Xperia Z3 Group MMS (group messaging)

[nuggstein]

Hi. I plan on getting the Xperia Z3 phone. One thing that will stop me from getting it is if it does not support Group MMS (group/threaded messaging). This means if you send a message to multiple people, it's more of a group chat, rather than individual messages to each device. And if someone responds, it stays within the thread. I have this currently on my HTC One. It works with iPhones and other Android devices.

Can anyone confirm in the Z3 has this capability?

Thanks

[Neophyte]

Hi as a workaround I changed the default text message program to google's hangouts. Group messaging w my android friends works fine on it however not for iPhone users. They'd have to download the hangouts app so you can group text w them. Hopefully Sony can update their text messenger to support group messaging. For now hangouts was the viable alternative

Also, my Z3 is unlocked with ATT

[FelIcia53]

There is no "real" group messaging! Sony needs to enable group messaging and release an update that will fix all texting issues, including delayed text messages.

[Cooleydub]

I'm hoping they have a fix in place when we get our lollipop update next month. When you think about it, that makes more sense.

[Uliwooly]

@FelIcia53 what do you mean by delayed text messages?

[nuggstein]

@Cooleydub ... I emailed the developers at Sony, and they couldn't provide any information if there was going to be a fix in their Lollipop version or if there ever will be. How can they not know?

[eliottjw]

this is TRULY disappointing.  I have been researching new phones for quite a while as I was getting sick of my iPhone dependency.  I "updated" my phone the other night and this morning, it bricked.  The choice was obvious to me on which phone I would get.  I tend to group message a LOT and this is a huge problem. 

I unpackaged my phone today and immediately had to start dealing with this issue.  This is a real bummer and I hope anyone at Sony is aware.  Maybe I'll send a message right now.

[obi_kai_kanobi]

today I received my 1st group message... only it wasn't a group.. it was a sms gang bang of sorts.. zany correlation of message structure.. and it kept coming. when i text back it was like the bullet split in 2.. hitting both targets simultaneously .. its 2015.. the fact that such a great device cant perform as designed one the the 4 basic functions of a smartphone is probably the same reason Sony Mobile division is tanking.. no attention to detail.. and engineers and designers that's out of touch with reality.. the reality of a actually having a happy consumer that is willing to invest in making their lives easier via ... get this.. a smartphone.. slowly but surely this Z3 that I've grown to love in such a short time.. is falling apart.. as the little nuances of the device begin to surface.. SMS not functioning is like a smartphone with a traumatic brain injury.. may still look pretty ..but will drool and gafaw with every 2nd step.. I hope the fix is a software update away.. and we wait...

[dub723]

Let me apologize publicly to sony for writing such a scathing letter to their support team about the Z3 experia compact.  I am in SF and AT&T is my carrier.  Group messaging was not working on my phone either but I sound that in my particular case the issue was this:

http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB424489&cv=820

My sim card was one of the "incompatible" ones.  I went to the AT&T store, got my simcard replaced.  The native still doesn't work but I think because it is defaulting to the recipients home phone number sometimes instead of the mobile number.  

Google Hangouts however, now handles group messages correctly and I get responses in the same group window.  I haven't tested other apps like Textra, because well, I havent had to.  

Now that my phone handles group messages correctly - I can truly say I love it.  I'm so happy that I bought this phone instead of another iphone.  I wanted a compact phone that wasnt crap - that actually fit in my pocket.  It is nice (too slippery and already scratched) and is exactly what I wanted it to be now.  Thanks Sony.  

[dub723]

Google hangouts is even able to handle text messages from Android and iphones.  It doesnt matter.  I get group texts fine regardless of what phone/carrier they are using.  

[Sobegreen]

Here we are in March. I just purchased a new Xperia Z 3 from a tmobile store last week.I was unaware that this phone was having so many issues regarding MMS and SMS. after the second day of use, I realized that there was a problem. after my fiance prompted me to restart my phone it was flooded with so many texts that I did not receive from the day before.

This issue of delayed SMS has persisted over the last 10 days. MMS I don't receive them. sometimes I will receive other peoples responses to the original group message but I won't have the original message.I don't receive pictures sent from people to my phone. I noticed that my phone will only have this issue after so long a time of inactivity.

Reading these forums all over the internet makes me sad because there seems to be no solution found. I'm considering returning the phone and exchanging for something else. this issue is hindering my ability to communicate effectively with others, especially since I use these features so much. Sony please help I provided update somehow Thanks.

P.S. I still love the Xperia Z 3 phone and I want to keep it.