aai92
Level 1 (1 points)

Q: Why do I need Cellular Data turned on to send/receive MMS?

So after over 3 hours on the phone with Verizon, Apple, then Verizon again trying to figure out why I can't send or receive mms messages unless Cellular Data is on, doing a hundred soft/hard/network/every reset imaginable, a Verizon rep this morning told me "you cannot use mms unless the cellular data is switched to "on", and there are NO PHONES that will allow you to send mms without it on".

Ok, so how come when I had flip phones that didn't even have data plans, I was able to send MMS? And the biggest question - how come I never ever turned my 3G on on my droid and yet could still send SMS? Why does the iPhone force me to keep cellular data on, eating away at my 150mb data plan that I can barely even afford and would rather only have wifi on?

iPhone 5, iOS 6

Posted on Sep 23, 2012 4:51 AM

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aai92

Q: Why do I need Cellular Data turned on to send/receive MMS?

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  • by alphonse110712,

    alphonse110712 alphonse110712 Nov 9, 2012 2:47 AM in response to Darko Ibrahimpasic1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Nov 9, 2012 2:47 AM in response to Darko Ibrahimpasic1

    The reason I leave the 3G off is to save the battery.  I understand the concept you are presenting, however, if I send myself an MMS to test it, with a photo, then turn the 3G on, it doesn't come through.  Not immediatley, not in 30 minutes, not ever.

  • by cheonweb,

    cheonweb cheonweb Nov 9, 2012 6:19 AM in response to alphonse110712
    Level 4 (3,455 points)
    Nov 9, 2012 6:19 AM in response to alphonse110712

    So you forced to use 3G with cellular data.

    I can disable 3G to save battery and avoid big upload/download by accident but I'm able to sent/receive iMessage and generally be online with GPRS or EDGE. When I need to be fast I enable 3G.

  • by alphonse110712,

    alphonse110712 alphonse110712 Nov 9, 2012 6:28 AM in response to cheonweb
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Nov 9, 2012 6:28 AM in response to cheonweb

    Yes, I suppose that is true.  What version of the iPhone do you have.  I'm curious, since our options are different.

     

    I still can't get a handle on whether photo messages should be saved for me when I turn on the 3G.

  • by cheonweb,

    cheonweb cheonweb Nov 9, 2012 9:22 AM in response to alphonse110712
    Level 4 (3,455 points)
    Nov 9, 2012 9:22 AM in response to alphonse110712

    iPhone 4 32GB

    MC605GB

  • by cheonweb,

    cheonweb cheonweb Nov 9, 2012 9:24 AM in response to alphonse110712
    Level 4 (3,455 points)
    Nov 9, 2012 9:24 AM in response to alphonse110712

    But I don't use MMS. Only iMessage and Whatsapp

  • by sfxian,

    sfxian sfxian Dec 28, 2012 10:02 AM in response to aai92
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 28, 2012 10:02 AM in response to aai92

    What makes this exceptionally sucky is the fact that carriers sell Unlimited messaging plans which are supposed to support image and video MMS. I pay $30 for that. My wife has a 3GS that shares my unlimited texting feature, but without a data plan, she can only send txt.  On an android device without data, she was able to use cellular data to send images. I'm thinking of canceling my unlimited txt feature, but now AT&T doesn't even have a 'limited txt' option.

     

    Shame on all parties for this.

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Dec 28, 2012 10:10 AM in response to sfxian
    Level 9 (55,731 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 28, 2012 10:10 AM in response to sfxian

    No supported carrier, including AT&T, permits the use of an iPhone without a data plan. If you have managed to sneak one on, when they realize you have it (which they will) they will add it to your plan and bill you for it. If you don't pay it, they will cancel your service entirely.

  • by sfxian,

    sfxian sfxian Dec 28, 2012 10:57 AM in response to KiltedTim
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 28, 2012 10:57 AM in response to KiltedTim

    Yeah, it took me some time to get them to allow it, but I've got my wife's 3GS on my family shared talk plan. With no data plan.

    Shhh... don't tell on me

  • by Starr186,

    Starr186 Starr186 May 5, 2013 6:50 PM in response to wjosten
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 5, 2013 6:50 PM in response to wjosten

    So explain this. Why can't I receive text messages when my cellular data is turned off?

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie May 5, 2013 6:54 PM in response to Starr186
    Level 9 (54,602 points)
    iPhone
    May 5, 2013 6:54 PM in response to Starr186

    I have no idea. I can receive SMS text messages (green bubble) with mine and no cell data on. You aren't going into Airplane mode are you?

  • by Starr186,

    Starr186 Starr186 May 5, 2013 6:57 PM in response to deggie
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 5, 2013 6:57 PM in response to deggie

    Nope am not in airplane mode. When am at work I usually turn off my data, but I can't receive any SMS, but as soon as I turn back on my data I get a barrage of messages. So either apple or my carrier is screwing me.

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie May 5, 2013 6:58 PM in response to Starr186
    Level 9 (54,602 points)
    iPhone
    May 5, 2013 6:58 PM in response to Starr186

    Must be your carrier (assuming it is not AT&T), my iPhone 5 with AT&T can receive SMS with cell data off. SMS does not use the data system while iMessage does.

  • by Starr186,

    Starr186 Starr186 May 5, 2013 7:02 PM in response to deggie
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 5, 2013 7:02 PM in response to deggie

    Am on AT&T also but I have no clue why this is happening. Appreciate the help though.

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie May 5, 2013 7:02 PM in response to Starr186
    Level 9 (54,602 points)
    iPhone
    May 5, 2013 7:02 PM in response to Starr186

    Try a Reset first then a Restore.

  • by ArdonP,

    ArdonP ArdonP Dec 20, 2013 4:02 AM in response to aai92
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 20, 2013 4:02 AM in response to aai92

    I think you should just spend an extra $5 or $10 a month and get a plan with enough data for you.

     

    If you're gonna buy one of the most advanced smartphones on the market worth $850 (AUD) why not spend a few dollars more per month to make good use of it? Phones have to be the most integrated device in our lives, we spend hours a day on them. Check them every few minutes.

     

    Most people probably spend $5 a DAY on coffee or something like that which they find essential, so why not splurge that much a MONTH on your phone plan?

     

    Or, just turn all the apps off from using data in your settings and leave cellular data on? And charge the phone every night.

     

    My 2 cents :)

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