How to Cancel Text Messages from Converting to MMS Messages on Samsung: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you’ve ever tried to send a simple text message from your Samsung Galaxy only to have it convert to MMS, you’re not alone. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re just trying to send a quick SMS without any bells and whistles! Luckily, Samsung offers a couple of settings adjustments to prevent this. This guide will walk you through the steps to keep your text messages from automatically switching to MMS.

Why Do Text Messages Convert to MMS on Samsung Phones?

Before we get into the solution, let’s break down why this happens. Samsung devices, by default, try to determine the type of message you’re sending. When it detects special characters, long messages, or attachments like photos and videos, it may switch to MMS mode. This is great for rich media but can be a pain when you just want to send a plain text.

Step 1: Access the Samsung Messaging App

First, open the messaging app on your Samsung Galaxy phone. This is where all your SMS and MMS settings are controlled, so all the fixes you need are found here.

1. Open the Messaging App on your Samsung Galaxy device.
2. Tap the three dots at the top right corner for more options.
3. Select Settings to access the various messaging configurations.

Step 2: Adjusting Text Message Settings

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From the settings menu, find and select More Settings. This will lead you to the key options that determine whether your texts switch to MMS.

1. Tap on More Settings.
2. Go to Text Messages.
3. Select Input Mode.

Now, here’s the part that controls the switch between SMS and MMS.

Step 3: Understanding and Selecting Input Modes

You’ll see three input mode options here: GSM Alphabet, Unicode, and Automatic. Here’s what each of these settings does:

• GSM Alphabet: This mode sends your message as plain SMS. It only allows standard characters and has a 160-character limit, which is usually what people want for short, simple messages. Selecting GSM will stop the phone from switching to MMS.
• Unicode: This mode allows for special characters and emojis. If you choose this, your message may still switch to MMS if it contains rich content or emojis.
• Automatic: In automatic mode, your Samsung phone will decide based on the message content. This can often result in unwanted MMS conversions if you use emojis or long texts.

To stop the MMS switch, select GSM Alphabet. This ensures that messages stick to SMS, even if you’re pushing the character limit.

Step 4: Enabling MMS Restrictions

There’s another way to avoid accidental MMS conversions. If you go back to the More Settings menu, you’ll see an option for Multimedia Messages.

1. Select Multimedia Messages.
2. Find and tap on Set Restrictions.
3. Select Restricted mode.

With this setting, even if you add photos, videos, or other multimedia elements, the phone will limit its ability to convert messages to MMS unless you’re sending a dedicated multimedia message.

Step 5: Disabling Auto-Retrieve for MMS Messages

One additional setting you may want to adjust is Auto-Retrieve. By default, this is enabled, meaning MMS messages are downloaded as soon as they arrive. Disabling this will prevent your phone from auto-downloading MMS, and you’ll have control over which MMS messages you download.

1. In the Multimedia Messages settings, find Auto-Retrieve.
2. Toggle it Off.

Now, if you receive an MMS, you’ll still see it, but it won’t be automatically downloaded to your phone. This can help you avoid accidental MMS costs and allows more control over downloads.

Final Thoughts

Setting up your Samsung Galaxy to avoid unwanted MMS conversions is simple once you know where to look. By selecting GSM Alphabet as your input mode, restricting MMS settings, and disabling auto-retrieve, you can keep your messages as plain text without any surprises.

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