Multimedia Messaging FAQs FAQs

Overview

What is Multimedia Messaging?

Multimedia Messaging allows you to do all of the following:
- Send picture and video messages that include sound.
- Send messages to multiple people at once.
- Attach an address to your message. The address could be your location, or a point of interest, like a store or restaurant.
- Attach a vCard.
Note: Devices that can record and send videos are also picture messaging-capable. Therefore, you can also capture photos and send and receive picture messages. However, not all picture messaging devices have video-capture capabilities.

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How can I get multimedia messaging for taking and sending photos or videos?

To send and receive pictures, you need to have a device capable of taking photos and be provisioned for multimedia messaging service.

To send and receive videos, you need to have a device capable of video messaging and be provisioned for multimedia messaging service. When you are provisioned for multimedia messaging service, you’re able to send and receive multimedia messages.
Note: Devices that can record and send videos are also picture messaging-capable. Therefore, you can also capture photos and send and receive picture messages. However, not all picture messaging devices have video-capture capabilities.

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Will I be able to send and receive photos and videos right away with my new device?

Yes, if your device is capable of multimedia messaging, you can send and receive photos and videos right away.

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What is the maximum picture resolution I can take using the camera on my device?

The maximum picture resolution will vary based on the type of device you have. Please refer to your device's user guide for information on adjusting the resolution.

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Can I send and receive multimedia messages with someone on another domestic mobile network?

Yes, you can send and receive multimedia messages with the following wireless carriers:

Alaska Communications Systems	Chariton Valley	Iowa Wireless	Simmetry PCS (TMP)
Alaska Wireless	Chinook Wireless (MTPCS)	Leaco Rural Telephone Co.	South Central Communications
Alltel	Cincinnati Bell Wireless	Long Lines	Sprint Nextel
All West	Copper Valley Wireless	Metro PCS	SRT Communications
AT&T	Cricket Wireless	MobiPCS	SunCom Wireless
Bluegrass Cellular	Dobson	Mojave Wireless	SureWest Wireless
Boost Mobile	Eagle Telephone / Snake River PCS	NEP Wireless	Syringa Wireless
Cambridge	Edge Wireless	Nex-Tech Wireless	T-Mobile
Carolina West	Epic PCS	nTelos	UBET Communications
CC Communications	Farmer's Mutual Telephone Co.	Nucla / Naturita Telephone Co.	Union Tel
Cell One East Texas	Farmers Wireless	Pace Cellular / Kaplan	US Cellular
Cell One San Luis Obispo	Hargray	Pioneer Wireless	Viaero Wireless
Cellular one of E. Central Illinois	Helio Wireless	Pocket Communications	Virgin Mobile USA
Cellular One of N.E. Arizona	IMMIX Wireless	Rural Cellular	West Central Wireless
Cellular One of N.E. Pennsylvania	Inland Cellular	Silver Star PCS	XIT Communications

Note: With regard to video messages, AT&T will only accept video messages with file sizes of 100 KB or less. If this size is exceeded, AT&T will deliver the message, but not the video attachment. Verizon Wireless devices are capable of recording videos up to 30 seconds in length with a file size of 200 KB. Before sending your video message to an AT&T customer, check the size of the video to make sure it is 100 KB or less. All video messages sent from AT&T customers to Verizon Wireless customers will be delivered.

Can I combine both pictures and videos within a message?

Yes. However the ability to combine both pictures and videos within a message will vary based on the device type.

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What is International Messaging?

With International Multimedia Messaging, you can send and receive picture and video messages with wireless subscribers from any of the carriers listed in our International carrier list.

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Saving Messages

How many pictures and videos can I save on my device?

It depends on how big the pictures and videos are and how much storage space is available on your device. To free up space, it's a good idea to upload your pictures and videos to your online photo album.

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Will multimedia messages in my device's inbox expire?

No, messages you receive on your device remain in your inbox until you delete them.

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Sending and Receiving Messages

Can I send pictures and videos to an e-mail address?

