Sometimes sending pictures to your pals through the Messages app is easy, and sometimes things don't seem to work at all. You're not alone if you are having trouble seeing pictures sent to you via Messages.
Thankfully, there are a few quick checks and fixes that you can apply in seconds with just a few taps. Here's how to fix pictures not appearing in text messages, so you don't lose your mind — and your friends!
How to check your MMS settings
In addition to iMessage, the iPhone supports MMS, which is a simplified way to send a text message via a cellular network. If you have MMS disabled on your iPhone, you won't be able to send or receive multimedia messages like photos or videos with Android users or when iMessage is unavailable.
- Launch the Settings app.
- Tap Messages.
- Scroll down and check to see if MMS Messaging is on. If not, tap it to enable it.
How to sign in and out of your Apple ID
Another thing that you can try is signing in, and out of the Apple ID you use with Messages. Signing out of Messages will delete all your messages from your iPhone and re-download them as new from Apple's servers when you sign back in.
- Launch the Settings app.
- Tap Messages.
- Tap Send & Receive.
- Tap your Apple ID.
- Tap Sign Out.
- Tap Use your Apple ID for iMessage.
- Tap Sign in. You can also tap Use Other Apple ID and enter your credentials for another Apple ID.
How to reset your network settings
The last thing you can try is resetting Network Settings on your iPhone. Although it may sound a little daunting, this option will only remove some behind-the-scenes configurations, toggle Wi-Fi/cellular on and off briefly, and change your iPhone name to the default state.
- Launch the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings.
- Type in your Passcode and then tap Done.
Fix pictures not appearing in text messages to get back into the game
By checking your MMS settings, Apple ID, or resetting your network settings, you will be back to sending memories, memes, and more via Messages in no time. If things are still not working, the problem may lie with the person on the other end. If that is the case, you can use the above guide to walk them through the troubleshooting process on their iPhone. If all else fails, you can always share photos via the Photos app or through services like Dropbox.
