If your Nothing Phone (2) is stuck with a photo or video that won't send, it's almost always a quick setting or connection issue. I'd start by checking the most common culprit right away.
Make sure your mobile data is switched on. MMS messages, which include photos, videos, and group chats, can't send over Wi-Fi alone. They need an active cellular data connection. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the quick settings panel and tap the mobile data icon to enable it.
Even if the icon is on, try sending the message again. If it still fails, toggle Airplane mode on and off. This resets your connection to the cellular network instantly. You can find the Airplane mode toggle in that same quick settings panel.
Verify Your MMS App Settings
Open your default messaging app, which is likely Google Messages on the Nothing Phone (2). Tap your profile picture in the top right, then go to Messages settings > Advanced.
Here, ensure that Auto-download MMS is enabled. If you're traveling, you might also want to turn on Auto-download MMS when roaming. These settings allow the app to properly receive and send multimedia content.
Check Your APN Configuration
Incorrect Access Point Name (APN) settings are a frequent cause of MMS problems. These tell your phone exactly how to connect to your carrier's multimedia service. The settings are usually pre-loaded, but they can sometimes get corrupted.
Go to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile network > Access Point Names. You should see a list with at least one APN for your carrier selected. If it looks empty or wrong, you'll need to enter the correct details.
Your carrier's website has the exact APN settings you need. Search for "[Your Carrier] APN settings" and enter them carefully into a new APN profile. Once saved, select it and try sending your MMS again.
Clear the Messaging App's Cache
Temporary files stored by the messaging app can become corrupted and block MMS from sending. Clearing the cache is a safe first step that won't delete your messages.
Head to Settings > Apps > See all apps. Find and tap on Messages. Select Storage & cache and then tap Clear cache. After doing this, reopen the app and test an MMS.
If the issue is severe, you can tap Clear storage or Clear data next. Be warned, this will erase all your message history within the app, so only do this if you're okay with that loss or have a backup.
Perform a Force Restart
A simple reboot can clear out minor software glitches that might be hanging up the messaging service. On the Nothing Phone (2), you force restart by pressing and holding the Power button for about 10 seconds, until you feel a vibration and see the Nothing logo appear.
Wait for the phone to fully boot back up. This gives all the system processes, including the one that handles MMS, a fresh start. Try sending your message again once you're back at the home screen.
Ensure You Have Enough Storage
Your phone needs a bit of free space to process and send multimedia files. If your storage is critically low, it can fail silently. Check your available space by going to Settings > Storage.
If you're running low, consider deleting some old downloaded files, app caches, or unused apps. Freeing up even a few hundred megabytes can often be enough to get things moving again.
Update Your Phone's Software
An outdated system can have bugs that affect network services. Nothing regularly releases updates that can fix these kinds of issues. Make sure you're running the latest version of Nothing OS.
Go to Settings > System > System update. Tap Check for update. If an update is available, download and install it. Your phone will restart, and it's a good idea to try your MMS again after the update completes.
Reset Your Network Settings
This is a more thorough step that resets all your network-related configurations back to factory defaults. It will erase saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, and your cellular network settings, but it won't touch your personal data like photos or apps.
To do this, navigate to Settings > System > Reset options. Tap on Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth and confirm. After the phone resets, you'll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi and re-pair Bluetooth devices, but it often resolves persistent MMS failures.
Try a Different Messaging App
This can help you figure out if the problem is with the app itself or with the phone's system. Install an alternative like Signal or Textra from the Play Store. Before sending a test MMS, make sure to set the new app as your default messaging application in your phone's settings.
If MMS works perfectly in the new app, the issue is likely with your previous app's configuration or data. You can stick with the new app or use this as a sign to fully clear the data from your original one, as mentioned earlier.
Contact Your Mobile Carrier
If you've tried everything here and MMS still won't send, the problem might be on your carrier's end. There could be a service outage in your area, or there might be a provisioning issue with your specific line for multimedia messaging.
Give your carrier's support line a call or use their online chat. Tell them you cannot send picture messages (MMS) on your Nothing Phone (2). They can check your account status, refresh your connection on their network, and confirm all the correct settings for your device.
