Although sending an MMS is quite an old method of sharing pictures, for some reason you may need it like sending an image to someone who doesn’t use or have instant messaging apps. If you can’t send pictures through your iPhone or Android device, follow below to find some fixes.
Workaround for Why Won’t My Phone Send Pictures Through Text
Before trying any troubleshooting tips, save your work and restart your phone. In some cases, a force reboot of your smartphone can solve a scary issue.
Solutions to Fix Phone Not Sending Pictures
- Check if You Have Sufficient Balance
- Enable Data Connection
- Are You Using Data Connection or Wi-Fi?
- Check If This Issue is with One Person or EveryoneForce Stop Messages
- Check If Power Data Saving Mode is Off
- The Size of the Picture Could Be the Problem
- Allow Unrestricted Access to Your Messages App
- Fix the Problem by Updating the Messages App
- Is iMessage Turned On?
- Reset Network Settings
- Check for Android and iOS Updates
- Clear Cache And Data
Note: Most Android smartphone brands make their own UI so the Settings options could vary from brand to brand.
Check if You Have Sufficient Balance
Pictures shared as MMS messages are charged separately by most mobile networks and it doesn’t work on any internet connection. You should have data connectivity. If you can’t send a picture message, make sure that you have sufficient balance for it. So, a simple check would clear things up. Another thing, make sure the mobile number you’re sending the picture to is correct.
Enable Data Connection (Best Solution)
Other than having some balance on your phone, you should make sure that your mobile data connection is ON to be able to send a picture message (MMS).
Step 1: Swipe down from the top to access the notification panel
Step 2: Find the data connection icon and see if it’s on. If not, tap on it to turn it on.
If the mobile data connection was already enabled, turn off the data connection for a few seconds and then turn it on again.
Are You Using Data Connection or Wi-Fi?
Picture messages require an active mobile data connection to be sent. If you’re trying to send a picture message while using a Wi-Fi connection, it won’t work. Simply turn off the Wi-Fi, turn your data connection on, and try again.
Check If This Issue is with One Person or Everyone
It’s important to find out if the issue of why won’t my phone send pictures in messages is really on your end or the receiver’s end. Send a picture message (green bubble in iMessage) to another number.
If it’s delivered, your mobile is not at fault. If you can’t send picture messages to anyone, then you should keep trying the troubleshooting methods mentioned here one by one.
Force Stop Messages
Your messages app could be having an issue. You can force stop it and then open it.
Step 1: Go to ‘Settings’.
Step 2: Tap ‘Apps’ from the settings menu.
Step 3: Find your messages app and tap it.
Step 3: Select ‘Force Stop’ and tap OK.
Now open the text messages app and try again.
Check If Power Data Saving Mode is Off
If your smartphone has Power Data Saving Mode enabled, it restricts apps to save battery. This could be the reason the messages app can’t send an MMS.
Step 1: Go to ‘Settings’ and tap ‘Battery’.
Step 2: Tap ‘Battery Saver’.
Step 3: Make sure the option is off.
The Size of the Picture Could Be the Problem
Sending a picture message has some limitations. One of them is the file size. An MMS message should be no more than 300 KB. If your picture or video size is bigger than this, it won’t be sent due to the picture issue. This may be the answer to why won’t my phone send pictures to Android.
Method for Reducing Image Size
You can reduce the size of the picture using any image compression tool online.
Step 1: Search on Google ‘Free photo compression’.
Step 2: Select a website and open it.
Step 3: Upload your picture to be compressed. It will reduce the size of your photo.
Step 4: Download your compressed picture and send it as MMS.
Method for Reducing Video Size
To reduce video message size, you can use Google Photos before sending video messages. This will affect quality of the video so keep the original separate with you.
Step 1: Install Google Photos and open it.
Step 2: Select your video and tap edit.
Step 3: Reduce the size of the video.
Allow Unrestricted Access to Your Messages App
In some cases, battery optimizations and do not disturb settings can prevent an app from functioning properly. To fix why won’t my Motorola phone send pictures, allow your message app unrestricted access.
Step 1: Go to ‘Settings’ of your phone and tap ‘Apps’.
