Messaging FAQs
Text Messaging
| Top Questions What is Text Messaging? Is my phone ready for Text Messaging? What is the pricing for Text Messaging? Can I send and receive email messages using my wireless phone? |
General
Purchasing
Sending Messages
Receiving Messages
Messaging Unlimited for Families
International Messaging
Picture & Video Messaging
General
Purchasing
Sending Messages
Receiving Messages
Messaging Unlimited for Families
Instant Messaging
General
Service Costs
IM Service Providers
Additional Features/Information
Messaging Unlimited for Families
General
A. Text Messaging is the ability of sending and receiving short messages (also called SMS) on your phone.
Q. How does Text Messaging work?
A. Messages can be sent and received in a variety of ways. Learn more by reading about our Send/Receive Options
Q. Is my phone ready for Text Messaging?
A. Most wireless phones support Text Messaging. To confirm, check out our Compatible Phones. If you have an older phone that is no longer sold online, call Customer Care at 1-800-331-0500 or dial 611 from your wireless phone.
Q. How do I know if I have a text message on my phone?
A. Most phones will beep and display an icon that looks like an envelope when you have a message in your inbox.
Q. How long can text messages be?
A. A text message can be up to 160 characters in length. Messages sent or received that are longer than 160 characters will be delivered in multiple segments. Each segment will be billed as a separate message.
Q. If I have my phone turned off or I'm on a call, will I still receive my text messages and alerts?
A. Text messages are stored and retried until delivery is successful for up to 72 hours. Text Alerts are stored and retried up to 24 hours. If you're on a call, text messages can still be received.
Q. How can I tell if I have Text Messaging on my AT&T account?
A. Take this free test to find out if you have Text Messaging capability:
- Scroll through your phone's menu and select messaging.
- Create a new message and type "text" as the message.
- Send the message to phone number 151.
- If you receive the following message back to your phone, you have Text Messaging on your account: "Thank you for choosing AT&T. Text Messaging is working for your account."
If you do not receive a response within a few minutes, you may not have Text Messaging on your account. Please call Customer Care at 1-800-331-0500 for further assistance and to add Text Messaging to your account.
Q. How can I type messages faster?
A. Predictive text is a fast and easy way to enter letters, numbers, and symbols. With predictive text, a built-in dictionary tries to "predict" the word you're typing, based on your sequence of keystrokes. Read more about Predictive Text.
Purchasing
Q. What is the pricing for Text Messaging?
A. All AT&T customers with Text Messaging-capable phones are pre-activated to send and receive messages at $0.20 per message with no monthly charge. Or, you can save money and sign up for a Text Messaging package.
Q. What is a Messaging package?
A. It is an allotment of messages that are priced lower than the per-message charge. With a Messaging Package, you can send or receive text, picture, video and instant messages for the same price.
Q. How do I add a Messaging Package to my account?
A. There are a number of ways you can subscribe. To learn about each of the Messaging packages and sign up, go to Purchase. Existing customers can also log in to My Account and go to My Features. If Messaging is available for your account, it can be added here. New customers can add this feature as a part of ordering a phone online. You can also call Customer Care at 1-800-331-0500 or dial 611 from your wireless phone.
Q. What is the pricing for Group Messaging?
A. Group Messaging is billed at the normal Text Messaging prices.
Q. What is the pricing for international text messaging?
A. It's just $0.25 to send an international message. Sent messages are not pulled from your bucket of messages. International text messages received will either pull from your message bucket or be charged a normal per-message charge.
Q. What is the pricing for using text messaging while roaming?
A. There are no additional charges for sending and receiving text messaging while roaming in the United States. If roaming internationally (where available), text messages sent are $0.50 each and do not pull from message buckets. Text messages received while roaming internationally are billed at normal rate.
Q. What messages am I billed for?
A. AT&T bills for all messages whether sent or received, read or unread, solicited or unsolicited. Also, any message sent or received that is longer than 160 characters will be delivered as multiple segments of up to 160 characters each. Each segment is billed as a separate message.
Sending Messages
Via Phone
Q. Who can I send a text message to?
A. You can exchange text messages with almost any other wireless phone in the U.S. by addressing messages to their 10-digit wireless number. In addition, you can send text messages to international numbers in more than 140 countries worldwide. See the complete list for international text messaging.
Q. How do I create a message?
A. Generally, from your phone's main menu:
- Select Messages, then Text Messages, and then Create/New Message.
- Type a message using your phone's keypad (up to 160 characters).
- Send your message to a 10-digit wireless number.
Review your phone's user guide for instructions specific to your phone.
