Messages suddenly coming in as 'new messages available for download'?

[Android Central Question]

I have a pixel 2 and have never had a problem. Suddenly today, I have messages coming in 'on existing message threads' from the same people, with the same phones, on the same services they've been on, and they suddenly now say 'new messages available for download' instead of just showing the message as they always have.
Happening with both of my daughters - both most current iphone, and from my brother on an android.
Messages with them last night were just fine... any help would be appreciated.
When I push the 'tap here to download' .... nothing happens.
help!

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! This usually means it's an MMS message (i.e., a picture text or a group text) that is having trouble being received, usually from problems with mobile data reception. Are you sure that your mobile data is on, and the signal is good? (Remember, MMS uses mobile data, not voice signal or wi-fi.)