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weberda's avatar
weberda
Level 2.2: Froyo
6 months ago
Solved

Google Messages App: SMS to shortcode not able to send

Our Provider (Vodafone Germany) is using a SMS shortcode number to be able to order an upgrade on dataplans by sms. Once the monthly contract plan (e.g. 1 GB) have been used users will receive a sms from 70997 to inform that you can answer the SMS with "1" or "2" to restore your data connectivity.

 

We ran into the issue that the Google Messages app seems to have some sort of bug with sending SMS to this kind of shortcode number as it alway says "Not sent" in red error text.

 

Provider tech support told me that the Google messages app is prefixing the number with "49" resulting in a wrong / unknown number (4970997). They cannot fix that from their side as the issue is within Google messages app and asked me to install a 3rd party messages app.... *ugly*

 

Is this something I can request to investigate from here? I will also create a case with Samsung tech support as we are mainly using Samsung devices as our corp. device fleet. 

 

Thank you!

 

Kind Regards

Daniel

Apps
Devices
security
  • weberda's avatar
    weberda
    3 months ago

    The Google Messages fix has been released!

     

    Steps to recover:

     

    • Delete the message thread with the short code number
    • Clear cache of Google Messages app
    • Restart the Google Messages app and start a new thread for the short code number

    The message is now being transported correctly.

9 Replies

  • weberda's avatar
    weberda
    Level 2.2: Froyo
    2 months ago

    My messages app is on messages.android_20251006_02_RC00.phone_samsung_openbeta_dynamic

    But we tried the steps on multiple devices where we saw the issue before and it was solved after for all of our test devices (3-4).

     

    Unsure about the actual version on those device, though.

  • AdamA's avatar
    AdamA
    Level 1.6: Donut
    3 months ago

    Hello,

     

    We are experiencing the same issue.
    I tried the procedure suggested by weberda​ , but the problem persists. I also tested it on a new smartphone configuration.The country code is always added to the shortcode  ☹️

    Google Message version : 20250808_03_RC04

     

    Lizzie​ : Do you have any updates, please ? Which version fixes the bug ?

     

    Thank you in advance for your help.

  • weberda's avatar
    weberda
    Level 2.2: Froyo
    3 months ago

    The Google Messages fix has been released!

     

    Steps to recover:

     

    • Delete the message thread with the short code number
    • Clear cache of Google Messages app
    • Restart the Google Messages app and start a new thread for the short code number

    The message is now being transported correctly.

  • Moombas's avatar
    Moombas
    Level 4.4: KitKat
    5 months ago

    As you use Samsung devices, ever tried the (most likely preinstalled) Samsung Messages app as an alternative?

    Even it's 3rd party as well but it should be already there if not blocked.

    • weberda's avatar
      weberda
      Level 2.2: Froyo
      5 months ago

      Hi, thank you Moombas​ No it is not feasible as a general workaround.

      My personal device (Samsung S25) has migrated the Samsung Messages App into the Google Messages app a few month ago. The Samsung messages App is no longer installed on the device.

       

      I must install a "real" 3rd party app to bypass the Google Messages app. For my own personal issue this may be fine but not as a corporate solution.

       

      Lizzie​ Any news from your side on this? Thanks a lot!

      • Moombas's avatar
        Moombas
        Level 4.4: KitKat
        5 months ago

        Funny thing, i didn't notice but you are right (i have a Smsung phone as well but nearly ever use SMS).

        So, someone needs to fix this behavior in the app.

  • Lizzie's avatar
    Lizzie
    Google Community Manager
    6 months ago

    Hey weberda​,

     

    Great to hear from you, I hope all is good. 

     

    Thanks for sharing this, it's an interesting one. The good news is I've been able to find an internal ticket already open and more importantly it has had a fix already applied a few weeks ago.

     

     Regarding the roll out, if you are not seeing this already working I would check/keep an eye out for new versions it's slightly depends on few different factors. I'm going to see if I can get a bit more clarity on this, but hopefully this useful. 

     

    Hope to hear from you soon. 

     

    Thanks,

    Lizzie

    • Moombas's avatar
      Moombas
      Level 4.4: KitKat
      5 months ago

      I can verify the issue. Just by:

      1. open messages app
      2. press the + for a new conversation
      3. type in a 5 digit number (without enter afterwards)
      4. You see it will add a 0 before in first line and +49 (for Germany) in the line below when it reaches more than 3 digits. So it shows like this:

      040400
      +4940400

      Funny is, i tried with a different number (12345) and there it behaved a bit different:

      12345
      +4912345

      So, there is somekind of logic implemented i don't see right now.

    • weberda's avatar
      weberda
      Level 2.2: Froyo
      5 months ago

      Hi Lizzie​ 

       

      thanks for reaching out! Great to hear that there is already an internal investigation ongoing.

       

      I am participating in the beta of Google Messages app and just installed a fresh build. Unfortunately the issue is still there. Installed version messages.android_20250701_01_RC00.phone_samsung_openbeta_dynamic

       

      Did you find out any more details on this and the release of a fix? 

       

      Thank you, I appreciate it!

       

      Daniel