Q. How can I send a message to a group?
A. Go to Group Messaging to set up your handle (username) and your group. Invite your group members using their wireless numbers or email addresses. Once they accept your invitation and create handles, you are ready to chat.
Q. How do I create a group?
A. Go to Group Messaging and register or log in.
- Select Start a Group under Things to Do on the left
- Follow the instructions to set up your group and invite your members using their wireless numbers or email addresses.
- They will receive a text message or an email inviting them to your group. They can accept by replying "OK" and choosing their handles.
Q. How do I send a message to a group?
A. When you join a group, you will be sent a 10-digit shortcut for addressing new messages to this group. Save this shortcut in your phone.
If you accidentally delete this text message shortcut, you can have it re-sent to your phone. Log into Group Messaging. Select the group name. Each group is assigned a 10-digit number. Send this group shortcut to your phone by selecting Send me an SMS shortcut.
If you are at a PC, you can send messages from the Web to the entire group by logging into Group Messaging and selecting the group name.
Q. How do I invite or remove members from my group?
A. Using your PC, log into Group Messaging. Select the group name you want to change. Then, select Invite to invite a new member or Manage to remove individual members.
Using your phone, you can invite a new member by sending a text message with the word "invite" followed by their 10-digit wireless number to your group shortcut. Example: Send "invite 9175551212" to 1110420135.
Q. How do I temporarily stop messages or permanently quit a group?
A. To temporarily stop receiving messages from all groups, send a text message with the word "on" or "off" to 161 (the Upoc short code). "Off" will stop all of your Upoc messages. "On" will allow you to resume receiving your Upoc messages.
To permanently remove yourself from a group using your phone, reply to the group using "quit" or send "quit" to the group shortcut.
Q. With Group Messaging, how do I block messages from a specific user?
A. Using your PC, you can block someone from sending you messages by putting them on your block list. Log into Group Messaging and select Block List on the left. Type in their handle and select Block.
Via email
Q. Can I send and receive email messages using my wireless phone?
A. All wireless phones are set up to send and receive email messages by using the following address: yournumber@txt.att.net. You can exchange short emails with any email address worldwide.
Q. What is Mobile email?
A. On select wireless phones, with Mobile Email you can check your personal email from AOL, MSN Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail quickly and easily from your wireless phone.
Q. How long can email messages be that I receive on my phone?
A. Just as with regular text messages sent to your phone, each message longer than 160 characters will be broken up into multiple segments and delivered separately. Messages longer than 160 characters are billed as multiple messages.
Q. Can I manually request additional segments of an email from my phone?
A. You can request the next segment to be delivered to your handset by replying M (for more) to the last segment received. Or you can reply A (for all) to receive all remaining segments of an email.
Q. How can I send an instant message?
A. AT&T has partnered with AOL and Yahoo! to give you access to two of the most popular instant communities. Learn more about Instant Messaging.
Receiving Messages
Q. What are Text Alerts?
A. Text Alerts are personalized notifications sent directly to your phone, at times scheduled by you. Manage your day and plan weekends by keeping up-to-date on local weather, headlines, sports scores, personal appointments, and so much more.
Q. How can I set up Text Alerts?
A. You first need to register at Text Alerts. Once you are registered, select My Info. Then select Alerts in the content category box. You will be prompted to choose the time of day, the day of the week, and other relevant details about each alert. Select Save Alert to complete the setup of your alert.
Q. Where can I find the authorization code that is sent to my wireless device when I register?
A. It will appear as a text message on the screen of your wireless device in your message inbox in just a few seconds. Refer to your wireless device's user guide if you have questions on how to read text messages.
Q. If I have my phone turned off or I am on a call, will I still receive my alerts and text messages?
A. The message will appear if you power on within a 24-hour period. If you are on a call, you will continue to receive text messages and alerts, which will not interrupt your call. To ensure that you receive up-to-date information, alerts that are more than 24 hours old will not be sent to your phone.
Q. How many alerts can I store on my wireless device at one time?
A. Memory varies per wireless device—refer to your user manual for details. The number of messages that can be stored is determined by the amount of storage available on your wireless device.
Q. How long can I store my alerts after I have received them?
A. You may store alerts for as long as you wish. (Most devices have limits to storage capabilities and will require deletion of old alerts to allow for new alerts.)
Q. Can I modify an alert?
A. Yes, you can log into MEdia Net™ and delete any of your alerts, as well as temporarily turn them on or off.
Messaging Unlimited for Families
Q. What is Messaging Unlimited for Families?
A. Messaging Unlimited for Families allows all the members of a FamilyTalk calling plan unlimited text, picture, video, and instant messages for only $29.99 per month.
