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SMSTO: Text message QR code

SMS QR code generator

For text-to-vote, keyword opt-ins, “text us to book” and parking or support numbers: the scan opens the messaging app with the number and message ready to send.

Text message

Include the country code. Short codes like 60060 work too.

0 / 160
Format

    Two ways to write an SMS code

    SMSTO: (SMSTO:+15550100199:VOTE 3) is the format camera apps on iPhone and Android have recognised for years, and the safest choice for print. sms: (sms:+15550100199?body=VOTE%203) is the standard URI from RFC 5724. It also works as a link on web pages, and the message is percent-encoded.

    Keep it short

    • One SMS holds 160 characters of plain text, but only 70 once it contains an emoji or a character outside the GSM alphabet. Longer texts are split and may cost the sender more.
    • For keyword campaigns, put the keyword first and in capitals, for example JOIN.
    • Nothing is sent by scanning: the reader sees the draft and taps send.

    Frequently asked questions

    Does it cost anything to send?

    The sender pays whatever their mobile plan charges for a text to that number. Premium-rate short codes can cost more, so say so on the poster.

    Can I leave the message empty?

    Yes. The messaging app then opens with only the number filled in, and the reader types their own text.

    Will it open WhatsApp?

    No, these codes open the phone’s default messaging app for SMS. WhatsApp uses its own web links, which you can encode as a normal link in the workshop.