Acuity SMS messaging now requires an explicit client opt-in for every text your business sends, including reminders and waitlist seat alerts. In 2026, Acuity enforces this consent flow on the booking page: clients see a clear checkbox with compliant language, and a business can only send an SMS if the client checked it or gave permission in the admin booking flow. To stay compliant, businesses must capture that consent, honor every opt-out, and keep a record of when and how consent was given. Aculio layers on top of Acuity to automate this compliant messaging while tracking consent and opt-outs on every conversation.
What Changed With Acuity SMS Consent in 2026
Starting in March 2026, Acuity updated how SMS opt-ins are handled across every account. The change was driven by stricter verification criteria from Acuity\'s messaging partners, who now require clear evidence of consent before delivering automated texts. The practical result is a mandatory, highly visible opt-in flow wherever text reminders are enabled.
Here is what the new flow looks like in practice:
- A checkbox on the booking page: clients always see an SMS opt-in checkbox with consent language when booking an appointment type that has text reminders turned on.
- Permission in the admin booking flow: when you book on a client\'s behalf, you confirm you received their permission before opting them in.
- Optional for clients, required for display: the checkbox itself is mandatory to show, but checking it is the client\'s choice. If they leave it unchecked, no SMS reminders are sent even if a phone number is required.
- No more opt-in toggle to remove: the old \u201cRequire SMS opt-in from clients\u201d setting was removed, because the compliant consent display is now mandatory for all accounts using text reminders.
This means consent is no longer something you manage behind the scenes. It is collected at booking, recorded in the appointment details, and enforced by Acuity before any message goes out.
Why Opt-In Compliance Matters for Acuity Users
Text message rules are built around one core principle: you can only message clients who said yes. In the United States, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) requires prior express written consent before sending automated marketing texts, and even informational messages like appointment reminders need documented consent and a clear opt-out mechanism. Under the TCPA, failing to honor an opt-out or sending without consent can expose your business to significant liability per message.
For class-based and appointment-based businesses this is not just a legal formality. Your messaging carrier, like the Twilio account underneath Acuity, verifies that your program collects proper opt-ins and honors opt-outs. A compliance gap can lead to message delivery rejections, blocked numbers, or even your account being flagged. In short, a compliant setup is what keeps your SMS automation actually running.
Acuity SMS Opt-In vs. Aculio\'s Compliant Messaging
| Capability | Native Acuity SMS Opt-In | Acuity + Aculio |
|---|---|---|
| Explicit opt-in at booking | Yes (required since 2026) | Yes, collected with the same booking flow |
| Tracks consent per client | In appointment details | Per-conversation consent and opt-out log |
| Honors STOP / opt-out | Acuity-level suppression | Instant in-app suppression for SMS and email |
| Class waitlist seat alerts | Not built in for group classes | Compliant seat-open alerts to waitlisted clients |
| Reply-aware handling | No (single one-way message per appointment) | Yes, parses replies like YES, CANCEL, RESCHEDULE |
| Message + consent logs | Limited | Full timestamped delivery and consent history |
Compliant Consent Language You Can Use
Your booking and waitlist pages should make it unmistakable that a client is agreeing to receive text messages, what they will receive, and how to stop. A clear, TCPA-friendly example for appointment reminders looks like this:
\u201cBy providing your phone number, you consent to receive automated text messages about your appointments and waitlist availability from [Business Name]. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out at any time.\u201d
For anything that goes beyond transactional reminders toward promotional content, you typically need a separate, explicit written consent that is not bundled with email signup. In all cases you should:
- Keep the language directly next to the signup box, not buried in a link.
- Describe the types of messages the client will receive (reminders, waitlist alerts, updates).
- Include \u201cMessage and data rates may apply\u201d where required.
- Give an easy out with STOP and support with HELP.
- Record the date, time, and method of consent for every client.
How to Set Up Compliant SMS for Your Acuity Business
Setting up compliant SMS for Acuity is straightforward and runs alongside your calendar. Acuity handles booking and the core opt-in; Aculio owns the automation and consent tracking.
- Connect your Acuity account. Authorize Aculio through the seamless onboarding flow so it can watch your booking and waitlist events.
- Confirm your opt-in sources. Make sure the Acuity booking page captures SMS consent for every appointment type that sends texts, and use the admin flow when staff book for clients.
- Build compliant templates. Keep messages short, identify your business, and reference the appointment or waitlist clearly. Add dynamic values for the client\'s name where it fits.
- Turn on reply-aware handling. Let clients manage the conversation in text: confirm, reschedule, or reply STOP to opt out instantly.
- Monitor consent and delivery logs. Review who opted in, who opted out, and what each client received so your records hold up under scrutiny.
Best Practices to Stay Compliant as You Scale SMS
- Never message an un-opted-in number. If a client left the box unchecked, suppress every reminder and alert for that booking.
- Honor opt-outs immediately. Once a client replies STOP, remove them from all future sends; do not retry with a different wording.
- Offer HELP. A simple reply should surface your business name and how to get more help, which keeps your program in good standing.
- Re-confirm periodically. The CTIA suggests surfacing opt-out instructions at regular intervals, so occasional reminders keep consent current.
- Route everything through your logs. Pair Aculio\'s consent tracking with your Acuity appointment details so every message has an auditable trail.
For the full messaging setup see Acuity SMS automation, and for how consent-aware seat alerts fill classes check Acuity group class waitlist. Pricing that scales with your message volume is on the Aculio pricing page.
Send Compliant Acuity SMS Automatically
Compliant SMS does not have to mean more manual work. Acuity now collects the opt-in at booking, and Aculio automates the rest: reminders, waitlist seat alerts, and reply-aware follow-ups, all with consent and opt-out tracking on every conversation. Start a 14-day free trial, connect your Acuity and Twilio credentials, and send compliant SMS that fills seats and keeps your calendar full.