How-To: Get MMS On Your iPhone Right Now
4:42 pm, September 16th, 2009, Leander Kahney
AT&T is bringing Multimedia Messaging to the iPhone on September 25. But if you can’t wait ten days or so, here’s how to get it now.
Ingredients:
- iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS. MMS doesn’t work on earlier iPhones
- iTunes 8.2 or 9.0
- OS X’s Terminal app
- This AT&T Carrier Settings file
The procedure requires typing a Terminal command, but takes about three minutes total. Be warned, there are some reports the hack doesn’t work.
Start by enabling IPCC updates, which is supported in the latest version of iTunes (iTunes 9) and iTunes 8.2.
- Quit iTunes
- Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities)
- Type the following command: defaults write com.apple.iTunes carrier-testing -bool TRUE
Next you have to update your iPhone with a new carrier settings file, which allows you to change the iPhone’s Network settings and enable MMS.
Right click and save this ATT_US.ipcc carrier settings file to your hard drive. I downloaded it to the default Downloads folder. When it has finished downloading, follow these steps:
- Restart iTunes
- Make sure your iPhone is plugged in
- Select your iPhone under Devices in the left-hand sidebar of iTunes
- Option-Click the “Check for Update” button in the iTunes main window
After Option-Clicking the “Check fro Update” button, you need to find the downloaded ATT_US.ipcc file:
- Browse to your Downloads folder and select the ATT_US.ipcc file
- Click on the file and hit “Choose”
- iTunes will copying the new settings to your iPhone
- Unplug your iPhone
- Reboot your iPhone
When your iPhone has rebooted, you need to input the following in the Network settings window.
Go to Settings>General>Network and choose the new Celullar Data Network option.
Then type in the missing username and password. The other settings should already be there. If not, enter them in as follows:
APN: wap.cingular
Username: wap@cingulargprs.com
Password (case sensitive): CINGULAR1
MMSC: http://mmsc.cingular.com;
MMS Proxy: 66.209.11.32
After entering the settings, just hit the Home button and you’re done — there’s no save button.
MMS in the Messages App should now be enabled. If so, you’ll see a little camera icon next to the text input box, which allows you to shoot video or pictures to go with your message. You can also choose a picture or video already saved on your iPhone.
Posted by Leander Kahney in How-To, Top stories, iPhone, iPhone Apps | Comment on this article
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is there supposed to be some kind of message after you type it in terminal? or no?
kevin, on September 16th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
You may want to check the article at appleiphoneschool.com AT&T has to enable the MMS before you can send them. For some it may automaticaly work but for other we still have to wait.
Brian, on September 16th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
any ideas as to whether or not this will have any adverse effects when the full-on, for real MMS carrier file is released on September 25?
as in, if i do this now, and it works, and then the real updated carrier file comes through, will i be screwed?
Luke, on September 16th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Ive had this for a while.
Noah P., on September 16th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
no, there’s no message
Leander Kahney, on September 16th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
no idea what’ll happen. just cross your fingers.
Leander Kahney, on September 16th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Nope. This still doesn’t work. Yeah, it makes the MMS function appear on the phone, but it won’t send.
‘Cos AT&T has an MMS Opt-Out on iPhones. You can enable options and whatnot to your heart’s content, but the NETWORK is what’s stopping MMS.
Gene, on September 16th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Four of the images do NOT display, which makes this a rather incomplete DIY-exercise.
Bert Vanderveen, on September 16th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
For some reason, iTunes won’t let me apply the carrier update. I keep getting a message that says, “An unknown error has occurred. (0xE800003D.)
Anyone know what this means?
Rob-0, on September 16th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
it worked. the message was sent and received without having to use another older phone
camerondavis, on September 16th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Mine works great but wifi has to be off. If the wifi radio is active MMS fails everytime. When I disable wifi MMS sends and receives flawlesly. Give it a try.
John, on September 16th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Note: After inputing the MMS settings hit the home button then REBOOT your device to get the camera icon next to your text box in ur new text message.
but this has worked for awhile.
