Setmore does send text message reminders to phone numbers, but only if you set it up first

Setmore can send appointment reminders as text messages (SMS) to the phone number a client provides when booking. The system does not automatically text every appointment — you have to turn on SMS notifications in your Setmore settings, and clients have to give you their phone number during the booking process. If either piece is missing, no text arrives.

The reminders go out at a time you choose before the appointment. Most businesses set them for 24 hours before, though you can pick any interval that makes sense for your schedule. Setmore also sends reminders through email and in-app notifications at the same time, so clients get multiple chances to see the appointment details.

Key Takeaways

  • Text reminders only send if you enable SMS notifications in your Setmore account settings and choose when they should go out.
  • Clients must enter their phone number during booking for Setmore to have a number to text.
  • You can set different reminder times for different service types, so a haircut might remind at 24 hours while a consultation reminds at 48 hours.
  • Setmore sends reminders through text, email, and app notifications all at once, so clients see the message through whichever channel they check most.

How to turn on SMS reminders in Setmore

Log into your Setmore account and go to Settings, then Notifications. Look for the SMS or text message option and toggle it on. You will see a field where you can choose how many hours before the appointment the text should send — 24 hours is the most common choice, but you can pick 12, 48, or any number that fits your business.

Once SMS is on, Setmore will text any client who provided a phone number at booking. If a client left the phone field blank, they will still get email and app reminders, but no text. You can also set different reminder times for different services if you want — for example, reminding clients of a 30-minute appointment 24 hours ahead but a 2-hour appointment 48 hours ahead.

What the text message actually says

Setmore sends a standard reminder message that includes the client's name, the service they booked, the date and time, and your business location or address. The message is brief and designed to fit in a text, so clients get the essential details without a wall of text.

You cannot customize the exact wording of the SMS reminder in Setmore — the format is set by the system. If you need to send a different message or add special instructions, you would have to send that separately through your own phone or another tool.

Phone calls and voicemail reminders

Setmore does not send automated phone calls or voicemail reminders. The system handles text messages and email only. If you want to call clients to remind them, you have to do that manually or use a separate calling service.

Some businesses use Setmore's SMS reminders plus a personal call a few hours before for high-value appointments, like consultations or first-time clients. That combination catches people who might miss a text but answer a call.

When SMS reminders fail or don't arrive

Text messages sometimes fail to deliver if the phone number is wrong, the client's phone is off, or their carrier blocks the message. Setmore uses a third-party SMS provider, so delivery depends partly on that service and the client's carrier. If a text bounces, Setmore does not retry it — the reminder is sent once at the time you set.

Clients can also opt out of text reminders if they do not want them. Once they do, Setmore will not text them again, though they will still get email reminders. Check your Setmore logs if a client says they never got a text — the system shows whether the message was sent and whether it was delivered.

SMS reminders and client privacy

Setmore stores the phone numbers clients enter during booking and uses them only for appointment reminders and account-related messages. The system complies with SMS regulations, which means clients can reply STOP to any text to unsubscribe from reminders.

You should let clients know during booking that you will text them reminders. Some businesses add a note to their booking page saying "We will send you a text reminder 24 hours before your appointment" so there are no surprises. This also encourages clients to enter a correct phone number.

Setmore reminders compared to email and app notifications

Setmore sends reminders through three channels at the same time: SMS text, email, and an in-app notification if the client has the Setmore app installed. Email reminders always go out, but SMS and app notifications depend on the client providing a phone number or downloading the app.

Text messages have the highest open rate — most people read a text within minutes. Email reminders are more formal and include more detail, like a link to reschedule. App notifications reach only clients who installed Setmore on their phone. For most businesses, the combination of text and email covers nearly all clients, and the app notification is a bonus for the few who use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a text reminder at a different time for each client?

No. You set one reminder time in your Setmore settings, and that time applies to all appointments of that service type. All haircut appointments might remind at 24 hours, but you cannot tell Setmore to remind one specific client at 12 hours and another at 48 hours. You would have to send that custom reminder manually.

What happens if a client books without entering a phone number?

Setmore will not send them a text reminder because there is no number to text. They will still get an email reminder if they provided an email address. You can ask clients to add their phone number later through their account, and then future reminders will text them.

Can I turn off SMS reminders for certain clients or services?

You can turn SMS reminders on or off for your entire business, but not for individual clients or services separately. If you want some services to text and others not to, you would need to use a different booking system or send custom reminders manually for the services you want to exclude.

Do international phone numbers work with Setmore SMS reminders?

Setmore can send texts to some international numbers, but delivery is not may provide and may cost more depending on the country. Check with Setmore support about which countries are supported and whether there are extra fees for international SMS.

Can clients reply to the reminder text?

Setmore reminders are sent from an automated number, and clients cannot reply to reschedule or confirm through text. Replies may go nowhere or to a generic inbox. Clients can reschedule through email or the Setmore app, or by calling you directly.