MMS lets a text message carry more than words: photos, screenshots, and other media. Same idea as sending a picture from your personal phone, but from your business number.
SMS vs MMS
| SMS (text) | MMS (multimedia) | |
|---|---|---|
| Plain text | Yes | Yes |
| Images and media | No | Yes |
| Best for | Quick replies, reminders | Photos, proof, visual how-tos |
| Reaches | Mobile phones | Mobile phones only (not landlines) |
MMS earns its place when a picture saves a paragraph: a photo of a part, a map to your door, a screenshot showing exactly what to tap.
What it costs
An MMS counts as three message segments, so a single picture message costs about the same as a three-part text. Worth knowing before you send a photo to a large list.
What you need
- An MMS-capable number. This is a capability of the individual number.
- A mobile recipient. Landlines cannot receive MMS.
Receiving picture messages
When a customer sends a picture, it arrives inside the conversation in Messages, alongside their text. Picture messages are not forwarded to email — view them in the portal.
Sending picture messages
From a number that supports MMS, you can include an image with your message:
- Keep files small. Smaller images send faster and are less likely to be shrunk in transit. A photo saved for web beats a full-resolution original.
- Use common formats. JPG and PNG are the safest choice.
- Expect compression. The mobile network delivering your message may reduce the image's quality or size.
Business examples
- Appointment confirmation with a map. "You are booked for Tuesday at 2:00 PM. Here is a map to our door." plus a map image.
- Proof of work. "Here is the finished install, ready for your review." plus a photo.
- Visual instructions. "Hold the circled button for five seconds to reset." plus a marked-up screenshot.
Troubleshooting
My picture message did not arrive. Confirm the recipient is on a mobile phone rather than a landline, that your sending number supports MMS, and that the image is a common format and a reasonable size.
The image looks lower quality than what I sent. Mobile networks compress media in transit. Start from a smaller, clean file.
I want to send a picture to a landline. Landlines cannot receive MMS. Send the details as a plain text instead, or share a link.
Read next
- Business Text Messaging: Getting Started
- SMS Consent, STOP, and Opt-Outs