Troubleshooting your Texts (SMS) and MMS

SMS Text Messaging 

SMS – short for, well, Short Messaging Service – is an older technology that nowadays typically serves as a fall-back or secondary text messaging option when data-based messaging services like iMessage and RCS are unavailable.  

First things first, we recommend restarting your phone. A fresh phone is a happy phone. 

International SMS  

If you’re sending an SMS text message to friends and family overseas, you’ll want to make sure the number was entered correctly, including the country code. Enter the plus sign + (press and hold the 0 key), followed by the country code, then the phone number. For example, to call Mexico from the US, it would look like + 52 XXXXXXXXXX. 

MMS Messaging 

MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service and takes things a little further than SMS, allowing you to send low quality images. Like SMS, it’s an older technology that nowadays typically serves as a fall-back or secondary option for sharing images or supporting group text messaging when data-based services like iMessage and RCS are unavailable. 

If you’ve got a SmartLess Mobile plan with data, we recommend enabling iMessage and RCS to ensure you have the best messaging experience available. 

Enable MMS messaging 

While it’s usually on by default, it’s still worth double-checking that MMS is enabled. 

iPhone 

1. Settings 

2. Apps 

3. Messages 

4. Make sure the toggle for MMS Messaging is ON 

Android  (steps may vary by manufacturer)

1. Open Google Messages 

2. Tap your profile picture/icon (top right) 

3. Messages settings 

4. Advanced 

5. Make sure Auto-download MMS is turned ON 

6. Make sure Group messaging is set to send an MMS reply to all recipients (group MMS) 

Reset MMS APN settings 

APN (Access Point Name) settings tell your phone how to connect to data on the mobile network. If these are missing or incorrect, your phone may not be able to access the internet, or send MMS (which requires mobile data). 

iPhone 

1. Settings 

2. Cellular 

3. Choose your number in the SIMs section 

4. Cellular Data Network 

5. Reset Settings 

Android  (steps may vary by manufacturer)

1. Settings 

2. Connections/Network 

3. Mobile Networks 

4. Access Point Names 

5. Reset to default 

Coverage and weak signal 

If your phone has a weak signal, your SMS or MMS messages may not send, or may be delayed. It happens from time-to-time – variables like buildings, thick walls, tall trees, or even large crowds of people can impact the reception your phone gets. 

Use our coverage map to double-check whether you’ll get SmartLess Mobile service in your area.  

If you’re in an area that you know has coverage, there could be a temporary network outage affecting your ability to connect. Contact us and we’ll take a look. 

Subscription and billing 

Sending text messages to a special number or shortcode? Some numbers associated with special services may try to charge you when you call or message them. Your SmartLess Mobile subscription won’t accept charges, so attempts to reach these numbers may fail. 

 

Still stumped? Contact us and we’ll do our best to help you out.