What is USPS Text Tracking™?

USPS Text Tracking is a new mechanism by which customers can be notified of the status of their package. There are currently two ways that customers can request Text Tracking:

  • Send a text to 28777 (2USPS) with their tracking number as the content of the message. The text reply from USPS will be the latest tracking information for the item.
  • After tracking a package on the USPS Tracking web site (https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirm) customers may elect to register to receive Text Tracking on a tracking number by tracking number basis.
    • Two Text Tracking options will exist from the web site:
      • A user may elect to see all past and future tracking activity on their package.
      • A user may elect to be notified of delivery/delivery attempt of their item.

What does a Text Tracking response from USPS look like?

  • USPS 01123456789123456789, Delivered 01/15/2014 11:10pm NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 Reply HELP 4 info-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 receive help or to stop receiving further messages

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.
  2. usps.com USPS Tracking initiated request:
  3. Option 1: a user may request all activity on their package, which means that a Text Tracking response will be sent to the user's mobile device for each previous or future scan on the package. Generally, users can expect 11 or more scans on their package. Each scan will be provided in an individual text message.

    Option 2: a user may request notification of delivery or delivery attempt. "Delivery attempt" would encompass such tracking activity as a delivery attempt by the carrier, when the item is out for delivery, or if it had to be returned to the sender. Users can expect one individual Text Tracking response for each instance of delivery or delivery attempt.

How do I stop getting USPS Text Tracking messages?

Customers may text "STOP" to 28777 (2USPS) any time that they wish to stop receiving tracking messages on their mobile device from USPS. Note that if a customer sends "STOP" to 2USPS, this stops all active Text Tracking requests for any tracking numbers where the customer had previously requested Text Tracking.

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

At this time, USPS Text Tracking is available only 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. USPS plans to support Text Tracking for international users with a future enhancement.

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.

Why are my tracking status messages arriving out of order?

USPS queues up tracking status messages in chronological order. However, USPS cannot guarantee that the carrier necessarily delivers the messages to your mobile device in that order.

It looks like the location in my Text Tracking message was truncated. What happened?

Due to character limitations on many mobile devices, USPS aims to keep the content of a Text Tracking response as short as possible. Thus, you may see that a rather lengthy city name—of either a U.S. or international city—has been truncated. Should you need to see the full location name, it will be available on the usps.com USPS Tracking site.