[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! 

[MSF]

@EileenB_2976700  Unfortunately nothing you can do because Smarty does not support the short code text system.

I suggest calling the hospital appointments office.

[WelshPaul]

As of today, SMARTY now support short codes.  

[John25]

Finally Smarty are allowing short SMS. Just entered the 6 nations competition!

[MSF]

@John25  Yes, they have - but people willl mostly need credit to pay for those texts of course.

[John25]

That is a given, however I cannot understand why Smarty took so long when the likes of GIFFGAFF have done it for ages.

[MSF]

@John25  I'm just waiting to see how many start whingeing and griping about having to pay for sms short code texts when they expect them to be included in the monthly plan!

Goodness knows why it took so long for Smarty to adopt this. They don't seem to have announced it widely wither.

[John25]

The announcement popped up when I logged into the app yesterday.

[MSF]

@John25 I don't use the app often because I do not find it very reliable. I prefer the web page and have not seen them shout about this new service.

[CliveCu_1891602]

Hi, When I try to send a text tfora TV competition  or to a radio station I get 'not delivered' ev very time. Looking at how to sort this involves typing *#*# ... and a lot more. It has not worked. Some help from you guys would be much appreciated  

[Chalkychap]

Unfortunately @CliveCu_1891602, SMARTY Mobile only support use of a limited number of shortcodes for SMS on their network, e.g. 65075 works, but many others don't.

There's more about UK shortcodes online at https://www.short-codes.com. 

[SimonShe_367108]

What plan allows texts to 82122 ( radio competition number) 

thanks

[Rebekah_150]

Hi  SimonShe_367108,

Unfortunatly no plan that SMARTY offers currently supports shortcodes, your feedback is appreciated and I will pass tis on 

[MSF]

@SimonShe_367108 That is known as a short code number and Smarty currently do not support that system at all, so you will not be able to send such a text.

[Michael_1932266]

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]

👏👏👏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]

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.

[MSF]

@AndrewA_2529326 This has been discussed at length for a very long time. Unfortunately, Smarty have shown no signs of immediately moving to supporting short codes. No reason has been given, but presumably there is some cost involved.

[Michael_1932266]

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]

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

[Michael_1932266]

I have had an out of plan add on sat doing nothing for 18 months. SMARTY support recommends resetting my phone’s network settings - placing the onus for activating the facility on the customer!

[MSF]

@Michael_1932266  Did you realise that they won't necessarily be covered within your Smarty plan? There are costs, at least for many of them, and you will need to have an add-on credit to pay for each one according to the price quoted in the article signposted by @WelshPaul 

[Michael_1932266]

It’s even worse than you think. I have had an out of plan add on sitting there, unable to be used, for 18 months. I get the notification that I can now use short codes, but I can’t, not unless I’m willing to reset my network settings on my phone! Well, that was the suggestion from SMARTY support, but with no guarantee that it will work. I have problems resetting my network - not with the mechanics, but with the hassle of resetting all of my permissions for individual apps. I have a bigger problem that this new, yet basic, facility places responsibility far activating it onto the customer. 

[Rebekah_150]

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Hi Michael_1932266,

We would be extremely eager to look into this for you our customer care team are on hand to help  https://smarty.co.uk/contact available daily from 8am – 8pm.

[WelshPaul]

May sound daft but have you tried rebooting the phone?

[JAH71]

You really need to sort out this long asked problem with short code texts ! This is most annoying. I can't reply or authorise my bank, my credit card, my dentist, my doctor or my hospital appointments. So pretty much everything!!! 

Love smarty but if this not updated soon, we're off

[MSF]

@JAH71  When you say "You really need to sort out this.......". you assume that you are writing to smarty staff here. That is not the case - we are forum members and customers just like you and so cannot change anything.

[JodieC]

Hi @JAH71 

Thank you for reaching out to our SMARTY community forum!

