FAQs
A text message of up to 160 characters without an attached file is known as an SMS, while a text that includes a file—like a picture, video, emoji, or a website link—becomes an MMS.
Should your phone be on SMS or MMS? ›
MMS is a more suitable option when you need to send messages longer than 160 characters. With a generous 1,600-character limit, it can be more cost-effective and user-friendly to send a single MMS message instead of multiple SMS messages. MMS is also necessary when sending images, videos, or other multimedia content.
Should I have both SMS and MMS turned on? ›
If you frequently communicate via text messaging and rely on multimedia content to convey information, then enabling SMS and MMS can be beneficial. However, if you prefer other forms of communication or have limited data or messaging plans, you may choose to disable these features.
How do I know if I'm using SMS or MMS? ›
These two terms are used interchangeably but actually refer to different types of messaging. The simplest way to understand the difference is that SMS refers to text messages, while MMS refers to messages with a picture or video.
Why am I getting MMS messages instead of SMS? ›
Why do my SMS messages sometimes change to MMS even when I'm not sending images? This likely only happens when you send a particularly long group text message. The default Messaging application in the Android OS supports sending group SMS messages to a maximum of ten contacts.
What happens if I turn on MMS messaging? ›
There are a lot of great reasons to enable MMS on your iPhone. As the name implies, MMS is a smarter and more convenient way to send multimedia assets from your phone because you can embed these assets within the messages themselves.
Does SMS cost money? ›
SMS pricing is based on the destination and type of message you're sending, as well as the carrier to which the SMS is being sent. Our pay-as-you-go pricing gives you control over your messaging costs, with discounts as you scale.
What happens if I disable MMS messaging? ›
This blocks your phone from automatically downloading MMS files. You can still open the message and download the contents manually, or delete the message without downloading it. Additionally, you can turn off "Roaming auto-retrieve" to prevent your phone from downloading MMS files while out-of-network.
What does SMS and MMS mean on Android phone? ›
Set up Messages on Android
You can send and receive text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages through the Messages app . Messages are considered texts and don't count toward your data usage. Your data usage is also free when you turn on chat features.
Why does it say SMS when I send a text? ›
The SMS is an indication that the message was received over the cellular network instead of over Wi-Fi. When sending message from an iPhone, the mobile user has the option to send their messages as SMS or as iMessage.
It usually does cost to send an MMS unless you have them included in your plan, or if they are sent via a message service like iMessage. Are you on contract or pay as you go at the moment? Sending the content over any messaging app (iMessage, Messenger, WhatsApp etc) will be charged as data transfer.
Are all text messages SMS? ›
An SMS message is part of a particular messaging protocol that allows users to send short messages to one another, while a text message can be anything from SMS, Multimedia messaging service (MMS) or even rich communication services (RCS.)
How do I switch between SMS and MMS? ›
Steps to change from SMS to MMS on android
Compose a New Message: Tap on the option to compose a new message. Add Multimedia Content: To switch from SMS to MMS, you need to add multimedia content to your message. You can attach pictures, videos, or audio files by tapping on the attachment icon.
How do I stop my phone from converting SMS to MMS? ›
You need to change the Creation Mode in the messaging app's settings to "Restricted". I tried it on my Galaxy S II and it worked. I have found this feature request with a long discussion in Android issue tracker. From what I understand this issue was fixed long ago in stock Android starting from Froyo (2.2).
What does SMS mean? ›
SMS stands for Short Message Service. It is a text messaging service that allows the exchange of short text messages between mobile devices. SMS messages typically have a maximum length of 160 characters and can be sent and received on various mobile networks.
Why does my text say SMS and not delivered? ›
If your message failed to send, it could be due to a poor network connection or a problem with your service provider. Other factors, like a full inbox or a recipient blocking your number, can also prevent your message from being delivered.
Should I turn off SMS messages? ›
SMS messages are unsafe because they lack end-to-end encryption or E2EE. Not only can your phone provider view all the texts you send and receive, but so can other organizations and people.
Why do I have to keep switching from SMS to MMS? ›
Reasons why your SMS changes to MMS
One common reason for SMS messages converting to MMS is when the character limit of 160 is exceeded. If your message contains more than 160 characters, your phone may automatically convert it to MMS to accommodate the additional content.
Should texts be sent SMS? ›
SMS messages are perfect for brief messages, such as confirming an appointment or notifying customers a package is out for delivery. MMS messaging is required for sending photos, gifs, or short videos. It is also necessary for sending messages longer than 160 characters in one message.
