How to pre-populate the sms body text via an html link
How to use an html link to open the sms app with a pre-filled body?
Everything I have read seems to indicate that sms:18005555555?body=bodyTextHere
Should work, but on the iPhone, this doesn't work. If I take out the ?body=bodyTextHere, and just use sms:phonenumber, it works.
I have seen several instances where QR codes do this through a safari link. How are they able to pre-populate the body text?
It turns out this is 100% possible, though a little hacky.
If you want it to work on Android you need to use this format:
<a href="sms:/* phone number here */?body=/* body text here */">Link</a>
If you want it to work on iOS, you need this:
<a href="sms:/* phone number here */;body=/* body text here */">Link</a>
Live demo here: http://bradorego.com/test/sms.html (note the "Phone and ?body" and "Phone and ;body" should autofill both the to: field and the body text. View the source for more info)
UPDATE:
Apparently iOS8 had to go and change things on us, so thanks to some of the other commenters/responders, there's a new style for iOS:
<a href="sms:/* phone number here */&body=/* body text here */">Link</a>
(phone number is optional)
I know this is an old thread but stumbled upon it and found that some parts are no longer relevant.
I've found that if you want to just per-populate the text without adding a phone number, you can do the following:
sms:?&body=/* message body here */
For iOS 8, try this:
<a href="sms:/* phone number here */&body=/* body text here */">Link</a>
Switching the ";" with a "&" worked for me.
Just put all of the symbols in this order (I only tested it in this order since it makes the most sense code-wise to me).
Notice for the body link... I just put... ;?&body=. Also, notice that I have found I needed to use %20 for any spaces.
I have tested it on my iphone (v. 9.2) and another android and it works just fine.
This will solve the issue with having to hack it for different devices. I have no artifacts when I tested it in the SMS.
<a href="sms:19131234567;?&body=Question%20from%20mywebsite.com.%20%20MY%20MESSAGE%20-%20" title="Click here to TEXT US gallery token needs updating!">Send me SMS</a>