Yes. Simply type the email address into the To field of your device’s messaging application.
Note: Multimedia messages addressed to Vtext.com email addresses (e.g., 5555551234@vtext.com) will display as standard text messages. The 160-character limit will apply, and photos, sounds, other graphics or videos will not display. We don’t recommend sending multimedia messages to Vtext addresses.

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Can I send multimedia messages to my friend's non-Verizon Wireless device?

Yes, you can send and receive multimedia messages with wireless subscribers from any of the carriers included in our US carrier list and our International carrier list.

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How do I send international multimedia messages?

To send an international multimedia message:
1. Locate the country and the carrier of the mobile number to which you want to send the message.
2. In the To field on your device, enter the international dial code, then the country code, and finally the international mobile number.
3. Attach a photo and select Send.
Note: Refer to the international carrier list for dial code information.

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How much does it cost to send or receive a domestic multimedia message?

Multimedia Messages - Pay as you go: It costs $0.25 per recipient to send a message (including sounds and text) and $0.25 to receive a message. It takes about one minute or less to send a picture message with a single photo or graphic and up to 1,000 text characters (actual time varies by message size). It takes about two minutes or less to send a video message (actual time varies by message size).
Multimedia Messaging Monthly Plans: If you subscribe to a messaging plan that includes a monthly multimedia message allowance, each multimedia message sent and received will be deducted. If you exceed your multimedia messaging monthly allowance, excess messages sent and received will cost $0.20 each.

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How much does it cost to send or receive multimedia messages to or from an international mobile number?

It costs $0.50 per recipient to send an international multimedia message and $0.25 to receive a message.
Note: Sending and receiving multimedia messages from Canadian carrier mobile addresses is considered the same as a domestic multimedia message. Each message will apply to your existing messaging allowance, or if you are on a pay as you go messaging plan, it will cost $0.25 per message per recipient.

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Will I get charged extra while sending or receiving a multimedia message while roaming internationally?

Yes, you'll receive an extra charge while roaming internationally. When sending or receiving a multimedia message domestically, there isn’t a data transport charge. The message itself is either $0.25 or deducts from any applicable messaging package. While traveling internationally, the following data transport charges apply on top of the message charge when sending or receiving picture and video messages:

Data Roaming Rates
- Canada - $0.002 per KB
- Mexico - $0.005 per KB
- All others - $0.02 per KB
Average Message Size by Device Megapixel Rating
- VGA (0.3 megapixel) camera devices - 80 KB
- 1.2 and 1.3 megapixel devices - 150 KB
- 2 megapixel devices - 225 KB
- 3 megapixel devices - 425 KB
- 5 megapixel devices - 750 KB
- Video Messages - 200 KB to 350 KB maximum
For example, a 2 megapixel picture message would be 225 KB times the above rates, equaling approximate charges of $0.45 in Canada, $1.13 in Mexico and $4.50 in all others.

Notes:
- These are approximate average picture capture sizes. Creating a slide show or adding sound and text to the multimedia message can grow the file size larger to a maximum of 500 KB for devices that have less than a 5 megapixel camera and up to 1.2 MB for 5 megapixel devices.
- To reduce the size of the message, you can reduce the resolution of the pictures before capturing, or in the case of a video message, shorten the record time.
To see the countries where you can roam and send multimedia messages, refer to the Data Roaming Charges page.

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Can I send multimedia messages to more than one person at a time?

Yes, you pay $0.25/message per recipient regardless of how many recipients you send it to (up to 10 recipients). For example, if you send a multimedia message to three recipients in one message, the charge would be $0.75 (three recipients multiplied by $0.25).

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Can I take and send pictures and videos anywhere in the country?

You can take a picture or record a video anywhere you are, even outside of the United States. However, you can only send and receive multimedia messages when you are within our National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area.

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What size are the pictures and videos I can send in a multimedia message? Can I change the size?

The file size of pictures taken with your device will vary based on the picture resolution and quality settings within the device. Refer to your device’s user guide for more information on these settings. Some devices, with cameras 2 megapixels and larger, may automatically reduce the file size of large videos down to the maximum 500 KB limit before sending.

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Can I still send normal text messages with a multimedia messaging device?

Yes, you can still send text messages from multimedia messaging devices. Charges for text messages are based on your text messaging plan.

