Verizon Galaxy Note 8 long messages split up into smaller messages, SMS are out of order, other texting issues

Welcome to our latest #GalaxyNote8 post! We’ve so far been only receiving a trickle of issues about this device but we’ve decided to discuss some texting issues some users have reported. We hope you’ll find the solutions effective.

If you are looking for solutions to your own #Android issue, you can contact us by using the link provided at the bottom of this page.

When describing your issue, please be as detailed as possible so we can easily pinpoint a relevant solution. If you can, kindly include the exact error messages you are getting to give us an idea where to start. If you have already tried some troubleshooting steps before emailing us, make sure to mention them so we can skip them in our answers.

Below are specific topics we’re bringing for you today:

Problem 1: Verizon Galaxy Note 8 long messages split up into smaller messages, SMS are out of order

I have a Galaxy Note 8 on Verizon. When I receive long text messages they are split up into smaller messages and are sometimes out of order. I noticed the same problem on other devices such as the S7, S8, or S8+. there is an auto combination option for messages which can apparently fix the problem (as well as wiping the cache partition). There is no such auto complete option on the note 8 as far as I can tell, and I wiped the cache partition, but I am still receiving the longer messages as multiple messages sometimes out of order. I have never had this problem on any other phone or carrier. — Devon

Solution: Hi Devon. Every carrier set their own conditions on how SMS and MMS are transmitted and received and although a lot has become standardized in almost all networks nowadays, certain restrictions unique to each one may still exist. Such restrictions may be incorporated in how a carrier’s messaging app is designed, or how their system’s computers are set up. As far as the stock Samsung messaging app is concerned, the same set of parameters exists like those found in older Galaxy S and Note models, which gives you ways to set restrictions for multimedia messages (MMS).

And speaking of MMS, carriers sometimes automatically convert long SMS into MMS. So, tweaking SMS settings will no longer apply to those texts messages you may be having problems with. Consider changing an MMS option (Set restrictions) to see how it works. Here’s how:

1. Open Samsung Messages app.
2. Tap More icon at the upper right hand side.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap More settings.
5. Tap Multimedia messages.
6. Tap Set restrictions and select Free.

Obviously, the steps above are only applicable for Samsung Messages app, the stock messaging app that comes with all Samsung devices. If you’re using a non-Samsung messaging app like Verizon’s Message+, there may or may not be a way to customize MMS. Make sure to contact Verizon for more assistance.

Also, the usual reason why received messages are out of order is incorrect time and date. Make sure that your phone is using your network’s time by doing the steps below:

1. Tap Settings app.
2. Tap General management.
3. Tap Date and time.
4. Tap Automatic date and time.

Problem 2: Galaxy Note 8 Handcent messaging app not receiving all messages

I have a Note 8. I downloaded Handcent on it like I have done with all of my other Note phones but on this one I don’t get all of my text. I tried to do this: system settings->battery->unmonitored apps ,add “handcent” to the list ,then reboot your phone .after rebooted, send a message to your phone without launch handcent app ,if you got new message notification /pop up ,it’s means the solution worked. the issue seems a bug of Samsung battery policy. And this did not fix it. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance. — Chisa Johnson

Solution: Hi Chisa. Samsung’s battery management (called Unmonitored apps) in Android Nougat which allows a user to nominate which apps to be put to sleep or not won’t block any incoming SMS or MMS. A messaging app either works or not. If Handcent works intermittently, that may suggest an on-going network issue, or an issue with the app itself.

To ensure that it’s not a Handcent issue, try wiping its cache and data first. If you haven’t tried it before, here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Settings menu either through your notification shade (drop-down) or through the Settings app in your app drawer.
2. Navigate down to “Apps”. This may be renamed to something like Applications or Application Manager in OEM skinned versions of Android 6 or 7.
3. Once in there, look for the application and tap it.
4. You’ll now see a list of stuff that gives you information about the app, including Storage, Permissions, Memory Use, and more. These are all clickable items. You’ll want to click on Storage.
5. You should now clearly see the Clear Cache and Clear Data buttons for the application.

