PAYG text messages cost tons every time - why?

[CC81]

Hello, I hope someone can help!

I have an O2 SIM that I mostly use for incoming calls.

Occasionally (maybe 1-2 times a week) I send a text message.

Each time (for one message), I get about 5 notifications about deductions from my allowance - often up to a total of £1.

According to my standard charges, each text message sent should only cost 15p.

Why is it costing so much more each time? They're not iMessages or picture messages.  I don't use any other apps; and WiFi, Bluetooth and Mobile Data are all turned off.

Is there any way I can find out what charges are being applied to my phone; and why?

[MI5]

@CC81 

Your phone must be sending the message 5 times or to 5 different people?

If you're only intending to send one message to one person, try turning off and removing your sim.

Give it a wipe with a dry cloth and clean the contacts with a pencil eraser, then refit sim and try again.

[jonsie · Accepted solution]

This happens when messaes are particularly long or include  multiple emojis

Guide: Accidental MMS Sending and How to Avoid it 

[CC81]

Nope - just one message and one number each time. It's weird!

[CC81]

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@jonsie wrote:

This happens when messaes are particularly long or include  multiple emojis

Guide: Accidental MMS Sending and How to Avoid it 

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This might be it! Thank you. No emojis, but the messages are probably longer than standard.

Does anyone know how to turn off MMS on an iPhone?

I've found the APN settings, but no option to edit them...

[MI5]

There is a settings in the messages section to turn off mms but also try cleaning the sim @CC81 and if that doesn't help, ask O2 on 4445 to check if you're setup OK.

The messages would have to be very long to convert into mms.

[CC81]

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@MI5 wrote:

There is a settings in the messages section to turn off mms but also try cleaning the sim @CC81 and if that doesn't help, ask O2 on 4445 to check if you're setup OK.

The messages would have to be very long to convert into mms.

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Thanks - I'm going to try to resolve the 'accidental MMS' thing first, plus SIM cleaning... then if no luck, will ask O2 what's going on.

Just need to figure out how to change the MMS settings on an iPhone, as I've said above.

[jonsie]

1. Tap Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap Advanced.
3. Switch Auto-download MMS to Off.

[MI5]

@CC81 

Settings >Messages >MMS Messaging - Turn slider off

[CC81]

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@MI5 wrote:

@CC81 

Settings >Messages >MMS Messaging - Turn slider off

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The slider is already off, within the Messages settings, so that can't be it.

But the other poster has mentioned changing the APN settings - is this different? There's no option to edit.