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SMS

How to send images by text (MMS) and which size limits to respect

In the conversation, pick the SMS channel, click the three dots › Attach Files, choose the image (JPEG, PNG or GIF) and send: the message goes out as MMS. Keep the image under 500 KB; files that can't go through directly are sent as a link to Media Storage.

Updated on

Before you start

  • Your account needs a number with SMS/MMS capability.
  • Have the image ready and small: SMS itself is text only; once it carries a file it becomes MMS, and carriers enforce tight limits.
  • Formats that travel best directly as MMS: JPEG, PNG and GIF. Others (MP3, MP4, PDF) depend on the carrier and the customer's phone and often go as a link.
Where to find it

Conversations › contact's conversation › SMS channel › … › Attach Files

Step by step

Attach the image to the text

  1. Open Conversations and the contact's conversation.
  2. In the composer, pick the SMS channel.
  3. Click the three dots (…) and then Attach Files.
  4. Choose Upload from System or Choose from Media Library (files already uploaded).
  5. Select the image and add text if you like.
  6. Click Send. The message goes out as MMS.
  7. You can also paste a copied image with Ctrl + V (Windows) or Cmd + V (Mac) inside the composer.

Respect the size limits

  1. Rule of thumb: keep the image under 500 KB. That's the safest value to get through on every carrier.
  2. Technical limits vary by carrier and number type (local, toll-free or short code), and the system's storage limit isn't the same as the carrier's delivery limit. A file can sit in the library and still fail as MMS.
  3. If the image is too big, reduce its dimensions or quality before attaching.

What happens with files that don't go through

  1. If the file can't be delivered directly (because of size, type or channel requirements), it's stored in Media Storage and the message carries a clickable link.
  2. The customer opens the link on their phone and views or downloads the file.
  3. For videos and PDFs, always expect delivery by link.

Tips

  • For a file you send to many customers, upload it once to Media Storage and always pick it from the library.
  • By email, direct attachments go up to 20 MB; for something heavy, prefer email or a link.
  • Test once to your own phone before using the image in a campaign.

Common problems

  • The image wasn't delivered → It's over the carrier's limit. Compress it below 500 KB and resend.
  • The customer got a link instead of the image → The file couldn't go as MMS and was shared as a link. That's normal for large files, PDFs or video.
  • The PDF arrived as a file for some customers and as a link for others → It depends on each person's carrier and phone. For the same result for everyone, always send PDFs as a link.
  • There's no attach option on the SMS channel → The sending number has no MMS capability. Pick another number or check capabilities under Settings › Phone Numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Does sending an image turn the SMS into MMS?

Yes. SMS is text only; any file delivered directly makes the message an MMS.

Are the limits the same on every carrier?

No. Each carrier and number type has its own limit. That's why the advice is to keep images small.

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