Underwhelmed Author

Level 1

28 points

"Your message to XXXX failed to send" only to MMS / Android on Wifi? Please help

When I am at the cottage (i.e. out of an urban area), I have 1 cellular bar, often on an EXT network (because of coverage area), so I am on wifi with wifi calling and iMessage enabled. When I use Messages on my iPhone to send an MMS (i.e. image with text message) to an android device (i.e. not iMessage to an Apple device), I receive the notification, "Your message to XXXX failed to send" and a red exclamation mark appears next to the text and image in Messages.

I've tried with wifi on and with wifi off to test (worrying that wifi is the problem), always with the same result. Only when I'm back in a stronger cellular coverage area (both with and without wifi) will the same message send with no problem (i.e. by pressing "try again" when I press the red exclamation mark".

I can't find any suggestions online beyond the generic Messages comments (i.e. reset network settings, turn iMessage on and off, etc...), but the problem still occurs, but only under the circumstances listed above.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you!

iPhone 12Pro

iOS 14.7

iPhone 12 Pro

Posted on Aug 18, 2021 9:18 PM

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3 replies

Community Specialist

Aug 19, 2021 4:31 PM in response to Underwhelmed

Hi Underwhelmed,

Thank you for posting in the Apple Support Communities. It sounds like you're having some trouble sending SMS/MMS messages over Wi-Fi when you're in an area with a poor cellular network connection, correct? If so, we would love to help see if we can get the issue resolved for you. Let's go ahead and follow the troubleshooting steps we've linked for you below.

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

Please note, a cellular network connection is required to send and receive SMS/MMS messages, as this is a carrier feature. The issue is likely related to the cellular connection if you're able to send and receive messages when you're in an area with better network coverage.

Please let us know how it goes. We're always happy to help.

Cheers!

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Underwhelmed Author

Level 1

28 points

Aug 19, 2021 7:27 PM in response to KMB_12

Thank you. That is what I figured, but even when I turn off wifi leaving 1-2 bars of cellular coverage, the MMS message still won’t send. To test, with wifi turned off, I’ve also tried using safari, trying apps and making phone calls, and all work fine. Yet the MMS message still won’t send.

Thanks

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Aug 19, 2021 4:32 PM in response to Underwhelmed

MMS cannot use Wi-Fi. It can only use cellular data.

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"Your message to XXXX failed to send" only to MMS / Android on Wifi? Please help

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