Fossify Messages is programmed incorrectly and can't send MMS (photos) on Samsung phones.

[Leif-W]

Checklist

• I can reproduce the bug with the latest version given here.
• I made sure that there are no existing issues - open or closed - to which I could contribute my information.
• I made sure that there are no existing discussions - open or closed - to which I could contribute my information.
• I have read the FAQs inside the app (Menu -> About -> FAQs) and my problem isn't listed.
• I have taken the time to fill in all the required details. I understand that the bug report will be dismissed otherwise.
• This issue contains only one bug.
• I have read and understood the contribution guidelines.

Affected app version

1.8.0

Affected Android/Custom ROM version

Android 13 / Samsung One UI 5.1

Affected device model

Samsung SM-N986U1

How did you install the app?

F-Droid / IzzyOnDroid

Steps to reproduce the bug

1. Install app.
2. Open app.
3. Set app as default or it just exits.
4. Create new message to contact.
5. Click photo button.
6. Select a photo (i.e. taken by camera, or a screenshot).
7. Send message.
8. MMS message fails to send.

Expected behavior

I expect the messages app to send the MMS image.

Actual behavior

A bogus error message because the app is programmed incorrectly.

Screenshots/Screen recordings

No response

Additional information

There was another issue where the developer tries to gaslight the user with absolute lies about needing mobile data active to send MMS. Completely wrong. It is sufficient to have WiFi only. SMS and MMS just connects to a server on the internet. For accounting purposes, the mobile provider may count these messages against the mobile data plan, but not necessarily, it depends on the provider and plan. Some broken and braindamaged providers may create false problems to extort money or instill feau, uncertainty, doubt. But I've used this phone and provider 6 years and never once had to turn on mobile data for MMS messages, even without WiFi. If I use the default Samsung Messages app, I can send several photos at once, zero issues with failed messages in 6 years. Only with Fossify Messages is there a problem, therefore Fossify Messages is programmed incorrectly with respect to SMS/MMS. Q.E.D.

[lntegrity]

Device: Samsung Galaxy S10E
Android Version: 12
Network: US Mobile (Warp/VZW network)
App Version: 1.8.0 (FDroid)

I'm experiencing the same behavior.

Fossify Messages returns "Error Code: 4" when I attempt to send any MMS message (text-only group message, or with any attachment of ANY size (I tried from 5kb through 2MB). Changing the compression settings didn't matter.

MMS messages are received just fine.

SMS can be sent/received fine.

Sending MMS: broken.

[antodc]

Maybe this can help. As far as I understand, you need a data connection to send MMS. What you can do, if you want to limit your usage of the data connection, is to set an APN that works for MMS only.
Just guessing, but I suppose that the stock app is able to temporarily activate the data connection when sending MMS, something that a third app like Fossify Phone cannot do.

[antodc]

In addition, have you tried to send MMS without data connection using another app (different from the default one)?

[lntegrity]

Maybe this can help. As far as I understand, you need a data connection to send MMS. What you can do, if you want to limit your usage of the data connection, is to set an APN that works for MMS only. Just guessing, but I suppose that the stock app is able to temporarily activate the data connection when sending MMS, something that a third app like Fossify Phone cannot do.

Hello! Appreciate the reply. I did test with LTE/Data enabled prior to sending a message, and it still fails.

I have tried to send an MMS message with several non-Samsung apps at this point (QUIK, Fossify Messages, PVOT Messages) and they indeed all fail, with and without LTE/data enabled at the time the message was sent.

I used to use Handcent/NextSMS (2-3 years ago), and it managed to send MMS without issue, but I was hoping to move towards a FOSS solution. I have not tried it recently; I can see about trying it again. But even if successful, it would only prove that a non-stock app CAN do it without issue and circle me back to, "So why can't one of the FOSS solutions?"

[antodc]

Is your APN for MMS enabled?

[lntegrity]

Is your APN for MMS enabled?

