Fix: Can’t send pictures through texts on Android

Although MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) is not used these days as much as a decade ago, some users still rely on it to send images or GIFs. Now, it seems that some of them can’t send pictures through texts on their Android devices. To send pictures from the text-messaging app, you’ll need MMS features enabled. The alternative is to use new RCS chat features. Don’t forget that the 300KB limitation is there as a constant. Also, make sure that your provider allows MMS. With that out of the way, learn how to fix this problem with the steps we provided below.

Table of contents:

1. Check Messages Settings
2. Clear local data from Messages
3. Enable RCS messaging
4. Reset APN settings
5. Contact your carrier
6. Reset Network Settings

Why can’t I send picture messages on my Android?

If your Android can’t send picture messages, try fixing it with these steps:

• Enable MMS in the Messages app.
• Alternatively, you can use RCS messaging.
• Reset the Messages app.
• Reset APN settings or Network Settings.
• Contact your carrier or service provider.

1. Check Messages Settings

Firstly, open Messages and check for any MMS-related toggles. If you don’t use the novel RCS messaging, you’ll still need to use MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) to send photos (not larger than 300KB) via text messages.

So, open Messages > 3-dot menu > Settings > Advanced and make sure that any MMS-related toggle is enabled. If that doesn’t help, continue to the next step. If you are still unable to send pictures through texts on your Android, try resetting the app.

2. Clear local data from Messages

The next troubleshooting step we would recommend is clearing local data from Messages and reinstating all permissions to the app. The problem might lie in the local data corruption or the app doesn’t have access to local storage which is necessary.

Here’s how to clear data from Messages on Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Apps.
3. Expand all apps (or tap Manage apps or App manager).
4. Open Messages from the list of installed apps.
5. Tap Storage.
6. Clear data and restart your device.
7. Open Messages > Permissions and grant all permissions.
8. Go back to App Info and under Mobile data, ensure that Background data and Unrestricted data usage are allowed.

Alternatively, you can reset the Messages app by uninstalling its updates. Here’s how to uninstall updates from Messages on your Android:

1. Again navigate to Settings > Apps > All apps > Messages.
2. Force stop the Messages app.
3. Tap on the 3-dot menu.
4. Tap Uninstall updates.
5. Restart your device and update Messages to the latest version from Play Store.

3. Enable RCS messaging

There’s a more modern alternative to MMS these days called RCS (Rich Communication Services) and it offers a lot of instant messaging features you’ll usually find in WhatsApp or Telegram. More or less, it’s Android’s response to iMessages used on iOS.

You can enable it in Messages Settings if your carrier supports this feature. With it, you should be able to send really large files (pictures don’t need to be compressed).

Here’s how to enable RCS Chat features on your Android phone:

1.  Open Messages.
2. Tap on the 3-dot menu and open Settings.
3. Tap Chat features.
4. Enable Chat features with a toggle.
5. Now, the only thing remaining is to advise your recipients to do the same. The feature only works if all included parties use RCS.

Now, this is just a workaround or a tip, if you like. If you have your reasons to stick to MMS and still can’t send pictures through text on Android phones, check the next step.

4. Reset APN settings

If any issues with text messaging (including MMS) occur, we always suggest resetting the default APN (Access Point Name). The deal is that, once you place in your SIM card for the first time, you’ll get a configuration message that automatically creates APN entries for cellular data and MMS. Of course, you need to run these configuration files.

What we want to do in this step is reset APN Settings to their default values. This means, restoring them to those initial MMS/Mobile Data settings.

Here’s how to reset APN to factory values on your Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Network & Internet.
3. Tap Mobile network.
4. Tap Advanced.
5. Open Access Point Names.
6. Tap on the 3-dot icon and select Reset to default.

5. Contact your carrier

If the problem persists, make sure to contact your carrier and ask for MMS configuration. You don’t have to contact them if there’s a dial code or an app you can use to get it.

If even that doesn’t work and you still can’t send pictures through texts on Android, make sure to reset network settings and give it another try.

6. Reset Network Settings

Finally, if none of the previous steps worked for you, we recommend resetting network settings on your Android. You can learn more about this procedure and what exactly deletes it in this dedicated article.

In the meanwhile, here’s how to reset network settings on your Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Choose System.
3. Open Reset options.
4. Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
5. Tap Reset settings.

That’s it. Thank you for reading and make sure to leave your thoughts and questions, or suggest alternative solutions. You can do that in the comments section below.

Editor’s note: This article was initially published in October 2021. We made sure to revamp it for freshness and accuracy.