SAMSUNG GALAXY
Samsung Galaxy can't send picture messages (MMS)? Fixes
In short
In Google Messages, tap your profile picture, Messages settings, Advanced. If it says MMS turned off because your carrier doesn't allow outgoing MMS, the block is on the carrier's side: ask them to enable MMS. Otherwise check mobile data and that the message can go as a chat instead.
Well, it is frustrating when a plain text goes through but the photo you wanted to share just keeps failing. Google Messages lets you change how it sends pictures and videos on its Advanced page.
5 of 6 steps show a real screenshot from our Galaxy A57 5G.
Steps
- 1
Open Messages settings
In Google Messages, tap your profile picture, then Messages settings.
- 2
Scroll to Advanced
Advanced is near the bottom of the list.
- 3
Read the MMS line at the top
On our phone it said MMS turned off: your carrier doesn't allow outgoing MMS messages. In that case no setting on the phone fixes it.
- 4
Ask your carrier to enable MMS
Some plans and data-only SIMs do not include MMS. The carrier can switch it on or tell you which plan does.
Illustration - 5
Send it as a chat instead
If you and the other person both use RCS chats, photos go over the internet and do not need MMS. Check that RCS chats is connected.
- 6
Check delivery reports
Get SMS delivery reports tells you when a text arrives, which helps you see whether only MMS fails. Ours was off.
If you do not see this option
- Your phone uses Samsung Messages These steps are for Google Messages. Google explains how to pick a different default messaging app: go into your phone's Settings, tap Apps, Default apps, SMS app. Source: Fix problems sending, receiving or connecting to Messages
- Group photos arrive as separate chats Google lists Group messaging under Messages settings, Advanced. The mass text option sends replies as separate conversations. Source: Fix problems sending, receiving or connecting to Messages
If this does not work
- Mobile data is on, but MMS still fails Google says MMS needs a data connection, and suggests resetting the APN settings to default in the phone's settings.
- Only one contact cannot get your photos Google suggests checking the number is right, adding the country code (for example +44), checking you have not blocked them, or deleting and adding the contact again.
- Messages says there is not enough space Google says Messages may not send or receive until more space is free on the phone: it suggests freeing up space.
- Pictures arrive but will not download? Google lists Auto-download MMS under Messages settings, Advanced, which downloads files in messages automatically. Auto-download MMS when roaming does the same when data roams.
- Two SIMs or a new number? Google lists a Phone number setting under Advanced, which changes the number used to send files. Check that it shows the number you use now.
Good to know
Plain texts failing too? Texts not sending on a Samsung Galaxy (Google Messages): 5 fixes.
Mobile data off or broken? Samsung Galaxy mobile data not working? 7 fixes.
Once the carrier switches MMS on, the line on the Advanced page should change, which is your sign that the block is gone. MMS uses a little mobile data for each picture, and some plans charge per message, so check your tariff if you send many. Photos sent as RCS chats use data or Wi-Fi instead. To set those up, see how to turn on RCS chats on a Samsung Galaxy.
About this guide
- Device
- Android
- Shown on
- Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16
- App
- Messages
- Real screenshots
- 5 of 6 steps
- What we did
- Observed: looked at each screen, changed nothing
- Our phone
- Shown on Galaxy A57, One UI 8.5
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 2 official, linked below
Sources
Links checked October 2026. Menus and features can change with updates.Did this guide work for you?
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