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Photos not showing in messages. (SMS)

Good day folks!


Does anyone know why my sent and received photos in Messages does this and how to correct it:



Just FYI:


  • This happens to other people I know. (More than one user)
  • The photos are fine when first sent; I believe this happens later on, but I’m not sure, and I don’t know why.
  • You cannot do anything with the photos as they are now. They can only be deleted.


Any feedback appreciated!

Posted on Apr 23, 2023 6:32 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 7, 2023 6:07 AM

This solution worked! Thank you!


  1. Please turn off iMessages in your settings.
  2. Then turn off your iPhone. Leave it off for 5 mins. 
  3. Turn iPhone back on.
  4. Leave for 1 min. 
  5. Go to Settings, and turn iMessages back on (wait 1 min. after doing so)
  6. Tap on JPEG files in your messages, and they will (hopefully) reappear (some automatically)
8 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 7, 2023 6:07 AM in response to H1290

This solution worked! Thank you!


  1. Please turn off iMessages in your settings.
  2. Then turn off your iPhone. Leave it off for 5 mins. 
  3. Turn iPhone back on.
  4. Leave for 1 min. 
  5. Go to Settings, and turn iMessages back on (wait 1 min. after doing so)
  6. Tap on JPEG files in your messages, and they will (hopefully) reappear (some automatically)

Jun 6, 2023 3:36 PM in response to kremeram

Hello kremeram!


So this issue is iMessage related…


Steps that seem to solve the issue are: 


  1. Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
  2. Please ensure that iCould Photos are turned on: Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support
  3. I was asked to troubleshoot this issue on a relative’s iPhone. iCould Photos were turned on, but his iCould storage was full. So I used this Support Article to “make some space,” and the photos started showing correctly. 


Also…


  1. Please turn off iMessages in your settings.
  2. Then turn off your iPhone. Leave it off for 5 mins. 
  3. Turn iPhone back on.
  4. Leave for 1 min. 
  5. Go to Settings, and turn iMessages back on (wait 1 min. after doing so)
  6. Tap on JPEG files in your messages, and they will (hopefully) reappear (some automatically)


These steps have been helpful to many users, and haven’t work for other users. With luck, you can get your photos showing up again.


If this is to no avail, please Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support.


I hope this is helpful. Good Luck!


Apr 24, 2023 1:09 AM in response to H1290

Photos/images cannot be sent through an SMS plan.



iMessage (Blue) - (Photos / Images can be sent)

  • iPhone to iPhone: requires internet (Either over WiFi or Cellular Service) as it is sent over internet protocol. Needs Activation on your device.
  • iPhone to Android: Not available


SMS/Message (Green) - (Photos / Images cannot be sent)

  • iPhone to Android: does not require any internet it is sent over cellular voice protocol. Needs to be enabled by your Carrier for the SIM used by you.
  • iPhone to iPhone: When iMessage is not activated or the device is not connected to the internet either over cellular or WiFi


It will turn from Blue to Green if you have enabled "Send as SMS" and whenever your iPhone is not connected to the internet it is sent as SMS (green) to all iPhone users.


In this case, you will require MMS enabled by your Carrier for the SIM that you use.



You need MMS enabled by your carrier. and in your Settings to send Photos/images to Android users. See the Pic below





iCloud Photos Disabled.


On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos, then did you turn off iCloud Photos?


Get help with iCloud Photos - Apple Support (IN)



Maybe your iCloud Storage is Full.


You can free up storage in iCloud by deleting content that you're not using:

  1. Reduce the size of your iCloud Backup.
  2. Delete photos in iCloud Photos.
  3. Delete folders or files in iCloud Drive.
  4. Delete texts and attachments in Messages.
  5. Delete messages and manage Mail.
  6. Delete voice memos.


Manage your iCloud storage - Apple Support (IN)



Probably you have enabled Lockdown mode.


How Lockdown Mode protects your device

When Lockdown Mode is enabled, some apps and features will function differently, including:

  • Messages - Most message attachment types are blocked, other than certain images, video, and audio. Some features, such as links and link previews, are unavailable. 
  • Web browsing - Certain complex web technologies are blocked, which might cause some websites to load more slowly or not operate correctly. In addition, web fonts might not be displayed, and images might be replaced with a missing image icon.
  • FaceTime - Incoming FaceTime calls are blocked unless you have previously called that person or contact.
  • Apple services - Incoming invitations for Apple services, such as invitations to manage a home in the Home app, are blocked unless you have previously invited that person.
  • Shared Albums - Shared albums are removed from the Photos app, and new Shared Album invitations are blocked. You can still view these shared albums on other devices that don’t have Lockdown Mode enabled. When you turn off Lockdown Mode, you need to turn Shared Albums on again in your device settings.
  • Device connections - To connect your iPhone or iPad to an accessory or another computer, the device needs to be unlocked. To connect your Mac laptop with Apple silicon to an accessory, your Mac needs to be unlocked and explicit approval provided.
  • Configuration profiles - Configuration profiles can’t be installed, and the device can’t be enrolled in Mobile Device Management or device supervision while in Lockdown Mode.

Phone calls and plain text messages continue to work while Lockdown Mode is enabled. Emergency features, such as SOS emergency calls, are not affected. 

Jun 6, 2023 3:09 PM in response to H1290

I'm having this issue. I've troubleshooted with all the solutions above, to no avail. Any ideas?


MMS messaging is toggled to "on"

iCloud photos are enabled

iCloud storage is plentiful

Lockdown Mode is off


I'm in a group text chat with all other iPhone users, and CANNOT see photos sent to me. I can send photos.


I'm in a group text chat with a mix of iPhone/Android users, and can see photos sent to me. I can send photos.

Apr 24, 2023 5:21 AM in response to SravanKrA

Thank you kindly for your response, SravanKrA!


I had turned If iCloud Photos, so I turned them back on, went to the contact I took the screenshot from, scrolled all the way up, and at the bottom of the page it said: “3 Images in iCloud. Download.” So I downloaded them, now they (the images from the screenshot) appear normally.


Many thanks for your assistance!

Apr 24, 2023 5:49 AM in response to H1290

Edit: I had turned off iCloud Photos, so I turned them back on…


Being in a hurry is hardly worth it.


SravanKrA, I went through some of my message threads, and everywhere, the photos sprang to life after turning iCloud Photos back on. I also didn’t have to download them as described above.


So I would definitely recommend emphasizing to other users they should make sure this setting is on, if you ever see anyone run into this issue again.


Have a blessed day!

Photos not showing in messages. (SMS)

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