Cannot send pictures to non apple contacts

It's likely you'll get answers you may have already tried as no one here knows what is included in the "everything" you tried.

As noted above, make sure MMS is enabled in Settings>Messages. If that's not an option, contact your carrier.

Make sure that you have cellular data turned on. You will not be able to send pictures to non-iMessage users without it.

If that still doesn't work, contact your carrier.

See also this article:

If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Note that the cost will vary depending on your carrier and plan. I have unlimited data. I have no incremental cost for sending pictures to non-iMessage users. If you use WhatsApp, you're giving up a lot of information about yourself and anyone you contact to Facebook.

Consumer Cellular doesn't have their own network or towers. They use other carriers (mostly AT&T and Verizon, if I recall). Carriers like that frequently have this sort of problem. And, I'm sorry to say, they're also not usually very good at fixing them. However, you should still start by contacting them.

For completeness, do you have this problem with anyone else other than your friend who's also on Consumer Cellular?

Turn on MMS in Settings, Messages.

Do you really want to do this? They cost me £0.65 for every MMS picture sent and I have unlimited texts.

Whatsapp is free.

“....For completeness, do you have this problem with anyone else other than your friend who's also on Consumer Cellular? ....”

That is also crucial data because your question used contactS plural but then you went on to talk about one contact.

If you can MMS other android users then it takes the problem completely away from your phone settings and directly onto your friend’s phone

[edited]

peter_watt wrote:

Out of interest IdrisSeabright do network operators in US charge the kind of money that our providers do?

Like around $1 per MMS image?

Cheers.

That's unusual. I don't pay any incremental charges for messages of any kind. If I had metered data, it might use that up (though not always). But at least the larger carriers haven't charged for messages for years. SMS went unlimited probably about a decade ago. Even most pre-paid plans include messaging these days. Now, there are mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), like Consumer Cellular that do offer plans that are very cheap and then you pay a la carte for things like messages. They're marketed to people whose needs are very limited. (Consumer Cellular also markets itself to "senior citizens" with ads that seem to assume anyone over the age of 60 is pretty much incapable of understanding technology.)

If you have metered data and you use it all up sending MMS messages, you'll pay for additional data.

I essentially pay a flat fee a month. It includes unlimited data, voice and messaging. Also, Apple Music, Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+. But, it's about $100/month. I had been paying for Apple Music and Hulu at about $20/month so that made a bit of a difference.

Interesting.

For £20 a month (~$25) I have unlimited minutes and SMS texts and 100GB data with O2, pretty much the top contract plan with the top provider. Yet MMS is very expensive and always cash outside the plan as are premium rate calls to vote on TV shows etc.

On the positive side I can use the data to download Apple updates via the Mac. They don’t block them.

$100 though? Wow!

Out of interest IdrisSeabright do network operators in US charge the kind of money that our providers do?

Like around $1 per MMS image?

Cheers.

you’re welcome.

Talk to them