[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]

As @Chalkychap says, you cannot send short code texts as Smarty does not support that currently. The extra credit has not been lost - you can choose to use it towards your next Smarty Plan.

[AB]

I had same problem put £5  credit to send text didnt work but was able to use £5 to pay for monthly plan

[MSF]

Hi @AB . It's often handy to put some credit on the account when travelling to a non EU country for emergency use. Upon return, it's easy to allow the unused credit to be used towards the next Smarty plan. 

[SHAUNCO_1449045]

Can't enter competition's on my phone. Why is that and I've got add on..??? 

[MSF]

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.

[Christo_1740587]

Why am l unable to enter any competitions on the radio which l have to send a text to enter

[Strandloper]

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.

[MSF]

@Christo_1740587 This is because Smarty doesn’t support short code texts at present.

[JJP2]

Not much to go, but I guess you mean you can’t enter radio competitions by text. 

That’s because Smarty doesn’t support sending texts to the usually five digit short codes used for such competitions.

[MSF]

@ToddTho_1203828  I am guessing that you want to enter a competition and it requires you to send a text to a 5 digit number. currently you cannot do that on smarty as they do not support the process. If you could, it would be a chargeable text and require credit added to your account.

[GrahamS_1741072]

I’ve received hospital appt texts and other automated messages but the reply texts fail. Have I got to reset anything? Other texts seem to work ok. 

[Chalkychap]

If the messages have come from a short-code, then you won't be able to reply @GrahamS_1741072.

Apparently, SMARTY do not currently allow messaging to short-code numbers.

Good luck @GrahamS_1741072.

[ValerieP_160962]

Is the text from 

6476673759

[Chalkychap]

That doesn't look like a UK mobile number @ValerieP_160962 - to send an SMS overseas, you'll need to buy an add-on for your SMARTY plan. 

[MSF]

I'm just wondering if these are genuine. I say that because the NHS (hospitals or GP's) usually sends out reminders of appointments that are no-reply.

Smarty currently only allows texts to standard mobile numbers and not short codes

[George]

Hi @lesliec_1738186 we currently do not support short-codes - this is something that may come in the future.

[Tanyastephenson]

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

[MSF]

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.

[Tanyastephenson]

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

[MSF]

@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.

[FB934834it]

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!

[FB934834it]

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.

[SharonWi_505003]

Did you resolve your issue? I appear to have the same issue... 

[JJP2]

At the current time, Smarty does not support short code text messages.

See here :

Smarty & short code text messages  

[AlfieRh_2083838]

How can I enter competitions that require payment

[MSF]

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.

[Royston_2299654]

Thanks, it would be a good addition. Looking forward to seeing the development 

[IanDola_3007572]

How can you enter competitions to a premium number 

[MSF]

@IanDola_3007572  Unfortunately, you cannot do that with Smarty as they do not support the short-code sms system. Please see: https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/952515-are-all-texts-free-with-smarty-plans 

[AdamRod_3024041]

That is ridiculous! I'm a new customer, won't be staying long then! 

[MSF]

@AdamRod_3024041  Ridiculous in your opinion  - nevertheless, it is fact.

Clearly Smarty has not lost enough customers to make them re-think this.

[MSF]

@YulianK  So, short code texts = many of them will be chargeable = Smarty customers will need to add credit to their accounts = potential large increase in working capital for Smarty?