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Samsung Galaxy S4 mini converting SMS text messages to MMS after 160 characters

Anonymous
Not applicable

 

I just got a new Samsung Galaxy S4 mini. I have had the S2 for years and so know the product line well. I was getting really frustrated as the phone kept turning SMS text messages to MMS after 160 characters.

 

I don't know if I changed something in the settings at the start, maybe because I don't like the qwerty keyboard when in portrait mode, but the solution to over ride the 160 character limit (and I took from dannylau via Virgin Media forum) worked instantly:

 

On your home screen, tap "Messaging".

♦ Open SMS, tap "Menu button"

♦ Tap "Settings"

♦ Scroll down and select  Select "Input Mode"

♦ Make sure it's set to "GSM alphabet" 

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perksie
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This might help to give you an idea of what's happening:

 

http://service.o2.co.uk/IQ/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=498,E=0000000008497177947,K=7865,Sxi=8,T=gu...

To support Disasters Emergency Committee: http://www.dec.org.uk/appeals text Nepal to 70000 to send £5

Sky Unlimited Broadband - Windows 10 - Nexus 4 Android 5.1.1

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perksie
Level 69: Guiding Light
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This might help to give you an idea of what's happening:

 

http://service.o2.co.uk/IQ/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=498,E=0000000008497177947,K=7865,Sxi=8,T=gu...

To support Disasters Emergency Committee: http://www.dec.org.uk/appeals text Nepal to 70000 to send £5

Sky Unlimited Broadband - Windows 10 - Nexus 4 Android 5.1.1
Message 2 of 14
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Anonymous
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I to have this issue. I have not had the phone for long and do not know its settings well.  But i just queried my bills as although i am on unlimited text messaging (which i believed i had been sending all text no pictures) i have been charged to mms and couldn't understand why. However i have gone thought the suggestion below and i was already set to "gms alphabet" so why would it be happening, and how can i stop my phone from doing it?

i have looked on the internet for other suggestions but nothing seems to be working 😞

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jonsie
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In message settings, scroll down to MMS Alert and tick the box so that the phone alerts you when the sms changes mode to mms.

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Anonymous
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The answer is most likely in your contact list. If you have have linked contacts and they don't all have a mobile number but do have an email address the phone may well send an MMS there instead. Normally you get a choice of SMS to a mobile number or email when things work properly.
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Anonymous
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I would venture to suggest the issue lies in the little yellow emoticons similar to that you used in this thread @Smeek.

On the S3 and S4 (but interestingly no longer on the Note 3 since a recent update" when adding these little yellow emoticons to your text messages they convert to mms and thus you are charged.
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MI5
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There is a little guide here I wrote recently that may help explain a few things http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Other-Products-Services/Accidental-MMS-Sending-and-How-to-Avoid-it/td-p...
I have no affiliation whatsoever with O2 or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. This is not Customer Service so we are unable to help with account specific issues.

Currently using:
Pixel 7a (O2 & Lyca), One Plus 6 (Sfr), iPhone 12 Pro Max (Vodafone)
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Anonymous
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When you add a new contact with a number and email address the first time you send a message to it with the standard app a box will ask number or email. There is also a set as default box and if you tick it your choice seems set for ever more. I can find no way to change it. So if you picked email all your messages will be converted and sent there. Even "R U Awake ?".
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Anonymous
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Get this on my s5mini as well and online help was useless. They said go to an O2 shop. 

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jonsie
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@Anonymous wrote:

Get this on my s5mini as well and online help was useless. They said go to an O2 shop. 


see your other thread....

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