Sending photos via text messages or iMessage is one of the most common actions for iPhone users in daily use. However, many users suddenly encounter the issue of their iPhone won't send pictures, such as photos constantly showing as failed to send, getting stuck on sending, or the recipient never receiving the image.
Why is my iPhone suddenly not sending pictures? This article will explore common causes and provide several verified solutions to help you troubleshoot and restore the iPhone's photo sending functionality step by step.
Why isn't my iPhone letting me send pictures? Before starting the fix, understanding the cause of the problem helps to quickly identify the issue. Generally, common reasons for the iPhone not sending pictures include:
If your iPhone is not sending pictures through text, you can try the following 4 ways to fix it.
Picture messages sent through SMS rely entirely on MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service). If MMS is disabled, your iPhone can still send text-only messages but will fail when sending images.
Here are the steps:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Messages".
Step 2. Find and enable "MMS Messaging".
Step 3. Also, make sure "Send as SMS" is turned on.
Step 4. Then, return to the Messages app and try sending the picture again.
Sending pictures requires a stable network, and an unstable connection often leads to sending failures. Therefore, checking the network is the most basic and important step.
Steps to follow:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Wi-Fi" and ensure you are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
Step 2. If you're using cellular data, go to "Settings" > "Cellular", and make sure cellular data is enabled.
Step 3. Try turning off Wi-Fi and sending the picture using only cellular data.
Step 4. Open a browser to test if web pages are loading properly.
If your network appears normal but your iPhone still won't send pictures, the issue may be caused by corrupted network configurations such as APN, DNS, or proxy settings. Resetting network settings restores all network-related options to default without deleting personal data.
Steps to reset network settings:
Step 1. Open "Settings" > "General".
Step 2. Tap "Transfer or Reset iPhone" and select "Reset".
Step 3. Tap "Reset Network Settings" and enter your passcode to confirm.
If you've tried all the above methods and your iPhone still won't send pictures in text messages, it's time to contact your carrier to check if MMS messaging is supported.
If your iPhone is not sending pictures in iMessage, you can also try the following 4 ways to fix it.
Similar to MMS Messaging, you need to have the iMessage service enabled to send pictures via iMessage. To check if it's activated:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Messages".
Step 2. Ensure "iMessage" is turned on.
Step 3. Tap "Send & Receive".
Step 4. Confirm your phone number or Apple ID is selected.
Step 5. If needed, toggle iMessage off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
A weak Wi-Fi or cellular connection can also impact sending images via iMessage. To troubleshoot, open the "Settings" app and check if "Wi-Fi" or "Cellular Data" is enabled. If the network connection is fine but you're still facing issues, try resetting your network settings: go to "Settings" > "General" > "Reset" > "Reset Network Settings".
It's possible that the iMessage server is down, and the issue isn't on your end. To check, visit the official system status page for iMessage. If the server is up and running, it will show a green dot.
System cache or temporary errors can also prevent pictures from sending. Restarting your device can quickly clear these issues.
For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or newer models:
For iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd/3rd generation):
For iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 5, or earlier models:
If none of the above manual troubleshooting methods work, the issue is likely related to the iOS system itself, such as system file corruption, messaging service errors, or upgrade-related bugs. In such cases, using a professional system repair tool is often more efficient than repeatedly adjusting settings. iOS System Recovery is specifically designed for these types of problems. With this powerful tool, you can fix almost all iOS system issues on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch without losing any data.
Key features of iOS System Recovery:
How do I fix the iPhone won't send pictures using iOS System Recovery? Follow the steps below:
01Launch the program on your computer and connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. Thus, the program will automatically detect your device and show the interface as below, simply click "More Tool" > "iOS System Recovery".
02Then the program will automatically detect the problems that your device might have and show them, such as being stuck at the Apple logo, Recovery mode, iTunes Error, screenshot not working, etc. Just click "Start" to go on.
03Now, please confirm your iPhone information. If it is right, please click the "Repair" button to start fixing your iPhone issue; if it is not right, please choose the right one and then click the "Repair" button to start the process.
To fix your iPhone issue, the program will detect your current iOS version and download the latest firmware version on your device. Soon, your iPhone not sending pictures will be fixed.
When you encounter the issue of your iPhone not sending pictures, there's no need to worry too much. In most cases, the methods mentioned above can solve the problem. If the issue originates from the system level, using a professional tool like iOS System Recovery can often quickly fix the problem without losing any data.
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