How to Enable MMS on iPhone + Easy Fixes & Alternatives

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Learn how to enable MMS or SMS on your iPhone quickly
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When you have MMS enabled, you can send multimedia messages, such as photos, videos, and group messages to people who don't have iPhones or who aren't using iMessage. This is usually enabled by default if you're connected to a cellular network. Here's how to enable MMS messaging for iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, plus what to do if you can't send or receive MMS messages.

How to Turn On MMS on iPhone

To enable MMS messaging on an iPhone, turn on your cellular data and open Settings . Tap Apps > Messages > toggle on MMS Messaging . If you don't see this option, update your carrier settings and phone, or contact your carrier to make sure it's included in your plan.

Section 1 of 4:

Enabling MMS on iPhone

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  1. Turn on cellular data. If you want to send a multimedia message like a photo, video, or group message when you're not connected to Wi-Fi, or if you want to send it to someone who isn't using iMessage (such as an Android user), you'll need to use MMS. [1] MMS requires using your mobile carrier, even if you're connected to the internet via Wi-Fi. To turn on cellular data:
    • Open the Control Center by swiping down from the upper-right corner of the home screen on iPhone X or later, or by swiping up from the bottom of the home screen on other models.
    • If the cellular icon (the vertical antenna with two curved lines on either side in the upper-right tile) is gray, tap it to turn it green. If not, you're already on the network.
    • Some cellular plans don't come with MMS messaging, while others may charge if you go over a certain amount. Make sure you check with your carrier to find out the specific limitations before sending an MMS message. [2]
  2. 2
    Open the Settingsapp. It's the gray gear icon on the home screen or in your App Library.
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  3. 3
    Tap Apps . This is at the very bottom of the page. If you're using an older version of iOS, skip this step.
  4. 4
    Scroll down and tap Messages . This will be grouped with other apps that begin with M .
  5. 5
    Scroll down and toggle on"MMS Messaging". This will be underneath the Texting Messaging header. This allows your phone to send messages with pictures and videos using your data plan with your carrier.
    • MMS is different from iMessage , which can be sent using a Wi-Fi signal when senders and recipients have iMessage enabled. It doesn’t use cellular data when Wi-Fi is available.
    • Any time you send a photo or other type of multimedia message to someone with an Android, it will always be sent as SMS/MMS. If you don't enable MMS, you won't be able to send multimedia messages to anyone with an Android or with an iPhone who isn't using iMessage.
  6. 6
    Toggle on"Send as Text Message". This is above the Text Messaging header. This allows you to send and reply to group messages, which may require MMS if other group members aren't using iMessage.
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Section 2 of 4:

Troubleshooting MMS Messaging

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  1. 1
    Disable Wi-Fi calling. If you have Wi-Fi Calling enabled, this may interfere with the MMS feature on your phone. You can try disabling this feature before sending any new MMS texts. Do the following:
    • Open Settings .
    • Tap Cellular .
    • Tap Wi-Fi Calling .
    • Toggle off Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone .
    • Try sending your message again.
  2. 2
    Disable iMessage temporarily. If you're having trouble sending text messages to non-iPhone users, you can try disabling iMessage to see if your text goes through.
    • Open Settings .
    • Tap Apps .
    • Tap Messages .
    • Toggle off iMessage .
    • Try sending your message again.
  3. 3
    Check for carrier updates. If you have used MMS before and it's suddenly not working, you may be overdue for a carrier update. These are usually done automatically, but there's a chance you may have missed it. To check your iPhone for any carrier updates, do the following:
    • Make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network.
    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap General .
    • Tap About .
    • If there is a carrier update available, you'll see onscreen instructions to install. [3]
  4. An SMS message is a regular text message sent through your cellular network. If you can send an SMS but not an MMS, it might be because the attachment is too large—carriers do limit MMS size. For example, if you (or the person you're sending the message to) is using Verizon, the message must be smaller than 3.5 MB. [4] You'll need to turn off iMessage to send an SMS, so follow these steps:
    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap Apps .
    • Tap Messages .
    • Toggle on iMessage .
    • Open the Messages app and attempt to send a text-only message to one recipient with no attachments.
      • If the text-only message went through, try sending it again with the attachment. If it still doesn't go through, it's probably because the attachment is too big, or because your carrier limits MMS.
      • If both SMS and MMS messages go through when iMessage is disabled, it's likely because the recipient is using an Android, but their phone number was once connected to an iPhone. Your iPhone may be attempting to attempt to send messages to their iMessage account rather than their phone number with MMS. If this is the case, have the recipient contact Apple for instructions for unlinking their phone number from the previously-associated iMessage account.
    • After testing, toggle iMessage back on.
  5. Update your iPhone. You may run into issues when your phone hasn't been updated in a while. To update your iOS, open the Settings app. Click General, and then click Software Update. [5]
  6. This will clear all of your cellular and Wi-Fi connections, potentially fixing any errors in your MMS service. Just be aware that this will clear all of your saved Wi-Fi network passwords, so you'll have to enter them again when you connect to Wi-Fi. [6]
    • Open Settings .
    • Tap General .
    • Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone .
    • Tap Reset .
    • Tap Reset Network Settings .
    • If you have a passcode, you will be asked to enter it.
  7. MMS is a carrier feature, which means that your carrier manages the servers that send MMS data from your iPhone to other phones and vice versa. If you're having persistent MMS problems, your carrier may be able to reset your MMS service on their end, fixing the connection issue. [7]
    • SMS only needs cell signal to send/receive, but MMS requires cell data (e.g. 3G, 4G) on iPhones.
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Section 3 of 4:

