Infuriating bill additions

[GingerPrince]

I've an iPhone and every time I send an sms to somebody, it does that rich preview thing which sends a picture that I'm being charged 54p for. Over 5 quid added to my bill so far this month. 

I tried turning off mms but that means I can't receive any pictures from people as well as blocking me sending them.

Does anyone know of a way to either just stop sending mms or stop that rich url preview?

[pgn]

@GingerPrince - all the info on accidental MMS sending and how to set your phone up so it does not inadvertently send an SMS as an MMS because you have put an emoji in there... Guide: Accidental MMS Sending and How to Avoid it 

The guide makes reference to modifying the APN on your phone, info on how to get at the APN on an iPhone here if you need it.

Good luck!

[madasaf1sh]

@GingerPrince 

I would suggest asking on one of the apple specific forums, such as macrumors.com as this seems to have been a feature enhancement by Apple

Try the below

Settings > Notifications > Messages - at bottom turn off Show Previews

Or put the URL in brackets so it doesnt preview it... 

[Bambino]

@GingerPrince The guide offered above by @pgn suggests you and the people you're exchanging MMS with to download WhatsApp. If you use the app over a WiFi connection you can call, text, send MMS, and video call anyone anywhere in the world who also has the app for free. No brainer. 

[GingerPrince]

Thanks but this completely blocks mms so I can't receive messages either.

[GingerPrince]

The older people I'm talking to won't use data based message apps like what's app, messenger, signal, telegram etc 

[GingerPrince]

This is for notification previews only 

[Enlli]

Still think it's best looking at the Apple forums. Far more people there must have encountered this.

[MI5]

Sending URL's via sms will result in an mms conversion every time.

This isn't unique to Apple and will happen on any phone.

The only way around is to use a different message app or don't send URL's in https form.

ie, if the URL starts " https://" try changing it to simply "www."

[Bambino]

@GingerPrince If your friends insist on using MMS and won't use apps like WhatsApp, you're up the creek. Maybe if you explained to them that their messages are end to end encrypted, making them much more secure as well as being free to use over WiFi, that might help. If it doesn't then there's nothing you can do.