How to Create a QR Code That Sends a Text Message

To create a QR code that sends a text message, use a generator’s SMS mode: enter the phone number, including the country code, and the message you want pre-filled, then generate the code. When someone scans it, their messaging app opens with your number and message ready to go. They still have to tap Send. A QR code can’t send a text on its own, which is also what keeps these codes from being abused.

What is an SMS QR code? #

An SMS QR code stores a phone number and, optionally, a message in a format phones recognize as “start a text.” There are two common ways to write it:

SMSTO:+15551234567:JOIN
sms:+15551234567?body=JOIN

The first, SMSTO:number:message, is a long-standing convention from the open-source ZXing barcode library, and most scanners on iPhone and Android understand it. The second is a link-style format. A good generator picks one for you, so you only type the number and the message.

Where SMS QR codes work well #

Text-to-join lists: “Scan to text JOIN for weekly specials.”
Appointment requests: a salon, clinic front desk or tutor can let people text to book.
Support and feedback: “Scan to text us about your order,” with the order prompt pre-filled.
Events and contests: a keyword entry printed on a poster.
Parking, pickup and queues: “Text HERE when you arrive.”

If you run a marketing text program, your texting provider will have rules about consent and opt-out wording. Follow them, and put the terms next to the code.

How to make an SMS QR code #

With QR Handler, SMS is one of the seven Create modes:

Open the Create tab and choose SMS.
Enter the phone number with the country code, like +1 for the US and Canada. Spaces, dashes and brackets are fine; the app keeps the digits and separators phone dialers accept.
Type the message you want pre-filled. Keep it short, like a keyword.
Tap Generate QR code.
Choose a dark color preset if you want one, then Save to Photos or Share.

The app writes the code in the SMSTO: format that iPhone and Android scanners both read. The code goes into your Created history, where you can label it (“Front desk text line”) and find it again.

The same Create tab has Phone codes, which start a call, and Email codes, which open a new email with the address, subject and message filled in. For a support sign, an email code is often a better fit than a text.

How to make an SMS QR code for WhatsApp #

A regular SMS code opens the phone’s text messaging app, not WhatsApp. For WhatsApp, use a WhatsApp link, which WhatsApp calls click-to-chat. QR Handler has a WhatsApp template in its social templates that takes a phone number with country code and builds the link for you.

What happens when someone scans it #

iPhone: the Camera recognizes the code and shows a banner. Tapping it opens Messages with the number and text filled in.
Android: the camera or Google Lens offers to open the messaging app with the fields filled in.
In a scanner app: QR Handler shows the phone number and message on the result screen first. Tapping Send SMS opens the messaging app with both filled in, and nothing is sent until the person taps Send there.

Tips for SMS QR codes that people actually use #

Always include the country code. Without it, a number can fail for people with phones from another country.
Keep the message short. A keyword like JOIN or BOOK is easy to recognize and keeps the code simple to scan.
Say what happens. Print “Scan to text us” or “Scan to join our text list” next to the code. People scan more when they know the result.
Mention costs if relevant. Standard messaging rates may apply to the sender, depending on their plan.
Test on both platforms. Scan it with an iPhone and an Android phone, and send a real text to make sure it arrives where you expect.

For printing, the usual QR rules apply: dark on white, a clear margin, and a size that suits the distance. Our guide to making a QR code on iPhone covers the general setup.

Are SMS QR codes safe to scan? #

Mostly, yes, because the person scanning has to tap Send. The risk is a code that fills in a premium-rate number or a message that signs you up for something. Before you send, check the number and the message the same way you’d check a web address. If a code on a sticker or in an unexpected message wants you to text a number to “verify” an account or claim a prize, don’t. Our guide to checking a QR code before opening it covers the habit.

Frequently asked questions #

Can a QR code send a text automatically? #

No. An SMS QR code only opens the messaging app with the number and message filled in. The person has to tap Send.

Do SMS QR codes work on iPhone? #

Yes. The iPhone Camera recognizes SMS codes and opens Messages with the number and text ready. Android phones do the same with their messaging app.

Can I make a QR code that texts a message to multiple numbers? #

Support for more than one number is inconsistent across phones, so it’s unreliable. Use a single number, ideally one connected to a texting service that can handle many replies.

What’s the difference between an SMS QR code and a phone QR code? #

A phone code opens the dialer to call the number. An SMS code opens the messaging app to text it, with an optional message filled in.