Per my carrier's instructions (US Mobile) I've already setup APN's following this guide:

https://www.usmobile.com/help/docs/troubleshooting-and-setup/apn-settings

Notably, the last item for the VZW network is:

MMSC: http://mms.vtext.com/servlets/mms
MCC: 311
MNC: 480
APN type: cbs,mms

So in your experience / technical expertise, what would you suggest? Changing that last entry and removing "cbs," from the APN type?

[antodc]

Is the VZW APN activated? In the guide it is not explicitly said that it should be activated/enabled, but I think so. Moreover, I would add MMS Port set to 80 at the same APN.
If it still does not work, I would try to disable it and add “mms” to the APN type of the first APN (the one with default and supl).
What is clear from the guide is that Samsung devices may indeed have some specificities.

EDIT Just realized that one cannot activate more than one APN. So, I would first add MMS Port to the VZW APN and then modify the first APN. Apologies for the confusion.

EDIT2. Take a look also here.

[lntegrity]

Is the VZW APN activated? In the guide it is not explicitly said that it should be activated/enabled, but I think so. Moreover, I would add MMS Port set to 80 at the same APN. If it still does not work, I would try to disable it and add “mms” to the APN type of the first APN (the one with default and supl). What is clear from the guide is that Samsung devices may indeed have some specificities.

EDIT Just realized that one cannot activate more than one APN. So, I would first add MMS Port to the VZW APN and then modify the first APN. Apologies for the confusion.

EDIT2. Take a look also here.

The article you linked is actually new to me, first I've seen that particular Endomobile APN setting. However, adding it and rebooting, toggling airplane mode, etc, did nothing to get an MMS to send successfully with QUIK, Fossify Messages, etc. Still "error code 4".

And a wrinkle, apparently, with some combination of factors (VZW-branded device; or the fact that it's a Samsung; or the fact that I'm using USMobile) means that I cannot actually SEE the APNs that are on my device. The APN menu looks like this (not my device; just an example from the internet):

So I can't really tell which one is "active". I can tell you that LTE internet browsing works, as do phone calls, SMS, and sending MMS with the native Samsung app.

Further, I found a few methods for checking current/active APNs (such as this: https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/117125/how-do-i-add-an-apn-via-adb) except my device is not rooted and so I cannot access SU.

Rock and hard place :-|

[dhunter49]

Device: Xiaomi 15
Android Version: 16
Network: T-mobile.pl
App Version: 1.8.0 (FDroid)

Same issue. Doesn't matter if I have data on or off. Not only that, sometimes it shows as send even though the other person didn't receive it, i think it does it randomly.
Never sends successfully, sometimes shows error code 5, sometimes nothing.

Some versions before it worked, cuz i remember sending pics without problems.
Nvm i send pictures even after updating to the now latest version... Maybe it's not the app issue...

[antodc]

And a wrinkle, apparently, with some combination of factors (VZW-branded device; or the fact that it's a Samsung; or the fact that I'm using USMobile) means that I cannot actually SEE the APNs that are on my device. The APN menu looks like this (not my device; just an example from the internet):

So, if I understand it correctly, you cannot change the default APN. You can add/remove other APNs, but you are not allowed to set any of them as default. Is this interpretation correct? And what about modifying the settings of the default APN? Can you do that?

I found this reddit thread that seems very similar to your problem. Apparently, someone was able to find a solution, but he/she had a different carrier.

I can only wish you good luck. Maybe someone else has other/better suggestions.

[antodc]

Never sends successfully, sometimes shows error code 5, sometimes nothing.

"Error code 5" seems to be related to the size of the message, which is too large. Have you tried to set a low value in Settings -> "Resize sent MMS images" ?

[amphigorius]

Device: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Android Version: 13
Network: AT&T
App Version: 1.8.0 (FDroid)
Sending photo usually works if sent to a single person, though it permanently indicates "Sending", even if it worked. Sending to two phones at once never seems to work - silently.