Smartphone

What is an MMS?

MMS is a multimedia messaging service that allows you to send and receive messages containing images, videos, sounds or files on your mobile phone. This is an evolution of SMS , which only allows you to send text. MMS therefore offers more possibilities for communicating with contacts.

What is MMS?

MMS is the acronym for Multimedia Messaging Service, which translates into French as multimedia messaging service. It is a system for transmitting and receiving multimedia messages for mobile telephony. It extends the capabilities of SMS, which are limited to 160 characters, and allows in particular to transmit photos, audio recordings as well as video.

An MMS message is created by the sender in a similar way to an email with attachments (MIME) . An MMS is composed of text and one or more attached binary files ( optional ) which can be encapsulated in MIME and/or SMIL formats. The message is then sent in deferred mode to an operator's server, called MMS C

The platform determines whether the recipient is equipped with a terminal capable of receiving MMS. If so, the message is temporarily placed on an HTTP server. Then the MMSC sends a notification SMS to the recipient, containing the URL which allows access to the MMS. The receiver terminal can finally access the MMS via its WAP client or via the “ data ” protocols ( packet mode) of the 3G and 4G mobile networks. If the recipient's terminal is not MMS compatible, the message can generally be consulted on the web, the URL address being indicated in an SMS sent to the recipient.

The maximum weight of an MMS is limited and varies depending on the operator. In France, operators allow you to send MMS with a size of up to 600 KB.

What are the advantages of MMS?

MMS has several advantages over SMS or other means of communication:

richer and more expressive messages , which can contain visual or audio elements.
It allows you to receive messages if you are having problems receiving SMS messages on your phone .
It offers the possibility of personalizing your messages, by choosing the images, videos or sounds you want to share.
It makes it easier to share your memories, emotions or opinions with your contacts.
It can be used for mobile marketing , by sending promotional offers, invitations, surveys or competitions to potential or loyal customers.
It is compatible with most cell phones , even older ones, unlike instant messaging applications which require an internet connection and a smartphone.

What are the disadvantages of MMS?

MMS also has some disadvantages compared to SMS or other means of communication:

It is more expensive than SMS because it consumes more data. The price of an MMS varies depending on the operators and plans, but it is generally higher than that of an SMS. However, there are unlimited offers or options that reduce the cost of MMS.
It is slower than SMS because it requires more time to send and receive. The delay may vary depending on the size of the message, the quality of the network or the compatibility of the terminals. It can sometimes last several minutes or even several hours.
It is less secure than SMS because it can be intercepted, modified or deleted by third parties. MMS is not encrypted, making it vulnerable to attacks or hacks. You should therefore avoid sending sensitive or confidential information by MMS.

What are the differences between MMS and SMS?

MMS and SMS are two messaging services for mobile telephony, but they have important differences:

Criteria	MMS	SMS
Meaning	Multimedia Messaging Service	Short Message Service
Content	Text + images + videos + sounds + files	Text only
Size	Up to 600 KB	Up to 160 characters
Cost	Higher than SMS	Weaker than MMS
Speed	Slower than SMS	Faster than MMS
Security	Less secure than SMS	More secure than MMS

MMS FAQ

How to send an MMS?

To send an MMS, you must follow the following steps:

Open your cell phone's messaging application.
Create a new message or select a contact to whom you wish to send an MMS.
Press the attachment or add to choose the type of content you want to send (image, video, sound, file, etc.).
Select the content you want to send from the gallery, camera, microphone or folder on your phone.
Write the text of the message if necessary.
Press the send .

Please note that to send an MMS, you must have activated mobile data on your phone and have configured your operator's MMS settings. You must also check that the recipient can receive MMS .

How to receive an MMS?

To receive an MMS, you must follow the following steps:

Open your cell phone's messaging application.
Check received messages or wait for a notification to appear.
If the message received is an MMS, it can be displayed directly in the conversation or in the form of a link to click to download it.
Tap on multimedia content to view or listen to it.
Reply to the message if necessary.

Please note that to receive an MMS, you must have activated mobile data on your phone and have your operator's MMS settings You must also check that your phone is compatible with the multimedia content format.

How to read an MMS on the internet?

If you cannot read an MMS on your phone, it is possible to read it on the internet. To do this, you must follow the following steps:

Open your cell phone's messaging application.
View the received message which contains a link to the MMS.
Write down or copy the link and access code provided in the message.
Open a web browser on your computer or another device connected to the internet.
Paste or enter the link and access code into the browser address bar.
Validate the request to access the MMS.
View or listen to multimedia content.

Please note that this method is not available from all operators and that the link and access code have a limited validity period.

How to save an MMS?

To save an MMS, you must follow the following steps:

Open your cell phone's messaging application.
View the received message which contains the MMS.
Long press on media content to bring up a menu of options.
Select the save , save or download as appropriate.
Choose the location where you want to save the multimedia content on your phone (gallery, folder, etc.).

Please note that this method may vary depending on phone models and messaging applications.

How to delete an MMS?

To delete an MMS, you must follow the following steps:

Open your cell phone's messaging application.
View the received or sent message that contains the MMS.
Long press on media content to bring up a menu of options.
Select the delete , erase or trash as appropriate.
Confirm deletion of media content.

Please note that this method may vary depending on phone models and messaging apps. You should also know that deleting multimedia content does not delete the associated text message, nor the multimedia content on the operator's server or on the recipient's phone.

How to resolve MMS issues?

If you encounter problems sending or receiving MMS, you should check the following points:

Network coverage : you must ensure that you have sufficient signal to transmit or receive mobile data. You must also check that you are not in airplane mode or offline mode.
Mobile data : you must ensure that you have activated mobile data on your phone and that you have sufficient credit or an unlimited option to use it. You must also check that you have not reached the consumption limit of your package or option.

MMS settings : you must ensure that you have correctly configured your operator's MMS settings on your phone. This includes checking the access point name, MMSC server address, proxy number and port. This information is usually available on the operator's website or can be sent by SMS upon request.
Terminal compatibility : you must ensure that your phone and that of the recipient are compatible with the format of the multimedia content. In particular, you must check the resolution, size, weight and file type of the multimedia content. You should also check that the messaging applications are up to date.

If problems persist despite these checks, you should contact your operator's customer service for assistance.

Conclusion

MMS is a multimedia messaging service that allows you to send and receive messages containing images, videos, sounds or files on your mobile phone. This is an evolution of SMS , which only allows you to send text. MMS therefore offers more possibilities for communicating with contacts, sharing memories or doing mobile marketing. But it also has some disadvantages, such as its cost, speed or security. Indeed, MMS can be used to send spam to a cell phone , that is, unwanted or malicious messages that can harm the privacy or performance of your device. MMS and SMS are two complementary services, which can be used according to individual needs and preferences.