i-Phone 4 can't send/receive Picture messages
i-GB
Newbie

I recently upgraded to an i-phone 4.  I love the phone, except I can't send or receive picture messages.  When trying to send, it gets about 99% complete and then fails.  For receiving, nothing ever comes through.  My old "crappy" flip phone (which was on the same plan) could send/receive pic messages, so I don't know what is going on.  I have tried *228 - option 2, but no luck.  Anyone know how I could possibly get this sorted out?

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Re: i-Phone 4 can't send/receive Picture messages
bcooper153
Enthusiast - Level 2

I just spoke with VZW tech support. 

Picture messaging (multi-media or "MMS") requires that "cellular data" is turned "on" BUT DOES NOT CHARGE AGAINST YOUR DATA PLAN.  This is by the design of the iOS devices.

Since I normally travel with my cellular data off, it is merely a minor inconvenience to turn that feature "ON" when I want to send a picture message and turn it back off when I am done (so facebook, google calendar, and comcast e-mail aren't constantly synching and eating up my data plan ... that's by MY design.

Not quite Smiley Happy, so maybe , but I can live with it.

View solution in original post

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Re: i-Phone 4 can't send/receive Picture messages
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

Dialing *228, option 1 is what will reprogram the phone to the Verizon Wireless network.  When you are trying to send or receive the picture messages, do you have an active 3G cellular data connection?

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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Re: i-Phone 4 can't send/receive Picture messages
soupcannon
Specialist - Level 1

In message settings be sure you have the option to get mms messages turned on

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Re: i-Phone 4 can't send/receive Picture messages
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hello i-GB! I'm sorry to hear about the problems encountered while attempting to send a message. I would suggest completing a soft reset. Hold down the power button until the Apple Logo appears. Once the phone powers back up. Please try to resend a picture message. Please let me if this works.

ChaunceyM_VZWSupport

Follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

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Re: i-Phone 4 can't send/receive Picture messages
bcooper153
Enthusiast - Level 2

I'm having the same problem.  Upgraded to the iPhone4 on Sep 7.  Picture messaging via MMS worked for a few days.

Since Sep 11, I have been unable to send any picture messages, except to other iPhones but only when in a wifi hotspot (iMessage).  I think an iOS update may have been pushed that day (I'm now on iOS v5.1.1).  MMS is turned on.  I can upload pictures to facebook both via wifi and cellular data.  I have tested this every way I can (cellular data on/off, wifi on/off, to/from iPhones and non-iPhones).

I attempted the soft reset, with no change.

This sounds like a VZW network issue or something that was "tweaked" in iOS 5.

I need to be able to send picture messages.

bordering on

Re: i-Phone 4 can't send/receive Picture messages
flames
Enthusiast - Level 1

same issue for me tried all of the above no good!!!

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Re: i-Phone 4 can't send/receive Picture messages
bcooper153
Enthusiast - Level 2

I tried again, and was able to send picture messages, but ONLY with "cellular data" on AND in a 3G service area.

So, here it is

iPhone<>iPhone over wifi (iMessage) works

iPhone<>non-iPhone over wifi does not work (because the other phone isn't iOS, so iMessage isn't there)

iPhone<>iPhone over VZW with cellular data off (MMS) does not work

iPhone<>non-iPhone over VZW with cellular data off (MMS) does not work

iPhone<>iPhone over VZW with cellular data ON on BOTH devices works, BUT ONLY IF IN A 3G SERVICE AREA

iPhone<>iPhone over VZW with cellular data ON only on the sending device does not work (will not receive until cell data is turned on)

iPhone<>iPhone over VZW with cellular data ON only on the receiving device does not work (will not send)

iPhone<>non-iPhone over VZW with cellular data ON works, BUT ONLY IF IN A 3G SERVICE AREA

So, it only works over wifi with another iOS device, OR if I use my PAID DATA PLAN.  That's NOT free messaging.

Time to call support.

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Re: i-Phone 4 can't send/receive Picture messages
bcooper153
Enthusiast - Level 2

I just spoke with VZW tech support. 

Picture messaging (multi-media or "MMS") requires that "cellular data" is turned "on" BUT DOES NOT CHARGE AGAINST YOUR DATA PLAN.  This is by the design of the iOS devices.

Since I normally travel with my cellular data off, it is merely a minor inconvenience to turn that feature "ON" when I want to send a picture message and turn it back off when I am done (so facebook, google calendar, and comcast e-mail aren't constantly synching and eating up my data plan ... that's by MY design.

Not quite Smiley Happy, so maybe , but I can live with it.

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