[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! 

[GreenOmBe]

NOT THE POINT!

[GreenOmBe]

Same!

[Jo]

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]

Getting the same, no way to vote...

[Alexand_1226460]

Same! First time I’ve ever wanted to vote. Gutted.

[JoBeam]

The website & app just redirect you to call and even though I bought a call add-on it still didn't work. This advice was pointless so please make short codes accessible with add-ons and check your info before offering advice. Thanks 

[JJP2RidesAgain]

This is the Smarty community forum, we are customers like you, we do not work for Smarty, so have control over Smarty policies 

[Smithsa]

Smarty you have massively let your loyal customers down! We have missed out on voting for Eurovision! 

[Starlight202]

Experienced the same problem, very frustrating not being able to vote!

[Jamie_1829714]

Tried doing this like you described and it did not work meaning I was unable to vote for the first time in the 25 years I’ve been watching. Very disappointed to say the least. I will be reconsidering my relationship with Smarty after this. 

[GreenOmBe]

Exactly the same!

[MeniHar_1737921]

Can we do it this year 2024 as well?

[MSF]

@MeniHar_1737921  If the app didn't work last year then you would need to download it this year and test it. However, if it relies on short code numbers (5 or 6 digits) then Smarty has not yet changed anything i.e. it still won't work.

[Supersonic-2005]

So we would still not be able to vote if the digits are six / seven like last year?-

 Wow why can't they fix it

[MSF]

@Supersonic-2005  For some reason best known to Smarty management, they are not supporting the short code system.

As we are forum members like you, we don't get copied into that info.

[sam_vasu]

Same problem in 2024 😞 

Very sad indeed!!

[JJP2RidesAgain]

Bear in mind that as this is the Smarty Community Forum, we are customers just like you, we don’t work for Smarty, so have no control over what Smarty as a company do or don’t do.

For Eurovision fans, the choice seems obvious. IF there is no way you can vote online or via an app, then you would need to switch networks if voting is of importance to you. 

[Bumblebear]

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

[MSF]

@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?

[Bumblebear]

Hi @MSF 

You can't vote by SMS from the UK.  And the landline number is 0901 52252 + country number

[JoeFitz]

Shocking that we still can’t (after a year) text these 15p sms numbers.       I just don’t see what the issue is here. 

[JJP2RidesAgain]

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. 

[Supersonic-2005]

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.

[MSF]

@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.

[Supersonic-2005]

Yeah true, but we really have to flag it here. It's something that is widely available even in the most affordable networks like VOXI.

Customers will not leave Smarty because of that but it's certainly something that is missing from Smarty and they would need to reconsider.

[MSF]

@Supersonic-2005  I understand what you say, but they have not chosen to support the system thus far so I'm not sure why they would choose to change. I assume that there is some cost to them that stops them from going ahead.

[JJP2RidesAgain]

Flagging it here won’t do much if anything though - As this is the Smarty community forum, we are customers just like you. 

This is something you need to flag with Smarty via webchat, which is available from 08.00 - 20.00 each day. 

[NigelGi_2281539]

Hello, how can I enter a competition by text? When I try to text the 5 digit competition text line and the data required the text will not send, any advice welcome. Thanks

[Decembersangel]

Hi @NigelGi_2281539 👋
Unfortunately SMARTY Mobile does not support the use of any short code number (competitions, companies, doctors etc). This is has been an ongoing point of contention for a long time now with customers as many companies etc now use short codes for contact.
SMARTY has been saying for a very long time that 'they are working on it' and maybe they are but there is no evidence of it coming to fruition any time soon. 
Maybe when customers start leaving in droves, because short codes become the 'norm' for all and any contact, SMARTY will actually get their thumb out of their 🍑 and REALLY do something about it.
Hope this helps! x x x 

[MSF]

@NigelGi_2281539  You will see quite a number of threads on exactly this subject. Smarty currently does not support texts to 5 digit numbers - short code texts.

[Jonathan_193810]

I’m now facing this issue for free services using these short code numbers. My GP and financial services use these numbers and I’m now stuck replying to them. I have to ring them which takes 40miutes instead of 2-3 seconds.  As it looks like Smarty are incapable of providing this service I will be looking for Black Friday deals this weekend. 

[MSF]

@Jonathan_193810  Unfortunately, Smarty haven't yet decided to add this feature. It does seem to be an issue for a number of customers and I agree that there seems little option but to leave and find a network that does allow these texts if you are affected.

So far, this has not been as issue for me, but I can certainly appreciate the problem.

I have previously suggested that once the algorithm used by the bean counters shows that they are losing more customers than they are (or could) gain, then they may balance that against the cost of supporting the service.

[DonnaBaz_504077]

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 

[JJP2]

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. 

[MSF]

@RonGrif_1693239 Sorry - you have not explained what you mean here.

[Goddess_Bastet]

If you’re asking whether you can donate via the short phone/text number which is usually shown on ads then it’s not possible. 

[Decembersangel]

Hi @RonGrif_1693239 

SMARTY does not support short codes.
This includes donations, competitions, replies etc... So if the number you are trying to donate to uses a short code then it won't work.
x x x 

[Thisisausername]

I get text messages that I want to unsubscribe from by sending ‘STOP’ - however whenever i try to unsubscribe it says ‘Message failure’ 

[Chalkychap]

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.