How to avoid MMS charges

Recently sent an MMS (multimedia message) and seen an unexpected charge on your bill? Or didn’t mean to send one and found an even more unexpected charge on your bill? Sometimes when you think you’re sending an SMS (text message), it converts into an MMS. This video will help explain a few reasons as to why you were charged and how to avoid it in the future.

Tips for avoiding MMS charges in the future

  • If you’re trying to send pictures, files or sound clips, use a service that sends messages over 4G or wifi.
  • Check your device settings as some older phones might convert an SMS into an MMS if you use emojis, for example.
  • Make sure you’re sending to another mobile number rather than an email address.
  • Check the number of recipients and try sending individually or to smaller groups.
  • Keep your message within your character limit, or it might convert to an MMS.

For more information, visit our help article on other numbers and charges, then go to ‘Other non-standard charges’.

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