Q. What if only one member on my FamilyTalk account needs unlimited messaging?
A. You can add Messaging Unlimited for $19.99 to that mobile but for just $10 more per month, you’ll never need to worry about messaging overage charges for any of the other mobiles on your FamilyTalk account.
Q. What if someone leaves my FamilyTalk group?
A. The $29.99 charge is the same regardless of the number of mobiles on your FamilyTalk account.
Q. Is there a MEdia Bundle for Families plan? Some of the people on my FamilyTalk account have a MEdia Bundle and use MEdia Net to download and browse today.
A. We do not currently offer a MEdia Bundle for Families plan but you can add one of our MEdia Net plans to each mobile that utilizes these services.
Q. Can I get it without a voice plan?
A No. A FamilyTalk voice rate plan is required.
International Messages
Q: What is the per message charge to send an international text message from the US?
A: Messages SENT from the US to an international number are priced at an international text message charge of $0.25/message sent. If you are on the International Long Distance Text Messaging package, you will pay a monthly discounted rate (as low as $0.10/message sent) and your sent messages will be deducted from this package. Click here for more details.
Q: What is the per message charge to receive an international text message while in the US?
A: Messages RECEIVED from an international number to your AT&T phone, while in the US, are priced at the domestic text message per message charge of $0.20/message sent. If you are on a domestic Messaging package or MEdia Bundle, your received messages will be deducted from that allotment of messages.
Q: Who can I send a text message to?
A: You can exchange text messages with almost any other wireless phone in the U.S. by addressing messages to their 10-digit wireless number. In addition, you can send text messages to international numbers in more than 140 countries worldwide. See the complete list for international text messaging.
Q: What is the International Long Distance Text Messaging Package?
A: The International Long Distance Text Messaging Package allows you to send text messages from the U.S. abroad—to international numbers in over 140 countries—at a significant savings over the standard pay per use rate. Any messages received are simply deducted from your Messaging Package or MEdia bundle allowance, or billed at the standard pay per use rate of $0.20 per message.
Q: Does the International Long Distance Texting package also apply when I am traveling abroad?
A: No. The package only applies to text messages sent from the U.S. to over 140 countries. Messages sent while traveling internationally are billed at $0.50 each, and any messages received while traveling are simply deducted from your current Messaging Package or MEdia bundle allowance, or billed at the standard rate of $0.20 per message.
Q: Does the International Long Distance Text Messaging Package also cover picture, video, and instant messages?
A: No. The package applies to text messages only.
Q: How do I add an International Long Distance Text Messaging Package to my account?
A: Existing customers can log in to My Account and go to My Features to add the package. New customers can add this feature as a part of ordering a phone online. You can also call Customer Care at 1-800-331-0500 or dial 611 from your wireless phone.
General
Q. What is Picture & Video Messaging?
A. With Picture & Video Messaging (sometimes referred to as multimedia messaging or MMS), you can send pictures, video, and voice messages to another phone or e-mail address. You can even personalize the message with text or a voice recording.
Q. Do I need Picture & Video Messaging for my camera or video cell phone to work?
A. Picture & Video Messaging is the service that lets you share your pictures and video messages with other wireless phones or e-mail addresses. Without Picture & Video Messaging, you will only be able to take pictures and video and store them on your phone.
Q. Why would I use Picture & Video Messaging?
A. Have you ever been caught in a situation where you wished you had brought your camera? Picture & Video Messaging allows you to snap a picture and send it within minutes to whomever you choose.
Best of all, it's easy to use. Just snap a photo using your phone's embedded camera or a camera attachment, and send it to a wireless number or e-mail address.
For further specifics on picture & video messaging with your phone, see our online demonstration or check your user manual.
Q. Who can I send picture & video messages to?
A. You can exchange picture/video messages with any compatible phone, including phones from other participating carriers, by addressing the message to the recipient's 10-digit wireless phone number.
You can also exchange messages with any e-mail address by addressing the message to the recipient's e-mail address. You can also receive picture & video messages on your phone from an e-mail account addressed to your "10-digit wireless number@mms.att.net."
Picture & video messages sent to non-picture/video capable phones will be delivered as text messages, which include a link to an internet address where the message can be viewed online (this experience varies by wireless provider).
Purchasing
Q. What is the cost for Picture & Video Messaging?
A. You are charged $0.30 for each message you send and receive unless you are on a Messaging package or a MEdia™ bundle. When a single message is sent to multiple recipients, the sender is charged one message for each recipient and each recipient is charged for the message received.
