If you've ever tried sending or receiving a picture message only to be met with a frustrating little circle spinning endlessly, you're not alone. MMS issues are more common than you'd think, especially on newer Samsung devices like the Galaxy S22, S23, and A52. Whether you're trying to share a photo, a link, or a group text, getting stuck with a network error is a real pain. In this post, we're going to talk about what MMS actually is, why it might not be working for you, and most importantly—how to fix it.

You're not the first to ask, “Why can’t I download MMS?” or “Why does my phone need mobile data for multimedia messages?” You're probably looking for a simple, straightforward solution, not a technical manual. That’s exactly what you’ll get here. We’ll walk through common problems, what causes them, and step-by-step ways to get MMS working again, no matter what device you're using or carrier you're with.

Whether you're on Xfinity Mobile, Verizon, or another provider, the same general rules apply when it comes to MMS. So if you're stuck with that little download icon spinning endlessly, or group messages not coming through, keep reading. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear idea of what’s going wrong and how to fix it.

• T Roy Chicago

Table of Contents

• What Is MMS and Why Does It Matter?
• Common MMS Issues and Why They Happen
• How to Fix MMS Problems on Samsung Phones
• Frequently Asked Questions About MMS

What Is MMS and Why Does It Matter?

MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. Basically, it’s how your phone sends and receives messages with pictures, videos, audio clips, or links. Unlike SMS, which only handles plain text, MMS messages need a little more data to get from one phone to another. So while your regular texts might go through just fine over Wi-Fi or mobile data, MMS messages usually rely on your carrier's network to work properly.

If you're getting network errors when trying to download MMS, there's a good chance something's off in your phone's settings. For many Android users—especially those with Galaxy S22, S23, and A52 models—this has become a pretty common issue since the Android 14 update. So even though your phone connects to Wi-Fi, it might still need mobile data turned on to handle those picture messages. That’s kind of annoying, right?

Still, MMS plays a big role in how we communicate. Whether it’s sending a quick screenshot, a group message with photos, or a link to a friend, being able to share media through text is super handy. When it doesn’t work, it can feel like a big chunk of your phone's usefulness is missing.

• Dominique Geisendorff

Common MMS Issues and Why They Happen

If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why can’t I receive MMS from Verizon users?” or “Why does my S22 need mobile data to send MMS?” you’re not alone. Let’s break down some of the most common problems people face with multimedia messaging and what might be causing them.

1. MMS Won't Download (Network Error)

One of the most common complaints is that MMS messages get stuck on a download icon. You’ll see that little circle spinning, but nothing happens. This usually points to a network issue—either your mobile data is turned off, or your phone’s APN (Access Point Name) settings aren’t set up correctly.

2. MMS Only Works with Mobile Data

Some users report that SMS texts work fine over Wi-Fi, but MMS messages only come through when mobile data is enabled. This is often because the carrier’s MMS settings require a mobile data connection to function. Even if you're connected to Wi-Fi, the phone might not be using it properly for multimedia messages.

3. MMS Stops Working After Android 14 Update

Since the Android 14 update rolled out, many Samsung users—especially those on the Galaxy S22+—have noticed MMS problems. Sometimes, this is due to a setting that changed during the update or a carrier-specific issue that hasn't been patched yet.

4. Can’t Send or Receive Group Messages

Group texts often use MMS, so if you're having trouble with them, it’s likely the same issue affecting your multimedia messages. Restarting the phone or toggling airplane mode on and off might help temporarily, but if the problem persists, there’s something deeper going on.

How to Fix MMS Problems on Samsung Phones

If you're stuck with those little circles spinning forever and can’t get your picture messages to download, here are some things you can try. These steps work for most Samsung devices, including the Galaxy A52, S22, S22+, and S23 models.

1. Toggle Mobile Data On and Off

Since MMS usually relies on mobile data, even if you're on Wi-Fi, try toggling mobile data off and on again. Sometimes that’s all it takes to reset the connection and let your phone start downloading messages again.

2. Check Your APN Settings

APN (Access Point Name) settings tell your phone how to connect to your carrier’s network. If these are off, MMS won’t work. Here’s how to check them:

1. Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Advanced > Access Point Names
2. Make sure the correct APN is selected (usually "mms" or "default")
3. If you're unsure, try switching to the "mms" APN and see if that fixes the issue

3. Restart or Reset Network Settings

It’s a bit of a cliché, but sometimes just restarting your phone can fix a lot of issues. If that doesn’t work, try resetting your network settings:

1. Go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Reset Network Settings
2. Confirm and let your phone restart
3. Try sending or receiving an MMS message again

4. Toggle Airplane Mode

Turning on airplane mode for a few seconds and then turning it off again can reset your phone’s network connection. This might help if your phone is stuck trying to connect to the wrong network or has a temporary glitch.

5. Contact Your Carrier

If none of the above steps work, it might be an issue with your carrier’s network or your specific SIM card. Xfinity Mobile, Verizon, and other providers sometimes have outages or issues that affect MMS. Reach out to their support team and ask if there are any known problems in your area.

6. Use an MMS Fixing App (Advanced)

There are a few third-party apps that help reset your MMS settings automatically. Just be sure to only download apps from trusted sources, and check reviews before installing anything. Learn more about MMS settings here.

7. Switch to RCS Messaging

If your carrier supports it, try switching to RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging instead of traditional MMS. It works more like iMessage and can be more reliable for sending photos, videos, and group messages. You can enable it in your Messaging app settings.

Frequently Asked Questions About MMS

Why can’t I download MMS messages on my Samsung phone?

There are a few reasons this might happen. First, make sure mobile data is turned on. If that’s not the issue, check your APN settings or try restarting your phone. If you're on Wi-Fi, some phones still need mobile data enabled for MMS to work properly.

Why does my S22 need mobile data for MMS?

Unlike regular text messages (SMS), MMS messages require a mobile data connection to send and receive. Even if you're connected to Wi-Fi, your phone might not be using it for multimedia messages. Some carriers don't support MMS over Wi-Fi, so mobile data has to be on for MMS to work.

How do I fix MMS on Android 14?

If you're having trouble after updating to Android 14, try toggling airplane mode, resetting network settings, or switching the APN to "mms." If that doesn’t work, contact your carrier to check for any known issues or software updates that might fix the problem.

Learn more about MMS troubleshooting on our site.