What is MMS messaging? SMS vs MMS and what it costs

Key takeaways

• MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) is a text message that can carry photos, videos, audio and longer messages. SMS (Short Message Service) is the standard text message made up of plain text, up to 160 characters.
• SMS works with just a mobile signal. MMS messages usually need mobile data switched on as well.
• Whether MMS messages cost anything depends on the network and plan. On SMARTY, MMS messages are free on all voice plans.

 

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You send a photo to a friend and it just sits there, refusing to go. Or you spot "MMS Messaging" in your phone settings and wonder whether switching it off will save you money or break something.

Fair questions. SMS and MMS messaging both get called "texting", which is where the confusion starts. Here's what each one is, how they differ, and what MMS might cost you.

What is MMS messaging?

MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. An MMS is text with a photo or video attached. Some people call it a picture message, which is its most common use.

An MMS message can include:

• Photos
• Short videos
• Audio clips
• Contact cards
• Longer text than a standard text allows

Your phone usually decides for you. Type a message and it sends an SMS. Attach a photo or video and it sends an MMS, with no extra steps.

What is SMS?

SMS stands for Short Message Service. It's the standard text message: plain text, up to 160 characters per message. Longer texts are split into parts and put back together when they arrive, so most people never notice.

SMS needs only a mobile signal, so it works even when mobile data is switched off. Emojis and links work in standard text too, though emojis can take up more of the character limit.

SMS vs MMS: the differences

Here's the short version. SMS is plain text. MMS is text that includes a photo.

	SMS	MMS
What can it carry?	Plain text, including emojis and links	Photos, videos, audio, contact cards and longer text
How long can it be?	Up to 160 characters per message	Longer text is possible, and media has a small file size limit that varies by network and phone
Does it need mobile data?	No, a mobile signal is enough	Usually yes, mobile data needs to be switched on
What is it best for?	Quick updates, reminders and codes	Photos, short videos and group chats with pictures

What MMS messages can cost

It depends on your network and your plan. Some plans include MMS messages, some charge for each one, and some deduct them from an allowance. The small print is where this tends to hide, so it's worth a look before you send a holiday video to the whole group chat. Charges are also more likely when you're using your phone abroad.

MMS and mobile data

MMS messages are usually sent over a mobile data connection. That's why a photo can fail to send when mobile data is off, even with full signal bars. SMS doesn't have this problem.

How a network counts MMS messages against a data allowance varies, so check your plan if you're watching your data.

How to avoid MMS charges

If your plan doesn't include MMS messages, a few habits help:

1. Check what your plan covers. Find out whether MMS messages are included, charged per message, or counted against an allowance.
2. Send photos via a messaging app such as WhatsApp or iMessage. These apps use WiFi or mobile data rather than MMS, so no MMS charge applies.
3. Keep texts short on phones that switch long messages to MMS. Plain text under 160 characters usually stays as SMS, though this varies by phone and network.

MMS vs iMessage and WhatsApp

iMessage and WhatsApp aren't SMS or MMS. They send messages over the internet via WiFi or mobile data, and both people need the same app. Photos sent this way don't count as MMS.

When an iPhone texts someone who isn't using iMessage, the message is sent as SMS or MMS instead, and the bubble turns green.

MMS on SMARTY

Doing sums before you send a photo is nobody's idea of a good time. On SMARTY, MMS messages are free on all our voice plans, so photos, videos and picture-filled group chats can go through with nothing extra to pay.

Curious what else each plan includes? Our plans page sets it out. Otherwise, carry on sending.

FAQs

Are MMS messages free?

It depends on the network and the plan. Some plans include MMS messages, while others charge per message or deduct them from an allowance. On SMARTY, MMS messages are free on all voice plans.

Does MMS use mobile data?

MMS messages are usually sent over a mobile data connection, so mobile data normally needs to be switched on to send or receive them.

Should MMS messaging be on or off on my iPhone?

Where the MMS Messaging option appears in iPhone settings, leaving MMS Messaging on lets photos and videos be sent and received by text when the other person isn't using iMessage. Turning MMS Messaging off means those messages may fail to send or arrive.