Q. What is a Messaging Package?
A. It is an allotment of messages that are priced lower than the per-message charge. With a Messaging Package, you can send or receive text, picture, video and instant messages for the same price. Picture & Video pay-per-use rates are priced differently than text messages.
Q. How do I add a Messaging Package to my account?
A. There are a number of ways you can subscribe. To learn about each of the Picture & Video Messaging packages and sign up, go to the Shop Services page.
Existing customers can also log in to My Account and go to My Features. If Messaging is available for your account, it can be added here. New customers can add this feature as a part of ordering a phone online. You can also call Customer Care at 1-800-331-0500 or dial 611 from your wireless phone.
Q. What is the pricing for international Picture & Video Messaging?
A. It's $0.50 to send an international message. Sent messages are not pulled from your bucket of messages. International picture & video messages received will either pull from your message bucket or be charged a normal per-message charge.
Q. What is the pricing for using Picture & Video Messaging while roaming?
A. There are no additional charges for sending and receiving picture & video messaging while roaming in the United States. If roaming internationally (where available), picture & video messages sent are $1.30 each and do not pull from message buckets.
Learn more about Messaging packages .
Sending Messages
Q. Where can I send a picture or video message?
A. You can send your picture & video messages to any 10-digit wireless number or e-mail address. If you send a message to another phone that is not capable of viewing a picture & video message, your recipient will receive a text message with an Internet address for viewing your message online. Some wireless providers may choose not to deliver these text messaging notifications to their customers.
Q. What if I don't know the email address or wireless number of the person to whom I want to send a message?
A. Simply save the photo in your camera until you have the information needed to send a message.
Q. How long does it take to send a message?
A. On average, it takes about 25 to 30 seconds to send a picture or video message.
Q. Why won't my video message go through?
A. Some video phones record up to 10 minutes of video. However, you will only be able to send short video clips through the AT&T network, roughly 600KB, depending on device. To ensure that your video can be sent with Picture & Video Messaging, go into the settings within the video recorder option on your handset and change the setting to the shortest option.
Q. How can I send a picture & video message to a handset from my e-mail?
A. Simply send it to your friend's multimedia messaging e-mail address. For AT&T subscribers, this address is theirnumber@mms.att.net. Your friends will receive the picture and the attachments on their handsets if they subscribe to Picture & Video Messaging.
Receiving Messages
Q. What else can I do with my picture/video-capable phone?
A. In addition to sending and receiving pictures and video from your picture/video-capable phone, you can:
- Record a voice message and send it to an entire group at once. The recipients will receive a message in their inbox, with your recorded message. It's the perfect way to say you're running late!
- Receive alerts with weather forecasts, news headlines, stock reports, and more. You can even send an animated birthday card to someone special. Learn more about our Additional Services.
Q. I received a video message—How can I view it?
A. If you do not have a video-capable phone, you'll receive a text message explaining how to view your video message. The text message will include a link to an internet address where the message can be viewed online (a login and password will be provided). You will also need to download and install Quicktime Player to watch your video message.
Messaging Unlimited for Families
Q. What is Messaging Unlimited for Families?
A. Messaging Unlimited for Families allows all the members of a FamilyTalk calling plan unlimited text, picture, video, and instant messages for only $30 per month.
Q. What if only one member on my FamilyTalk account needs unlimited messaging?
A. You can add Messaging Unlimited for $20 to that mobile but for just $10 more per month, you’ll never need to worry about messaging overage charges for any of the other mobiles on your FamilyTalk account.
Q. What if someone leaves my FamilyTalk group?
A. The $30 charge is the same regardless of the number of mobiles on your FamilyTalk account.
Q. Is there a MEdia Bundle for Families plan? Some of the people on my FamilyTalk account have a MEdia Bundle and use MEdia Net to download and browse today.
A. We do not currently offer a MEdia Bundle for Families plan but you can add one of our MEdia Net plans to each mobile that utilizes these services.
Q. Can I get it without a voice plan?
A No. A FamilyTalk voice rate plan is required.
General
A.Instant messages are short messages exchanged in real time using a familiar screen name or ID. With instant messaging, you can see who is online and available to chat, busy, and offline. AT&T offers a service compatible to AOL® Instant Messenger™ (AIM®) and
Yahoo!® Messenger, and Windows Live™ Messenger.
Q. What do I need to use Instant Messenging on my wireless phone?
A.You will need a wireless phone capable of instant messaging. With all capable phones you are able to immediately use the IM service and pay per message sent or received. Or, for a greater savings, you can sign-up for a MEdia™ Bundle. You will also need a compatible screen name or ID from either Yahoo!, AIM, or Windows Live™ to begin using IM on your phone.
