The short code 500 is a system-level number used by mobile phone carriers for service-related functions, most commonly for the activation and synchronization of your phone’s Visual Voicemail service. If you’ve seen this number in your text message logs, it’s a sign of a normal, automated background process, not a marketing message or a scam.
This article will explain exactly what the 500 short code is used for, confirm its legitimacy, and answer common questions about why you might see it in your phone’s usage history.
What is Short Code 500 Used For?
The primary and most common purpose of the 500 short code is Visual Voicemail (VVM) Communication.
Visual Voicemail is the feature on your smartphone that displays your voicemail messages in a list, allowing you to manage them individually without calling into a voicemail hotline. For this feature to work, your phone’s VVM app needs to regularly communicate with your carrier’s voicemail server. It achieves this by sending and receiving silent, automated configuration messages to a network address like 500.
While you don’t see these messages pop up on your screen, they are often recorded in your phone’s internal message log, which is why you might see an “outgoing text to 500” or a similar entry.
Is a Text from Short Code 500 a Scam?
No, messages associated with the short code 500 are not a scam. They are a normal and essential part of how your phone’s services function on your carrier’s network. It is a legitimate utility code used for machine-to-machine communication between your device and the network.
You can be confident that these are automated system messages and not an indication of malware, spyware, or a fraudulent attempt to contact you.
Why Am I Seeing an “Outgoing Text to 500”?
Seeing an “outgoing text to 500” is the most common way users encounter this short code. Your phone initiates this background communication automatically when certain events occur. You did not send this message yourself.
Common triggers for this automated text include:
- Rebooting your phone: The VVM app often re-syncs with the network server upon startup.
- Inserting a new SIM card: Your phone will send a configuration message to set up VVM on the new network.
- Setting up a new phone: During the initial setup, VVM must be activated.
- Operating system or app updates: A software update can trigger a re-sync of all network services.
Are You Charged for Texts to or from Short Code 500?
You are not charged for these system-level messages. Carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and others do not bill customers for the automated configuration texts that are required for their own services to function properly. Although it may appear in your usage log, it is considered network overhead and not a billable user activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I text STOP to 500?
No. Unlike marketing short codes, 500 is a system utility address. Standard SMS commands like STOP or HELP do not apply and will likely fail or receive no response. There is no subscription to unsubscribe from.
Which carriers use the 500 short code?
While not an exhaustive public list, 500 is a common network address used by many major mobile carriers for service configuration, particularly for Visual Voicemail on Android devices.
Why do I see “Message Not Sent” when my phone texts 500?
This can sometimes occur due to a temporary network glitch or a provisioning issue with your account. Because these are not standard person-to-person texts, the “Message Not Sent” error can be misleading. The function usually corrects itself upon the next successful sync.
Can I block the 500 short code?
It is strongly recommended that you do not block this number. Blocking a system-level short code like 500 could interfere with your phone’s services and may cause your Visual Voicemail to stop working correctly.
Conclusion
In summary, the short code 500 is a safe, legitimate, and essential number used by your mobile carrier for background service tasks, most notably for Visual Voicemail. The messages are automated, non-billable, and are not a cause for concern. Seeing it in your phone’s log simply means your device is working as intended to keep your services properly synced.
