Wireless Messaging Frequently Asked Questions

Text Messaging

1. What is Text Messaging?
Text Messaging is the ability to send and receive short messages (also called SMS) on your phone.

2. Is my phone ready for Text Messaging?
Most wireless phones support Text Messaging. To confirm, check out our Phones page.

3. How do I know if I have a text message on my phone?
Most phones will beep and display an icon that looks like an envelope when you have a message in your inbox.

4. How long can text messages be?
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.

5. If I have my phone turned off or I'm on a call, will I still receive my text messages and alerts?
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.

6. Who can I send a text message to?
You can exchange text messages with almost any other wireless phone in the U.S. by addressing messages to their 10-digit wireless number.

6. How do I create a message?
Generally, from your phone's main menu:

  1. Select Messages, then Text Messages, and then Create/New Message.
  2. Type a message using your phone's keypad (up to 160 characters).
  3. Send your message to a 10-digit wireless number.

Review your phone's user guide for instructions specific to your phone.

Instant Messaging

1. What is Instant Messaging?
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.

2. What do I need to use Instant Messaging on my wireless phone?
You will need a wireless phone capable of instant messaging. You will also need a pay-per-use feature or a MEdia™ Bundle on your wireless account and a compatible screen name or ID from either Yahoo!, AIM, or Windows Live™.

3. Where do I find Instant Messaging on my wireless phone?
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.

Picture and Video Messaging

1. What is Picture & Video Messaging?
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.

2. Do I need Picture & Video Messaging for my camera or video cell phone to work?
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.

3. Who can I send picture & video messages to?
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.

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).

4. Where can I send a picture or video message?
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.