How To Fix Commonly Reported Samsung Galaxy S7 Texting Problems (SMS & MMS)

• Fixing an issue with the #Samsung Galaxy S7 (#GalaxyS7) stock text messaging app that don’t play the notification sound when messages come in.
• Learn how to deal with a texting problem wherein the phone can’t send and/or receive text messages from certain iPhone users.
• Galaxy S7 text messages get duplicated.
• Troubleshoot an S7 that can send SMS but can’t receive can’t receive from some certain people plus other texting problems included in this post.
• Learn how to request free Android support from us.

Problems like Samsung Galaxy S7 can’t send / receive text messages, unable to download pictures, text notifications not working, etc. are among the most common issues we received since the release of the device. We, somehow, expected to receive more text messaging problems than any others considering it’s the most basic service in a phone and they’re often a lot of factors that may contribute to the occurrence of any of those problems.

As always, we are willing to extend our helping hand to resolve those issues. I will tackle some of texting-related problems in this post and answer questions sent by our readers. Continue reading so you’ll learn how to fix the following problems as it’s always possible you’ll encounter one of them in the future.

How To Fix Commonly Reported Samsung Galaxy S7 Texting Problems

Q: “I’m using Samsung’s text app and sound notification doesn’t work. I have checked all settings and volume. Any suggestions? Also the phone turns off and restarts by itself. It seems to happen more when using IHeart radio on the phone.“

A: If you’ve checked every setting especially the volumes and you still can’t hear your phone play the text notification sound when you receive one, then it might be a firmware issue. It’s not that we don’t want to help you but a brand new and very expensive phone like the Galaxy S7 should have no issues during the first few months of use and since you’re already experiencing this problem, we suggest you contact your provider and negotiate a replacement. I am sure you don’t want to deal with that problem for two years, do you? However, before you actually do that, try resetting your phone first:

1. Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S7.
2. Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key.

NOTE: It doesn’t matter how long you press and hold the Home and Volume Up keys, it won’t affect the phone but by the time you press and hold the Power key, that’s when the phone starts to respond.

3. When the Samsung Galaxy S7 shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
4. When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds.

NOTE: The “Installing system update” message may show on the screen for several seconds before displaying the Android system recovery menu. This is just the first phase of the entire process.

5. Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
6. Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.
7. Now highlight the option ‘Yes — delete all user data’ using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.
8. Wait until your phone is finished doing the Master Reset. Once completed, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and press the Power key.
9. The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

Doing so may fix the problem especially if it’s minor, it will also delete all your personal information to protect your privacy.

Q: “My Samsung will not send/receive texts from certain iphones, however will from other iphones. This just started. I have not done any updates or downloaded any new apps. Also my exchange email has stopped sending me notifications with new mail. I checked the notification/mail setting and notifications are turned on. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!“

A: As to the texting problem, I think the problem is on their end since your phone can receive text messages from and send to other iPhones. However, I want you to check if their numbers aren’t in the block list: open the Phone app and tap More, then choose Settings and touch Call blocking. Try to see if there are numbers under the Block list and if they’re the same numbers that you’re having issues receiving/sending text messages. If so, just unblock those numbers and everything will be good.

About your other problem, verify that you have an active internet connection and that you’re actually receiving new emails but not hearing the notification if one comes in. After that, try following these steps:

1. From the Home screen, tap the Apps icon.
2. Find and touch Email.
3. Once inside the app, hit the Menu key in the top-right corner.
4. Choose Settings and tap Manage accounts.
5. Tap the email you’re having issues with.
6. Scroll to ‘Notification Settings.”
7. Make sure Email Notifications is checked.

If you’re still not hearing the notification when emails come in, try deleting the system cache since you said the problem just started:

1. Turn OFF your Samsung Galaxy S7.
2. Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the Samsung Galaxy S7 shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
4. When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds.
5. Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight ‘wipe cache partition.’
6. Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.
7. Now highlight the option ‘Yes’ using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.
8. Wait until your phone is finished wiping the cache partition. Once completed, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and press the Power key.
9. The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

If all else fails, try to reset your phone.

Q: “Hi. I bought my phone 3 weeks ago and am having text problems. I was not receiving people’s texts but they receive mine. I found with some people if I text them then they can text me back. But others they receive my texts but I just don’t get theirs at all.“

A: Assuming you didn’t use the same SIM card with an iPhone before and used iMessage, then there’s one thing you can do to know what the problem is–send a text message to your own number and if you can receive it, the problem is not with your phone but theirs.

Q: “Can only send MMS when mobile data is on. Previously I could send with data off and WiFi on.“

A: Here’s one very simple principle when it comes to sending/receiving multimedia messages: MMS can only be transmitted via mobile data. However, some carriers support a feature that allows transmission of MMS via Wi-Fi, so call your provider and ask if it supports this feature. Or, you can just proceed to using Textra SMS app, modify its MMS setting to and tick Prefer WiFi option and try sending a picture message. If it goes through, then you’re in luck, otherwise, you really have to turn on mobile data for this service.

Q: “When I am using whatsapp my keyboard layout changes and I don’t get the option to start a new line(paragraph) when typing. On my galaxy s6 I could hold the enter button in at it would start a new line. Can anyone help me with this.“

A: You’re right, there’s no key that allows you to start a new line when you’re in WhatsApp. However, the app has the option “Enter sends a message” that you can disable. Once disabled and you hit the Enter key, the cursor will start a new line. When you’re inside the app, head to Options > Settings > turn off “Enter sends a message.”

Q: “I can receive pictures through text messages but I cannot send them through a text message.“

A: It could have been more helpful if you include more information about it like the actual error message when the sending failed, etc. But anyway, since you’re receiving MMS just fine, I think it has something to do with the APN Settings. Call your provider and verify if your phone is using the correct APN.

Q: “I just purchase the new Galaxy S7 two days ago. I have noticed that a couple times a day, it will stop SENDING text messages. I restart the phone, and the issue resolves. I know this is a new phone, but I’m hoping that I can get some help with this. It’s annoying to do this 2-3 times a day. Thanks for your help.“

A: When it happens, are you mobile or not? If you’re mobile, it might be a coverage issue as signal reception can be interrupted when in transit, although, it may still be a network issue even if you’re still. For this, you really have to call your service provider or carrier and troubleshoot with the representative because there’s always a chance that it’s an issue with the phone. Negotiate a replacement if the rep didn’t provide a permanent fix for it.

Q: “Hi, I receive 2 identical texts for every text that anyone sends me. How do I make this stop?

Thank you!“
A: Without changing any settings on your device, boot it in safe mode:

1. Press and hold the Power key.
2. As soon as you can see the ‘Samsung Galaxy S7’ on the screen, release the Power key and immediately hold the Volume Down key.
3. Continue holding the Volume Down button until the device finishes rebooting.
4. You may release it when you can see ‘Safe mode’ in the bottom left corner of the screen.

Now that all third-party apps are temporarily disabled, try sending a text message to your own number and see if it duplicates. If not, then there’s one app (most likely a messaging app) that’s causing the problem. There are two options you can use to fix this issue–either to uninstall the app or turn off its notification. It’s your phone, so it’s your call which to choose.