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Safesailor
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Unable to send picture messages on my new iPhone 18 Pro

I just updated to an iPhone 18 Pro and now I can’t send any pictures by text message. When I try, the picture shows up in the text message and a blur bar appears under the picture and slowly extends for over a minute and then says failed to send. I have tried toggling airplane mode, WiFi, shut the phone off and on. Any ideas?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Can’t text pictures.

Posted on Sep 25, 2026 7:49 PM

3 replies

Safesailor Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Sep 28, 2026 6:47 PM in response to Safesailor

In checking my phone settings, I discovered I had an active beta testing app that encrypted my text messages end to end. I turned the app off and it disappeared. I tried resending the pictures in the text message from the drop-down choices and they all failed to send. I then went back to the original pictures in my photos file and tried to send the pictures. They went through without a problem. I went back to the failed pictures in the text message and tried to resend them and they failed again. Since then, I have not had any problems with any of my text messages going through. I do not know if that beta program was the cause, but I am taking the win for fixing my phone problem.

brbo
User level: Level 8 (45,179 points)

Sep 27, 2026 10:55 PM in response to Safesailor

Re: Unable to send picture messages on my new iPhone 18 Pro


Wondering whether Apple support's article (link below) can help:

For iOS27: See how to: Share content in Messages on iPhone - Apple Support

Eg: says:

"Share content with others


  1. Go to the Messages app on your iPhone.
  2. In a conversation, do one of the following:
    • Copy and paste an image or a link into the text field.
    • Tap the plus sign icon, tap Photos to browse recent photos and videos, then tap to add.
  • Tap a message attachment, tap , then tap a contact or the green Messages icon
    • Tip: When you tap , you can also copy, save, or print your attachment.

Add a message (optional), then tap the blue oval with up arrow icon.


From another app (like Podcasts, News, or Music), select the content you want to share, tap , tap Share, then choose Messages"

brbo
User level: Level 8 (45,179 points)

Sep 28, 2026 6:58 PM in response to Safesailor

Thank you kindly for taking the time to reply, and to thoughtfully share how you fixed the problem!

Cheers! :-)

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256365163