does MMS use data?

[wchen418]

Hi guys,

I have a data and unlimited texting plan. My question is does sending a picture or video message use my data? I know I have to turn on my 4G for the message to send or to receive from other friends; it will not work over wifi. I'm assuming my unlimited texting plan covers the MMS, however, when I look at my data usage online, it looks like the MMS DOES count as using data. I am only concerned because I have the 300mb data and I wouldn't want the MMS to be using my already limited data.

Thanks for the help!

[sandblaster]

As you have discovered, MMS does require a cellular data connection to work but no, it does not count against your data plan.

[wchen418]

So when the usage bar reaches 300mb/300mb, it would include the data used to send the MMS. In actuality, I would have used less than 300mb?

[ilikewireless ACE - Professor]

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wchen418 wrote:

So when the usage bar reaches 300mb/300mb, it would include the data used to send the MMS. In actuality, I would have used less than 300mb?

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The 300MB should be "pure" data, excluding MMS data that is billed by the number of messages or by the messaging package.

[wchen418]

I've tested if the data used by the MMS is actually included in the 300mb usage bar under "my account." I sent a given amount of data and did not use data for any other purpose. When I later went to see the updated amount of usage in the bar, it seems to have included the MMS data. This leads me to believe that the MMS data is in fact being counted towards my 300mb limit. Is this a problem?

[ilikewireless ACE - Professor]

Can you match the number of MB exactly with your MMS? I seriously doubt if you have any control over background data that can skew the count. The fact is that background processes that use data in a phone cannot be turned off.

I actually did a test with 0 MB data remaining as the MB counts down in prepaid account. The result is that I can receive or send MMS even though I run out of data.

[sarahjean87]

I think AT&T is mistaken and this issue needs to be addressed. I am BRAND NEW to the plan and I have shut off my background downloading except when connecting to WIFI As it is an option to do with my Samsung Galaxy S III and sent a picture message to my husband and it very clearly used Data. You charge us all this money for data plans and then you're randomly taking it away with something that is supposed to be "unlimited" how do you explain that? 

[Dcookie ACE - Expert]

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sarahjean87 wrote:

I think AT&T is mistaken and this issue needs to be addressed. I am BRAND NEW to the plan and I have shut off my background downloading except when connecting to WIFI As it is an option to do with my Samsung Galaxy S III and sent a picture message to my husband and it very clearly used Data. You charge us all this money for data plans and then you're randomly taking it away with something that is supposed to be "unlimited" how do you explain that? 

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I'm not sure about what the problem is but I can not send or receive an MMS when I'm strictly using Wifi, your data connection needs to be turned on to send/receive an MMS as it uses your Messaging Plan, if you have one. The data used to send or receive MMS is included in your Messaging Plan. That's how it is with my phone, anyway.