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Secret Friend by SMS: Learn how to draw by mobile message

The Secret SMS Friend is a free Android application that organizes the exchange of gifts with your family, friends and co-workers by the cell phone. The tool draws and sends the result by text message (SMS). This way, participants do not have to get together or have the service installed on the phone. The idea is to offer a faster and more dynamic way of managing typical end-of-the-year gatherings.

In the following tutorial, check out how to create a secret friend group and make the SMS sweepstakes with the SMS Secret Friend app. The procedure was performed on a Moto E4 with Android 7.1.1 Nougat., But also works on other versions of Google's operating system. The application, unfortunately, is not available for iPhone users (iOS).

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Learn to make secret friend sweepstakes by SMS

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Step 1. Install the SMS Secret Friend app on your phone. When you open it for the first time, the application will request access to your contacts, calls, and SMS. Always tap "Allow" for the service to work properly;

Let the SMS Secret Friend app access your contacts and messages

Step 2. Click on the "+" in the lower right corner of the screen, and go to "Import Guest From Contacts" or "Register Guest". Then select the contacts from your calendar or enter the person's name and the phone number with DDD;

Step 3. To consult the secret friend participants, click on "Guest list". It is necessary to have at least three people registered to carry out the lottery;

See the list of participants in the SMS Secret Friend app

Steps 4. Go to "Sorting and sending SMS" to perform the draw. A warning informs you that you must provide your number. Tap "Options" and enter the phone sequence. If you want, the user can customize the SMS message to be sent. Then press "Save";

Step 5. Back to the app's home screen, click "Sorting and sending SMS" again and confirm the draw by touching "Yes". Messages with the result of the draw will be triggered for all participants. You will also receive a message with your secret friend.