QUESTION:
For some reason, iTunes won’t let me apply the carrier update. I keep getting a message that says, “An unknown error has occurred. (0xE800003D.)
ANSWER:
You get the error because you are not selecting to update an .ipcc file ur requesting to update a .ipsw file
kalieb, on September 16th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
try those exact steps but try these settings instead…
leave user : blank
leave PW: blank
MMS proxy: 066.209.011.032
or MMS Proxy: 66.209.11.32
after you input these settings goto settings>general>reset>reset network settings. *dont worry you won’t lose your configurations.. Then give MMS a shot, its a trial and error game but mine has been working smoothly on both networks for a while !!
audi20fsi, on September 16th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I have done this to 3 different 3GS iPhones over the last couple days and have only had 1 work. Unfortunately it wasn’t mine that worked…
MaverickC17, on September 16th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
It works for some people but won’t for others. AT-T has enabled MMS for some accounts but not for others. idk why. Mine works fine. of course, I’ve been using this for quite some time…
btungjr, on September 16th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
what username and pswd do i enter cellular data network box ? please help
munish, on September 16th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
The update went through fine but when I try to send pictures or videos, the sending bar on top gets up to and stops around 95%. Come on ATT! Let my MMS’s through!
FuriousCookie, on September 16th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Already have this and it works just fine.
Thanks though.
Needle, on September 16th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I can send fine. But when my phone try’s to receive, I hear about half of the incoming SMS tone then it cuts off and my phone totally loses signal (like the modem is resetting). And I never receive it. But I can always tell when someone is trying to send me a message. Anyone know how to fix this?
Chase, on September 16th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
did this about two weeks ago and could never get my phone to access data or texts afterward. tried all kinds of password fixes.. finally had to restore so i could go to the att store, play dumb and get a new sim. fat chance ill be risking that shit again.
noah meineke, on September 16th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Does this enable tethering as well? because there is a setting for it… And if it does is it suppose to cost anything extra?
VLAD, on September 16th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
i do not have the check for updates button in itunes 8.2 it just says update. when i hit shift plus the update button all it brings up is the .ipsw nothing about the .ipcc files. any ideas as to what i need to do.
logan, on September 16th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Lol, WTF. This is so old
Justin, on September 16th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
updated but I still seem to be one of the unlucky ones… nice hack tho!
fryfone, on September 16th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Forgive me if I’m missing something, but in your photo it says you’re sending to Steve@apple.com…..isn’t that emailing a picture to someone? Don’t you send text/MMS messages to a cell phone number and not an email address? I can email pix all day long right now.
If I’m wrong I apologize, but looks like your sending the picture via email in the first post.
Plotkin35, on September 16th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
If this didn’t work for you, try going to this link & installing the benm profile that corresponds to your carrier.
http://help.benm.at/tethering.php
LSZ33, on September 16th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
This worked flawlessly for me, exactly as described. Good luck, and enjoy the MMS!
Thanks CultOfMac!
UW Huskies, on September 16th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Network wont let me send a MMS either.
Phillip, on September 16th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
It worked on my 4 iphones but I have 1 regular cell phone which requires messaging for families. all the phones that do not have the family messaging have not worked. All the ones with family messaging have
Scott, on September 16th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Would this be possible to do from a pc? Using the comand run then notepad to tweak the file? Almost like how to downgrade 3gs fw 3.1 to 3.0???
Ecd, on September 16th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
I work for AT&Tin Data Support. I do not have MMS and I have hacked this since before 3.1 was released. It will work. However the adverse affects and you will want to verify this that Visual Voicemail will stop working. My settings with MMS working are APN: blank/User name: blank/ password: blank/MMSC http://mmsc.cingular.com/ MMS Proxy 66.209.11.32:80/ Max msg size 614400/ MMS UA prof URl: Blank. This has worked for me since 9/5/09 . I DO NOT HAVE iPHONE message I have family message plan. With iPhone message plan MMS DID NOT WORK. hope this helps!
