Disabling MMS on Android?

kissenger · 18 Apr 2016 at 21:27

Recently got into a contract with Vodafone and I just checked my account after the first two weeks and I appear to have racked up a £10 bill despite having unlimited calls/messages/data. Go figure.

I think it's to do with my Messages app sending texts with emoticons as picture messages, thus incurring a 45p charge each time, so is there any way to turn this off? I can't find it in Messages or in Settings. This is for a Samsung Galaxy S7 btw.

Bradmax57 · 18 Apr 2016 at 21:30

Not sure you can as the apn might be for both data and mms, you can always just use WhatsApp or something instead, didn't know Vodafone did an unlimited data tarrif?

kissenger · 18 Apr 2016 at 21:51

Bradmax57 said:
Not sure you can as the apn might be for both data and mms, you can always just use WhatsApp or something instead, didn't know Vodafone did an unlimited data tarrif?

It's the 6GB package, but it's apparently unlimited the first 3 months.

I could try to use a free messaging app but it's when other people send me SMS' that it's a problem.

Bradmax57 · 18 Apr 2016 at 21:59

kissenger said:
It's the 6GB package, but it's apparently unlimited the first 3 months.

I could try to use a free messaging app but it's when other people send me SMS' that it's a problem.

Or reply back without emo's

Orcvader · 18 Apr 2016 at 22:07

Not sure about the stock Samsung SMS app, but EvolveSMS has a few options on greater control over MMS messages (such as not automatically downloading them). Another alternative is to remove the MMS part in your APN.

Nabzlfc · 18 Apr 2016 at 23:29

Try using Google Hangouts to send texts, I'm pretty sue this is what my friend does to recruitment being charged for emoji's when sending from the default SMS app.

kissenger · 19 Apr 2016 at 16:16

Nabzlfc said:
Try using Google Hangouts to send texts, I'm pretty sue this is what my friend does to recruitment being charged for emoji's when sending from the default SMS app.

I installed it but certain people I text don't use it themselves. I wish there was a simple option to disable MMS. 45p a pop can add up quick.

tom_e · 19 Apr 2016 at 16:21

Use a 3rd party SMS app such as Textra. Job done.

Orcvader · 19 Apr 2016 at 17:16

What does the APN settings look like at the moment?

EDIT: If it looks like this: https://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Android/APN-Settings/td-p/1179473

Remove the MMSC, MMS proxy and MMS port fields.

kissenger · 19 Apr 2016 at 19:13

Orcvader said:
What does the APN settings look like at the moment?

EDIT: If it looks like this: https://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Android/APN-Settings/td-p/1179473

Remove the MMSC, MMS proxy and MMS port fields.

I don't seem to have any of those options. The only thing listed under 'Access Point Names' is 'Vodafone Contract Internet/wap.vodafone.co.uk'.

jrodga2k5 · 19 Apr 2016 at 19:22

Samsung's Messaging app did this to me previously, there is now an option on there, can't remember what it is which sends all as SMS.

Anyways, because it's awful I use Hangouts to send SMS...in the options you can make Hangouts available for SMS meaning they send as normal text messages and nobody needs to have the app to receive

Nabzlfc · 19 Apr 2016 at 19:24

kissenger said:
I installed it but certain people I text don't use it themselves. I wish there was a simple option to disable MMS. 45p a pop can add up quick.

Hangouts can be used as normal SMS, doesn't matter what the other person is using

Myshra · 20 Apr 2016 at 09:19

kissenger said:
I don't seem to have any of those options. The only thing listed under 'Access Point Names' is 'Vodafone Contract Internet/wap.vodafone.co.uk'.

You have 2 APNs right? Look through both (click on the text) and find the one with the MMSC set to mms.voda.co.uk/servlets/mms. If it's editable (some phones protect the APNs) then you can edit it as orcvader says and you're done.

Orcvader · 20 Apr 2016 at 12:28

kissenger said:
I don't seem to have any of those options. The only thing listed under 'Access Point Names' is 'Vodafone Contract Internet/wap.vodafone.co.uk'.

Tap on them and it should allow you to edit them.

bledd · 20 Apr 2016 at 12:37

Do you send out group texts?

For some bizarre reason, by default, group texts go out as MMS in Android :/ You can change this.

Bradmax57 · 21 Apr 2016 at 00:37

bledd. said:
Do you send out group texts?

For some bizarre reason, by default, group texts go out as MMS in Android :/ You can change this.

Out of interest how? I generally use WhatsApp now anyway but could be handy to know