Competitions and giveaways
Print the QR on event flyers or product packaging. Visitors scan it, the compose window opens with “ENTER” or your competition keyword ready to send. Every inbound text is an entry. No form, no internet, no barrier.
Outdoor advertising and rural locations
SMS works on any network with signal — no data required. For posters, estate boards, agricultural shows, or any location where smartphone data is unreliable, SMS QR codes are more dependable than WhatsApp or web form alternatives.
What happens when someone scans an SMS QR code?
The phone opens the native SMS or Messages app with your number already in the To field. If you added a pre-filled message, that appears in the compose area. The user just taps Send — there is no automatic sending, which is intentional and expected behaviour across all platforms.
Is this the same as a WhatsApp QR code?
No. An SMS QR opens the built-in Messages or SMS app — the same one used for regular mobile texts. A WhatsApp QR opens the WhatsApp app specifically. If the person does not have WhatsApp installed, a WhatsApp QR does nothing useful. An SMS QR works on every phone with a SIM, no app installation required.
Does it work on iPhone?
Yes. iOS handles sms: links and opens the Messages app. If you include a pre-filled message body, it appears in the compose field on iOS 14 and later. Older iOS versions may open the app without the pre-filled message — the number still appears correctly.
Can I pre-fill the message?
Yes. Enter a short message in the optional field — something like "Enter" for a competition, "Yes, I'm interested" for an ad response, or "Hi, I saw your sign and want to enquire." It appears in the SMS compose window when the QR is scanned. Keep it short — longer messages make the QR denser and harder to scan when printed small.
Can I use a short code (like 56789) instead of a full phone number?
Yes. Enter the short code as the phone number. Short codes are used by businesses in many countries for SMS campaigns and automated reply systems. The SMS app opens with the short code pre-addressed, just as with a regular number.
What format should the phone number be in?
Include the full country code — e.g. +91 98765 43210 for India, +1 555 123 4567 for USA. Spaces and dashes are stripped when building the sms: link. You can enter the number in any readable format; the tool handles normalisation.
Will the QR code send the SMS automatically?
No. QR codes, URLs, and sms: links cannot trigger automatic sending on any major mobile OS. The phone always opens the compose window and waits for the user to tap Send. This is a deliberate platform-level restriction to prevent silent SMS sending.
Can I use an SMS QR for a competition or prize entry?
Yes — this is one of the most common use cases. Print the QR on a flyer, poster, or label. Visitors scan it, and the compose window opens with your number and a keyword like "WIN" or "ENTER" ready to send. Each text that arrives is a competition entry. Easy to tally and requires no internet access from the participant.
How is this different from a phone number QR code?
A phone number QR opens the dialler for a voice call. An SMS QR opens the texting app for a written message. Some people prefer to text rather than call — younger audiences especially. For service businesses, having both a phone QR and an SMS QR gives visitors the choice of channel.
Does it work without mobile data or internet?
Yes. SMS is a carrier-level service that works on any network with signal, including 2G. Once the phone opens the compose window, the user can send the SMS without any internet connection. This makes SMS QR codes useful at outdoor events and rural locations where data coverage is patchy.