Recent Group Text Message Issues

[mjctgee23]

Last week something has changed with the Verizon Messenger+ program on my Samsung S7. If I create a group, and send a group message, the recipients only see phone numbers, not a name, even though they have those same people in their contacts. And there's also an extra phone number that isn't one of the people in the text group. It's like Verizon created the group message using another phone number. Also, starting last weekend, whenever I try to send a text with an image to more than one person, it automatically makes me create a group. I don't want to create a group every time I send messages to multiple people. How can these issues be fixed?

[vzw_customer_support]

I appreciate you bringing this to our attention mjctgee23. There were a few issues when the app was updated and we were aware of them. There have since been a few more updates to the app. Are you on the most recent version?

ErinW_VZW Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[mjctgee23]

I believe so, it's set to 'auto-update.' I'm not sure how to 'update' it

like I can the other apps, it doesn't have an 'update' button.

I just tried sending a message this morning to 3 people, and it made me

create a group. Then, when the people get the message there's a strange

number associated with the message. Not a fan of the create a group thing,

and it's very prominent at the top of the app every time I create a

message.

Also, when I'm creating a message and adding names to the To field, there's

a grey bar that says Recipients reply to> Group MMS Just Me . What's the

difference between Group and MMS?

On Fri, Feb 17, 2017 at 8:30 AM, vzw_customer_support <

[vzw_customer_support]

That is a good question, mjctgee23. The most recent update should just have the option of MMS and Just Me. This allows you to have the response stick in the group message instead of individual response.

DerekR_VZW
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If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[vzw_customer_support]

Thank you for double checking, mjctgee23. The MMS option is actually something that your phone always did but may be new to see. MMS is short for Multimedia Message Service, which is used when sending text with pictures or to groups or even longer messages or special characters. If you pick the “Just Me” option you mentioned, that will allow you to send a mass text to multiple people at once but without those people seeing that you sent it to a larger number of people. When they reply, their reply will only go to you instead of the entire group. So to send the message to multiple people but not in a group setting, select the “Just Me” option.

While you’re in Message+, please go into Menu (three horizontal lines) then About and let me know the version you have. Also while you’re in Menu, please go into Settings and see if Group Conversations is checked to Use MMS to start group conversations. If it is, uncheck it then restart the application and try out a new group message. 

JenniferH_VZW

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If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[KRIKAR3]

But what about the message sending out to the group from an unrecognized number? That happened to me also: I tried to create a group with two co-workers who had my phone number in their contacts. But when they received the message from my new group, it came up like it was coming from a completely different number. I don't want that to happen so I haven't made any more groups. I want the message to still be coming from me!

[vzw_customer_support]

I understand your concern regarding the message sending from an unrecognized number, Krikar3. What version of Message + are you using? Are you using the Samsung S7 as well? When did the unrecognized number issue begin?

TionnaB_VZW

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If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[KRIKAR3]

I have a Galaxy S6 and am using the most recent versions of message+. The unrecognized number began when I got the new update and decided to try creating groups.  The very first group message I sent went out from an unrecognized number.  The recipients both have iPhones and may not be on Verizon so there's no way to make sure everyone is using the same messaging platform.  It makes no sense to me why any messages from me should ever send from another number, no matter what platform everyone is using.

[vzw_customer_support]

We want to clear up this current issue with the most recent Message+ update, KRIKAR3. When using the group messaging feature and sending the message to a non Message+ user, they will notice the number of the actual group chat listed instead of your mobile number.

ChrisM_VZW

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If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[vzw_customer_support]

KRIKAR3, let’s get all of your Verizon Messenger+ concerns addressed. Are all of your group recipients using Verizon Messenger+? If they are, please make sure that they are using the latest version. Do you have more than one device synced to your Verizon Messenger+ account? After everyone is updated, please retest and let us know what happens

JoelR_VZW
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[awerner]

I don't think you are getting your question answered.  What you are seeing is that Verizon had two ways of creating a 'group' chat.  MMS group chat, which is what we normally see and Group Chat which allows you to have additional features BUT the messages appear to be from an unknown number and all responds are sent back and forth from that number.

In my opinion if everyone in your group isn't on Verizon Messages it looks pretty unusual to those not using Messages.  I'm going to be sticking with MMS Groups for now since several of my friends are on iPhones and don't/won't use messages+.

[KRIKAR3]

Thank you, awerner.  I guess that is the case.  Doesn't make any sense to me why a message from me would send from an alternate number, no matter what platform the receivers are using. I won't be using the Message+ group feature, either.

[Derek_Edmonson]

Good afternoon,

I have made the changes that you suggested below to My Verizon Galaxy 10+:

"While you’re in Message+, please go into Menu (three horizontal lines) then About and let me know the version you have. Also while you’re in Menu, please go into Settings and see if Group Conversations is checked to Use MMS to start group conversations. If it is, uncheck it then restart the application and try out a new group message."

However, I continue to have issues with the text messages I send being received as Group Text messages while using the VZW Messanger+ Application. Is there any way that this issue can be resolved?

Thanks and Regards,

[email address removed per the Verizon Terms of Service]

[vzw_customer_support]

It's worrying to see you're experiencing issues with group messages and picture messages being sent to your contacts. At this moment, we would like to ask you to please uninstall the Message+ app completely. After that, please reinstall it and inform us of the outcome. The following link will guide you through the process of uninstalling apps from your device. https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-223027/

GeovannJ_VZW

[clarez45]

That was 2017. Still happening. WHat is the deal?

[vzw_customer_support]

Thanks for getting back to us. Have you checked for updates? Do you have the latest version?

RosanneM_VZW

[Soccer-Mom]

@mjctgee23 - I have read through this post but can't really find an answer to your questions or a resolution. Did you ever figure this out? My messages USED to be from me - I never HAD to create a group for multiple recipients until today. My "group" message is showing up as a message from 588 area code and the recipient is having all numbers show up even if they are in their contacts. I can not send to more than 1 person without creating a group. I am very annoyed! (this whole nougat upgrade is ridiculous - IMO)

[MNGOODGUY1]

[Removed] My friends and I have the same problem...only some of the group get names and others get phone numbers.  Also the mysterious 588.

off topic discussion removed as required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service 

Message edited by Verizon Moderator

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello MNGOODGUY1,

I would be concerned too if this were happening with my messages. What is the make and model of your phone? Are all recipients using Verizon Messages? Are all using Verizon Wireless service?

ChristopherM_VZW

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If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[Solstice_Moon]

Hi All,

This mystery 588 number is happening to me as well when sending out a group text. I have the Galaxy S7 and for me, it as well did not start happening until the update. I was just on the phone with Tech Support, unfortunately, with no resolve. It seems to only happen with new groups vs. established groups. The mystery 588 number is portrayed as the sender of the text.

[Aminus22]

I am having the same issue as Solstice moon. I sent the group text and everyone got a (588) number. We all have Verizon and three of us have Galaxy S, different series.(mines is the GS7, and my message app is updated.)