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If my device is turned off, will I still receive multimedia messages?

Yes, if your device is turned off, you’ll still receive messages. If your device isn’t receiving service (e.g., you're on an airplane or driving through a tunnel), your messages will be stored for up to five days. As long as you turn on your device within that time period while in the National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area, your messages will be forwarded to your device.

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How many text characters can be entered into a multimedia message?

The maximum number of characters that can be entered into a multimedia message is 400 (a space counts as one character) per slide and up to nine slides.

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Can I control how and when I receive multimedia messages on my device?

Your multimedia messaging device is configured to automatically download and display new multimedia messages. You may configure your device to notify you when a new multimedia message is received (prompt mode).

When in prompt mode, before a new multimedia message is downloaded to your device, you will receive a non-billable notification. The notification will include the sender's email address or mobile number and give you the option of downloading the message, delaying download until a later time, or rejecting the message. If you reject the message, it won’t be downloaded, and you won’t be charged for it. For instructions on how to configure your device to prompt mode, please refer to your device manual.

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Can I add a voice memo to any picture message?

Yes, if you send your picture message to a Verizon Wireless picture messaging device or email address, the recipient will be able to hear your memo as part of the slide to which it was added.
Voice memos can’t be added to video messages. The only sound available for a video message is the sound captured during the video recording.

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Online Storage

What’s the difference between the Multimedia Messaging online album and Backup Assistant Plus?

Unlike the online album storage, with Backup Assistant Plus you can store any photos and videos (not just multimedia messages), music and documents. You also get an app for your tablet, Smartphone and computer. Additionally, Backup Assistant Plus is designed to help you protect, share, manage and play back your media. Refer to the chart below to see the difference in cost.

	Free	$1.99/mo	$2.99/mo	$5.99/mo	$9.99/mo
Multimedia Messaging Online Album	Up to 75 messages	Unlimited	N/A	N/A	N/A
Backup Assistant Plus	500 MB (over 100 photos)	N/A	25 GB	75 GB	125 GB

Note: As of 3/29/13, you won’t be able to activate a Pix Place online album; only active Pix Place users can continue using it.

Can I create photo albums using Backup Assistant Plus?

Yes, with the Backup Assistant Plus service, you can upload photos and create albums.

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Am I able to send multimedia messages from Backup Assistant Plus?

Yes, you can send picture, video and email messages with Backup Assistant Plus.

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Can I still send multimedia messages from my phone even though Pix Place is only available to active users?

Yes, changes to the online album service will not impact your ability to send multimedia messages from your phone. However, the recipient of your message may or may not be able to view the message depending on the recipient phone’s capabilities and whether or not the recipient has an active Pix Place account.

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How do I view multimedia messages sent to me if my phone can’t receive them?

If you don’t have an active Pix Place account, you’ll need to upgrade to a phone that has a camera feature to view multimedia messages.

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Troubleshooting

When I try to send a multimedia message, why do I sometimes receive a text message that states it can’t be delivered?

As of 3/29/13, phones that don’t support multimedia messages won’t be able use the online album service to view them unless the recipient already has an active online album account. If the recipient doesn’t have an active account, the message won’t be delivered and you’ll be notified by text message.

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Why can’t I send a message when selecting “Send Multimedia Message” through the online Pix Place messaging service?

The ability to send a multimedia message using Pix Place requires an active online album account. As of 3/29/13, you can longer create new, free Pix Place online album accounts.

If you would like to send multimedia messages using the Internet after 4/4/13, you can activate a free Backup Assistant Plus account.

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Why am I notified that the upload wasn’t successful when I try to upload photos from my phone’s “Upload to Online Album” feature?

As of 3/29/13, the “Upload to Online Album” feature will only be made available to active online album subscribers.

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Why am I unable to access my Pix Place online album from my phone’s web browser?

As of 3/29/13, only active Pix Place online album subscribers will be able to access the website.

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Why am I unable to send an email to some people with Pix Place email addresses?

As of 3/29/13, only recipients with an active online album account may receive emails using a Pix Place email address. You’ll receive a text message stating that the message wasn’t delivered if the recipient doesn’t have an active account.

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