In this article, you will find out how the Automatic SMS feature works, how to activate and manage it, and what to expect when a call goes unanswered.
Summary
How Automatic SMS works
Activating and managing the feature
Troubleshooting & FAQs
The Automatic SMS is a feature that requires Zencall to be active and correctly configured on your account. Once active, the feature runs automatically in the background — no action is required on your part for each missed call.
To limit unwanted messages, the system sends a maximum of 1 SMS per phone number, per restaurant, per day.
Please note: SMS messages sent through this feature are billed to your account and are counted alongside your other SMS usage.
Additionnal Add-on "Automatic SMS"
1. How Automatic SMS works
When a call goes unanswered, the system automatically sends the caller an SMS with a link to book or manage their reservation — turning a missed call into a second booking opportunity.
Every time your restaurant is unavailable to answer an incoming call, the Automatic SMS feature sends the caller a message containing a direct booking link. This allows them to complete or manage a reservation without needing to call back.
Bookings made through this link appear in your reservation list with the source labelled Unavailable Mode, making it easy to track which reservations originated from a missed call recovery.
Because the feature operates fully in the background, there is nothing to do on a call-by-call basis — once activated, it handles missed calls automatically.
2. Activating and managing the feature
The Automatic SMS feature can be activated or paused directly from the call interface, giving you full control over when it is in use.
To activate the feature, navigate to the call section of the application, accessible via the phone icon.
At the top of the call list, you will find a button to activate or deactivate Unavailable Mode.
When Unavailable Mode is active, any unanswered incoming call will automatically trigger the SMS to be sent to the caller. You can toggle this mode on or off at any time depending on your operational needs — for example, if you are closing early or have temporary staff covering the phones.
3. Troubleshooting & FAQs
Common issues
The feature does not appear to be working — Verify that Zencall is active and properly configured on your account. The Automatic SMS feature depends on it. If the setup was not completed during onboarding, please contact support.
The SMS was not received by the caller — Remember that only 1 SMS is sent per phone number per restaurant per day. If the same caller rang multiple times in one day, they will only have received one message.
FAQ
How does the system prevent SMS from being sent to the wrong number or in excess? — The system is designed to send a maximum of one SMS per phone number, per restaurant, per day. This means that even if the same person calls your restaurant multiple times in a single day, they will only receive one message.
Who pays for the SMS messages sent through Unavailable Mode? — The SMS messages are billed to your account. They are counted and invoiced alongside the other SMS messages sent through your subscription.
Can I see which bookings came from a missed call? — Yes. Reservations made through the Automatic SMS booking link are displayed in your reservation list with the source Unavailable Mode.
Do I need to do anything once the feature is set up? — No. Once activated, the feature runs automatically. You can toggle Unavailable Mode on or off at any time from the call section, but no further action is needed for individual calls.
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