How to Fix Android Text Messages Stuck “Downloading” or “Expired”
Lately, numerous Android users have voiced their concerns regarding an issue with their phones displaying a message stating “Couldn’t Download.” Essentially, these messages become stuck during the downloading process or become expired. If you are encountering this error, the message cannot be viewed in straightforward terms.
On the flip side, if you come across the “expired” message, we regret to inform you that you won’t be able to recover that particular message as it is now too late. Armed with this information, let us commence our guide.
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Fix Android Text Messages Stuck with “Downloading” or “Expired”
The issue of messages getting stuck in the “Downloading” or “Expired” state usually occurs in the standard Android messaging app, specifically when using MMS (Multimedia Message Service). If you are experiencing this problem while using MMS, this comprehensive guide will assist you in resolving it. It is essential to read this guide in its entirety and not overlook any of the solutions provided.
Restart Your Device The simplest way to resolve the issue of text messages being stuck on “Downloading” or “Expired” is by restarting your device. Restarting is an easy process. So go ahead, restart your device, and then attempt to retrieve the message.
Check Your Network It is possible that your device keeps displaying “Downloading” because it is actually unable to download the message due to network connection problems. MMS differs from iMessage and requires both a stable internet connection and carrier support.
Additionally, certain carriers may not provide support for this feature. If you suspect that you are using such a carrier, reach out to customer support to address the issue.
Switch to a WiFi Connection As mentioned earlier, MMS service relies on a reliable internet connection. If you believe your carrier supports MMS but you are still unable to retrieve the messages, it might be due to slow mobile data speeds.
Consider switching to a WiFi connection instead. Once connected to WiFi, attempt to retrieve the message. If it still doesn’t work, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
Turn on Rich Communication It is possible that Rich Communication is disabled, which can prevent the retrieval of MMS messages, causing them to remain stuck on “Download” or even expire. Follow these steps to enable Rich Communication:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to the Connections section.
- Scroll down to More Connection Settings.
- Toggle the Rich Communication option. Once you’ve completed these steps, try retrieving the message again. By now, your issue might be resolved.
Clear Messages App Cache
It is possible that everything is functioning correctly, but the messaging app on your phone is experiencing some issues. Sometimes, the app cache on Android smartphones can become corrupted, leading to abnormal behavior such as messages getting stuck on “Downloading” or expiring. To resolve this problem, follow these straightforward steps:
- Press and hold the Messages app icon for 2 seconds to display a menu.
- From the menu, select “App Info” or the information (“i”) button.
- In the next window, scroll down to find “Storage Usage” and tap on it.
- Tap on “Clear Cache” to remove the app’s cache.
- Press the back button and then tap on “Force Close.”
- Once completed, open the Messages app and tap on your message to retrieve and check if messages are now downloading properly or not.
Stop Using a VPN
Using a VPN for enhanced security and privacy is a good choice. However, encountering this issue is quite common when using a VPN. Typically, free VPN services come with certain drawbacks, and this is one of them. If you want to view and retrieve MMS messages without any hindrance, disable your VPN and attempt again. Alternatively, if you still want to use a VPN, opt for a VPN service that doesn’t interrupt your connection.
Reset the APN Settings
If none of the previous solutions have resolved the issue, it’s time to reset your APN (Access Point Names) settings. APN settings are integral to MMS retrieval, and if you have been using smartphones since the days of 2G, you might be familiar with them. Follow these steps to reset your APN settings:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on “Mobile Network.”
- From the top, select the SIM card you are using for MMS.
- In the next window, scroll down to find “Access Point Names” and tap on the three dots at the top right corner.
- Click on “Reset APN.” Now, you should be able to download and view the messages without them getting stuck on “Downloading” indefinitely.
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