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

[YulianK]

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! 

[Bainesey]

Shocking something as simple as a text service offered by all other sim companies cannot reply to the NHS or banks. Think it is time to go back to a sim only contract

[Michael_1932266]

2024, let’s all make it a New Year’s resolution, Smarty provides the fairly basic provision of access to short code texts or we all leave Smarty, and use our social media accounts to let everyone know why!

[MSF]

@Michael_1932266 I've made my own resolution thanks. I'm not leaving Smarty as short code texts are currently not that important to me. A decent service at a good price is my priority.

Each to their own opinion, I say.

[StephenD_890055]

This is my first post - shame it's a complaint!  I have been a loyal Smarty user (and avocate) for some time, but today I have fallen foul of the short code issue.  I have no landline and very slow Broadband;  going through the process to solve it leads me to a position where I'm invited to send a short code tex to EE (and/or another one to BT) which would immediately prompt some checks on my line.  I cannot send either and getting through to a human as an alternative has proved nigh on impossible.  This is a shocking lack by Smarty.
Do they read this stuff or do I need to contact them by some other means to let them know how unacceptable this is?  I'm with you, Michael!
#enoughisenough

[MartinK_2758420]

Does anyone know where short code messages go on the rare "Nothing 1" mobile phone??

[MSF]

@MartinK_2758420  Smarty currently does not support short code messages, so they don't go anywhere I suppose.

[ClaireW_2909464]

I am unable to enter competitions on short codes I could do this with 3 but I’m not getting access now  can this be unblocked 

[MSF]

@ClaireW_2909464  You cannot get it unblocked because Smarty do not support the short code system.

Please see:  https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/952515-are-all-texts-free-with-smarty-plans

[MSF]

Hello @MrMclau_2084338 : Have you checked for local problems?; 

[MSF]

https://smarty.co.uk/network-status-checker

[AngelaR_2083405]

I'm getting the same error message. Did you find a solution?

[MSF]

@AngelaR_2083405  If this is what I think it is, it was a problem with o2 network yesterday.

[AngelaR_2083405]

I only had the problem today and I'm still unable to repond to a text. 😞

[MSF]

@AngelaR_2083405 Those posting seemed to be trying to send text messages to people on the O2 network. Did that apply to you too?

[AngelaR_2083405]

I've no way if knowing. Was trying to respond to a text sent by an organisation. I'll try again tomorrow. Thank you for your help.

[MSF]

@AngelaR_2083405  You weren't by any chance trying to respond to a message that came from a 5-digit number? In that case, you cannot send a text as Smarty does not yet support that service.

This has been mentioned a number of times in forum posts. I had a customer service text asking me to rate the service - I could not do it as it was a 5 digit number.

[MureSmit_747055]

How do you reply then?

[MSF]

@MureSmit_747055 Basically, you cannot reply but need to find some other way. Short code texts are still not being supported by Smarty.

[AngelaR_2083405]

It wa a 5 digit number. I was able to send it successfully last night. 

[MSF]

@AngelaR_2083405   😳 That's unusual ! They say that they don't support short codes.

[SharonM_2434689]

Why can I not send a message to pay for messages and get an error 0 

[MSF]

@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?

[RonaldM_1510441]

No it's  full 11 digits, maybe I was given the wrong digits.

[MSF]

@RonaldM_1510441  It it is 11 digits and is a normal UK mobile number, then looks like you have indeed been given the wrong number.

[RonaldM_1510441]

No it's a full phone number

[SusanTh_2670326]

Hi, I'm a new Smarty customer. I text my BP twice daily to a service provided by my GP trust. Not being able to do this is a total pain, and I probably wouldn't have changed to Smarty if I'd known this was a thing! Not very impressive. Is it likely they will support the system soon?

[JJP2RidesAgain]

As this is a community forum, we are customers, just like you, we don’t work for Smarty, so wouldn’t know the answer, unfortunately.

Sad to say that as you need to text your blood pressure twice daily to your GP, then you probably have no option but to switch networks, unless your GP practice has an app which you can download for the same purpose. 

[Maureen_2585523]

I am trying to send a message to an Irish friend. Keep getting error 0

[JJP2RidesAgain]

That is classed as an international text, so you would need to add an out of plan add on

OR - if you and your friend in Ireland both have WhatsApp, send the text via WhatsApp as it will be free of charge. 

[MSF]

@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.

[NicolaS_1506339]

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

[JJP2]

At the current time, Smarty does not support short codes.

This article has more details : 

https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/952515-are-all-texts-free-with-smarty-plans 

[Michael_2067979]

I recently moved over to SMART

Y but didn't realise you cannot text to competition short text numbers. I even put £10 add on to my account thinking that would solve it but after reading this and other entries I find SMARTY is unable to support these type of transactions. I'll be going g elsewhere soon!!!

[MSF]

@NicolaS_1506339 Not currently. From previous responses, it doesn't seem that they will change that in the very near future.

[JJP2]

 

Hi @NicolaS_1506339 @MSF 

I am currently on vacation in Phoenix.

Have bought an iPhone 13 mini.

So, having to download and install apps.

I am successfully receiving short code messages with 2 Factor Authentication codes etc whilst installing apps etc. 

[MSF]

@JJP2  Could that be because your service is being supplied by a local network that does support short codes?

[JJP2]

Ah, good point. 

My Smarty SIM is roaming on T-Mobile USA. Although for data, I am using a ‘US Mobile’ eSIM on the Verizon network. 

[MSF]

@JJP2 I'm obliged to my learned colleague for the explanation.....I rest my case M'lud!

[SmartyTrousers]

Smarty has always supported incoming SMS from (non premium rate) short codes - it's sending to short codes that isn't supported (although there are a few exceptions, such as texting 65075 to request a PAC).