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

[Rich123456]

I agree.  I used to have the Xperia Z1S and won't ever get it again for this one reason.  It's absolutely ridiculous that it's almost 2015 and the Xperia doesn't have group texting.  I'd love to get the Z3, but definitely not going to do it if it doesn't have REAL group texting.

So, let us know!

[enbuzen]

I just noticed this issue last night on my Z3 Compact. Group messages are indeed received as individual texts.

Sony, can you please push out a software update to address this issue? Group texting is basic functionality and I am surprised the phone does not natively support it. Even stock Android KitKat on my Nexus 4 supported it.

[Redbaron1324]

I read on another forum that it can support threaded group MMS. The trick is to insert a subject line. I'm not sure if the subject can be blank or has to have at least one character or if a space counts. But it's something to try next time I have to send a group MMS.

[nuggstein]

Adding a subject works, but then getting responses come separately? Any ideas how to fix?

[Isidar]

Good Evening,

I would just like to start off by saying I love this phone and it is amazing so far. 

The biggest complaint I have and it is pretty ridiculous that this is even an issue is that I can't group message without it coming back from everyone in a single 1on1 message.  The last phone I had was a Galaxy S3 and I used this feature all the time especially for work purposes. Now I have this great new phone with all these amazing features, but I can't group message. I have a lot of Sony products due to the amazing quality, I am just really bummed out about this lack of feature. 

I just want everyone at Sony to be aware of this and hopefully it can be patched in somehow.

Thank you for your time.

[Uliwooly]

Don't stress about it so much, you Can download another messaging app and had that feature, perhaps handcent

[nuggstein]

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@uliwooly wrote:
Don't stress about it so much, you Can download another messaging app and had that feature, perhaps handcent

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This does not fix the original issue. The ONLY workaround is to use the app called "Textra". You have to enable group MMS and enable the WiFi calling fix.

What this REALLY does, is if you're receiving an MMS, it turns off WiFi calling and WiFi so that the text comes through. The issue with this is that if you do not have service, you will not get these messages, whereas if it's just SMS, they will come through.

This is the only workaround, and it is UNACCEPTABLE. I think I might have to return my phone. This worked with my HTC One m7, and from what I'm hearing, works with the new iPhone 6 on WiFi calling.

This needs to be brought up to Sony engineers as this is a serious complication and will force me to return my device.

[Uliwooly]

You should really contact Sony directly

http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/support/contact-us/

[Redbaron1324]

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@nuggstein wrote:

Adding a subject works, but then getting responses come separately? Any ideas how to fix?

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The reply messages do come under the replyer's thread, but you will noticed below their message a symbol noting that their responce was a group message and sent to multiple people. If you long hold on that message you will be given an option to "reply to all" and it creates a group message for you with subject inserted for which you can reply to the group. I agree that this is not ideal.

I do kind of like the idea of the reply message also being included in their individual thread so that I can always keep tract of what was said to whome w/out having to open every threaded group message to see who was included. I just wish the reply was also injected into the original group message thread as well.