MMS Alternatives

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  1. 1
    WhatsApp. This app allows you to send messages to other WhatsApp users using your Wi-Fi or cellular connection. You can easily upload your phone contacts to see who is currently using WhatsApp. You just need your phone number to sign up.
  2. 2
    Facebook Messenger. If you use Facebook often, you can download the mobile Messenger app to keep in touch with your friends via Facebook. This is helpful if you don't want to use the Facebook app or website. Messenger works similar to other messaging apps; you can send text messages and start calls over your Wi-Fi connection.
  3. 3
    Telegram. If you value security, you can use Telegram Messenger to exchange messages with others. This cloud-based messaging app is available on both mobile and desktop. You can download the app from the App Store and sign up using your mobile phone number. [8]
  4. 4
    Social media apps. Many social media apps and websites have a built-in messaging feature, such as Instagram's and X's Direct Messaging . If you already have friends added on these platforms, you can easily message them there if your MMS isn't working.
    • You can also use a dedicated messaging app such as Snapchat .
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Section 4 of 4:

What is MMS on iPhone?

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  1. MMS is Multimedia Messaging Service. When you text someone a photo, video, or other attachment over your mobile data connection, the message is sent via MMS by default. However, if you text someone who also has an iPhone, these multimedia messages are sent via iMessage instead. [9]

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    The MMS tab and group settings tab are not on the message settings, where can I find them elsewhere?
    Community Answer
    If you don't see the MMS and group switches when you go to Settings>>Messages and scroll down, then your plan may not support MMS or you may need to set it up. Contact your carrier for more information.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How do you activate SMS on a Samsung Galaxy S6?
    Community Answer
    On your Android device, open the Hangouts app. At the top left, tap "Menu." Tap "Settings." Tap "SMS." Tap "SMS disabled" to switch the setting to SMS enabled.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    How do I delete messages?
    Community Answer
    Tap and hold the message, tap "More," and tap the trashcan icon. Tap Delete Message to confirm.
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      • You can identify which protocol your iMessage is using by the color of the message. Blue means iMessage is being used, while green means the message is using SMS/MMS. Green messages with multimedia require cell data to be sent or received.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/118433
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/104972
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109324
      4. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-14641/
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/118575
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/111786
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/104972
      8. ↑ https://telegram.org/
      9. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/104972

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Settings .
      2. Tap Cellular .
      3. Slide Cellular Data to the "On" position (if it isn't already).
      4. Tap Settings in the upper-left corner to go back to the previous menu.
      5. Tap Messages .
      3. Slide Send as SMS to the "On" position.
      4. Slide MMS Messaging to the "On" position.
      5. Slide Group Messaging to the "On" position.

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