Database Users

[Q] Google Voice, No MMS or Emoji problem

Just found out that GV does not do MMS AND does not decode emoji (receiving and sending)
After using it for a YEAR!
My girlfriend has been sending me mms pictures with her iPhone (yeah we've all been there having a girlfriend with an iPhone is quite the pain)
but i have not been able to receive any of them. (yes I really want those naked pictures haha )
On top of that, GVoice also does not decode emoji's or send them out (yep you guessed why i need it for)
When i receive emoji texts, it shows up as "\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd" on browser and it shows up as ? ? ? on the phone.
I just switched to the Nexus 4, Jelly Bean 4.2.1. So I am not satisfied when I have such a superior phone but unable to do simple functions like that.
Been toying around the whole day trying to get emoji to work, only to find out that if I was texted to my regular number, everything works fine, but if I was texted in GVoice number, the emojis disappear.
Does anyone have a workaround?
If possible, I don't want to switch to my regular number.

That's not really a nexus 4 issue, but more of the googlevoice application itself. I actually have been able to receive some mms (it sends it as an attachment to my gmail). Also I've had certain emoji and foreign characters work for me, which didn't work a few months ago. I can only guess googlevoice will slowly implement more features into their app.
I have v.4.2.54 of googlevoice if that helps. :fingers-crossed:

it never has done either of these. For the MMS part I don't think they have ever announced support

CoCoGirl886 said:
That's not really a nexus 4 issue, but more of the googlevoice application itself. I actually have been able to receive some mms (it sends it as an attachment to my gmail). Also I've had certain emoji and foreign characters work for me, which didn't work a few months ago. I can only guess googlevoice will slowly implement more features into their app.
I have v.4.2.54 of googlevoice if that helps. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I realized it isn't a Nexus 4 issue, but I did mention that I have a superior phone which is Nexus 4 and not being able to do simple tasks such as this is unacceptable!
I've also had certain emojis appear but with Jelly Bean 4.2.1, emoji should be fully supported by now.
As for mms, I read that if Sprint users(or if you're a Sprint user yourself) send you mms through GVoice, it will forward it to your email. Which is the smart thing to do and it SHOULD be that way.
Other cases I've heard happening are random hit and miss results from other carriers.
I'm using v 0.4.2.72

Ohh, I actually didn't know mms from only Sprint users work. But now it makes sense why I am only able to get it from certain people, so thanks for the info!
In the past I've tried setting texts to auto forward to gmail and tested out mms during that time and it didn't work. I haven't tried recently though. Until Google officially supports it, I just use other alternatives for mms like whatsapp :/.

Ryuuga said:
I realized it isn't a Nexus 4 issue, but I did mention that I have a superior phone which is Nexus 4 and not being able to do simple tasks such as this is unacceptable!
I've also had certain emojis appear but with Jelly Bean 4.2.1, emoji should be fully supported by now.
As for mms, I read that if Sprint users(or if you're a Sprint user yourself) send you mms through GVoice, it will forward it to your email. Which is the smart thing to do and it SHOULD be that way.
Other cases I've heard happening are random hit and miss results from other carriers.
I'm using v 0.4.2.72
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As mentioned, regardless of your phone being "superior," The limitations of MMS through Google Voice is not Because of the phone, but due to the limitations placed on Google Voice. Google Voice being a free service (for now at least) there is not reason for Google to use the extra server space to hold Picture data until you choose to download it. Just as your normal carrier, picture/data attached to MMS are stored on thier servers until you retrieve it (open the MMS and download).. There might be a possibility that MMS comes to Google Voice, but more than likely to only paid users. So until then, if you want those "naked pictures" you can either take them yourself, or have her email them.
As for your Emoji.. They are supported in Jelly Bean, you just have to enable them...
Settings>Language & Input> Check the box next to iWinn IME (Emoji Input)
Then when you click on a Input Box, in your notification bar and Keyboard Icon will appear. Open the Notifcation bar, click the "Choose input method" and Select Emoji Input.
If that is to many steps for you, then you can open Settings>Language & Input>Android keyboard settings>Add-on dictionaries.
Then install the "Emoji for English words" dictionary.
Then when you are typing you will get the option to insert a Emoji from the Auto-corrent bar.
Type "Smile" and a Smiley Face ☺ will appear
Type "Star" and a Star ★ will appear
More Emoji options: http://pastebin.com/UhsFze0u
Note: Note all phones will support these, so don't be surprised if you send a emoji to someone and they are wtf is that suppose to be because they see "3wsdfsa3" instead of the emoji. And IMO Emoji are childish, just type wtf you want to say instead of using a picture to do it. Guess it would make since if you were texting a 2 yr old that could only read picture books

