Why does my iPhone XS say iMessage needs to be enabled to send Photos?

Apparently, when I received this message, it was because the video I was trying to send was too long. I trimmed a 3-minute video down to 45 seconds. When I tried to send the 45-sec video, it went through with no issues.

So, why not just tell me that my video is too long to send? Why tell me I need to enable iMessage when it's already on and that's not the real issue?

I had the same problem after I switched from a physical SIM card to an eSIM, but was able to fix mine by going to Settings, scrolling down to Messages, tapping “Send & Receive” where I noticed that my phone # was not checked under the section “YOU CAN RECEIVE IMESSAGES TO AND REPLY FROM”. Once I checked that for my phone # and not just my email addresses, it worked like it was supposed to. I hope this solution will work for others too

Confirming a suggestion from above. Just saw this problem for the first time tonight, trying to send 5-6 images + (1) 45 sec. video.

The issue was combining the video with the images. Once I sent the video by itself, the erroneous alert to enable the already enabled iMessage stopped appearing and everything uploaded without issue.

Thanks wishyouweretheanswer!

Ok this what I did an it worked Go into setting messages -- send and receive and enable all Number and Emails under "You can send and receive messages To and Reply From

It worked for me hope it helps!

I was trying to send a text that had 2 photos and 1 movie/34 seconds long. After reading several of these posts, I tried sending the text with just the 2 photos and it worked. Next I tried sending the movie by itself and it worked. It seems like it was just too much for 1 message. Hope this helps.

I just did a software update and now it works.

Sending one photo/video at a time fixed mine too.

Thanks for posting in the Apple Support Communities theresafrompasadena,

The below information from the following resource may provide a solution: If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone or iPad

• Try to restart your iPhone or iPad.
• Check your network connection. To send a message as iMessage or MMS, you need a cellular data or Wi-Fi connection. To send an SMS message, you need cellular network connection. If you turn on Wi-Fi Calling, you can send SMS messages over Wi-Fi.
• Check with your carrier to see if the type of message you’re trying to send, like MMS or SMS, is supported.
• If you’re trying to send group MMS messages on an iPhone, go to Settings > Messages and turn on MMS Messaging. If you don't see an option to turn on MMS Messaging or Group Messaging on your iPhone, then your carrier might not support this feature.
• Make sure that your device has enough space to receive images and videos.
• Make sure that you entered the correct phone number or email address for the contact.

Learn what to do if you see a Waiting for Activation alert

Contact Apple Support if you still can't send or receive messages

Contact your carrier if you still can't receive SMS messages

Deactivate iMessage if you switched to a non-Apple phone and have issues with messaging

We hope this helps!

This just happened to me. I used IMovie to edit a short video clip and I tried sending it to a group message and I got that message that I need IMessage enabled to send it and it is enabled. Was looking around forums and found this one. Was not able able to fix it... just found a work around. I saved the clip to the Icloud and from there I shared the video to the group chat and it worked.

I suggest first checking your network to ensure you have good signals. After that, check the iMessage in Apple system status here: Apple - Support - System Status. If its green then no issue from Apple end, restart your iPhone and try sending the message again. Additionally, this resource also discusses the issue in detail which might help: Fix iMessage Need to Be Enabled to Send This Message. best regards.

Yeah man, make the file sizes smaller. That worked for me

I turned phone off and on, tried sending smaller message instead of 2 videos and it worked

Yup. Make the file sizes smaller

So if I don’t have enough storage, why don’t I get a message to that effect?

It is lazy of Apple and somewhat infuriating that you error messages are inaccurate (iMessage IS enabled) and that we have to search the web for non-answers such as this.

My iMessage worked perfectly on a group chat until it didn’t. I’ve turned it off and on again, restarted the phone etc. Ans I still get the completely inaccurate message that I need to enable it.

Do better. You can afford it.

Good things to try but it didn’t help in my case. I’m trying to send one still image and one 10 second video. The alert still tells me to enable iMessage. It is enabled. I’ve done all thing asked above. I’m sending to an android phone. This happens to me frequently, but not always, when sending to an android from my iPhone 15. Any other suggestions?