A method for optimized short message service (SMS)-based Internet of things (IoT) device triggering. One method includes receiving, at a machine type communications interworking function (MTC-IWF), a request for sending a trigger message to an IoT device. The method further includes generating, at the MTC-IWF, an SMS message for triggering the IoT device. The method further includes identifying a serving node for the IoT device. The method further includes transmitting, by the MTC-IWF, the SMS message to the serving node for the IoT device and thereby bypassing an SMS-service center. The method further includes receiving, by the MTC-IWF, from the serving node, and in response to successful delivery of the SMS message to the IoT device, confirmation of delivery of the SMS message.