  I'm amazed that Smarty are happy to lose custom over not finding a way to quickly provide this feature.
  I will sadly opt out next month as there is nothing SMART about trying to communicate without it
  - MSF
    SMARTY Guru
    01-12-2023
    LynneGr_2137925 As replies on the other threads indicate, only if they lose significant business will senior management decide to speed up adopting it.
- Buckbam
  SMARTY Maverick
  28-07-2024
  28th of July 2024 still no change.
  - MSF
    SMARTY Guru
    28-07-2024
    Buckbam There will probably be announcement in large font on the web site when...and if.. they decide to adopt the system.
Michael_1932266
SMARTY Commentator
28-11-2023
Amazingly, Smarty have awarded me five badges for continuously complaining about the failures to provide access to short codes. I don’t mind not being able to vote on Strictly, but not being able to report to Transport Police, for mine and others safety…
- Decembersangel
  SMARTY Motivator
  01-12-2023
  👏👏👏Congratulations Michael_1932266 !! 🎉🎉🎉🤣🤣🤣
  Many of us have been complaining about the EXACT same thing for a long time now 😤🙄
  It's not just limited to competitions anymore as so many other companies/services now use short codes as their contact number i.e. doctors / hospitals / internet providers / energy companies etc and YET Smarty are still to do anything about it!
  I don't think any Smarty customer should hold their breath with regards to this being sorted any time soon as in the >4yrs I have been with them their FAQ on this subject has always stated 'we are working on it'🙄😶
  I think, personally, if they don't pull their finger out of their 🍑 and get it sorted then they will be losing a LOT of customers to providers that are of equal value and allows the use of short codes. I'm sure this will be sooner rather than later as more and more companies use them now.
  😴 you lose Smarty!!
  - AndrewA_2529326
    SMARTY Rookie
    15-02-2024
    I recently moved from 3 to Smarty and have just discovered this "fault" with their network. I could not authorise a bank transfer for a car purchase this morning. Has caused me no end of problems!
    SORT YOURSELVES OUT SMARTY.
- Michael_1932266
  SMARTY Commentator
  13-03-2025
  So….the app has had an update and, after logging back in, amazingly, there was a message saying that I can now use short code texting. Yay? Only, I have tried, and still not sending them!
  - WelshPaul
    SMARTY Centurion
    13-03-2025
    What number are you texting? Have you purchased the required add-on?
    https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/10364848-a-quick-guide-to-shortcodes
FredKim_2811528
SMARTY Enquirer
16-05-2025
I have an add-on and tried to vote in the Eurovision semi final yesterday via 62252 and then the song number, but it wouldn’t let me. I’ve typed in the short code in the app and it says it isn’t recognised. Why isn’t this working?
Ewshot
SMARTY Rookie
13-12-2022
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?
- Rebekah_150
  Team SMARTY
  13-12-2022
  Hey Ewshot
  
  we unfortunately do not support short codes so you will not be able to donate this way
  - PaulWil_1431741
    SMARTY Maverick
    16-12-2022
    Will this important feature be added soon?
- RonaMcg_1713124
  SMARTY Rookie
  17-02-2023
  Just found this out trying to get sms updates/notifications for trains. Time consuming having to constantly check the app or online for updates. Not happy
  - Chalkychap
    SMARTY Trendsetter
    17-02-2023
    Unfortunately, SMARTY don't currently support text messages to short-code numbers.
    Perhaps you can make your donation online RonaMcg_1713124.
- KironReid
  SMARTY Pioneer
  17-11-2023
  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.
LauraFis_317418
SMARTY Maverick
07-03-2023
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?
- MSF
  SMARTY Guru
  07-03-2023
  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.
- Victoria
  SMARTY Rookie
  29-02-2024
  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.
  - MSF
    SMARTY Guru
    01-03-2024
    Victoria Unfortunately, this has been discussed at length and quite frequently but it does not seem that Smarty intend introducing it soon from what we see here. The only numbers that do work are for getting PAC etc.

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[Announcement] BIG NEWS: You can now text shortcodes! 🎉

500 Replies

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