How to Fix MMS Not Downloading Error

MMS, short for Multimedia Messaging Service, is basically a feature that permits sharing of multimedia files. Also, including photos, videos, and audio over a network. At present, many users have switched to other messaging applications. Such as Telegram, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, etc. However, the fact is that there are still many persons using MMS. Just read this article to know all about How to Fix MMS Not Downloading Error.

According to Android users, the only irritating issue when you use MMS is the download problem. Whenever downloading MMS messages, some errors appear, for instance, “Media file unavailable” as well as “Couldn’t download”.

It may be caused by a slow Internet connection, a setting issue, interfering apps, also corrupt cache, etc. Fortunately, it can be solved easily actually. If you also encounter the issue, then just follow these solutions below to get rid of it.

Contents

1 How to Fix MMS Not Downloading Error

How to Fix MMS Not Downloading Error

Before starting the troubleshooting process in order to download a multimedia message. You have to make sure there is no file size limit enabling in the MMS settings. Also, just check if another SIM is operating fine along with your phone. If so, then the problem is along with the service provider. If it is not working, then the problem is with your phone. Further, make sure there is no network outage in the area as well.

Reboot Your Phone | MMS Not Downloading

Irrespective of the problem, a really simple reboot can always be helpful. This is actually the simplest thing that you can do. It might sound really general and vague but it actually works. Just like most electronic devices, your mobiles too resolve many problems when turned off and on again. Rebooting your phone will permit the Android system to fix any bug that might be responsible for the problem. Just simply hold down your power button until the power menu comes up and tap on the Restart/Reboot option. When the phone restarts, then check if the problem still persists.

Changing the Network / Network Mode

You will not be able to download the MMS message if you guys are trying to download the MMS attachment via Wi-Fi unless the Wi-Fi calling option is activated. And if the said option is active, even then, you guys may encounter the issue on non-carrier phones. In this case, just switching off Wi-Fi and enabling mobile data may also solve the problem.

Unlock your phone and then slide it down from the top of the screen.
Now tap on Wi-Fi to turn it off.
Then click on Mobile data to enable it
You have to try to download the message to check if it is clear of the error.
If not, then just open the Settings of your phone and tap on More.
Now click on Mobile Network.
Then click on Preferred Network Mode as well.
Now try different network modes such as Automatic or LTE as well. Just check if the MMS issue resolves or not.

Turn on Auto-Download MMS

Another quick fix to this problem is just to turn on auto-download for MMS. The default messaging app on your Android smartphone permits you to send both SMS and multimedia messages. You can also permit this app to automatically download MMS as and when you guys receive it. Just follow the steps given below to learn how:

First, just open the default messaging app on your device.
Then tap on the menu button (three vertical dots) on the top right-hand side of the screen.
Tap on the Settings option.
Now tap on the Advanced option.
Just simply toggle on the switch next to the Auto-download MMS option.

You guys can also enable the option to Auto-download MMS whenever roaming options if you are not in your country.

Delete Old Messages

Many times, new messages won’t get downloaded if there are too many old messages. The default messenger app also has a limit and when that reaches no more messages can download actually. In this situation, you have to delete old messages to free up space. When the old messages are gone, then new messages will automatically get downloaded and hence fix the MMS download problem.

Now, the option to delete messages relies on the device itself. While some devices permit you to delete all messages with just a single click from the Settings others don’t. It is also possible that you might have to choose every message individually and then delete them. This might seem a time-consuming process but trust me, it actually works.

Clear Cache and Data for MMS Service

MMS service basically uses a cache to perform its operations. You guys may also fail to download the MMS message if the cache/data of the service is corrupt as well. In this context, clearing the cache and data of the service may also solve the problem.

First, open the Settings of your phone and tap on Apps.
Then tap on the More button (near the bottom of the screen) and then tap on Show System.
Now click on MmsService and then on Storage.
Then tap on Clear Cache and Clear Data and also then confirm the dialogue.
Now, just restart your phone.
Upon restart, try to download the message as well as check if the issue has been resolved.

Clear the Cache Partition | MMS Not Downloading

Besides the app cache, Android OS basically uses cache partition for different system operations. You guys may encounter the error under discussion if the said cache partition becomes corrupt. In this context, clearing the cache partition may also solve the problem.

Just clear the cache partition.
Restart your smartphone and then check if your phone is clear of the MMS error.

