How to retrieve MMS over WiFi

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › How to retrieve MMS over WiFi

floydbloke

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#224135 4-Nov-2017 08:41

Wifey has a Samsung Galaxy J5, sourced from Vodafone originally but connected to Skinny.

She does not have, and does not want, any mobile data.

She has now received a few MMS messages, one is a test one from me, that she would like to view. They all say they come from 9999.

Instead of showing a picture it shows a txt message saying "You have an MMS message ....." and includes a link to telecom.co.nz/mmsgallery. I assume that is because she has no mobile data.

Tapping on that link when connected by WiFi duly takes it to Sparks MMS retrieval site. This then prompts to enter the mobile number. This is where we come unstuck, entering her number on the registration page it returns an error saying it is not a Spark mobile number.

Anything I can do to retrieve these MMS messages?

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

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#1895132 4-Nov-2017 08:45

MMS / PXT can only be delivered over mobile data

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MadEngineer

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#1895137 4-Nov-2017 09:18

Use an app on Android or iMessage on iPhone - not mms.

I’d be ringing spark and asking why they prompt for you to use their website when it doesn’t work for skinny

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

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#1895138 4-Nov-2017 09:20

MadEngineer: Use an app on Android or iMessage on iPhone - not mms.

Correct like Whatsapp that does work over Wi-Fi

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floydbloke

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#1895141 4-Nov-2017 09:37

Thanks all.

I might try and get in touch with Spark when I can find the time and motivation.

It's not that important. It all seems rather a quaint set-up....then again, it's not too unreasonable an expectation from carriers that people have mobile data in today and age.

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

shk292

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#1895172 4-Nov-2017 11:24

floydbloke:

It all seems rather a quaint set-up....then again, it's not too unreasonable an expectation from carriers that people have mobile data in today and age.

Agreed - there are so many better ways of sending multimedia than MMS, that using MMS is rather "quaint". You could also say the same about text and SMS

cadman

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#1895192 4-Nov-2017 12:53

If I could I'd disable SMS and MMS completely.

@floydbloke I can't think of a single good reason to not have mobile data. Care to enlighten us as to the reasoning behind this?

richms

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#1895197 4-Nov-2017 13:16

If I could disable calling and SMS I would. Dont think I have ever recieved an MMS on any of my current phones. Certainly not sent any of them. Perhaps that is a service that could go away along with 2G and other holdouts from a previous era.

I recall when getting MMS's on a previous handset they were so overcompressed and downsized that it was basically useless.

No comparison to a full res camera photo sent over data over whatever messaging service you choose which is not tied to a telco's billing reference and single device.

Richard rich.ms

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ANglEAUT

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#1895278 4-Nov-2017 18:21

floydbloke: .... then again, it's not too unreasonable an expectation from carriers that people have mobile data in today and age.

Ahhh, the beauty of choice! See your wife, not everybody has the need for mobile data

shk292: Agreed - there are so many better ways of sending multimedia than MMS, that using MMS is rather "quaint". You could also say the same about text and SMS

richms: ... Perhaps that is a service that could go away along with 2G and other holdouts from a previous era. ...

And why exactly is it that Google is pushing Rich Communication Services (RCS) ?
BTW text & SMS is the same thing
SMS is quite efficient and very low cost. Sometimes simple IS better.

floydbloke: ...

She does not have, and does not want, any mobile data.
She has now received a few MMS messages, one is a test one from me, that she would like to view.
Instead of showing a picture it shows a txt message saying "You have an MMS message ....." and includes a link to telecom.co.nz/mmsgallery. I assume that is because she has no mobile data.
Tapping on that link when connected by WiFi duly takes it to Sparks MMS retrieval site. This then prompts to enter the mobile number. This is where we come unstuck, entering her number on the registration page it returns an error saying it is not a Spark mobile number.
Anything I can do to retrieve these MMS messages?

To my knowledge, it is possible for Telcos to extract your mobile number from mobile data which they can then use in various ways, one of them being to confirm that you are the intended recipient of the MMS. Much harder to do if that data stream originates from a Wi-Fi network. I think you also assume incorrectly about the telecom.co.nz/mmsgallery. Back in the day, not all phones supported PXTs and Telecom then provided you with an alternative way to retrieve the PXT. Not because of data limitations. As to retrieving the message; sorry, I can't help you wit that. I can however tell you that PXT have a very short shelf life, i.e. they expire within 24-48hrs. Unlike SMS which can be delayed for up to 14 days.

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

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#1895290 4-Nov-2017 18:36

@lcl person to person SMS are stored for 72 hours for delivery on all NZ networks so not possible for 14 days delivery after sent

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KrazyKid

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#1895337 4-Nov-2017 20:52

cadman:

I can't think of a single good reason to not have mobile data. Care to enlighten us as to the reasoning behind this?

Because you have Wi-fi and work and home and don't want to pay for data as you are a low call user (eg grandparents, children)

floydbloke

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#1895421 5-Nov-2017 09:30

cadman:

...

@floydbloke I can't think of a single good reason to not have mobile data. Care to enlighten us as to the reasoning behind this?

There isn't really one to be honest, she just feels she doesn't 'need' it. I initially thought it was to do with the basic plan she is on just being voice and txt but turns out it includes a 100MB. She mentioned something along the lines of receiving some notifications or pop-ups that confused her. Easier to turn off mobile data than to sit and argue the virtues of it with a luddite.

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

cadman

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#1895481 5-Nov-2017 14:05

floydbloke:

cadman:

...

@floydbloke I can't think of a single good reason to not have mobile data. Care to enlighten us as to the reasoning behind this?

There isn't really one to be honest, she just feels she doesn't 'need' it. I initially thought it was to do with the basic plan she is on just being voice and txt but turns out it includes a 100MB. She mentioned something along the lines of receiving some notifications or pop-ups that confused her. Easier to turn off mobile data than to sit and argue the virtues of it with a luddite.

Funny blokes, sheilas. Haha. Fair enough though - possibly more about your own sanity than her insanity then hehe. Many people feel they don't need things until they try them. I know someone that until a couple of months ago used to physically go to the bank to pay his credit card bill in full each month... with a cheque. He didn't 'need' internet banking so he didn't have it. He used to go to the different banks to pay for TradeMe purchases too. Sheer madness.

KrazyKid:

cadman:

I can't think of a single good reason to not have mobile data. Care to enlighten us as to the reasoning behind this?

Because you have Wi-fi and work and home and don't want to pay for data as you are a low call user (eg grandparents, children)

Which would be fine if you're only ever at home or at work, but who actually lives like that? It's just so convenient and inexpensive to not have the restriction of WiFi-only internet access on a portable device you carry everywhere.

floydbloke

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#1895587 5-Nov-2017 19:07

Sorted now.

Problem was a combination of having mobile data turned off and the incorrect APNs.

Unsure why, but it was configured for Telecom/Spark APNs. Don't know where they came from, it was a VF sourced unit with a Skinny SIM, it has never had a Spark SIM in it.

This post put me on the right track

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=137&topicid=205628

Also now when mobile data is off the TXT received no longer directs (incorrectly) to the Spark site, instead it says it has an attachment that can be retrieved once data is on again.

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?