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Troubleshooting texting

If you're having trouble sending or receiving text messages (SMS) or picture messages (MMS), this guide will help you troubleshoot and fix the issue across all US Mobile networks (Warp, Light Speed, and Dark Star).

First steps for text messaging issues​

Before diving into detailed troubleshooting:

  1. Check your signal strength — if the phone shows no service or has a poor signal, try moving around or stepping outside
  2. Try multiple contacts — the contact you're texting might not have sufficient texts in their plan
  3. Check your plan — make sure you have sufficient texts in your plan. Check your dashboard
  4. Check block list — make sure the number you're texting isn't in your block list

Common text messaging errors​

Here's what to do if you see a specific error message while texting.

Error 97: SMS origination denied​

Check your texts: This error only appears when the text plan is not provisioned or has been fully used. Check whether you have sufficient texts in your plan.

Check blocked contacts: The number you're trying to message may be blocked on your device. Make sure no numbers are blocked.

"Insufficient funds for message delivery"​

Check the phone number: You may be attempting to send an international text message. Make sure you're entering the phone number correctly (including the country code) and that your recipient has texting turned on for their account.

Check your texts: This error is generally only seen when the text plan is not provisioned or has been fully used. Check whether you have sufficient texts in your plan.

Fixing text message (SMS) issues​

On iPhone​

  1. Go to Settings > Messages
  2. Turn on iMessage
  3. Make sure the checkmark is set to your US Mobile phone number in the Send and Receive option
  4. Turn on Send as SMS
  5. Go to Settings > Cellular / Mobile Data > Cellular Data Options / Mobile Data Options
  6. Check Data Roaming — make sure all roaming options are turned off
  7. Check Voice & Data — make sure it is set to:
    • Warp: LTE
    • Light Speed: LTE
    • Dark Star: 5G Auto or 5G On

On Android​

  1. Swipe up on the home screen to access all your apps
  2. Go to Settings > Connections / Network & Internet > Mobile Networks / Cellular networks
  3. Check Roaming — make sure roaming is turned off
  4. Go to Preferred network type / Network mode — make sure it is set to:
    • Warp: LTE/CDMA or LTE/3G/2G or Global
    • Light Speed: LTE/3G/2G
    • Dark Star: NR/LTE (5G)

Fixing picture message (MMS) issues​

Requirements for MMS​

Before troubleshooting, make sure:

  1. Your line has an active text and data plan. Check your dashboard
  2. You have more than 50 MB of data remaining. If your data balance goes below 50 MB, you won't be able to use MMS
  3. Your attachment does not exceed 1200 KB in size (for Warp network)
  4. You have the latest software update

On iPhone​

Step 1: Turn off Wi-Fi and turn on cellular data

  1. Turn off Wi-Fi: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and select the Wi-Fi on/off switch
  2. Turn on cellular data: Go to Settings > Cellular/Mobile data and set the cellular/mobile data switch to on
  3. Scroll down and check if the Messages app is allowed to use cellular data

Step 2: Turn on MMS messaging

  1. Go to Settings > Messages
  2. Select the MMS Messaging and Group Messaging toggles to turn them on
note

If you don't see Group Messaging, turn on MMS Messaging only.

Step 3: Check additional settings

  1. Go to Settings > Messages
  2. Turn on iMessage
  3. Make sure the checkmark is set to your US Mobile phone number in the Send and Receive option
  4. Turn on Send as SMS
  5. Go to Settings > Cellular / Mobile Data > Cellular Data Options / Mobile Data Options
  6. Check Data Roaming — make sure all roaming options are turned off
  7. Check Voice & Data — make sure it is set to:
    • Warp: LTE
    • Light Speed: LTE
    • Dark Star: 5G Auto or 5G On

On Android​

Step 1: Turn off Wi-Fi and turn on mobile data

  1. Turn off Wi-Fi: Pull down the notification tray by sliding your finger down from the top of the screen, then select the Wi-Fi toggle. Alternatively, select Settings > Connections / Network & Internet and turn Wi-Fi off from there.
  2. Turn on mobile data: Pull down the notification tray by sliding your finger down from the top of the screen, then select the Mobile Data toggle.
note

Most Android phones also have the mobile data option under Settings > Data Usage or Settings > More > Mobile / Cellular Networks.

Step 2: Turn on MMS and group messaging

  1. Go to Messages > select 3 dots > Settings > Multimedia message (MMS)
  2. Select the MMS / Group messaging toggles to turn them on
  3. Restart the device for the changes to take effect
  4. Try sending/receiving MMS or group messages. Only if the issue persists, go to Step 3.

Step 3: Check and update APN settings

Check that your Access Point Name (APN) settings are correct.

If the issue persists and you find the drop-down menu list for APN type, try choosing one of these settings, then turn airplane mode on and off, and test your services:

  • APN Type: internet+MMS

OR

  • APN Type: default,supl

Google Pixel devices (Warp network)​

If you encounter the "Invalid Destination Address" error when sending group texts on a Google Pixel device with Warp:

  1. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications
  2. Select See all apps
  3. Select the messaging app
  4. Select Storage & cache
  5. Select Clear cache

Sending texts and MMS from email​

The email to text feature makes it easy to send texts and MMS through laptops, desktops, and tablets when your phone isn't available. This feature works with both PC and Mac.

note

Your message must be 160 characters or less, including the subject line and recipient's email address. If you write a text message that's more than 160 characters, the message will be sent as an EMS. Depending on the wireless carrier and device, the recipient may receive it as a single message or as multiple messages in a row.

Requirements before sending email to text​

Make sure:

  1. Your line has an active text and data plan. Check your dashboard
  2. You have more than 50 MB of data (for MMS on Warp network)
  3. You have the latest software update
  4. Wi-Fi is turned off and mobile data is on (on the recipient's phone)
  5. MMS Messaging/Group Messaging is turned on (on the recipient's phone)
  6. Data Roaming is turned off (on the recipient's phone)

For Warp network​

Sending a text message:

  1. Compose a message as if you were sending a standard email
  2. In the To field, enter the 10-digit mobile number of the recipient followed by @vtext.com (e.g., [email protected]). Don't add any spaces, dashes, or brackets between the numbers.
  3. Send the message

Sending an MMS (picture message):

  1. Compose a message as if you were sending a standard email
  2. In the To field, enter the 10-digit mobile number of the recipient followed by @mypixmessages.com (e.g., [email protected])
  3. Attach your multimedia file (picture, emoji, etc.)
  4. Send the message
note

This feature uses data and requires a text plan.

For Light Speed network​

  1. Compose a new email
  2. In the To field, enter the 10-digit mobile number of the recipient followed by @tmomail.net (e.g., [email protected]). Don't add any spaces, dashes, or brackets between the numbers.
  3. Write a text message of 160 characters or less, add multimedia attachments if needed, and send
note

If you're not able to send an email to text, try adding a subject line to send the message as an MMS instead.

For Dark Star network​

The email-to-text instructions for Dark Star are the same as Light Speed:

  1. Compose a new email
  2. In the To field, enter the 10-digit mobile number of the recipient followed by @tmomail.net
  3. Write your message and send

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