Group messages in individual threads

[amyyydee]

I have seen other posts with this same issue, but haven't found a resolution, or at least not one that works for me.

When I receive group messages (whether from iphone, android, or windows) they show up in individual message threads. I have to download them, then they disappear from that thread and show up in the group thread.

I do not get a notification when they originally come through in the individual thread. I have to open my messages app and see an unread message. I do get a normal notification though once it has downloaded and transferred to the group thread.

I have group messages checked in the message settings
I have data roaming checked in data usage settings
I have AT&T
I use the stock messaging

I also have this same issue if someone sends me a picture, no notification and it must be downloaded

Is it due to having background data restricted? I cannot turn it on to see if it changes anything because I have a small data plan and don't want to risk going over

 

[VidJunky]

You've actually answered your own question. With background data restricted MMS messages will not be displayed until A) you open the app, which causes it to sync OR B) you hit your refresh time, this setting is usually found in the app and it could be every 2 hours, every 4 hours and like that. Your regular texts I think should come through even with background data restricted or off because SMS are sent over your voice connection.

I tried to follow what you were saying about group messages, but I think you're talking about 2 different things and may not realize it. In your settings you can have messages that you send broken out into individual threads or go out as a group. What this does is if you send a message to 10 people as a group if any one of those people respond the whole group gets that response. If you send a message out to 10 people as individual threads then each person gets the message as though you only sent it to them and their responses come only to you. You have no control over another persons settings. So depending on which of the two setups I just described they are using will determine how you receive their messages.

As for using the Stock app, it really doesn't give you a lot of flexibility and most Android users go to third party apps for more and often better options. Go SMS, Handcent, and Chomp are some of the more popular apps right now for SMS. Handcent has an option for automatically downloading MMS messages, however I believe that is only in effect if you have your Sync settings enabled, otherwise you are given the option to download pics and links that come through as MMS when it is convenient for you. I'm not sure about AT&T but with Verizon I know you cannot send or receive MMS over WiFi, they require a data connection. That being said most MMS messages use very little data and often that is included in your Messaging plan and doesn't affect your data plan. I would check your plan to be sure, and then enable automatic syncing of your messaging app to eliminate the hassles you are describing even if you wanted to keep other data syncing suppressed.

 

[amyyydee]

You've actually answered your own question. With background data restricted MMS messages will not be displayed until A) you open the app, which causes it to sync OR B) you hit your refresh time, this setting is usually found in the app and it could be every 2 hours, every 4 hours and like that. Your regular texts I think should come through even with background data restricted or off because SMS are sent over your voice connection.

I tried to follow what you were saying about group messages, but I think you're talking about 2 different things and may not realize it. In your settings you can have messages that you send broken out into individual threads or go out as a group. What this does is if you send a message to 10 people as a group if any one of those people respond the whole group gets that response. If you send a message out to 10 people as individual threads then each person gets the message as though you only sent it to them and their responses come only to you. You have no control over another persons settings. So depending on which of the two setups I just described they are using will determine how you receive their messages.

As for using the Stock app, it really doesn't give you a lot of flexibility and most Android users go to third party apps for more and often better options. Go SMS, Handcent, and Chomp are some of the more popular apps right now for SMS. Handcent has an option for automatically downloading MMS messages, however I believe that is only in effect if you have your Sync settings enabled, otherwise you are given the option to download pics and links that come through as MMS when it is convenient for you. I'm not sure about AT&T but with Verizon I know you cannot send or receive MMS over WiFi, they require a data connection. That being said most MMS messages use very little data and often that is included in your Messaging plan and doesn't affect your data plan. I would check your plan to be sure, and then enable automatic syncing of your messaging app to eliminate the hassles you are describing even if you wanted to keep other data syncing suppressed.

How do I enable my messaging app to automatically sync while still restrictions other data?

 

[VidJunky]

I thought it would be but I looked and it doesn't appear in the list of sync'd items, so I'm not 100% sure. That leads me to wonder how you are stopping it from syncing? Or if you even are? When I get the download box in messages it's because I disable data while at work or my battery won't last the day moving in and out of signal. Looking through the list of things in my Accounts & Sync items I don't even see anything that should affect messaging. With that being said, I'd say just go 3rd party app and keep your sync settings the way they are and see if just having a better app doesn't solve that issue.

 

[amyyydee]

I thought it would be but I looked and it doesn't appear in the list of sync'd items, so I'm not 100% sure. That leads me to wonder how you are stopping it from syncing? Or if you even are? When I get the download box in messages it's because I disable data while at work or my battery won't last the day moving in and out of signal. Looking through the list of things in my Accounts & Sync items I don't even see anything that should affect messaging. With that being said, I'd say just go 3rd party app and keep your sync settings the way they are and see if just having a better app doesn't solve that issue.