Rey, on September 17th, 2009 at 12:24 am
can someone explain how to enable ipcc updates and where this can be found? thank you
dane, on September 17th, 2009 at 12:45 am
I followed the steps to the “T”. Still don’t have the camera icon on my messages? What gives?
squint0241, on September 17th, 2009 at 3:44 am
Dane, if you noticed from the tutorial above, there is a link to click on which will download it to your computer. Read the instructions carefully…
squint0241, on September 17th, 2009 at 3:46 am
FYI, enabling mms DISABLES tethering.
Sir, on September 17th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Yeah, this is old news buddy. And it doesn’t work if you’re opt-out code has not been removed by at&t yet. Thanks for nothing.
rackem, on September 17th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Tethering was disabled in 3.1 not from this hack.
Phillip, on September 17th, 2009 at 11:28 am
This works on 3.0.1 and I didn’t have to enter the carrier settings. Just uploaded the .ipcc file and blam.
Tim Cox, on September 17th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
IT WORKED!
Madison, on September 17th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
This is old news, but the carrier profile is new, AT&T 5.1. I think that makes all the difference. Works for me and my sister, on 3Gs and 3G respectively. Thanks!
Chris, on September 17th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
how can i unistall. fot my 3gs didnt work now i dont c my 3g logo anymore just shoe me the E =(
shawn, on September 17th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
it amazes me how people can be real wise asses when someone simply tries to help them out. install of ipcc went as stated but it seems att has me blocked… thanks for this update! just have to wait for for the 25
fryfone, on September 18th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Same, I’m from the DC area. I wonder if it has to do with the condensed population due to the city and the fact that their network isn’t great just yet.
vol7ron, on September 19th, 2009 at 12:32 am
When I try to select the ATT_US.ipcc file in iTunes it is grayed out and not an option. What am I doing wrong?
sarah, on September 19th, 2009 at 9:15 am
“When I try to select the ATT_US.ipcc file in iTunes it is grayed out and not an option. What am I doing wrong?”
I have the same problem! I can’t choose the file. Help?
will, on September 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Ah, I got it. In Terminal, you have to press RETURN after the command line.
will, on September 21st, 2009 at 8:38 pm
why does the IPCC file come up as a zip file???
mel, on September 22nd, 2009 at 9:59 am
For everyone not getting this to work here’s what I did over two months ago with the APN editing hack for jailbreak users. After using that hack and enabling MMS much like the OP did, I couldn’t send MMS. After calling ATT and asking them to give me regular messaging instead of iPhone messaging because of a BS story about work, blah blah blah, my MMS worked. I had to reboot my phone after they switched it in their system, but it is working to this day. I’m still running 3.0 and haven’t upgraded yet. HTH.
Jonathan, on September 22nd, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Tried this a week ago, started working today. Can send MMS fine, and can receive it from other AT&T users, but I’m not receiving MMS from friends on other networks… anyone else have this problem?
Jaywalker, on September 22nd, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Did everything as discribed, except terminal and MMS finally works… Yaa…
Jeff, on September 23rd, 2009 at 5:41 pm
FYI, enabling mms DISABLES tethering.
Sir, on September 17th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Just re-install tetherings mobile config. again. This what I did, and now both MMS & Internet Tethering WORK……. on 3.0.1.
Jeff, on September 23rd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
QUESTION:
For some reason, iTunes won’t let me apply the carrier update. I keep getting a message that says, “An unknown error has occurred. (0xE800003D.)
ANSWER:
You get the error because you are not selecting to update an .ipcc file ur requesting to update a .ipsw file
I’m not understanding this answer..the only file I’m able to choose during the hack is an .ipcc file NOT an .ipsw file..could you give me an answer for this issue please
Shotkalla, on September 28th, 2009 at 10:23 am
I kept having error (0xE800003D.) after I click the iphone carrier conf. ipcc,
& ATT_US.ipcc
its not bc i update ipsw file instead, can anyone help?
i have a jailbroken 3g 3.0 at&t iphone
Michelle, on September 30th, 2009 at 10:38 pm