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a specific date as to when shortcode SMS will be available. We understand how important this feature is to our customers so once it becomes available, we will notify our customers accordingly. 

Thank you for providing your feedback!

- Jodie

[Decembersangel]

Hi @JAH71 
The only option to this problem is to change network provider! 
If you want a comparable (£) network that allows you to use shortcodes then iD Mobile is relatively good (but like all 'budget' providers they have their own issues).
The only difference between SMARTY and iD is that MMS texts with iD are charged for when sent whereas with SMARTY they are included in their packages.
iD Mobile DO charge for shortcode texts that are sent and some of the text based shortcode services may charge you for the receiving part of their service. You should make sure you understand what the total cost of the service is before you use it.
You can see the amount charged fr a shortcode message here...
https://www.idmobile.co.uk/help-and-advice/call-charges
To see what £ you will be charged to send a text to a shortcode number you can enter it under the heading 'Text or call shortcodes'.

There are other networks that may also fulfill your needs so please do your own research. 

Also, make sure your handset is supported for VoLTE by the provider, if you are looking to change, and also that their signal coverage in your area is comparable.

SMARTY has been saying for many years now that they are working to support shortcodes BUT they have never moved forward to do so and are only paying lip service to their customers in saying this.

Good luck x

[WelshPaul]

SMARTY now support short code and premium messaging.

[MSF]

@WelshPaul  Indeed good news, but where did you find this info please? I cannot see it and I would have expected Smarty to have it writ large upon every one of their web pages - given the number of mans that they have attracted.

I assume that these texts will be chargeable. While I fully understand that for competitions etc., it doesn't seem right to need to pay to accept a hospital appointment.

[MSF]

@WelshPaul  UPDATE: After a struggle, I just found this page - https://smarty.co.uk/shortcodes-checker I have not checked any codes yet (I don't normally need them) - is that what you were referring to ?

[WelshPaul]

Open the SMARTY app, select ‘You’ then under Support select What’s new.

https://prnt.sc/b_6Gu6Lut5QF 

https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/10364848-a-quick-guide-to-shortcodes

[MSF]

@WelshPaul  OK thanks for that! I don't use the app and so that's probably why I had trouble finding it.

I'm surprised/disappointed that they haven't publicised this a bit more.

[WelshPaul]

I'm wondering how long it will be before people start moaning about financial loss due to premium text message scams such as unwanted subscriptions.

[MSF]

@WelshPaul  Oh! Don't even go there!! They will always find something to gripe about!

The next batch will be complaints that they were unable to send a short code sms  - and that will probably be because they have no credit to pay for it.

[Michael_1932266]

I have credit, but still can’t send short code sms. SMARTY say we can, but have no interest in helping resolve the issues that are still there. Yes, I have something to gripe about, but it’s still SMARTY being unable to provide a fairly basic text function. 

[WelshPaul]

What is the shortcode number your trying to text?

[MSF]

@Michael_1932266 If they have suggested firstly trying a  network reset , why will you not do it? It is not a 'factory reset' - that would reset everything on your phone rather than just the connection to their network.

If they had told you that this was absolutely definitely the solution, would you still refuse to do it? Let's assume that they cannot see any other reason after checking your account - what else can they do to help you other than give suggestions?

Just to check - the credit you have is definitely an add on and shows in your account dashboard?

[WelshPaul]

Trouble with network reset is… You lose all your stored WiFi networks,  Bluetooth devices and you end up having to factory reset your Apple Watch in order to get it to reconnect to your mobile. Right pain! 

[Michael_1932266]

Actually, they don’t. They say they do, but only if you take responsibility for activating it. I have a “failed” to send text message and when I contacted SMARTY, they suggest a factory reset of my network settings - to see if that works (!?!). I’m unwilling to do a reset on the off chance that it will work and SMARTY don’t have any other suggestions (or, it seems, interest), for actually resolving the issue. Since when is the customer responsible for service problems?