Why Does My Phone Say a Short Code May Cost Money?
See why Android warns that texting a New Zealand short code may cost money, what Standard Rate texts cost, and how Free-to-Text short codes help.
Are you seeing this message?
"Messages would like to send a message to 5555. This may cause charges on your mobile account,” with options to Cancel or Send."
- The wording may vary between Android devices and messaging apps.
This commonly appears when sending or replying to a New Zealand SMS short code.
Does texting a New Zealand short code cost money?
It depends on whether the number is a Standard Rate or Free-to-Text short code:
| Short-code type |
Cost to the mobile user |
Who pays for the inbound message? |
| Standard Rate |
Usually the cost of one standard text, typically around 20c |
The mobile user |
| Free-to-Text (FTEU) |
$0 |
The business or short-code owner |
Selecting Send confirms that you want to continue. It does not make a Standard Rate text free. If you do not recognise the number or do not want to risk a charge, select Cancel.
Why is the short-code charge warning displayed?
Android tries to identify whether a short code is Standard Rate or Free-to-Text before sending the message. Some 3- and 4-digit New Zealand number ranges are difficult for a phone to classify, so it may display the warning when a charge is possible.
The charging type is clearer for 5- and 6-digit short codes.
The short answer
- If the warning appears, assume the text may cost money unless the business confirms otherwise.
- If you operate an SMS service and want customers to text you without paying, use a 5- or 6-digit Free-to-Text short code.
How can businesses can avoid the warning for customers?
Choose a 5- or 6-digit Free-to-Text (FTEU) short code for your New Zealand SMS service. Your business absorbs the inbound message cost, customers can text the number for free, and phones can more reliably recognise that the number is Free-to-Text.
Free-to-Text short codes are well suited to promotions, competitions, customer support and any service where the customer should not have to pay to participate or opt out.
Make texting your business free for customers
Talk to TNZ about a 5- or 6-digit Free-to-Text short code for your New Zealand SMS service.
Contact the TNZ team → Read the NZ short-code guide →
Topics:
SMS