Picture messages won't send while on wifi

[Android Central Question]

I have ATT and have the Note 9 and now my picture messages won't send while on wifi. I have to take off wifi to send. Is there a fix?

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome to Android Forums

I'd like to recommend creating a account so me or other members can assist you, as guest have limitations in replying here and if we need further Information to communicate with you.

I'll provide a link to register, please come back to your post so we can further assist

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[mustang7757]

Is this the stock message app ?
Usually you need data to send pics message , you can try Google message you can enable RCS and get that on wifi

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! There have been a number of complaints about AT&T wi-fi calling recently, which might also affect MMS messaging. Have you contacted AT&T about this?

 

[anon(10484203)]

When on Wifi calling on my S10, I cannot receive MMS either. ATT as well.

 

[ManiacJoe]

Which SMS/MMS app are you using?
From what little I have seen, MMS over wifi with ATT only works when using the ATT SMS app.

 

[anon(10484203)]

I'm using Google Messages. But I've tried this with Samusng Messages, and Textra all to the same avail.
Spoke directly with ATT today, both at the store and on the phone.
Apparently, this issue is directly related to Samsungs last update. There are many instances trending at the ATT office of no MMS receipt or send when on WIFI calling.

It's not an app issue, its a software issue with Samsung. Please call ATT and submit a claim to them with the problem to help expedite the issue to Samsung.

In the meantime, turnoff your wifi calling is your best bet. And we sit on our hands and wait.

 

[Mooncatt]

Have you verified that your mobile data connection is still active while on Wi-Fi? If your mobile connection turns off while on Wi-Fi, MMS messages won't work.

 

[anon(10484203)]

Mine shows as DEACTIVATED when on Wifi. But will switch on it's own to activated to receive MMS as long as WIFI Calling is off. Turn on WIFI calling, still shows deactivated, but will not activate when receiving a MMS.

 

[Mooncatt]

Mine shows as DEACTIVATED when on Wifi. But will switch on it's own to activated to receive MMS as long as WIFI Calling is off. Turn on WIFI calling, still shows deactivated, but will not activate when receiving a MMS.

Just to clarify (because you've mentioned it both ways now), does this problem happen any time you're on Wi-Fi, or can you be on Wi-Fi but with the Wi-Fi calling function turned off and receive MMS?

One thing you can try is a setting in the developer options. If you haven't enabled developer options, go into the phone's main settings, then to about phone, then software info, then start tapping the build number box repeatedly. After about 7 taps, you'll get a notice about those options being enabled. Back out to the main settings screen again and you'll now see the developers options near the bottom.

Go into those options and scroll down to the networking section. Find the option "cellular data always active" and turn it on. Now when you connect to Wi-Fi, your mobile data should still be available for MMS measures. Don't worry about it using mobile data for your regular internet use. The phone still uses the Wi-Fi connection for that.

 

[anon(10484203)]

It has nothing to do with wifi calling being on or off.
It specifically has to with wifi calling being ACTIVE.

As you are well aware, wifi calling does not work with wifi off.

I can be out in the woods on 4glte, with wifi calling turned on. MMS PERFECT
I can be out in the woods on 4glte, with wifi calling turned off. MMS PERFECT

At home on wifi with wifi calling turned OFF. MMS Perfect (when I have reception at home)
At home on wifi with wifi calling turned ON. MMS FAIL

At work on wifi with wifi calling turned OFF. MMS Perfect (when I have reception at home)
At work on wifi with wifi calling turned ON. MMS FAIL

Essentially, it almost seems as if the wifi calling is BLOCKING the data.
But I'll look at the developer options.

Just for testing again. While lookign at sim card status, and on wifi, the mobile network state is shown as disconnected. Turn off wifi, shows connected. While wifi is ON, and you send a MMS to the phone, still shows as Disconnected. (Keep in mind, my wifi calling is turned off)

 

[anon(10484203)]

Just to clarify (because you've mentioned it both ways now), does this problem happen any time you're on Wi-Fi, or can you be on Wi-Fi but with the Wi-Fi calling function turned off and receive MMS?

One thing you can try is a setting in the developer options. If you haven't enabled developer options, go into the phone's main settings, then to about phone, then software info, then start tapping the build number box repeatedly. After about 7 taps, you'll get a notice about those options being enabled. Back out to the main settings screen again and you'll now see the developers options near the bottom.

Go into those options and scroll down to the networking section. Find the option "cellular data always active" and turn it on. Now when you connect to Wi-Fi, your mobile data should still be available for MMS measures. Don't worry about it using mobile data for your regular internet use. The phone still uses the Wi-Fi connection for that.

Well,
Oddly enough. Turning the Cellular Data Always Active, has worked.

Currently, At work, wifi on, wifi calling active, cellular data always active, MMS PERFECT.
I'll have to test it at home today.

 

[Mooncatt]

Well,
Oddly enough. Turning the Cellular Data Always Active, has worked.

Currently, At work, wifi on, wifi calling active, cellular data always active, MMS PERFECT.
I'll have to test it at home today.

Yay for progress! I don't know if this is the root of your problem, but hopefully this workaround, well... Works. Lol

 

[B. Diddy]

If that ends up being the solution, that would mean that by default, the phone is switching off cellular data completely when on wi-fi and not smart enough to turn it back on for MMS, which would be a significant bug. (Or it's supposed to work over wi-fi through AT&T's implementation, but a bug is preventing it from working.) You should definitely give AT&T (and probably Samsung) feedback about this.

 

[anon(10484203)]

If that ends up being the solution, that would mean that by default, the phone is switching off cellular data completely when on wi-fi and not smart enough to turn it back on for MMS, which would be a significant bug. (Or it's supposed to work over wi-fi through AT&T's implementation, but a bug is preventing it from working.) You should definitely give AT&T (and probably Samsung) feedback about this.

I did call them yesterday. But wasn't given a case number of any sort. I'll try and call them on my way home today to see if I can update them.
So far so good with the cellular data always active turned on.

Also, I found in parts of the shop where I'm on the borderline of wifi coverage using the internet, (I used to switch off my wifi to transfer over to data when using the internet) it stays connected without me having to do anything.