@UberSlackr
I understand G Voice isn't a paid service and this doesn't do MMS by itself. But they could've done what they offering to Sprint users now which is by emailing you the photo to your gmail.
As for emoji, I know how to and already have enabled it in JB (as described in my earlier post) My problem is that G Voice does not decode emoji when I receive them and it doesn't show when I send them out.
The main reason I use G Voice is the convenience of logging all my texts and occasionally when flashing a new ROM goes wrong, I can still send texts through web browser.
Sent from my Nexus 4 device from the future

Ryuuga said:
@UberSlackr
I understand G Voice isn't a paid service and this doesn't do MMS by itself. But they could've done what they offering to Sprint users now which is by emailing you the photo to your gmail.
As for emoji, I know how to and already have enabled it in JB (as described in my earlier post) My problem is that G Voice does not decode emoji when I receive them and it doesn't show when I send them out.
The main reason I use G Voice is the convenience of logging all my texts and occasionally when flashing a new ROM goes wrong, I can still send texts through web browser.
Sent from my Nexus 4 device from the future
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No where in this thread do you mention enabling Emoji support.
2. You continue (through out the whole thread) to blame the lack of Emoji & MMS on the Nexus 4 or Jelly Bean.
Your problem is with Google Voice, in all cases. So you better off posting a thread in the Google Support Forums and not the Nexus 4 of XDA​3. Google has an Agreement with Sprint to allow MMS. This is due to being able to "port" your Sprint number to Google Voice, their for there has to be a way to have MMS since Google Voice becomes the Primary number/feature.
4. iPhone has the ability to send image to email (attachments) through the email app. Have her send it directly to your email.
I understand your need/want to use Google Voice. I also use Google Voice, so that I can text from the same number on my N7 as well as my N4. But you will have to find alternative methods of achieving your MMS / Emoji needs.
Don't Flash so many ROMS and you wont risk loosing Messages or need to text from the computer.
Have MMS sent to the Primary number of the phone, then back up the pictures to google drive.
Install a SMS/MMS Backup app, and run it before flashing a new ROM. Then restore the backup.
As for an Alternative to Emoji in GoogleVoice, I can not think of any, and I'm pretty sure this is not even a concern of googles to implement into the service. Thankfully

Ryuuga said:
Just found out that GV does not do MMS AND does not decode emoji (receiving and sending)
After using it for a YEAR!
My girlfriend has been sending me mms pictures with her iPhone (yeah we've all been there having a girlfriend with an iPhone is quite the pain)
but i have not been able to receive any of them. (yes I really want those naked pictures haha )
On top of that, GVoice also does not decode emoji's or send them out (yep you guessed why i need it for)
When i receive emoji texts, it shows up as "\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd" on browser and it shows up as ? ? ? on the phone.
I just switched to the Nexus 4, Jelly Bean 4.2.1. So I am not satisfied when I have such a superior phone but unable to do simple functions like that.
Been toying around the whole day trying to get emoji to work, only to find out that if I was texted to my regular number, everything works fine, but if I was texted in GVoice number, the emojis disappear.
Does anyone have a workaround?
If possible, I don't want to switch to my regular number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The google voice app does not decode emoji, but the service does support it. If you change the settings in the app to receive the messages in the messaging app instead of the google voice app emoji will work. To change the setting in the google voice app go to Menu>Settings>Sync and notifications>Receive text messages(then select via the messaging app)
Edit: It seems like some enojis work but others don't

