text message displays download arrow but will not download - need a very non techy answer

[Android Central Question]

maniac joe asked some tech questions but guess i dont know enough about my phones innards to answer them.....would seem a simple answer is there somewhere

 

[SpookDroid]

Those usually show for MMS, so they would have to make sure that they have a valid mobile data connection (MMS only works through WiFi IF the device/carrier supports WiFi calling or they're using a carrier app with WiFi support, like Verizon's Messages+ or T-Mobile's DIGITS app).

They should also check their settings to see if roaming restrictions aren't kicking in (i.e. mobile data while roaming or, depending on the messaging app, MMS auto-download while roaming).

I've had several issues getting MMS properly even through WiFi calling when traveling abroad, for instance, and would get a barrage of them once I landed in US territory.