Once you’ve cleared the cache and data of Handcent app, do the same for the BadgeProvider app. This app is responsible for allowing incoming notifications for apps. If it’s corrupted or malfunctioning, you may not receive any notifications for your SMS or MMS. BadgeProvider is a system app so it’ll not appear under the usual list of apps. To make it appear, do the following:

1. Open the Settings menu either through your notification shade (drop-down) or through the Settings app in your app drawer.
2. Navigate down to “Apps”. This may be renamed to something like Applications or Application Manager in OEM skinned versions of Android 6 or 7.
3. Tap More icon at the upper right hand side.
4. Tap Show system apps.
5. Once in there, look for BadgeProvider app and tap it.
6. You’ll now see a list of stuff that gives you information about the app, including Storage, Permissions, Memory Use, and more. These are all clickable items. You’ll want to click on Storage.
7. Tap Clear Data button.

If doing the procedures above won’t fix your problem, contact your carrier for assistance.

Problem 3: Galaxy Note 8 SMS messages are broken up in segments

I’m using the Messenger that comes standard on the Galaxy Note 8 and my conversation with a iPhone user become segmented. The user gets my texts segmented and I get theirs in segments. The odd thing is that some of the texts are less than 160 character and are always split to two lines or less. My carrier is Verizon and theirs is Sprint. Can you help solve this issue? — Drey_56

Solution: Hi Drey_56. Your issue may or may not be same as that of Devon above. Make sure  you check and follow our suggestions for him. Keep in mind that any regular SMS that includes an emoji or some select special characters will automatically be converted into MMS, thus the usual rules set of your SMS may not apply. Be sure to tweak the settings of MMS instead of SMS to fix the issue.

If you’ve already tried all the suggestions we offered for Devon before you contacted us, consider using another messaging app.

If nothing works, contact Verizon and ask for help.

Problem 4: Galaxy Note 8 can’t receive MMS from iPhones

Hi! I have Samsung Note 8. New contract with 02. Kept same number but transferred from iPhone and EE. Struggling to receive messages. Mainly picture messages from iPhones. I’ve done everything. Phone has been checked, settings checked etc. Deactivated iMesssage and everything associated with iPhone on iPhone. My mum and bro can’t send pictures from their iPhones. Please help.

I’ve called 02 and Apple for hours and hours this week. I’m still within time frame to cancel but I like my new phone apart from this issue. — Mandy

Solution: Hi Mandy. We hope you’ll receive our answer in time. MMS (message that includes photos, or any media) requires some items in order to work. To troubleshoot the problem, you need to do the things below.

Verify that mobile data is working

Data subscription is needed in order for MMS to work. Since you have a newly activated account, it’s possible that everything may not be set properly, or mobile data may not be enabled at all. We know nothing about this stuff so you must talk to O2 technical support team so they can confirm that mobile data is indeed active.

Network connection problem

There may be an on-going network issue that happened by chance at this time so again, talking to O2 is a wise step. On your phone, verify if mobile data icon is enabled, and check if your phone has good 3G or 4G/LTE signals. If it’s only getting 1 or 2 signal bars, that means that the reception in your area is not good. Poor signal coverage can lead to intermittent connection problem, which may manifest in failure to download MMS. Again, you’ll need to talk to your network’s technical support team so they can help you improve the situation. While at it, make sure that you also ask them to verify if your phone has the correct APN settings. Incorrect APN settings can lead to mobile data problems.

If you are in a GSM network, you can confirm if mobile data plan in your account is working by inserting your SIM card to another compatible phone.

Try a hard reset

If all else fails, consider doing a hard reset to reset all software settings back to their defaults. Here’s how:

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 data / factory reset.
5. Press Power button to select.
6. Press the Volume down key until Yes — delete all user data is highlighted.
7. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
8. When the master reset is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
9. Press the Power key to restart the device.

 

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