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Opting In/Out of SMS Notifications

Opting In/Out of SMS Notifications

Learn how to enable or disable SMS text message notifications from Apprentice.



Overview


SMS notifications provide urgent, time-sensitive alerts directly to your mobile phone. You have complete control over whether you receive SMS notifications and can opt in or out at any time. This article explains how to manage your SMS preferences and what messages you'll receive when opted in.


Step-by-Step Guide


Opting In to SMS Notifications


Step 1: Verify Your Phone Number


Before you can receive SMS notifications, you need a verified phone number on file:


  1. Sign in to your Apprentice account
  2. Navigate to Settings → Profile or Account
  3. Look for the "Phone Number" field
  4. If no phone number is present, enter your mobile number (include country code)
  5. Click "Verify Phone Number"
  6. Enter the verification code sent to your phone
  7. Confirm verification


Important: Use a mobile number capable of receiving text messages. Landlines and VoIP numbers may not work.


Step 2: Enable SMS in Notification Preferences


  1. Navigate to your notification settings:
  • Artists: /dashboard/artist/settings/notifications
  • Clients: /dashboard/client/settings/notifications


  1. Look for the SMS Notifications section
  2. Toggle "Enable SMS Notifications" to ON
  3. The toggle should turn green/blue indicating SMS is enabled


Step 3: Select Which Notifications to Receive via SMS


After enabling SMS, choose which types of notifications you want via text:


For Clients:

  • ☑️ Appointment Reminders: Text reminders 24h and 1h before appointments (highly recommended)
  • ☑️ Appointment Cancellations: Immediate alert if artist cancels
  • ☑️ Appointment Reschedules: Notification of date/time changes
  • ☑️ Waitlist Alerts: "Your turn" notifications when you reach front of queue
  • ⚠️ Booking Confirmations: SMS when artist confirms your booking (optional)
  • ⚠️ Design Updates: SMS when design is ready (optional; most use email instead)


For Artists:

  • ☑️ Booking Requests: Alert when new booking request arrives (recommended)
  • ☑️ Appointment Reminders: Reminder of your upcoming sessions
  • ☑️ Payment Reminders: Alert for unpaid deposits approaching appointment date
  • ⚠️ Chat Messages: SMS for new messages (optional; can be intrusive)
  • ⚠️ Client Check-ins: SMS when client arrives at shop (optional)


Recommendation: Enable only time-sensitive, urgent notifications via SMS to avoid message fatigue.


Step 4: Save Your Preferences


  1. Review your SMS notification selections
  2. Click "Save Preferences" or "Update Settings"
  3. You'll see a confirmation message: "SMS preferences updated successfully"


Step 5: Test Your SMS Notifications


To confirm SMS is working:

  1. Ask a friend with an Apprentice account to send you a message (if chat SMS is enabled)
  2. Or wait for your next appointment reminder
  3. Alternatively, contact support to send a test SMS


Opting Out of SMS Notifications


If you no longer want to receive SMS notifications, follow these steps:


Option 1: Disable in Notification Settings


  1. Go to Settings → Notifications
  2. Find the SMS Notifications section
  3. Toggle "Enable SMS Notifications" to OFF
  4. Toggle should turn gray, indicating SMS is disabled
  5. Click "Save Preferences"


Result: You will no longer receive any SMS notifications from Apprentice.


Option 2: Reply STOP to Any SMS


You can instantly opt out by replying to any Apprentice SMS:


  1. Receive an SMS notification from Apprentice
  2. Reply with the word "STOP" (case-insensitive)
  3. You'll receive a confirmation message: "You've been unsubscribed from Apprentice SMS notifications"


Result: Your SMS preferences in Apprentice will be automatically disabled.


To Opt Back In: You'll need to re-enable SMS in your notification settings (Option 1 above).


Option 3: Remove Your Phone Number


If you want to permanently remove your phone number:


  1. Go to Settings → Profile or Account
  2. Find the "Phone Number" field
  3. Click "Remove Phone Number" or clear the field
  4. Confirm removal


Warning: Removing your phone number will:

  • ❌ Disable all SMS notifications
  • ❌ Prevent SMS-based account recovery
  • ❌ Disable two-factor authentication via SMS (if enabled)


Recommendation: Use Option 1 (disable SMS) instead of removing your number entirely.


What SMS Notifications Include


Appointment Reminders


24-Hour Reminder:

Reminder: Your tattoo session with Sarah is tomorrow at 2:00 PM at Ink Studio. Tap to check in: https://app.apprentice/appointments/check-in/abc123


1-Hour Reminder:

Reminder: Your appointment with Sarah starts in 1 hour (2:00 PM). Tap to view: https://app.apprentice/appointments/abc123


Appointment Cancellations


URGENT: Your appointment with Sarah on Jan 15 at 2:00 PM has been cancelled. Contact them to reschedule: https://app.apprentice/chat/room123


Waitlist "Your Turn" Alerts


It's your turn! Please confirm within 15 minutes to claim your spot with Sarah. Tap to confirm: https://app.apprentice/waitlist/entry456


Booking Confirmations (if enabled)


Your booking with Sarah on Jan 15 at 2:00 PM is confirmed! Deposit: $100. View details: https://app.apprentice/appointments/abc123


Payment Reminders (Artists)


Reminder: Client John Doe has an unpaid $50 deposit for tomorrow's 2 PM appointment. View: https://app.apprentice/clients/john-doe


SMS Frequency and Rate Limits


How Often Will I Receive SMS?


