my phone wont download picture messages

Hello @Jimmys2005,

Thank you for reaching out to us on the Community Forums! Not being able to download picture messages can be quite disheartening. I can help you with this!

The main cause for not being able to download picture messages is your mobile data is not working. Please try turning Wi-Fi off, mobile data on, and restarting the phone. This will ensure you have a fresh connection to our network. Once it is back on, please try accessing a webpage. If this works, have someone send you a picture and see if you can download it.

We also have a fantastic resource designed to fix your issue. It is our Troubleshoot & Resolve Tool. Select your make and model > Messaging > Picture Messaging. This will provide numerous steps tailored to your device, and should provide a resolution.

I hope this information is helpful. Have an awesome weekend!

Jonathan, AT&T Community Specialist

Didn't help. Just shows a spinning icon and the size of the image but never downloads....  It's been working fine for months, just started today.

AT&T has been useless on this issue for years, even though it is clearly a software problem.

I've found that if you toggle off advanced messaging then the pictures will download. It still works if you toggle advanced messaging back on so not sure what causes this. 

What is "Advanced messaging"? How do you get to this setting? Is this the default Messages app, or the Google Messages app?

Yes, typical tech answers the end user has to "Do Something" because and automatic update created a problem. Same happens to me I have secure WIFI at work have my iPhone cannot receive any photos or videos in the message app. and get a failed when sending anything but text words. I have to turn the wifi off when I'm in the office and back on when I leave every time I enter the building REALLY! SOOOO convenient.