How to Fix iPhone Not Sending or Receiving Pictures

Quick Tips

• If you can’t send pictures on iPhone via text, check for MMS support and device support. Also, ensure MMS is enabled on your device.
• Disable and then Enable iMessage to fix any bug, settings, or connection-related issue.
• To reset any connection error, sign out of Apple ID and then sign back in. You can also try resetting network settings.

Basic Fixes

The first order of business is to establish whether you can’t send pictures in Messages or iMessage or both. Simply put, is it a blue bubble (iMessage) or green bubble (SMS) problem? As the troubleshooting methods might vary.

However, there are also some common fixes you can try.

• Try sending a picture to another contact – Try sending a picture to a different contact or group. If the picture goes through successfully, the error is probably with the contact and not your device.
• Check Apple system status – Visit the Apple System Status website and check whether Messages are working. If iMessage is down, wait till Apple fixes the issue.
• If you see a red exclamation point – If your iPhone won’t send pictures and shows a red exclamation mark next to the message, check your internet connection. Next up, tap the exclamation mark icon and tap Try Again.

Note: If this doesn’t work, try force sending it as a test message (MMS), i.e., tap the exclamation mark icon and select ‘Send as Text Message’.

• Check iPhone storage – A packed iPhone storage would stop your iPhone from receiving big files, including images. If the storage is in the red zone, try deleting/offloading apps, clearing other storage, etc., to make space.
• Restart the Messages app – If not connection-related, the issue might be caused due to a minor bug in the messaging app. And restarting the app can help you fix that issue in minutes.
• Update iOS – If it’s a bug-related issue, an update can fix it easily. To do so, go to Settings > General > Software Update > tap Download and Install (if an update is available).

Fix 1: If You Can’t Send Pictures via Text Message

If you can’t send pictures on iPhone through text even after the general fixes shared above, ask some potent questions.

• Does your carrier plan support MMS? – If not, upgrade your plan or switch to a different carrier.
• Do you have enough balance to send an MMS? – Get the necessary recharge to send MMSs freely.
• Is MMS enabled on your iPhone? The steps to check and enable MMS on your iPhone are mentioned below.

Go to Settings > Messages > turn on the toggle for MMS Messaging.

Note: If you can’t see an option to enable/disable MMS Messaging on the iPhone, your carrier probably does not support the feature. Contact the carrier for more information.

Fix 2. Disable and Enable iMessage

If you’re not able to share any iMessage, maybe the iMessage is not properly activated or enabled. To check the settings, go to Settings > Messages > toggle off iMessage > restart device (optional) > toggle iMessage on > follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.

Fix 3. Sign Out of Apple ID and Back In

This will simply reset any connection error that might stop the iPhone from sending or receiving photos. However, this will not reset or affect any changes in settings you’ve made or data stored on your iPhone.

To do so, go to Settings > Apple ID > Sign Out > enter your password > Turn Off.

Fix 4. Reset Network Settings

If you could send MMS or iMessage before, and it has suddenly stopped, there may be an issue with cellular settings on your iPhone. To fix the disturbance, reset the network settings.

However, this will also reset Wi-Fi networks and passwords, VPN and APN settings, so view and save your Wi-Fi passwords and more to reconnect later.

Go to Settings > General > ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone’ > Reset → Reset Network Settings → enter password.

If none of the above methods works, this will be your last resort. Contact Apple Support and share your issue with them.