Contributor
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45 Messages
Issues with MMS over WiFi for YEARS
I just switched to xfinity Mobile on December 6, 2019. At that time, I asked if my phone, an unlocked Samsung S9+ was fully compatible with all services, and I was assured that it was.
I have noticed that MMS messages sent while Wi-Fi is enabled will not send. The phone tries to send for over 5 minutes before it fails. When I turn Wi-Fi OFF, the message sends immediately.
- First, I contacted xfinity support via Chat. "John" told me that Android 10 was required to resolve the problem. Later he admitted that the problem is with the xfinity mobile service. He directed me to call Customer Care at (888) 936 4968.
- I spoke with someone at Customer care who spent a significant amount of time with me, trying various options, all to no avail. She spoke with a number of technicians who all advised her that this problem occurred when Android Pie was rolled out. (Android Pie was rolled out on August 6, 2018, or 545 days ago!)
- I found that iPhone users are experiencing the same problem, since at least December 18, 2018, according to a thread I found on this forum.
- I was told that xfinity is aware of this problem, but there is no estimated date for a solution.
- Since there is a temporary "work-around", inconvenient as it may be (disabling Wi-Fi before sending an MMS message), I do not feel that this is a major issue. However:
- I specified that I believe that a credit should be applied to my bill for reduced service until the problem is resolved.
- I requested a credit of $2 per month for the next year.
- I was told that a monthly credit could not be applied, but I was given a one-time credit of $30.
- I specified that it the problem persisted on Feb 01, 2021, I will request another credit
The credit I requested is inconsequential to me. It is not about the money. I want it to send a signal to xfinity that there is a problem with their service that must be corrected. I encourage anyone who reads this and experiences the same issue to call customer care at (888) 936 4968 and request the same thing.
Please be certain to tell them that this request is for the long-time bug with their mobile phone MMS service over WiFi. Perhaps, if enough of us do so, they will prioritize the fix with their software.
Thank you.
Ima
Contributor
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45 Messages
5 years ago
FYI, I contacted support this morning and changed to the "new 3rd generation plan" (which includes 5G) on the outside chance that it would help with this bug.
It did not help, the problem still exists, and support is still saying "We are aware of this issue, and we are working on a solution."
NO THEY AREN'T! That's just lip-service. 😠😡😒👿
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requa
Contributor
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143 Messages
5 years ago
Do texts count as data?
Unfortunately, Xfinity seems to have changed this policy:
Do my text messages count as data?
Text away! Your SMS text messages are covered in the unlimited nationwide talk and text that's included with all Xfinity Mobile lines.
However, if you send a message with pictures or videos, it will count as data on both iOS and Android devices.
My woraround is using Textra for messaging, which now includes an option in the MMS settings that temporarily turns Wi-Fi off when sending or receiving MMS, then turns it back on. Other messaging apps likely have similar settings. I've also seen suggestions that this may be connected to using Wi-Fi signals from leased Xfinity routers, rather than more generally, but it's hard to tell becasue they are everywhere and not always identified.
Dan
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Ima
Contributor
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45 Messages
5 years ago
My router is not a leased xfinity router. It's an Archer C2300.
I own my own modem and router.
As stated, this is not an issue with AT&T or Verizon, only comcast. There are too many service providers to have to put up with sub-standard customer service and defective software.
Concerning "Textra", - Contains Ads - Offers in-app purchases
Also, check out this review from June 9, 2020. I think I'll pass on that, too.
Great app when it works. It's much more customisable than the stock app. But it seems that sometimes I can't send sms from it, I just get "message delivery failed" and I have to resend it 3-4 times for it to actually get sent. I tried the stock app when I had this problem and it works, so it's not a carrier problem. Unfortunately I can't use it like this as it seems unreliable, but when it worked I really enjoyed it, it's much better than the stock app. Maybe it will get fixed some day
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requa
Contributor
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143 Messages
5 years ago
@Ima
Thanks for confirming that this is unretlated to the Xfinity routers. I had wondered about that.
Regarding other providers, there certainly are many out there. I don't know of any others that would yield a $12 monthly bill (OK, closer to $16 with taxes) for our two lines. But that does not excuse Xfinity for this apparent lapse in service. I'm with you there.
I do use the paid Pro version of Textra without ads. I did not buy the Pro version as a result of this issue -- if I had done so, I might be irate. I bought it for some other functionality and customization options that were lacking elsewhere. I was really just throwing that out theere as a possibilty to pursue, and hoping that other apps provided the same. I just checked Samsung Messages and Android Messages and do not see any similar options. Perhaps others will have suggestions.
Yes, modern phones should be able to send MMS messages over Wi-Fi without using data. My S9 has done so in the past, then stopped, then started, then stopped again, all on Xfinity Mobile. In the early days, it didn't matter much because MMS didn't count against data usage. Now that it does, it's frustrating.
Dan
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Ima
Contributor
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45 Messages
5 years ago
@requa - what is the cost of their "pro" version? They do not show that, and I don't want to install it if I am not going to use it.
Thanks!
EDIT: Disregard. I contacted the developer and got the answer: $4.49 one-time fee.
This may be worth a try.
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Cmf65
New Poster
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1 Message
5 years ago
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smitty0721
Frequent Visitor
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11 Messages
5 years ago
any luck? any updates? I could send MMS with mobile data off and with or without WIFI until oreo became pie...then i needed to use verizon+ a couple years ago. As of this week, and a new security patch, verizon+ doesn't send the MMS out without data or wifi. it seems I need wifi on or mobile on, and I must use Samsung messages.
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smitty0721
Frequent Visitor
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11 Messages
5 years ago
after the most recent update (8/3/20 for me although listed at a 6/1/20 security patch) my verizon+ work around for sending MMS without needed wifi nor mobile data stopped working. now I can only send with wifi and/or mobile data on. i messed with some settings (network mode from global to LTE/CDMA and DNS from off to automatic), and trialed an error on 3 messaging apps (android messages, google messages, and Verizon +) but nothing seems to work ...so now I am using androids stock app (although it may be samsungs stock app) with wifi on.
i miss oreo, and shouldn't have installed this last patch!
any other advice out there?
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smitty0721
Frequent Visitor
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11 Messages
5 years ago
are you charged for data when using extra? for SMS? MMS?
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Legusagustus
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2 Messages
4 years ago
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