Unsolicited Attachments in Google Messages

[jaylong]

In Google Messages, known contacts are sending what appear to be stand-alone attachments that have a download icon and read "HH:MM pm - Tap to download".  But, these contacts tell me they're not sending attachments to me.  I haven't opened any of the attachments because I'm concerned they could be malicious.

I started receiving these weird attachments today for the first time.  Earlier this evening, I downloaded and scanned my phone using an anti-virus application but nothing was found.  I'm using a Pixel 4 running Android 13 which last received a security update October 5th, 2022.

Is anyone else receiving unsolicited attachments from known contacts?

[jaylong]

Thanks @Phil_Adelphus I really appreciate your help.  The attachments are group chats sent from an iPhone when "Auto-download MMS when roaming" is turned off even if you're not roaming.  Android text messaging is so broken!!

[Phil_Adelphus · Accepted solution]

@jaylong  Hopefully that will work.  Although it does seem unlikely I saw someone else on a forum say it worked for them.  It seems to be a Pixel/Google Messages thing.  Another thread I saw suggested long pressing on the Messages icon, selecting info and then clearing storage and cache.   When I had an Android (not Pixel) this would only happen when someone sent a MMS when I had data turned off but obviously that's not your problem.

[jaylong]

Good questions @Phil_Adelphus .  Yes, cellular data is turned on.  Under Google Messages' settings, "Auto-download MMS" is enabled, but "Auto-download MMS when roaming" is turned off.   I don't think that should make a difference as I haven't left town, but I've enabled "... when roaming" just in case. 

[Phil_Adelphus]

@jaylong   Do you have MMS messaging enabled and cellular data turned on?