can't receive MMS abroad...(phone tries to download but fails eventually)

[tranejoan]

Hi,

  This is a little convoluted but here goes: I have a phone which I bought in the US unlocked (LG Nexus 5x), been using an O2 PAYG SIM with bundle (and additional £10 credit on top of that) the last few days in the UK, but now I'm in Hong Kong with the same UK O2 PAYG SIM. 

  I could send and receive SMS from US numbers alright, but couldn't seem to download the MMS I recevied from US numbers. My phone will give me the option of downloading the messages, and it will say "downloading" but ultimately fails. I also don't have the option of having a code which allows me to go online and view the MMS, which I think may be due to the fact that I'm on PAYG and not contract? Anyway, is there a way I can get around this? I really would like to receive those messages...never had any issues with it previously when I was using my phone for US to US SMS/MMS/calls. 

Thanks in advance! 

[Cleoriff · Accepted solution]

Hi @tranejoan You will need mobile data turned on to receive and send MMS. An expensive way of doing things actually. You could use other apps over WiFi to send pictures. I personally use messenger or whatsapp

[tranejoan]

Hi Cleorift, I actually have both my mobile data and WiFi turned on when attempting to download the messages - does that mean I should turn off my WiFi connection?

Thanks!

[adamtemp64]

As mms only comes over the cell data it should not m,atter if you have wifi on but you could try turning wifi off .

also check your apn settings against the list here http://www.geeksquad.co.uk/articles/o2-apn-settings

[Cleoriff]

Is your phone working ok for everything else? I never had a problem when I was on O2 PAYG and abroad. As long as I turned mobile data on I could download pictures.

I have a feeling it may be due to it being a US phone which you are now attempting to use in Hong Kong with a UK sim. The only thing I could suggest you try is putting a local sim in the phone and seeing if you can get MMS that way? My technical abilities are limited after that I'm afraid...:smileywink:

[jonsie]

I think it will be a problem with the settings and possibly the HK network. Try the APN settings first and then you maybe need to select another network manually. 

[MI5]

Post your mms APN on here for us to take a look at.

[Martin-O2]

Hi @tranejoan did you have any luck retrieving your MMS messages? 

[tranejoan]

Thanks guys! Eventually just had to switch on mobile data and the WiFi off - turned out not to be that expensive so I'm glad I did it!

I did have a lot of issues with my US sim in Hong Kong though (had to manually try different mobile services but still couldn't receive any text messages - that feature is definitely part of my package so I was not happy...) so perhaps it's just the local mobile services that's not compatible with my phone...

[Martin-O2]

@tranejoan great stuff glad to hear you got the problem sorted in the end