Step 2: Select the app you use for messages.
Step 3: Tap ‘Data usage’.
Step 4: Switch ON ‘Background data’ and Unrestricted data usage’.
Fix the Problem by Updating the Messages App
The app you’re using for text and multimedia messages could be buggy or out of date. Update it if you’re wondering why won’t my Motorola phone send pictures.
Step 1: Open ‘Play Store’ for Android and ‘App Store’ for iOS devices.
Step 2: Tap your profile picture at the top right.
Step 3: Find the app you want to update.
Play Store may have some additional steps.
Is iMessage Turned On?
If you’re trying to send a photo from an iOS device to another iOS device, an easy fix is to check that iMessage is on.
Step 1: Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2: Tap ‘Messages’.
Step 3: See if the ‘iMessage’ switch is on.
If your recipient’s iMessage is off, you will still see a green bubble (Text/MMS).
Another case is that an iPhone user switches to Android and can’t send or receive MMS because they haven’t signed out of iMessage. So, sign out of iMessage and this might fix the issue. However, if you’re searching why won’t my phone send pictures to Android, try other methods on the list.
Reset Network Settings
Note the signal strength of your phone. If the bars are less, there could be a mobile network issue. But, if the bars are full, try to reset network settings.
Step 1: Go to ‘Settings’.
Step 2: Tap ‘More’ or ‘Wireless and Networks’
Step 3: Select ‘Network settings reset’.
Step 4: Tap ‘Reset Settings’. It will confirm. Tap ‘Reset Settings’ again.
Check for Android and iOS Updates
Try updating your phone to fix the issue.
Step 1: Go to ‘Settings’.
Step 2: Tap ‘About’ for Android and ‘General Settings’ for iOS.
Step 3: Select ‘System Update’ for Android and ‘Software Update’ for iOS.
Clear Cache And Data
Apps save some files temporarily to increase speed and load time. These temporary files are cache. You can clear cache of your messages app to solve the problem.
Step 1: Find ‘Settings’ and tap ‘Apps’.
Step 2: Select your messaging app.
Step 3: Tap ‘Storage’.
Step 4: Select ‘Clear Cache’ and tap OK.
If the problem persists, delete app data. It will delete your messages so backup your messages before proceeding.
Follow the same steps as above except when on step 4, select ‘Clear Data’ or ‘Clear Storage’ and tap OK.
Reset Your Phone (This Will Delete All Data on Your Phone)
If nothing is working, you can reset your phone or try the alternatives in the next section. Backup your data before resetting your phone.
Reset an Android Device
Step 1: Go to ‘Settings’.
Step 2: Select ‘backup & reset’.
Step 3: Tap ‘Factory data reset’
Step 4: Tap ‘Reset Phone’ or ‘Reset Tablet’ and confirm.
Reset an iPhone or iPad
Step 1: Find ‘Settings’.
Step 2: Select ‘General’.
Step 3: Tap ‘Reset’.
Step 4: Select ‘Erase All Content and Settings’ and confirm.
Try the Alternatives for Why Won’t My Phone Send Pictures on Wifi
- Instant Messaging Apps
Audio and video chat apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, and others are usually used for sharing photos and videos. They are the quickest and easiest method of chatting and sharing.
- Android Beam for Samsung and Other Devices
It uses NFC technology to send files from one phone to another. When activated on both phones, you can tap the recipient’s phone to send files.
- Sending Pictures Through File Transfer Apps
Many file transfer apps let you send and receive files through your phone’s Wi-Fi signals. You can search Play Store or App Store for File transfer apps.
- Cloud Storage
You can use cloud sharing to let the recipient see or download the image or video through a link provided by you. Upload the picture to your cloud app like Google Drive and then share it with the recipient’s email address or share it with a link.
- Bluetooth
If the recipient doesn’t have or wants to install any apps and you are near that person, then send the image through Bluetooth.
Conclusion
Not being able to send picture messages is a drag but you can try the above-mentioned solutions to fix the problem. Alternatively, you can use Google Photos or instant messaging apps like WhatsApp to share photos and videos.