Cannot Send Message: MMS Messaging needs to be enabled to send this message

So I had an IPhone 11 for multiple years and then last year it stopped working with group messaging or sending gifs/pictures/video messages unless they were through iMessage.

The only thing that I can think of that caused this was that I got an eSim while traveling abroad around that same time. When I returned, I removed the eSim and continued with my Verizon plan, and that is when the MMS messaging error bagan.

I did a lot of troubleshooting, through every post I could find about MMS Messaging and group messaging. I called Verizon and they said that MMS was enabled on my plan.

I tried everything, so I finally gave up and decided to switch carriers to T-Mobile. I now have an iPhone 14 Pro with a T-Mobile Unlimited plan with MMS/Group messaging activated….. and it still is not letting me send messages.

I am wondering if this is because I set my new phone up using an iCloud back up for the iPhone 11. I don’t know when the issue began with my messaging, but at it was at some point in September of 2022.

I just don’t even know what to do anymore.

iPhone 14 Pro

Posted on Jul 31, 2023 5:50 AM

Top-ranking reply

vcolditz

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Dec 26, 2023 11:30 AM

This same exact issue happened with me. I transferred to Spectrum mobile after having Verizon, went abroad, came back, and a few days later, my MMS stopped working. I get error codes when I try to send photos to Android users. And all my group chats with Android users send and receive messages individually, rather than to and from the group. iMessages work fine.

After weeks of troubleshooting with Spectrum and Apple support, I was told I had to upgrade or switch carriers. So, I upgraded to an iPhone 15. When I went to set it up, I signed in with my Apple ID, restored my back-ups, and it still wasn't working.

So, I reset everything, but this time, when I set it up, I did not sign in with my Apple ID. I skipped that part. And now it's fudging working. But now I have no idea how I'm supposed to set up my new phone with my Apple ID if that's what's causing my MMS issues???

View in context

Similar questions

21 replies

LJM58

Level 1

8 points

Dec 30, 2023 7:48 AM in response to LJM58

In response to my comment, I did some investigation and I still don't know why I'm having this issue. There is a solution I read in this thread. I'll try it.

Apr 29, 2024 9:37 PM in response to John_P_bhm

It’s your phone provider problem. Contact them. I

did & I am fixed

Jul 16, 2024 6:35 PM in response to kudos2014

Thank you SO much for this

NANNILUE

Level 1

8 points

Sep 9, 2024 4:59 PM in response to Colt457

Once in settings > cellular > I'm not seeing travel line or personal line as options. Might there be another name or label? TIA

Sep 17, 2024 2:53 PM in response to John_P_bhm

So I can't send messages to my friend B and she gave me her email. I entered it on my phone and it won’t let me text. Just says I need a MMS.

Apr 18, 2024 12:39 PM in response to John_P_bhm

Went through the same issues. Tried all the usual tactics, including resetting network settings and confirming services with carrier. But I didn't want to reset all settings or wipe my phone. Too much of a hassle. But I figured out a solution.

Context: I had enabled a Flexiroam eSim for travelling purposes a while back. Wasn't using it, so I turned it off in Settings>>Cellular. Note that I did not actually delete/remove the secondary eSim. I only deactivated it. Ever since then, SMS messages to non-iPhone users have been acting wonky... lots of errors in sending and duplicates received by the recipient. And I recently realized that MMS messages weren't working. Got the "Unable to send" error. But "MMS Messaging" appeared enabled in Messages settings.

So... I re-activated my Secondary eSim. Now, all of a sudden, the MMS Messaging toggle appeared as "off" (despite it being on prior to this action). So I toggled it on. And all of a sudden, my MMS Messaging works perfectly.

I even again de-activated my Secondary eSim after the step above and confirm that MMS Messaging is still working. Yay!

Hope this helps others.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Cannot Send Message: MMS Messaging needs to be enabled to send this message