Does MMS use chargeable data?

[jpar]

I'm aware that MMS requires a data connection & uploads the photo(s) over the cellular network, but does Public Mobile zero rate MMS as other carriers do, or is it chargeable? I am a new PM customer and I've noticed a small amount of data usage (nothing to write home about) that is higher than what my phone reports if I exclude the text app, and when I don't have any other apps using background data or the like (I'm on wifi). I have sent and received some MMS messages though, would these be the culprit?

[Jinxie]

That is normal. It records data use but it is not charged in order to send / receive pics & videos.

[Jinxie]

It wasn't a "bug" when data usage went up, nor was it "fixed" when the use disappeared. That's how it works. Again you must turn on data to send or receive photos or videos but not necessary just to text someone. Use wifi for most apps and browsing the web when in a hot spot and use data for when away from home or hot spots.

[Jinxie]

You only need to turn on data in order to send/ receive photos but no data usage will be charged. I keep data turned off otherwise and use wifi to download apps.

[gblackma]

@devbar74  there's a 5meg buffer that gradually returns over a period of time. 

[devbar74]

Funny how when I showed the data usage the next time I checked it was gone? 

[gblackma]

Yes @devbar74 . Stay safe. 

[devbar74]

So it only shows that it has used data?

[JoyLuck]

@devbar74 

Don’t worry, mms does not use up your data.

[devbar74]

My usages shows data event mms

 

[mobileguy]

Confirmed that the day after, my data usage went from around 5mb to 0.05mb.

[mobileguy]

@Anonymous , thanks for the info.  I will check tomorrow to see if the data consumption resets,

[Anonymous]

 @mobileguy 

I have a Samsung S7. It also just sends and receives MMS without turning on data. If I watch the top bar I can see that it flips on the data LTE indicator and then off again.

As for the ~5mb...this is a buffer that the system takes when you turn on data. Interestingly, it doesn't grab that buffer on the above auto-MMS.

It's even a predictable 5.293MB.

Here's how to see it.

Turn off data

Log in to self-serve.

Take note of your data consumption counter.

Flip in to airplane mode

Refresh counter page.

See how it drops.

Take note of the counter.

Flip out of airplane mode.

Turn on data

Refresh counter page

It went up about 5mb didn't it.

Turn off data, flip in airplane mode, flip out airplane mode, refresh counter page

You'll see it's down again other than the small amount of data your phone took to do it's few things like maybe check for email or whatever.

I think it will keep grabbing that buffer as you receive more internet data.

It will reset itself overnight otherwise and show you your net real consumption.

[mobileguy]

@Jinxie , for my phone, I have the option that allows me to send MMS messages when the data is turned off.  So it's nice that I don't have to turn on data and then turn it off again afterwards.

[Jinxie]

No, MMS does not use data but you have to turn it on in order to send pictures or video. You do not have to turn on data in order to send simple messages. You can turn it back off after it sends the photo message. One thing though - make sure to use wifi to download any updates periodically so when you turn data on to send MMS, updates won't use data to so its thing.

[JoyLuck]

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@mobileguy wrote:

@JoyLuck , yes, that gives me some more info.  Based on that thread you sent, I am thinking that the 5mb of data usage will get reset to zero by tomorrow.  Hope that happens.  Thanks again.

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Yes, it will eventually reset to 0. Here is mine and it will go to 0 eventually.

[mobileguy]

@JoyLuck , yes, that gives me some more info.  Based on that thread you sent, I am thinking that the 5mb of data usage will get reset to zero by tomorrow.  Hope that happens.  Thanks again.

[JoyLuck]

@mobileguy 

Is the 5 mb due to this:

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Self-Serve/Data-Event/m-p/526910#M40862

[mobileguy]

@Luddite , I am using the native messenger app that came with my phone.  I am not using Facebook messenger.  And under my plan, it shows 5mb of 250mb used.

[kelvarnsen]

But if someome sends you a video through a text message that counts against your data allowance right? For the first week and a half of being stuck at home I never left the house. But I had noticed that I had used some data. The only thing that could have caused that were a couple of video texts that my sister sent me where I had to turn my mobile data on to receive them.

[JoyLuck]

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@mobileguy wrote:

@JoyLuck , can you explain the 5mb of used data that appeared on my account and what the 1 is under the data/usage column on my MMS transactions?  Thanks.

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Here is a thread on the 1

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Plans-Add-Ons/data-usage-1/m-p/479690#M61078

[Luddite]

Facebook Messenger is a data only app. For free data with MMS you must use your phone's native messaging app.

The data counter that measures chargeable data is the one displayed in self-serve under Data & add-ons; it has the form xx/1024 for a 1 GB plan. When no data shows under this category, your data allowance has been completely used.

