MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service and is a method of sharing images, videos, and audio clips via Android’s built-in messaging service. Although the bulk of users has migrated to messaging programs such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger, there are still a significant number of people who prefer MMS, which is perfectly OK. The only vexing issue that many Android users have frequently complained about is their device’s inability to get MMS. Each time they click the download button, they are greeted with the error message “Could not download” or “Media file unavailable.” If you’re experiencing similar difficulties downloading or sending MMS, this post is for you. (Best Ways To Fix MMS Download Issues)
This error can arise for a variety of reasons. This could be a result of a slow internet connection or a lack of available storage space. However, if the issue does not fix itself, you must resolve it yourself. In this article, we’ll discuss some straightforward strategies for resolving MMS download issues.
Ways To Fix MMS Download Issues
Method 1: Reboot Your Phone
Regardless matter the issue, a simple reboot can always be beneficial. This is the easiest action you can take. It may sound overly broad and nebulous, yet it works. As with the majority of electrical gadgets, turning off and on your mobile phone resolves a plethora of issues. Rebooting your phone enables the Android system to address any bugs that may be causing the issue. Simply press and hold the power button until the power menu appears, then select the Restart/Reboot option. Once the phone has restarted, check to see whether the issue persists.
Method 2: Check your Internet Connection
Downloading multimedia messages requires a reliable internet connection. If your device does not have an internet connection, you will be unable to download it. Drag down from the notification panel and toggle on your Wi-Fi or mobile data. To test connectivity, open your browser and visit a few websites or perhaps watch a YouTube movie. If you’re having trouble downloading MMS via Wi-Fi, try using your mobile data. This is because a large number of network operators prohibit the download of MMS via Wi-Fi.
Method 3: Enable Automatic MMS Downloading
Another easy solution to this issue is to enable MMS auto-download. Your Android smartphone’s default messaging software supports both SMS and multimedia messaging. Additionally, you may configure this program to automatically download MMS as they arrive. To discover how to follow the steps outlined below:
- Launch your device’s default messaging app.
- Now, on the top right-hand side of the screen, tap the menu button (three vertical dots).
- Select the Settings menu item.
- Select the Advanced option from this menu.
- To activate the Auto-download MMS option, simply flick the switch next to it.
- If you are not in your nation, you can also enable the Auto-download MMS option.
Method 4: Delete Previously Sent Messages
Occasionally, new messages will not be downloaded if there are an excessive number of old messages. The default messaging software has a restriction on the number of messages that can be downloaded, and once that limit is met, no additional messages can be downloaded. In this case, you must delete old messages to make room for new ones. Once the old messages have been deleted, new messages will be downloaded automatically, resolving the MMS download issue. Now, the ability to remove messages is device-dependent. While some devices allow you to erase all messages from the Settings menu with a single click, others do not. It is conceivable that you will need to select and delete each message separately. This may appear to be a lengthy process, but believe me when I say that it works.
Method 5: Delete Cache and Data
Each application keeps some information in the form of cache files. If you are unable to download MMS, this could be due to corrupted residual cache files. To resolve this issue, you may always try emptying the app’s cache and data. Clear the Messenger app’s cache and data files by following these steps.
- Navigate to your phone’s Settings and then press on the Apps option.
- Now, from the list of apps, select the Messenger app. Following that, select the Storage option.
- The options to clean data and the clear cache will now appear. By clicking on the appropriate buttons, the specified files will be removed.
Method 6: Eliminate Apps That Cause Issues
It is likely that a third-party app is causing the problem. Typically, task killer apps, cleaning apps, and anti-virus apps interfere with your device’s usual operation. They may be obstructing the download of MMS. The best course of action, in this case, is to uninstall any installed apps. Begin with task-killing applications. If this resolves the issue, you are ready to proceed.
Otherwise, uninstall any cleaner apps that are currently installed on your phone. If the problem persists, the next step would be to check the antivirus program. However, because it would be unsafe to entirely delete an anti-virus, you can temporarily disable it and see if it cures the issue. If none of these solutions work, the issue may be with another third-party application that you recently downloaded.
The most effective technique to ensure this is to boot your device into safe mode. Safe mode disables all third-party applications, leaving just the pre-installed system applications. If you are able to successfully download MMS in Safe mode, then the culprit is third-party software. Thus, Safe mode is a useful method for diagnosing the source of a device’s problem. The following are the general steps for rebooting into Safe mode:
- To begin, press and hold the Power button on the keyboard until the Power menu appears on the screen.
- Now, tap and hold the Power off option on the screen until the Reboot to safe mode option appears.
- After that, simply hit the Ok option to restart your device.
- When the device boots, it will boot into Safe mode, which disables all third-party apps. Additionally, you’ll notice the words Safe mode written in the corner, indicating that the gadget is in Safe mode.
Method 7: Change to a Different App
Rather than remaining bound to obsolete technology, you can advance to more advanced options. There are numerous popular messaging and talking applications that enable you to transmit photographs, videos, audio files, contacts, location information, and other documents via the internet. Unlike standard texting services, which charge an additional fee for MMS, these apps are entirely free. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Hike, Telegram, and Snapchat are just a few of the most popular messaging apps available today. Additionally, these apps allow you to make free voice and video chats. All that is required is a reliable internet connection. These apps have a slew of useful extra features and provide a far better user experience than the default messaging app. We strongly advise you to consider switching to one of these apps and are confident that you will never look back.
Method 8: Factory Reset the Device
If nothing else works and you absolutely want to download MMS using your messaging app, the only other option is to perform a Factory Reset. This will completely delete all data, applications, and settings from your phone. Your device will be restored to the state it was in when you first unboxed it. Needless to say, all issues will be resolved instantly. By doing a factory reset, you will erase all of your apps and their data, as well as any other data on your phone, like photos, movies, and music. As a result, it is recommended that you create a backup before doing a factory reset. When you attempt to factory reset your phone, the majority of phones prompt you to backup your data. You can backup using the built-in tool or manually; the choice is yours.
Conclusion:
As previously stated, MMS issues might occasionally develop as a result of the carrier provider. For instance, some companies prohibit the transmission of files larger than 1MB and similarly prohibit the download of files larger than 1MB. If you continue to encounter this issue after attempting all of the procedures indicated above, you should contact your network service provider or carrier. You might even consider switching carriers.
