> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.lightpost.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.lightpost.app/core-concepts/groups/mms.md).

# Texting (MMS)

Lightpost also allows your congregation to text groups for quick communication via MMS.

### What is an MMS message?

* MMS messages are similar to [SMS](/core-concepts/groups/sms.md), but allow for much longer messages and images.
* MMS messages are different than *mobile notification*s, which users can receive for various things (worship assignments, group posts, etc) and require the member be logged into the Lightpost mobile application to receive them.
* MMS messages do have an extra cost associated with them due to the requirement of using a third party service to send MMS messages.

### Special Notes About MMS

* MMS messages can contain up to 1600 characters.
* MMS messages **must** contain one image for our service provider and carriers to properly send it as an MMS message, and not multiple, more expensive SMS messages.
  * If no image is provide, a **default image** will be generated for you that shows the user the **name of your congregation** and the **name of the group** that the message is being sent to.
* MMS messages will show up as a different message on some devices.
  * Depending on the carrier and network, the sender number shows up as:
    * "`1235551234`" for an **MMS**
    * "`+1 (123) 555-1234`" for an SMS
  * This can appear on a device as two different senders. This is normal and expected due to carrier and network patterns.

### How are MMS messages counted?

* Lightpost counts an MMS message as every 1600 characters and optional image sent to each users' unique phone number.
* Lightpost automatically filters out duplicate numbers and duplicate recipients.
  * If multiple people have the same phone number, only one message will be sent.
  * If a user has multiple mobile phone numbers, a message will only be sent to their primary number.

### First message confirmation

When an MMS message is sent to a user from Lightpost for the first time, Lightpost sends a total of **3 messages** to inform the user about why they're receiving an MMS message from this number.

These three messages will include information such as:

* The first message let's the user know what congregation text messages from this phone number are coming from.
* The second message informs the user how to opt-out of and opt-in to future messages.
* The third message is the first message you are sending to the group.

These messages only happen one time for each users' phone number, regardless of what group the MMS comes from.

### How to send an MMS message

#### **STEP 1**

* In the Admin, open the group's "**Messaging**" tab, select the "**Enable messaging by MMS**" option, and click "**Save Changes**".

<figure><img src="https://585820897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FG1WcD54zAozfrANJAahi%2Fuploads%2FKcShhu28iLiHX76EbbUU%2FScreenshot%202026-03-14%20at%202.37.11%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&amp;token=5bff1729-e344-4e1f-9b18-746ee2e26da9" alt="The MMS option in the &#x22;Messaging&#x22; tab for a group." width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **STEP 2**

1. Open **Group Roles** and enable **Authorized Sender** for each person who may send an MMS message.
   1. Only people in the group are listed. Add the person on the group's **Members** page first if needed.
   2. Authorized Sender is separate from Group Admin and Group Post Admin. Account Admins must also be explicitly authorized for the group.

See [Group Roles and Event Permissions](/core-concepts/groups/group-roles.md) for more about Authorized Senders.

#### STEP 3

Authorized Senders can send from the Admin, the member web app, or the mobile app.

**From the Admin**

1. In the Admin, find the group you wish to message, and click on the group.
2. Go to the **"Send MMS"** section. It appears once MMS is enabled for the group.
3. Enter the message you wish to send.
4. Optionally choose an **Image** to include. It must be a JPG or PNG file of 500KB or less.
5. To send it later, select "**Schedule for later**" and choose a date and time.
6. Click "**Send MMS**".
7. A cost estimate is provided for you at the bottom of the page.

<figure><img src="https://585820897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FG1WcD54zAozfrANJAahi%2Fuploads%2Fy7A9McP6Khkq6AqQlag1%2FScreenshot%202026-03-14%20at%202.38.35%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&amp;token=d6855d1c-87f8-47d9-95cb-c18ac16cd27f" alt="" width="303"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Sending from the Admin requires the **Manage Groups** admin permission in addition to being an Authorized Sender.

**From the member web app**

1. Go to **Groups** and open the group.
2. Select **Messaging**, then the **MMS** tab.
3. Enter the message, optionally select "**Schedule for later**", and click "**Send MMS**".

**Messaging** only appears for Authorized Senders who are members of the group, and the group must appear in their **Groups** list. A group is listed there when it has Group Posts or a Group Forum, a group calendar, or video calls turned on. For any other group, send from the Admin or the mobile app.

**From the mobile app**

Authorized Senders can also send and schedule MMS messages from the Lightpost mobile app, including for groups they are not a member of.

{% hint style="info" %}
Your own image can only be attached from the Admin. MMS messages sent from the member web app or the mobile app always include the default image.
{% endhint %}

### How to schedule an MMS message

Select "**Schedule for later**" when writing the message, then choose the date and time. Times use your account's time zone, and the time can be set between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM.

Scheduled messages can be cancelled any time before they are sent:

* **In the Admin** — open the group's **Scheduled** section and click **Cancel**. The section appears when the group has a scheduled message.
* **In the member web app** — open the group's **Messaging** page and use the **Scheduled** tab.

### Troubleshooting

* **"Send MMS" is missing in the Admin** — MMS is not enabled for the group. See Step 1.
* **"User is not an authorized sender for MMS messages."** — you are not an Authorized Sender for this group. See Step 2. This applies to Account Admins as well.
* **"Messaging" is missing in the member web app** — you are not an Authorized Sender for the group, you are not a member of it, or SMS, MMS, and voice are all turned off for the group.

### How to view MMS history

1. In the Admin, find the group you wish to message, and click on the group.
2. Go to the **"Message History"** section.
3. Click on any past message to view details about who received the text messages and any errors or failures.

Scheduled and cancelled messages are listed in Message History as well.