USPS Text Tracking™ FAQs

What is USPS Text Tracking™?

USPS Text Tracking is a mechanism by which customers can be notified of the status of their package. Standard Message and Data Rates may apply. There are now several ways that customers can request Text Tracking:

From your phone:

• Send a text to 28777 (2USPS) with your tracking number as the content of the message. The text reply from USPS will be the latest tracking information for the item.
• Send a text to 28777 (2USPS) with your tracking number and a keyword. Keywords tell USPS the specific information you want to know, such whether or not delivery has been attempted. See more on keywords under the heading "How do I use keywords?"

From the web site:

After tracking a package on the USPS Tracking® web site you may register to receive Text Tracking on a tracking number by tracking number basis. You may elect one of the following Text Tracking Options on the web site:

• Expected Delivery Updates
• Day of Delivery Updates
• Package Delivered
• Available for Pickup
• Delivery Exception Updates
• All the options above

How do I use keywords?

USPS Text Tracking allows the use of a keyword in conjunction with a specific tracking number when sent from a mobile device. The chart below provides the allowable keywords to be used in conjunction with a specific tracking number and explains the response. The keyword must follow the number (e.g., 9205512345678912345678 DND). Keywords are not case sensitive. Text "KEYWORD" to 28777 (2USPS) to get this listing of definitions sent to your mobile device.

Keyword Definition

Additionally, the term "ALL" may be texted on its own (without a specific tracking number). This results in USPS sending text updates for all future activity on any tracking numbers that the user has submitted previously or may submit in the future. When used on its own, the keyword in essence sets a preference for all text tracking updates sent to the requesting mobile phone number.

What does a Text Tracking response from USPS look like?

Depending on the information that you have requested, the Text Tracking response may vary slightly. The typical response, containing status information, looks like this:

• USPS 01123456789123456789, Available for Pickup 4:55am BOWIE MD 20701 Reply STOP to cancel
• The tracking response includes the following information:
• Sender (USPS)
• Tracking number (ZIP Code®, routing information at the beginning of the tracking number may be removed)
• Status (e.g., Delivered, Notice Left)
• Date, Time, and Location (in most instances)
• Instructions to stop receiving further messages

Other message types are now also available. These fall into several different categories:

Delivery Date

USPS has enhanced Text Tracking such that upon first request for status updates, you will receive the scheduled, expected, or updated delivery date information that USPS has for the item. This information is also available throughout the request cycle by use of a keyword as explained in the topic "How do I use keywords?"

For example:

USPS 01123456789123456789, Expected Delivery by: Monday, September 11, 2017 Reply STOP to cancel

Confirmation

Sometimes you may make a request that cannot be fulfilled immediately. In such cases, USPS will confirm the request was received, even if the desired text update cannot be sent at that time. For example:

USPS Text Tracking: Alert update has been applied to 01123456789123456789

Or

USPS 01123456789123456789: Request for Delivery Exception Updates confirmed

How do I request quiet time?

Some customers may prefer not to receive text messages during non-business hours. If you would like to request that USPS not send text updates to your mobile device during off hours, you can take the following steps:

Text "Quiet" to 28777 (2USPS). USPS will stop sending USPS Text Tracking updates to your mobile number between the hours of 11PM CST and 7AM CST. USPS will respond to your quiet time request with "USPS Text Tracking, Quiet Time Enabled". Texting will automatically resume at 7AM CST.

To remove the quiet time preference at any time, even during the standard Quiet Time hours mentioned above, text "Awake" to 28777 (2USPS). USPS will respond to your request with "USPS Text Tracking, Quiet Time Disabled".

What are the differences among the notification options?

1.Mobile device initiated request: when a customer requests Text Tracking via their mobile device, USPS will provide a single text response with the latest tracking activity for the package. If a user would like additional updates on that package, a subsequent request needs to be sent. Or, the user must provide a keyword to request additional activity.

2.usps.com USPS Tracking initiated request:

How do I stop getting USPS Text Tracking messages?

You may text "STOP" (or any of the following equivalents: "ARRET", "UNSUBSCRIBE", "CANCEL", or "QUIT") to 28777 (2USPS) any time that you wish to stop receiving tracking messages on your mobile device from USPS. Note that if you send "STOP" to 2USPS, this stops all active Text Tracking requests for any tracking numbers where you had previously requested Text Tracking. You may text "STOP" along with a specific tracking number to stop Text Tracking responses for that number only as mentioned in the "How do I use keywords?" topic.

Who do I contact for additional help?

You may call this phone number to obtain additional information on USPS Text Tracking: 1-800-222-1811.

To obtain help from your mobile device, use any of the following: HELP, INFO, or AIDE.

Is USPS Text Tracking available to both domestic and international users?

At this time, USPS Text Tracking is available to customers with a United States based phone number using the phone in the United States, or who have a United States based phone number and obtain roaming coverage to use abroad. In early 2015, USPS added this feature for customers with a Canadian based phone number as well. USPS plans to support Text Tracking for additional international users with future enhancements.

Do I need to register with USPS to participate in Text Tracking?

To participate in Text Tracking, you do not need a usps.com account. However, upon your first use of the USPS Text Tracking service, you will be asked to opt-in to the service. This means that you agree to pay any applicable message and data charges that might be incurred on your mobile device upon requesting and receiving USPS Text Tracking messages. If you send a "STOP" request to 2USPS, you will need to opt-in again prior to participating in USPS Text Tracking. Additionally, if you make your request via usps.com, you will be required to reply "YES" to a welcome message to confirm that you do, in fact, want to participate.

Which carriers do I have to use to send or receive USPS Text Tracking?

The mobile operators participating in this campaign are AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile®, Boost Mobile, Cricket, Virgin Mobile USA, MetroPCS, U.S. Cellular®, Ntelos, Cellular South, Cincinnati Bell, Centennial, Bluegrass, Appalachian Wireless, Revol, Illinois Valley, United Wireless, Inland Cellular, West Central Cellular, ECIT, Immix, Nex-Tech, Pocket Com USA, Pioneer Wireless USA,Simmerty US, Union Wireless, Cellcom.

Helpful Links

Main USPS Tracking

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