Typical Frequency:

  • Appointment Reminders: 2 per appointment (24h + 1h before)
  • Urgent Alerts: As needed (cancellations, waitlist turns)
  • Booking Confirmations: 1 per booking
  • Payment Reminders: 1 per unpaid deposit (daily until appointment)


Maximum Frequency (to prevent spam):

  • Appointment Reminders: 2-3 per week (unless you have many appointments)
  • Chat Messages: Batched and limited if enabled
  • Design Updates: Limited to avoid message fatigue


No Marketing SMS: Apprentice does not send promotional or marketing content via SMS. All SMS are transactional and directly related to your appointments.


Carrier Fees


Important: Standard SMS rates from your mobile carrier apply. Apprentice does not charge for SMS, but your carrier may:

  • Most US carriers include unlimited SMS in plans
  • International SMS may incur additional charges
  • Check your carrier's plan if unsure


Managing SMS for Multiple Phone Numbers


Primary vs. Secondary Numbers


Apprentice only supports one phone number per account:

  • SMS notifications sent to the verified phone number on file
  • To change your number, update it in Settings → Profile
  • You'll need to verify the new number before receiving SMS


Changing Your Phone Number


  1. Go to Settings → Profile
  2. Update the "Phone Number" field with your new number
  3. Click "Verify New Number"
  4. Enter the verification code sent to the new number
  5. SMS notifications will now be sent to the new number


Old number is immediately deactivated once the new number is verified.


Troubleshooting SMS Issues


Not Receiving SMS Notifications


Checklist:

  1. ✅ SMS notifications enabled in settings?
  2. ✅ Phone number verified and correct?
  3. ✅ Notification types selected (at least one type enabled)?
  4. ✅ Phone has cellular service or Wi-Fi (for Wi-Fi calling)?
  5. ✅ SMS not blocked by carrier spam filter?


Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Check spam/junk SMS folder (some carriers have this)
  2. Verify your phone number in Settings → Profile
  3. Re-enable SMS notifications (toggle off, save, toggle on, save)
  4. Test with another device (if available)
  5. Contact support if still not working (see Contacting Support)


Receiving SMS After Opting Out


Why this happens:

  • SMS sent before opt-out may still be in transit
  • System may take up to 10 minutes to process opt-out
  • Critical safety notifications may bypass opt-out (rare)


Solution:

  1. Wait 10-15 minutes after opting out
  2. Verify SMS is disabled in your notification settings
  3. If still receiving messages after 24 hours, contact support


Duplicate SMS Notifications


Why this happens:

  • Carrier issue (some carriers send duplicates)
  • Multiple devices using same number (rare)
  • System error (very rare)


Solution:

  • Usually a carrier issue; contact your mobile carrier
  • If persistent, contact Apprentice support to investigate


International SMS Issues


Common issues:

  • SMS not delivered to international numbers
  • Verification code not arriving
  • Delayed delivery


Solutions:

  • Ensure your number includes the correct country code (e.g., +44 for UK)
  • Check with your carrier that international SMS are enabled
  • Use email notifications instead if SMS are unreliable


Privacy and Data Security


How Your Phone Number is Used


Apprentice uses your phone number for:

  • ✅ Sending SMS notifications (if opted in)
  • ✅ Account verification and security
  • ✅ Two-factor authentication (if enabled)


Apprentice NEVER:

  • ❌ Shares your phone number with third parties (except SMS provider ClickSend)
  • ❌ Sells your phone number to marketers
  • ❌ Sends marketing SMS (all SMS are transactional)


Third-Party SMS Provider


SMS notifications are delivered via ClickSend, a trusted SMS provider:


SMS Content Security


Important: SMS is inherently less secure than encrypted in-app messages.


SMS messages include:

  • ✅ Appointment date/time (non-sensitive)
  • ✅ Artist/client first name (non-sensitive)
  • ✅ Links to Apprentice (secured via authentication)
  • ❌ No sensitive personal information
  • ❌ No payment details
  • ❌ No health information


Recommendation: For sensitive discussions, use in-app chat or email instead of SMS.


SMS Best Practices


For Clients

  • ✅ Enable SMS for appointment reminders (prevents no-shows)
  • ✅ Enable SMS for cancellations (get notified immediately)
  • ✅ Keep your phone number updated
  • ⚠️ Disable chat SMS (use in-app chat for conversations)
  • ❌ Don't share SMS links publicly (they contain unique identifiers)


For Artists

  • ✅ Enable SMS for booking requests (respond quickly to new leads)
  • ✅ Enable SMS for payment reminders (reduce unpaid deposits)
  • ⚠️ Consider disabling chat SMS (can be intrusive during sessions)
  • ❌ Don't over-rely on SMS (use email for detailed information)




By opting in to SMS notifications, you consent to receive transactional SMS from Apprentice:

  • Frequency: Varies (2-5 messages per week typical)
  • Message and data rates may apply: From your carrier
  • Opt-out: Reply STOP to any message
  • Help: Reply HELP for support information
  • Privacy: See Apprentice privacy policy


TCPA Compliance (US)


Apprentice complies with the US Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA):

  • Transactional SMS Only: No marketing or promotional SMS
  • Explicit Opt-In: You must actively enable SMS notifications
  • Easy Opt-Out: Reply STOP to unsubscribe instantly
  • Carrier Partnerships: ClickSend complies with all carrier regulations


International SMS Regulations


GDPR (EU): Phone numbers treated as personal data; explicit consent required

UK: Compliance with ICO SMS marketing rules (transactional exempt)

Canada (CASL): Transactional SMS exempt from consent requirements

Australia: Compliance with Spam Act 2003 (transactional exempt)


Updated on: 16/01/2026

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