Ok thanks! Do 3rd party messaging apps use my phone number and allow me to text anyone, regardless if they are using that app? Or are they like Kik where I can only message other Kik users?

 

[VidJunky]

No kik, Tango, and a handful of other apps are unique in only allowing users to communicate with other users. Most of the apps, like the ones I've mentioned, just straight replace the messaging app and work to text anyone regardless of what they are using.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[amyyydee]

No kik, Tango, and a handful of other apps are unique in only allowing users to communicate with other users. Most of the apps, like the ones I've mentioned, just straight replace the messaging app and work to text anyone regardless of what they are using.

Posted via Android Central App

Thank you so so so much for all of your help!!!

 

[VidJunky]

You're more than welcome. All I ask is that you post back the results and the app. That helps everyone who comes behind you and lets me know that your issue is resolved.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[sassytaz]

I have a T-Mobile Samsung S5. After the recent lollipop update, the option for group messages changed. I want to send 10 a message but individually so they do not see each other phone numbers and I receive individual messages. Can you help?

 

[VidJunky]

Ok, the app is not letting post the screenshot...? Anyway, I don't know why lollipop would have affected this option for you unless you're using one of the stock apps maybe? Look at any of the apps mentioned earlier in this thread, I'm pretty sure most if not all still have the option to send split threads or single thread. My failed screenshot was of this option on my lollipop HTC M9 running Handcent SMS. The only other thing I could think would be that it was moved, like from send options to security, just as an example, or they changed the wording, like from thread to conversation. It may still be there just with different wording so you might have to look around a bit if you're really in love with a stock app.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Lkh1990]

I just got the s7 edge and my group messages were coming in individually. I fixed this problem by:
1. Opening messages
2. Click "settings"
3. Click "more settings"
4. Click "text messages "
5. Here, my "autocombination" (which is a misleading name bc it apparently makes your messages come in individually instead of combined) was turned on. I turned it off and this solved my problem!

Hope this helps

 

[SnowyRa1n]

I have a T-Mobile Samsung S5. After the recent lollipop update, the option for group messages changed. I want to send 10 a message but individually so they do not see each other phone numbers and I receive individual messages. Can you help?

Textra allows you to do this. From my experience, the most user-friendly, customizable, and aesthetically pleasing Message app I've found (I've tried GoSMS and Google Messages as well).

 

[trentong10]

I just got the s7 edge and my group messages were coming in individually. I fixed this problem by:
1. Opening messages
2. Click "settings"
3. Click "more settings"
4. Click "text messages "
5. Here, my "autocombination" (which is a misleading name bc it apparently makes your messages come in individually instead of combined) was turned on. I turned it off and this solved my problem!

Hope this helps

Hey there. Brand new to android after making the switch from apple 4 days ago. group messages go out, but the responses come back individually from each person. What is the autocombination you are referring to?

 

[VidJunky]

What app are you using for SMS? I've never seen it called auto combination but each app could have a different name for the same thing. In the apps I've used is usually referred to as split threads or combined threads. Anyway they all do the same thing. If you send it out as split threads then replies only come back to you. If you send out as a combined thread every response goes to everyone in the thread. Depending on the app it might be located in a different area but typically you'll find these options in the "sent messages" settings of whatever app you're using. If you want specifics to your questions I recommend always mentioning the app you're using, the device, and Android version regardless of the question. It helps us narrow down the answer, gets you help a little faster, and takes some of the guess work out. Also for future questions if you've tried something mention that in your post as well so you're not give solutions you may have already tried. Welcome to Android I think you'll like it here.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[cyberdman]

5. Here, my "autocombination" (which is a misleading name bc it apparently makes your messages come in individually instead of combined) was turned on. I turned it off and this solved my problem!

That must be coincidence because auto combination does not have anything to do with that or anything to do specifically with group messages. What that does is if someone sends you one really long message, it gets automatically broken up into several 160 character messages when it gets sent. Auto combination takes those messages and automatically recombines them into 1 single message when you receive it (when it works right).

 

[bgolly]

I have a galaxy s5 android version 6.0.1 using the default messaging app.

All my group messages are showing up in individual threads. Have gone into message settings and there's no group message options under text messages or multimedia messages. I've Read so many forums but no one seems to have an answer that works or applies to me. Please help

 

[frankyrizzo]

we really need a fix for this. this issue happened on my s5 and now happens almost every other day on my s7. i reboot phone, and nothing. i switch to message+ app and nothing. switch back to message app and nothing. then an hour or two later it will randomly combine back into a group message.

 

[John Mayer1]

Many thanks. this fixed my problem on S8 . Thank you

Lkh1990...Thank you

 

[Seanhb]

Autocombination option not available on my s7 edge v7os 2017. Default sys messge app.
1. messages
2. Click "settings"
3. Click "more settings"
4. Click "text messages "
5. No "autocombination" option???
Has the option changed since last post?