Q. Where do I find Instant Messaging on my wireless phone?
A. Start by selecting IM on the main menu of your phone. If you do not find an IM icon in the main menu, select the Messaging folder from the main menu. Within the Messaging menu, select IM and then select the IM provider of your choice.
Service Costs
Q. Is there a cost to sign in to IM on my wireless phone?
A. Signing in to IM through the IM or Messaging icon on your phone is free. If you access IM through MEdia Net, you will incur data charges per kb of usage.
Q.What is the cost for sending and receiving Instant Messages?
A. You are charged $0.20 for each message you send and receive. For a better value, sign-up for a MEdia Bundle.
Q. Do I pay for instant messages that are forwarded or sent to my phone?
A. Yes, you will be charged for each message that you send or receive. Whether you receive a text message, or an instant message, the cost is $0.20 per message. For a better value, sign-up for a MEdia Bundle.
IM Service Providers
Q. Which Instant Messaging services can I access using my wireless phone?
A. AT&T currently provides access to Yahoo®, AIM®, and Windows Live™ Messenger.
Q. I use an IM service that you offer, but it is not listed as a choice on my device
A. IM availability differs by device. You have two options: You can download Mobile IM to capable phones. The Mobile IM application includes all Instant Messaging Services that AT&T offers. To download IM, go to the MEdia Net homepage, Mail & Messaging, and select Mobile IM. Once the download is complete, you will be able to access all of your favorite IM providers. Data charges may apply.
If your device is not capable of the download, you can access your favorite IM provider by using MEdia Net. Open MEdia Net from the main menu on your wireless phone. Select Mail and Messaging from the MEdia Net homepage. Then choose your IM provider of choice. Data charges may apply. For more information about MEdia Net, go to att.com/wireless.
Q. How can I find out more about AOL® Instant Messenger™ service?
A.For further information, go to AOL's Mobile page
Q.How can I find out more about Yahoo!® Messenger?
A. For further information, go to Yahoo!'s Mobile page.
Q. How can I find out more about Windows Live™ Messenger?
A.For further information, go to Windows Live™ for Mobile PC Pages.
Q. How does Windows Live impact my current use of MSN Messenger?
A. If you are using MSN Messenger today, you will not be affected by the change to Windows Live. However, Windows Live is the next generation IM offering from Microsoft with enhanced features and functionalities on the PC. To learn more, go to Windows Live™.
Additional Features/Information
Q. Will I appear online and available to chat when I sign on to IM from my wireless phone?
A.Yes. A mobile icon will appear next to your AOL®, Yahoo®, or Windows Live Messenger screen name in your friends' buddy / contact list window to let them know you are using a wireless device.
Q.Can I customize my IM status while using my wireless phone?
A.Yes, It is also possible to customize your status to away, busy, be right back, etc. from your wireless phone.
Q.Can I add and delete buddies / contacts from my wireless phone?
A.Yes, you can add and delete buddies / contacts while you are signed on to AOL®, Yahoo®, or Windows Live™ Messenger on your wireless phone.
Q.What is IM Forwarding?
A.If your phone is capable of text messaging, you can forward instant messages from your PC to your wireless phone when you're away from your computer. You will receive forwarded instant messages in the form of text messages unless you sign in to an IM community on your wireless phone. Learn more about Mobile IM Forwarding at AIM®, Yahoo®, or Windows Live™ Messenger.
Q.What is PC to Mobile Instant Messaging?
A.IM Users on their computer can send a message to your wireless phone by using your 10-digit phone number instead of a screen name or ID. You will receive the message as a text message on your phone, Learn more about PC to Mobile IM at AIM®, Yahoo®, or Windows Live™ Messenger.
Messaging Unlimited for Families
Q. What is Messaging Unlimited for Families?
A. Messaging Unlimited for Families allows all the members of a FamilyTalk calling plan unlimited text, picture, video, and instant messages for only $30 per month.
Q. What if only one member on my FamilyTalk account needs unlimited messaging?
A. You can add Messaging Unlimited for $20 to that mobile but for just $10 more per month, you’ll never need to worry about messaging overage charges for any of the other mobiles on your FamilyTalk account.
Q. What if someone leaves my FamilyTalk group?
A. The $30 charge is the same regardless of the number of mobiles on your FamilyTalk account.
Q. Is there a MEdia Bundle for Families plan? Some of the people on my FamilyTalk account have a MEdia Bundle and use MEdia Net to download and browse today.
A. We do not currently offer a MEdia Bundle for Families plan but you can add one of our MEdia Net plans to each mobile that utilizes these services.
Q. Can I get it without a voice plan?
A No. A FamilyTalk voice rate plan is required.
