When your Nothing Phone (3) won't send pictures, it's usually a quick fix. The most common culprit is a simple setting or a temporary network glitch. Let's start with the fastest solution that often gets things moving again.
First, try toggling Airplane mode on and off. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel and tap the airplane icon. Wait about ten seconds, then tap it again to turn it off. This forces your phone to reconnect to both cellular and WiFi networks, which can clear up any minor connection hiccups preventing your MMS or chat app from sending.
Check Your Mobile Data and MMS Settings
Pictures sent via standard text message (MMS) require mobile data to be on, even if you're connected to WiFi. Open Settings > Network & internet > Mobile network and make sure the "Mobile data" toggle is enabled. While you're there, tap into Advanced and look for an "Access Point Names" or "APN" section.
Your carrier's APN settings must be correct for MMS to work. If they seem off, you can often restore them by tapping the menu (three dots) and selecting "Reset to default." For the most accurate settings, a quick search for "[Your Carrier] APN settings" will provide the exact details to enter.
Verify Your Internet Connection
A weak or unstable connection is a prime suspect. If you're using WiFi, check that you're properly connected and that the internet is working on other devices. Try loading a webpage to test it. For cellular, look at your signal strength indicator in the status bar.
If you have a poor signal, moving to a different location or near a window can help. You can also try temporarily disabling WiFi to force the picture to send over your mobile network, which sometimes bypasses a problematic WiFi router.
Clear the Cache for Your Messaging App
Over time, the app you use to send pictures (like Google Messages, WhatsApp, or Signal) can accumulate temporary data that causes issues. Clearing its cache is a safe first step that won't delete your conversations. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps.
Find and select your messaging app, then tap Storage & cache. Choose "Clear cache." After doing this, force close the app by swiping it away from your recent apps overview, then reopen it and try sending your picture again.
Check for App-Specific Data Saver Modes
Many messaging apps have their own data-saving features that can block large picture files. In Google Messages, for example, tap your profile picture, go to Messages settings > Advanced, and ensure "Auto-download MMS" is enabled. In apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, look for "Data and storage" settings.
Disable any options that restrict media downloads or sending over cellular data. Also, check Nothing OS's system-wide Data Saver. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver and make sure it's turned off, or ensure your messaging app is allowed to use data unrestricted.
Update Your Messaging App and Nothing OS
An outdated app can have bugs that break media sending. Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, and go to Manage apps & device. Check for updates available for your messaging app. Installing the latest version often resolves known issues.
Similarly, a system update from Nothing can fix underlying connectivity problems. Navigate to Settings > System > System update to check for and install any pending updates for Nothing OS. I've seen updates specifically target MMS and RCS reliability.
Switch Between SMS, RCS, and Alternative Apps
If you're using Google Messages, you might be trying to send via RCS (Chat features). If the other person has a poor connection or RCS is stuck, the picture will fail. In the conversation thread, tap and hold the unsent picture, then choose "Send as text message (SMS/MMS)." This bypasses RCS entirely.
As a test, try sending the picture using a different method altogether, like email, Google Photos sharing, or a third-party app like WhatsApp. If it sends successfully through another service, you know the issue is isolated to your default messaging setup.
Review File Size and Format
Most carriers enforce a size limit for MMS, typically around 1MB. If your picture is a high-resolution photo or a screenshot, it might be too large. Try sending a different, smaller picture to see if it goes through. You can quickly reduce a photo's size by editing it in Google Photos before sharing.
Also, consider the file format. While JPEGs are universally accepted, some carriers or older phones might struggle with HEIC files (common from iPhones) or WEBP images. Converting the image to a standard JPEG can sometimes solve the problem.
Perform a Network Settings Reset
This step clears all your network configurations, including WiFi passwords, paired Bluetooth devices, and cellular settings, and is very effective for persistent issues. Go to Settings > System > Reset options.
Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Confirm the reset and let your phone reboot. Afterwards, you'll need to reconnect to your WiFi networks and re-pair Bluetooth accessories, but this often resolves deep-seated network glitches affecting MMS.
Force Restart Your Nothing Phone (3)
If you're still stuck, a force restart can clear out more stubborn software states. Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button simultaneously for about 10 to 15 seconds. Release the buttons when you see the Nothing logo appear on the screen.
This is different from a normal restart and can halt processes that a standard reboot might not. Once the phone finishes booting up, try sending your picture again before reconfiguring any other settings.