[mobileguy]

@JoyLuck , can you explain the 5mb of used data that appeared on my account and what the 1 is under the data/usage column on my MMS transactions?  Thanks.

[JoyLuck]

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@mobileguy wrote:

I am not sure.  For me, it looks like it does.  I have WIFI on and mobile data off.  On my phone, the MMS messages option says “send and receive when mobile data is off”.  So my data usage was zero and I sent and received a couple of pics via messenger.  Now my data usage shows that I used 5mb of data.  In my usage history, it shows the MMS transactions with a 1 underneath the data/usage column.  i'm assuming the 1 stands for 1mb of data.  Maybe someone can clarify for me?  Some people here say data is counted against your plan and others say it isn't.  Mind you the original post and response was about 3 years ago so maybe PM has changed since then?  Thanks.

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MMS is not chargeable data.

[mobileguy]

I am not sure.  For me, it looks like it does.  I have WIFI on and mobile data off.  On my phone, the MMS messages option says “send and receive when mobile data is off”.  So my data usage was zero and I sent and received a couple of pics via messenger.  Now my data usage shows that I used 5mb of data.  In my usage history, it shows the MMS transactions with a 1 underneath the data/usage column.  i'm assuming the 1 stands for 1mb of data.  Maybe someone can clarify for me?  Some people here say data is counted against your plan and others say it isn't.  Mind you the original post and response was about 3 years ago so maybe PM has changed since then?  Thanks.

[janibee]

I was looking for some information regarding receiving photos on my texts and this thread has been very helpful.   I am now able to send and receive photos and not have to worry about being charged for them.

Thank-you!

[Jinxie]

What most likely occurred is an app updated in the background after you turned on data. Make sure to turn on wifi periodically to update any apps, then turn on data to receive mms files without data charges.

[wetcoaster]

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@ErickD wrote:

Hi,

so I had the same question as everyone - why does it seem that MMS is using 1 MB of data! Many people here are claiming that they do not have a data plan, yet MMS is working!

So what is going on here?

Here is what is going on for me: the issue is we are mostly using iPhones, which by default, when doing messaging, use the Apple iMessage protocol, which DEFAULTS to MMS if there is no real data available. 

By default, the options are "Send as SMS" (on) "if iMessage is unavailable".

In order to disable this capability, you need to disable "iMessage" (which by default is ON). 

I have to test this, but unless I edit or correct this post assume this is the issue.

We discovered this because my son (who the account is for) sent out about 20 memes (kids these days) and I noticed these were being added to the total count of "data", when "MMS is unlimited".

There are advantages to iMessage (end to end encryption, iMessage to iMessages know when you are typing a message) But for the majority of people this is not really mandatory, and if you are a heavy image sender, best to disable this on by default feature.

thanks

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I'm not an Apple user (= happy to be corrected by the fruit crowd, if I'm wrong!), but in my understanding, if a message is sent from an Apple device to an Apple device using iMessage's data connection ("blue" contact) it counts towards your monthly data (= "web" in your usage history). If a message is sent as non-iMessage, labeled green, it's showing as "data event" in your usage history and doesn't count towards your data bucket. I believe you have to adjust the settings and/or contact profiles to reflect the type of message you are sendng.

[ErickD]

Hi,

so I had the same question as everyone - why does it seem that MMS is using 1 MB of data! Many people here are claiming that they do not have a data plan, yet MMS is working!

So what is going on here?

Here is what is going on for me: the issue is we are mostly using iPhones, which by default, when doing messaging, use the Apple iMessage protocol, which DEFAULTS to MMS if there is no real data available. 

By default, the options are "Send as SMS" (on) "if iMessage is unavailable".

In order to disable this capability, you need to disable "iMessage" (which by default is ON). 

I have to test this, but unless I edit or correct this post assume this is the issue.

We discovered this because my son (who the account is for) sent out about 20 memes (kids these days) and I noticed these were being added to the total count of "data", when "MMS is unlimited".

There are advantages to iMessage (end to end encryption, iMessage to iMessages know when you are typing a message) But for the majority of people this is not really mandatory, and if you are a heavy image sender, best to disable this on by default feature.

thanks

[pmuser007]

Thanks @ShawnC13 !

I think PM just fixed this bug (if it was), I juct check my usage summary and it back to 19M instead of 24M showing last night.

This is a great community!

[ShawnC13]

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@pmuser007 wrote:

Thanks @wetcoaster and @Anonymous !

My data (browse internet without wifi) and MMS working fine after account active. My data usage summary showing I used 24M of data and subtracted from my data limit, and detail usage showing Web used 18M and MMS used 5M. That's why I feel strenge about people said MMS data would not count to my total data usage. I believe MMS data should not count as data plan usage, but my usage summary told another story. Does PM's system has bug?

Thanks

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It must be a bug because my son has the $10 plan with no data and he can send MMS with no issues.