Google Fi + iPhone = no MMS

Trying to get some iPhones set up on my mom’s and my phone on my Google Fi account. One is an iPhone 7, the other an XS. Popped the SIM cards in and logged into iCloud and everything works fine except mms. iMessage obviously works fine. SMS seems to work, though it is hard to confirm as most people I’ve texted in the last decades are now MMS threads but I did get a few political solicitation texts last night so I’m assuming that is working fine.

I have followed Google’s official instructions (https://support.google.com/fi/answer/9293147?p=sms_send&visit_id=637400121939650345-2118764725&ios=1&rd=1). I contacted support and after an hour of them trying things they eventually “escalated” it and now I’m waiting to hear back.

Anyone dealt with this? Suggestions? Halp…

PS: Hey everyone!

Conversation 14 comments

  • DerOi

    Premium Member
    03 November, 2020 - 3:24 pm

    <p>While not an solution but a work around: I installed google hangounts, using the same account the Google Fi was registered to. Suddenly all SMS and MMS where visible there. I can send and receive via hangouts without a problem.</p><p>Hope it helps.</p><p>Cheers.</p>

    • Tim Speciale

      Premium Member
      05 November, 2020 - 12:23 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#590568">In reply to DerOi:</a></em></blockquote><p>Good solution actually. Not super keen on it, but I may give it a shot</p>

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    04 November, 2020 - 4:42 am

    <p>Interesting. MMS never really caught on over here. I sent an MMS to see how it worked back in the early noughties and my brother sent me one around 2008. I think those were the only 2 MMS I've ever sent or received. I didn't even realise it was still a thing.</p><p>Now, everybody seem to use Telegram, Signal or WhatsApp.</p>

    • Tim Speciale

      Premium Member
      04 November, 2020 - 10:45 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#590644">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Isn't MMS what is used anytime there is a multi-media or multi-person text?</p>

      • wright_is

        Premium Member
        05 November, 2020 - 2:23 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#590779">In reply to Tim:</a></em></blockquote><p>No idea, everybody I know uses Telegram, Signal or WhatsApp. </p><p>I've had about half a dozen SMS this year, all from 2FA that is too stupid to use a safe method.</p>

        • Paul Thurrott

          Premium Member
          05 November, 2020 - 8:07 am

          “Everybody I know” does not help Tim. He lives in the US where everyone he knows uses text messaging.

          • wright_is

            Premium Member
            06 November, 2020 - 12:58 am

            <blockquote><em><a href="#590929">In reply to paul-thurrott:</a></em></blockquote><p>It was a side discussion. I was just surprised that MMS was still a thing.</p>

            • Chris_Kez

              Premium Member
              06 November, 2020 - 7:43 am

              <blockquote><em><a href="#591123">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>I’m surprised you’re not aware that text messaging is widely used in America. This comes up regularly in discussions about changes to Google’s messaging strategy, and in particular all the stories about the updated Android messenger client and Google’s efforts with RCS— which I’m sure you followed. Honestly I’d be surprised if you didn’t also know <em>why</em> messaging is popular in the US but not the rest of the globe, given your deep history in technology and general awareness of global developments. </p>

              • wright_is

                Premium Member
                07 November, 2020 - 4:48 am

                <blockquote><em><a href="#591148">In reply to Chris_Kez:</a></em></blockquote><p>SMS: yes, I knew SMS was popular. But over here MMS never gained a foothold.</p>

                • Tim Speciale

                  Premium Member
                  09 November, 2020 - 11:47 am

                  <blockquote><em><a href="#591317">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>How come? </p>

                • wright_is

                  Premium Member
                  09 November, 2020 - 12:45 pm

                  <blockquote><em><a href="#591693">In reply to Tim:</a></em></blockquote><p>SMS was cheap or free, MMS cost a lot of money, then, from 2008 on there was some sort of IP based messaging system that did photos and video for free.</p><p>For example, from about 2004 on, I had aSMS flat rate, so I could send as many SMS as I wanted, an MMS, ob the other hand could cost anything up to a dollar each. </p>

                • lvthunder

                  Premium Member
                  09 November, 2020 - 11:58 am

                  <blockquote><em><a href="#591317">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>Most people don't know the difference here in the USA. To them it's just a text message even if it's a picture or a video.</p>

  • echorelay

    Premium Member
    05 November, 2020 - 8:41 am

    <p>I specifically recall a section within APN settings (I used to have Fi on an iPhone) which required adding specific Google Fi MMS configuration settings. I presume the app pointed you in this direction already?</p>

    • Tim Speciale

      Premium Member
      05 November, 2020 - 12:23 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#590940">In reply to echorelay:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yeah, I filled all that out. That's why Fi elevated this support ticket. They don't seem to know what's going on. Nor do I. </p><p><br></p><p>I'm probably going to end up just going to AT&amp;T</p>

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