MadEngineer: That usually only happens if they send the pxt to a contact that has an email address only

Please just sit down with each of them and show them how to use Whatsapp. 

I invested a couple of hours doing this with all the oldies in my family about 10 years ago, the cousins didn't need a tutorial, and we're all still in the same group chat that works flawlessly. Highly recommended... 

Is Facebook Zero still around?

yitz:

Is Facebook Zero still around?

lxsw20: WhatsApp needs a phone number. Facebook messenger maybe a better solution if an iPad is involved on one end

I was thinking the same, bu then you also have to "manage" a Facebook account. Better to have WhatsApp or Signal or Telegram. WhatsApp & Signal still require a mobile # that can receive SMS's for verification. Telegram only requires an email.

The other option is to get your wife onto a better prepay plan that includes data?

maybe the mms are using casual data rates?

the friend is likely being charged around 50 cents per message they send, the receiver will only use data to download it.

mentalinc:

 

The other option is to get your wife onto a better prepay plan that includes data?

 

 

 

maybe the mms are using casual data rates?

 

 

 

the friend is likely being charged around 50 cents per message they send, the receiver will only use data to download it.

 

Linux:

 

mentalinc:

 

The other option is to get your wife onto a better prepay plan that includes data?

 

 

 

maybe the mms are using casual data rates?

 

 

 

the friend is likely being charged around 50 cents per message they send, the receiver will only use data to download it.

 

@Mentalinc MMS / PXT should not use casual data rates as they are billed at 50 cents each

 

This is most like correct, BUT most likely what happens as they on pay as you go, they drop wifi to get the picture as the post says that is the only way she can get it, when off wifi, the phone uses data for 1 of the other apps, and she gets charge the 50c for 1mb charge.  

1st thing the receiving person needs is a plan that is not 50c per MB for an Android phone as when she not on wifi, she will be charged 50c per MB.

geekIT:

 

Is it possible I could set up my wife's computer to receive text and images from her friend's phone? 

 

To answer the OP

You cannot use your computer to receive text and images from her friends phone with your current set up.

Possible solutions:

 

1. Get her an iphone, then all Apple devices can communicate via wifi for free without Spark/One/2D etc, via imessage.
2. Both use the same instant message application, like Facebook messenger, Whatsapp, Google Chat, to send texts and pictures for free, over wifi.
3. Pay for the convenience of sending texts and pictures via One/Spark (your current solution). Pictures (or PXTs) generally cost around 50 cents each to send.

Folks, I'm very grateful for all of your helpful suggestions, but right now I feel like I'm in a submarine, cruising at well below periscope depth, while above me, surface vessels are freely exchanging messages that I can't receive. 

cddt and several others mentioned 'Whatsapp'. I've no idea how to implement this for Linda and her friend but maybe it'd help?

mentalink said:The other option is to get your wife onto a better prepay plan that includes data? maybe the mms are using casual data rates? the friend is likely being charged around 50 cents per message they send, the receiver will only use data to download it.

The 'better prepay plan' could be an idea, I guess. Also, Linda's Samsung A05 is a dual-sim device, so maybe an additional ISP (or whatever phone account providers are called) could be useful. The friend with the IPad is, AFAIK, on a 'full-blown' account, so I imagine that'll cover all data use, rather than being charged 50c per message? 

Linux:

 

mentalinc:

 

The other option is to get your wife onto a better prepay plan that includes data?

 

 

 

maybe the mms are using casual data rates?

 

 

 

the friend is likely being charged around 50 cents per message they send, the receiver will only use data to download it.

 

@Mentalinc MMS / PXT should not use casual data rates as they are billed at 50 cents each

 

I don't think the receiver is charged to receive the mms, but it needs to use data to download the mms right? 

lxsw20: WhatsApp needs a phone number. Facebook messenger maybe a better solution if an iPad is involved on one end

The iPad must have a phone number - she is currently sending MMS from the iPad.