Settings are correct but photos won't send to androids and I get "iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message."
iPhone 12, iOS 14
First your “expert” is not an expert; photos between Apple and Android do not use SMS, they use MMS. SMS=Short Message Service; text only, limit of 160 characters, actually uses the voice channel, not data. MMS=Multimedia Message Service, uses cellular data, cannot use Wi-Fi. It is MMS that sends pictures, not SMS (although every MMS message has a companion SMS that manages the MMS component).
And no, Apple cannot possible work it out with Android, because the file size limit on MMS is imposed by the cellular network operator, the service that carries the message between the iPhone and the Android phone. This limit is set by the carrier, not by Apple and not by Google (the “owner” of Android). The default is 300 MB, which means only very small photos can be sent between iPhones and Android phones (or between two iPhones not using iMessage or between 2 Android phones only using MMS). Many carriers support larger file sizes, some up to 3.5 MB, but that is still smaller than a full-sized iPhone photo. iPhones will try to rescale the photos to fit within the bandwidth limit imposed by the carrier, but that is not always possible.
If you want to send large images you can’t use MMS. You can use WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Google Duo, Facebook Messenger, or email. Email providers also have a limit, usually between 10 and 20 MB. Apple also has a service called Mail Drop. It lets you email files and images up to 5 GB; it does this by uploading the file to Apple’s servers, then sending a link to download it in the email. It’s easy to use; just send a file that exceeds the default limit and it will automatically be converted to Mail Drop. This works with any type of destination device; iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, even Linux.
With all due respect, Lawrence, that is NOT my problem. Whether the VPN is on or off makes not difference. I still can't send pictures to anyone with an Android. I've tested it and tested it both ways.
I'm going to do what you suggest and get rid of the VPN on my Iphone. I don't have the Kaspersky on the Iphone only on my Desk top. I'll let you know if that makes any difference in whether or not I can send pictures to an Android phone. I doubt it but I will try it. Just cause you suggest it.
It also looks like I'm not the only one with an IPhone that is having this problem. It's really ridiculous that Apple made these phones in such a way as to prevent us from sending pictures to anyone who has an Android phone. The least they can do is figure out a workaround for us.
Every person I know with an iPhone is having this issue. If the picture does eventually send to an Android phone it takes multiple attempts of it sends at all. Most people are so accustomed to having issues or glitches with their phones they aren’t going to take the time to write in or post about the issues. All settings are correct, everyone has different phone carriers so it’s not one specific carrier, and we all have plans to cover sms and mms. This is ridiculous.
Same issue as well. Every person I know with an iPhone is having this issue. If the picture does eventually send to an Android phone it takes multiple attempts of it sends at all. Most people are so accustomed to having issues or glitches with their phones they aren’t going to take the time to write in or post about the issues. All settings are correct, everyone has different phone carriers so it’s not one specific carrier, and we all have plans to cover sms and mms. This is ridiculous.
I've been told so many different things by so-called experts and nothing that I have been told allows me to send pictures to Android phones. I spent a whole day on the phone with my "carrier" which is Tracfone. At first I thought it was them like you said. They seemed to try to help me but in the end didn't know how or couldn't help me. I have basically given up. Either I have to change my carrier which I am seriously thinking of doing once my contract end date comes around because I know a lot of people who use iPhones and don't have trouble sending pictures to Androids like you said. Right now, I just send pictures to anyone who has an Android phone via their email or Facebook messenger. Thanks, Lawrence.
Does the Android phone that I am trying to send pictures to need to have the IMessage application installed on their phone?
I can't send pictures to Android phones but I can send test messages.
I have MMS enabled as well as cellular data enabled still it won’t send jpeg just text.
I can send pix via email from my phone just not through the message app on my phone.
Yes, I am using VPN.
Plus the VPN I use is part of my virus protection program. I use Kaspersky and they offered the VPN for free, that's why I use it.
OK, I deleted the VPN, rebooted the phone and tried to send my brother a picture (he has an Android). Same thing, it didn't deliver it. So I'm back to where I started.
Both of these suggestions tried but still unable to send photos. Other suggestions?
Also, everything worked fine until I downloaded the latest update iOS15. Why would that be??
Did you ever get this issue solved? I've been having the same problem and have tried turning on/off my SMS & MMS texting.
can't send photos to androids from iPhone or Mac