Eliminate Problem Causing Apps

It is also possible that the error is being caused via a third-party app. Mostly, task-killing apps, cleaner apps, as well as anti-virus apps interfere along with the normal functioning of your device. They might be responsible for preventing the download of MMS. The best thing to do in this situation is just to uninstall these apps if you guys have any. Start with task-killing apps as well. If that solves the problem, and then you guys are really good to go.

Otherwise, just proceed with uninstalling any cleaner app that’s present on your phone. If the problem still persists, then the next in line would be the antivirus software actually. But, it wouldn’t be safe to uninstall an anti-virus completely so what you guys can do is disable it for the time being and then see if it resolves the issue. If none of these methods work, and then the problem might be in some other third-party app that you guys recently downloaded.

The best way in order to make sure of that is to boot your device in safe mode. In Safe mode, all third-party apps are disabled, which leaves you with only the pre-installed system apps. If you guys are able to download MMS successfully in Safe mode, then it is confirmed that the culprit is actually a third-party app. Hence, Safe mode is an effective way to diagnose what is causing the problem in your device. The general steps in order to reboot into Safe mode are as follows:

Steps

First of all, tap and hold the Power button until the Power menu pops up on the screen.
Now, click and hold the Power off option until the Reboot to safe mode options just pops up on the screen.
After that, simply tap on the Ok button, and then your device will start rebooting.
Whenever the device starts, it will be running in Safe mode, i.e. all third-party apps will then be disabled. You guys can also see the words Safe mode written in the corner in order to indicate that the device is running in Safe mode.

Change Messaging Application | MMS Not Downloading

The MMS issue that you are encountering could be caused via the messaging app that you are using. In many cases, the problem we generate through the stock messaging app. Whereas in other cases, the issue is resolved via the use of the stock messaging app. There are also mix views from the smartphone community. If you guys are using T-Mobile, then just try to use T-Mobile Digits.

If using the stock messaging app, then install another messaging app such as Messages (Google), Hangouts, Textra. Then just switch the default messaging app to the newly installed application.

If you are using any 3^rd party messaging app, then switch the default messaging app to the stock messaging app.

To set the default Messaging app, you have to open the Settings of your phone and tap on Application Manager.
Then tap on the More button and then click on Configure Apps
Now click on the SMS App.
Then in the list of apps, choose the app that you want to use as the default app for messages.
After changing the default SMS app, you need to check if the MMS message error solves or not.

Reinstall / Reset the Carrier or APN Settings

Your phone basically uses APN (Access Point Name) to connect to a wireless service. You guys will not be able to download the MMS messages if the APN settings of your phone are not valid as well. In this case, reinstalling or resetting the carrier settings may actually solve the problem.

You have to open Settings of your phone and click on More
Then just click on Mobile Network and then Access Point Names.
Click on Menu and then tap on Reset to Default.
Now, check if the problem solves. If not, then open the Access Points Names settings as we mention above and then delete all the APNs that don’t need.
Then add a new APN (you guys should contact your carrier to get the APN setting). If you guys have the MMS settings messages saved, and then use those messages to add APNs.
After resetting to default, just check if the MMS issue is resolved or not.

Perform a Factory Reset | MMS Not Downloading

If nothing else works and you really want to use your messaging app in order to download MMS. Then the only alternative left is a Factory Reset actually. This would clear all data, apps, and settings from your phone. Your device will then return to the exact same condition it was when you first unboxed it. This means to say, all the problems will automatically solve. Opting for a factory reset would delete all your apps, their data, as well as other data such as photos, videos, and music from your phone. Because of

this reason, it is advisable that you create a backup before going for a factory reset. Most phones prompt you to back up your data whenever you try to factory reset your phone. You guys can also use the in-built tool for backing up or do it manually, the choice is yours.

Head to the Settings of your phone.
Click on the System tab.
Now if you guys haven’t already backed up your data, tap on the Backup your data option in order to save your data on Google Drive.
After that, just tap on the Reset tab.
Now click on the Reset Phone option as well.

Conclusion

Well, That is all from my side. If you want to know more about this “MMS Not Downloading” article or have any queries. Then feel free to ask me anything in the comments section below.

Have a Good Day!

Also See: How to Fix Calls Going Straight to Voicemail

How to Fix MMS Not Downloading Error