QR Code Types
SMS QR Codes
Opens the phone's messaging app with a text already addressed to your number — and optionally with the message body pre-written.
How to create one
- Open the SMS QR code generator — it opens on the SMS type with the fields ready to fill in.
- Enter the number in international format.
- Optionally pre-fill the message body.
The pre-filled keyword is the useful part
A pre-written message turns a text into a one-tap action with a machine-readable payload. JOIN for a mailing list, TABLE 12 for service, UNIT 4B for a maintenance request, INFO for an autoresponder.
Because the keyword arrives exactly as you wrote it, you can route or automate on it without asking anyone to type anything correctly — which they wouldn't.
Keep the keyword short. The whole message body is encoded in the pattern, so a long pre-written message makes the code denser and harder to scan — see common scanning failures.
A caveat on pre-filled message bodies
There has never been a single agreed standard for pre-filling an SMS body from a link, and platforms have historically disagreed about the syntax. The generator uses a form designed to satisfy both conventions at once, and it works on current devices.
The failure mode if a particular phone doesn't honour it is mild and worth knowing: the messaging app still opens correctly addressed, just with an empty body. Nothing breaks — the person simply types their own message. Because this varies by device and OS version, test on a real phone before a large print run if the keyword matters to your workflow.
Frequently asked questions
Does this send the text automatically?
No. It opens a draft; the person taps send. No platform allows a scanned code to send a message on someone's behalf.
Will the pre-filled message definitely appear?
On current iOS and Android, yes. On older or unusual devices it may open addressed but empty. Design so that an empty body is still usable — a sign saying "text us to join" works either way.
Can I use a shortcode instead of a full number?
Yes, if your messaging provider gives you one. Shortcodes are widely supported by dialler and messaging apps, and they make the encoded data shorter still.
Does the recipient pay to send it?
Standard messaging rates apply, which for the large majority of modern plans means it's included. Worth a note on the printed material if your audience might be on pay-per-message plans or roaming.
Should I use SMS or WhatsApp?
SMS works on every phone with no app required, which makes it the safer default. WhatsApp is better where it's the dominant messaging platform and you want media, read receipts and a threaded conversation. See WhatsApp QR codes.