> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.recart.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.recart.com/sms/test-recart-sms-messages.md).

# Test Recart SMS Messages

Test Recart SMS Messages Use this guide to preview your SMS messages before sending them so you can verify links, discount codes, and formatting.

#### Table of Contents

* [What You Can Test](#whatyoucantest)
* [Before You Begin](#beforeyoubegin)
* [Send a Test Message](#sendtest)
* [Testing from Outside the US or Canada](#testingoutsideUSACA)
* [Things to Know](#thingstoknow)
* [Best Practices](#bestpractices)
* [What's Next](#whatsnext)

### What You Can Test

Before activating an automated flow or campaign, you can send test messages to verify:

* Links work correctly
* Discount codes display properly
* Images and attachments load (for MMS messages)
* Message formatting looks right on mobile devices

### Before You Begin

* Test messages can only be sent to US and Canadian phone numbers (plus American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico)
* You can send tests to up to 5 phone numbers at a time
* Phone numbers must be entered without spaces or special characters

### Send a Test Message

1. Open the automated flow or campaign you want to test.
2. Click on the **message step** you want to preview.
3. At the bottom of the editor panel, click **Send test** (paper plane icon).
4. Enter a phone number in the required format (no spaces).
5. Click **Send test**.

[![](https://2167119381-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2I45aTZ733MBi8Vps3Ib%2Fuploads%2FLdByKtwjR16YnIrQbScH%2Ftest-recart-sms-messages-1.png?alt=media)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/688487711/f2377ce5a27d504d2251efe2/Screenshot+2023-03-10+at+9.54.05.png)

The test message arrives within seconds. Recart saves your number for future tests, you can change it anytime.

**Note:** All test messages include "TEST" before your business name so you can easily identify them.

[![](https://2167119381-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2I45aTZ733MBi8Vps3Ib%2Fuploads%2FXxrFJPZ6NaktDR7qmPmr%2Ftest-recart-sms-messages-2.png?alt=media)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/688490320/498ad013ef9887a1cfa6c526/Screenshot+2023-03-10+at+10.06.31.png)

### Testing from Outside the US or Canada

If you're located outside the US or Canada, you have two options:

* **Purchase a US SIM card** for your mobile device
* **Use a virtual SMS number** through a service like [Toky](https://toky.co/en/features/phone-numbers)

### Things to Know

| Detail                          | What It Means                                                    |
| ------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Cost**                        | Test messages are free—no charge to your account                 |
| **Statistics**                  | Test messages don't appear in your flow or campaign stats        |
| **Subscriber list**             | Numbers that receive tests are not added to your subscriber list |
| **Quiet Hours & Smart Sending** | These settings don't apply to tests—messages send immediately    |
| **"TEST" prefix**               | All test messages show "TEST" before your business name          |

![TEST MMS & SMS](https://2167119381-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2I45aTZ733MBi8Vps3Ib%2Fuploads%2F07chaxTm78Ob45QXqUMa%2Ftest-recart-sms-messages-3.png?alt=media)

### Best Practices

* **Recommended:** Test every flow and campaign before activating, especially if they include discount codes or time-sensitive links.
* **Recommended:** Test on multiple devices if possible to check formatting across different phones.
* **Recommended:** Verify that links open correctly and land on the right pages.
* **Avoid:** Assuming a message looks the same on all devices, always preview on an actual phone.

### What's Next

Once you've tested your messages, you can:

* [Activate your automated flow](https://help.recart.com/en/articles/setting-up-sms-automated-flows) to start sending to subscribers
* [Schedule or send your campaign](https://help.recart.com/en/articles/sms) to reach your audience

If you have questions, [contact our Customer Support team](https://help.recart.com/en/articles/360794-how-do-i-contact-recart-support)—we're happy to help.


---

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