How to get multimedia messages?

Picture messages take longer to transmit than plain text messages.

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Most iPhone models are designed to send and receive text messages with multimedia, including picture messages. The iPhone can receive picture messages from any type of phone, including Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone. Before trying to send or receive picture messages, ensure your iPhone is connected to either a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. If it is connected and the phone still isn't receiving picture messages, this could indicate network or hardware problems.

Look at the model number on the back of your iPhone. If the model number is A1203, you won't be able to receive picture messages. The original iPhone doesn't support Multimedia Messaging Service, or MMS. Any other model should be able to receive picture messages.

Attempt to make a call, especially if you haven't received a picture message you're expecting. If the call doesn't go through, you either don't have service enabled on the iPhone or the network is down. In either case, you can contact your wireless plan provider for more details.

Check the icons on the iPhone screen to ensure you're connected to a network. If you have no bars and aren't connected to a wireless network, there's no way for a message to reach you.

Open "Settings." Choose "General" and select "Software Update." Having an outdated version of iOS may slow the speed with which you receive messages.

Ask a friend to send you a picture message. It may not come through right away. If you don't see it in 12 hours, ask another friend to send one. If that one doesn't come through in 12 hours, contact your service provider and ask why your iPhone isn't receiving picture messages.