How to receive Picture & Video message without a data plan

[ALNS1-2021]

if you have as part of your mobility plan unlimited picture and video messages. How can you send and receive when you do not have a data plan? Usually would have to temporarily enable data to send and receive MMS and then disable it after to avoid other apps from using data and being charged. Is there a workaround for this?

[tech_junkie · Accepted solution]

You have to have MMS provisioning to send a picture message outside of apps like whatsapp or facebook messenger. If you have unlimited text and picture messages you would have to keep data enabled to send them. MMS provisioning doesn't work via Wi-Fi. It used an APN to send them.

[Kiwi57]

On my other Samsung J7 I could just turn mobile data on and off in order to get pictures (MMS messages) now I have a Samsung S20 and I can no longer receive any pictures by turning mobile data on ... why is this?

[JD · Accepted solution]

You need cellular data to send and receive MMS.  If you cant receive pictures with mobile data on, try powering your phone off and on. If you are concerned about data usage or charge then you have a few options.

1. Using your phone settings, turn off data for everything except MMS messaging.  You wont get charges any data fees for text or picture messaging if its part of your plan which i think all plans now include text and picture messaging unless you are on a really old plan.

2. Use messaging apps with Wi-fi.  Something like WhatsApp or facebook

3. Remove data from your plan or add datablock.  This will still enable you to receive and send text and pics as long as its part of your plan.

[Sasunguser709]

Hi

I have unlimited messaging as part of my plan for texts and pictures. I am unable to send and receive pictures. I have the document  "Configure Multimedia messaging service settings from the Bell Support website. 

I do not know where the field for MMS Gateway is located in the APN Settings screen. Would someone please assist? Thank you.

This is the document I am using:

https://support.bell.ca/mobility/smartphones_and_mobile_internet/how_to_configure_a_mobile_phone_or_...

Thank you for any help you can give me.

[BellAntgio]

Hey there @Sasunguser709, 

Welcome to the Community and thanks for your post. 

We would like to start by saying it's great to see that you've reviewed our support article. We wanted to know if you were able to find what you where looking for or if you still needed assistance with your picture messaging?

[Sasunguser709]

I still would like assistance please. The Monthly plan I have is

Basic Smartpay 28 - NW

• Can-Can Text - Unlimited
• 5G Access
• Basic SmartPay Plan Indicator
• Call Display
• Call Forwarding
• Message Centre Lite
• Unlimited Canada minutes
• Unltd Picture & Video Messaging
• Call Waiting, Conference Calling

It seems as though I can only do Picture Messaging with the other phone on my account which has the same plan and is the same Brand and Model of phone. They are both Samsung A12. It seems I can only do picture messages with this phone when it is on our own wireless network. Any advice you can give me here please? 

I was told by phone by one of your reps that is all I can do about this with my current plan. 

[tech_junkie]

You could try to reset your network settings. I would also recommend reviewing this troubleshooting article .

[Sasunguser709]

i have the blue Messsage by Google Icon on my phone but i cant do anything with it for pictures.  

[BellAntgio]

Thanks for the details @Sasunguser709, 

Could you share with the community as many details as you can in regards of your concern;

• Are you receiving an error message when trying to send/receive a picture message? if it's the case, what is the error message?
• Have you tried swapping the SIM card between your two phones to see if the error would be reproduced?
• Could you share with the Community a screenshot of the "blue Message by Google Icon" you're referring to.

[Sasunguser709]

I have an error message "waiting for connection". I was told to turn off wifi. I was also told I do not need to buy a data plan. (I was told this today on an online chat with bell- that I don't need a data plan because I have unlimited text messages and picture messages). 

Any advice please? 

I am totally confused.

[Sasunguser709]

I have discovered that I have to do a factory reset. The other phone on my account is receiving picture messages. At least that is what it seems like to me. 

[tech_junkie]

I would recommend first trying the network reset vs factory to save yourself alot of work restoring your phones data.

[Sasunguser709]

I did a network reset and it still not working on my phone.

[BellAntgio · Accepted solution]

Thanks for all of the troubleshooting @Sasunguser709. 

Is mobile data turned ON on your phone, if not please toggle it to ON and test to see if the picture will go through. If sending/receiving the picture/video message fails, try placing the SIM card from the phone that works into the problematic phone. That way we can determine if it's a phone/phone setting or network issue.

Thanks for keeping us updated.☺