MMS Timeout (15 minutes)

[everclear0411]

This has been happening for at least 2 to 3 years and it is only getting worse. If I send/receive too many MMS texts within a short period of time all future MMS messages Phil, both send and receive for around 10 to 15 minutes (in rare occasions for a few hours).  

Details:

It has been happening for 2 to 4 years

It happens on all texting apps including the stock app, Google messages, messages plus etc using the VZW network. All messaging services that use data work fine.

It has been happening on multiple devices and multiple software updates. It is happened on three different Pixel 3, a pixel 7 pro and the Galaxy s21

It can happen in any group of users. No specific user seems to cause it.

Never occurs with iPhones in the same house or neighborhood. Whether they are on iMessage or the Verizon network for MMS.

A couple years ago it was only happening on the network, but now it even happens when I am on Wi-Fi.

I have reset network settings three times, restored phones, and done every basic troubleshooting step both with and without a Verizon tech on the phone or in chat.

Nothing fixes it except waiting 15 minutes.

Current phone: Pixel 7 pro

Current app: Google messages

Please dear God somebody actually escalate this to someone who can solve the problem or I'm going to have to leave Verizon and I Do. Not. Want. To.

[vzw_customer_support]

We're sorry to hear about this ongoing issue with your text messages. We want to make sure you're able to use your phone without any issues and we'd be happy to take a look at solutions with you. We'll send you a Private Note shortly.

~Jesse

[Ptbass9]

Has this been fixed? I have had the same issue for YEARS and it is getting WORSE.

WHAT DO I PAY YOU FOR? WHEN YOU CANNOT SEND AN MMS? IS THIS THE YEAR 2006?

[vzw_customer_support]

Ptbass9, we'd be happy to help you get this issue under control. Please be on the lookout for a Private Message so we can assist.

~Jesse

[lazyhour]

I was able to find a forum that had a solution that has worked for me anytime this happens. It's definitely not a FIX which Verizon needs to solve, but it's worth a shot to get your phone to send/receive mms texts.

1. Open the Verizon app on your phone

2. Click the account button (samsung phone it's a icon the bottom of the phone screen) and login

3. Click manage all devices and choose your phone

4. Scroll down to Settings and Preferences and chose block specific services

5. Active the option to block picture and video messaging

Wait 10 minutes and then do the same steps with the last one disabling block picture and video messaging. After another 10 minutes (guessing that is how long it takes their system to actually make the update) hopefully you can now send and receive mms. I've had to do it a few times and it's worked each time

[everclear0411]

So does it solve the ongoing problem? Or does it just get your phone back to being able to send MMS messages quicker?

• My start working again after 15 minutes nearly every time.

[SynthpopAddict]

Speculation, but if your phone is snailing along and getting worse all the time with running slower and slower, it may be out of memory where all the available RAM is constantly in use.  If your phone is old, time to upgrade to a new one.  Otherwise, uninstall apps you don't use regularly, clear your cache, permanently delete whatever's in the Trash folder, move some photos, texts, etc. to cloud storage or other data storage (external hard drive, PC, etc.) and check that the Verizon App Manager isn't installing a bunch of unwanted apps every time you get a software update (disable the Verizon App Manager; sadly you have to do this every time a new software update comes out since you can't uninstall the App Manager itself).

[Scott5337]

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@SynthpopAddict wrote:

Speculation, but if your phone is snailing along and getting worse all the time with running slower and slower, it may be out of memory where all the available RAM is constantly in use.  If your phone is old, time to upgrade to a new one.  Otherwise, uninstall apps you don't use regularly, clear your cache, permanently delete whatever's in the Trash folder, move some photos, texts, etc. to cloud storage or other data storage (external hard drive, PC, etc.) and check that the Verizon App Manager isn't installing a bunch of unwanted apps every time you get a software update (disable the Verizon App Manager; sadly you have to do this every time a new software update comes out since you can't uninstall the App Manager itself).

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Just a FYI: Pixel phones don't have the Verizon App Manager.

And Pixel phones don't have a clear cache option anymore, that is all handled by the OS. You can use the Files app to free up temp files and other unneeded files.

But ultimately this is not an issue with any specific phone, or phone Settings or storage space filling up. This is something within the Verizon network that prevents too many MMS text messages within a certain timeframe.

[SynthpopAddict]

Thanks for the insight @Scott5337 , always appreciate hearing from others regarding specifics. 🙂

Is it only the Verizon variant of Pixel phones which do not have Verizon App Manager installed on them, or has Verizon removed this app from their carrier software altogether?  My Samsung is carrier unlocked from elsewhere so I don't know, but from other threads regarding unwanted app downloads coming from Verizon App Manager, would sure be nice if this has been taken out.  This is the one thing which has made me leery of buying a Verizon version phone.

[Scott5337]

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@SynthpopAddict wrote:

Is it only the Verizon variant of Pixel phones which do not have Verizon App Manager installed on them, or has Verizon removed this app from their carrier software altogether? 

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I'm not sure. I have actually never heard of that app. I had Motorola smartphones for 10+ years on Verizon and 3 different Pixels the past 5 years and have never had that app on any phone. Maybe that is a Samsung thing?

I had a Verizon model Pixel 4XL and it had 3 Verizon apps; Messages, Cloud and something else I can't remember. All were able to be disabled or uninstalled.