Galaxy S9 not receiving MMS or group messages after Android 9 Pie update

Hello everyone. Welcome to today’s troubleshooting episode. This post addresses an issue following Android 9 Pie update. One user appears to be having an issue with MMS or group messages after updating Android OS. Follow our solutions below to know how to fix the issue.

Problem: Galaxy S9 not receiving MMS or group messages after Android 9 Pie update

Hi. Ever since I installed the new update (2nd week of February 2019) I am not able to receive or send group texts, pictures, or animations in my messages. Whenever I try to send a picture or group message or someone tries to send me either of those I get a grey bubble with the words: “No Subject” Message size.. Expires .. Date.. “ It will have a little download arrow but when I try to download it I get a “Error: Network error occurred” at the bottom of my screen. I know have network service as I continue to get single messages and I can use access the web. I hope you can help me with this. Thanks much.

Solution: There are a number of reasons for this problem. Learn how to resolve it by following these steps:

Wipe cache partition. Many issues may happen after a major Android overhaul because of a corrupted system cache. This type of cache is a collection of files and other items that your device keeps in order to do tasks, especially loading of apps, faster. Without a cache partition, your phone will have to always download files that are needed when loading apps. With a cache partition though, Android will simply have to browse through the locally saved files, so initializing apps can be done quicker. During an Android update, the system cache may not get updated or may contain no longer relevant items, which may confuse the OS. This may result to errors or significant performance slow down. In order to ensure that the system cache is in good shape after an update, you want to clear the cache partition. Here’s how that’s done:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the green Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
4. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight ‘wipe cache partition’.
5. Press Power button to select.
6. Press the Volume down key until ‘yes’ is highlighted and press the Power button.
7. When the wipe cache partition is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
8. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Clear network settings. It’s possible that the reason for your problem may be due to corrupted network settings. This can happen just like when it comes to the system cache after an update. If you were able to use MMS or group message before without any problems, then clearing network settings may help. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Swipe up on an empty spot from the Home screen to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap General Management.
4. Tap Reset.
5. Select the option to Reset network settings.
6. If prompted, enter the PIN or password for your device.
7. Tap Reset settings to confirm action.

Clear app cache. In case the bug is within the messaging app you’re using, the next good thing to do is to clear this app’s cache. This won’t delete your messages so you can do it safely. Follow these steps to do it:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap on More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
4. Select Show system apps.
5. Find and tap your app.
6. Tap Storage.
7. Tap Clear Cache button.
8. Restart your S9 and check for the problem.

Clear app data. Should the problem remain after wiping the app’s cache, the next good thing that you can do is to clear the app’s data. Unlike the previous one, this procedure will erase all your text messages and MMS. Make sure to back them up either through Samsung Cloud or Samsung Smart Switch.

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap on More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
4. Select Show system apps.
5. Find and tap your app.
6. Tap Storage.
7. Tap Clear Data button.
8. Restart your S9 and check for the problem.

Reset app preferences. In some cases, network errors are caused by incorrect app configurations or missing system app or service. To ensure that all apps can access default apps, try to reset app preferences. Here’s how:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap on More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
4. Select Reset app preferences.
5. Restart your S9 and check for the problem.

Use MMS or Group Message on Safe mode. If your messaging app is preinstalled, that is, it comes with the Operating System, you can try to see if a third party app is preventing it from working normally. To do that, you want to restart to Safe Mode and replicate the problem. If your phone receives group messages or if MMS works normally on safe mode, that’s a clear indication of a third party app problem.

To restart your device to safe mode:

1. Turn the device off.
2. Press and hold the Power key past the model name screen.
3. When “SAMSUNG” appears on the screen, release the Power key.
4. Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
5. Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
6. Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
7. Release the Volume down key when you see Safe Mode.

Update apps. Updating Android does not automatically mean that apps are updated as well. Make sure to update all of your apps to lessen the chance of bugs from developing from incompatibility issues. Open Google Play Store app and see if there are any available app updates.

Use another messaging app.

To further check for a possible app trouble, consider using a different messaging app. If a third party app will let you send and receive MMS and the default app won’t, that means that there may be a coding issue with the said app. Make sure to report the problem to your carrier so they can investigate further.

Factory reset. This is a drastic solution but one that is necessary. By wiping the device, you want to ensure that you revert all software settings to their defaults. If it’s a settings issue, your problem should go away after a factory reset. If not, then you want to work with your network operator to figure where the bug is coming from.

Here’s how to factory reset your Galaxy S9:

1. Create a backup of your personal data.
2. Turn off the device.
3. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
4. When the green Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
5. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset’.
6. Press Power button to select.
7. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
8. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
9. When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
10. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Get help from your carrier. There are network issues that are not fixable on a user’s level. Your problem may be one of them so be sure to contact your network operator for further support.

 

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