I've been a long time user of GVoice and actually just recently found out or never cared that it has the option to receive texts. I have tried numerous times and can not get it to work. I've changed to receive text messages via GVoice but it has never worked for me. Am I missing something?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Sorry to bump an old thread but just to let people know the latest version of my app Send It Pro now integrates Google Voice support meaning you can now send any file on your Nexus 4 (just got mine and loving it) to anyone from your Google Voice number. And due to the nature of how it works it doesn't suffer any of the incompatibility issues MMS has.
Doesn't resolve the issue receiving but allow you to send files directly from your G-Voice number is halfway there

Emoji (partial support)
If you turn on the emoji android keyboard (not on by default but available in JB) you can see emojis that are common between iPhone emoji and Android emoji (they are in black and white on android but it works).
Google voice only seems to support recognition for these emojis (so far I have only seen a heart and a lightning bolt from my iPhone friends) so even on my mac while they show up in color and normal, it is only for common emojis (imagine the same effect could be achieved on the phone with a custom emoji keyboard).
I just wanted to share this because while I don't care too much about emoji the emoji keyboard is not enabled on android by default.

[Q] Group text in GoSMS Pro

Hi all, I flashed my rom with GoldenEye recently (which is a great, fast rom with terrific support!), but since then, I can't send group texts with GoSMS Pro. It worked before on the stock rom and it works from within the stock messaging app, but not GoSMS. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks... Josh

Facing the same issue. It worked fine on my s2 with gosms but now it sends it all desperate. I remember a setting somewhere that lets you keep messages together, have to dig through there for a solution.
Edit: spoke too soon. Settings>advanced>send options>group mms
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

Hey josh, I am having the same issue - I am currently on the GoldenEye ROM too, and group messaging on GO SMS no longer works for me. The stock messaging app works, but I was wondering if there's a fix to the GO SMS app (I prefer this because of their Emoji's). Unless anyone knows a keyboard app that allows for emoji's too? (I am currently using the Google Keyboard)
Edit - With the method Goliath mentioned, when I try sending a group message, it says "converting to MMS" and then gets stuck on the sending action. After about a minute, it gives me an "unable to send message" error. When I try sending a group message with this option disabled, it sends SMS messages to each recipient individually. The main problem is that my attempted group messages don't go through.

alankabalan said:
Hey josh, I am having the same issue - I am currently on the GoldenEye ROM too, and group messaging on GO SMS no longer works for me. The stock messaging app works, but I was wondering if there's a fix to the GO SMS app (I prefer this because of their Emoji's). Unless anyone knows a keyboard app that allows for emoji's too? (I am currently using the Google Keyboard)
Edit - With the method Goliath mentioned, when I try sending a group message, it says "converting to MMS" and then gets stuck on the sending action. After about a minute, it gives me an "unable to send message" error. When I try sending a group message with this option disabled, it sends SMS messages to each recipient individually. The main problem is that my attempted group messages don't go through.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
having you tried seeing if you can install the emoji pack in language settings? settings > language and input > google/android keyboard > add-on dictionaries > emoji for english words.
worked for me on aokp. that even allowed it work on swiftkey.

xBeerdroiDx said:
having you tried seeing if you can install the emoji pack in language settings? settings > language and input > google/android keyboard > add-on dictionaries > emoji for english words.
worked for me on aokp. that even allowed it work on swiftkey.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey beerdroid, thanks for the advice. I installed the emoji for english words language pack but don't know how to access it or pull it up (in GO SMS there's a plus sign to access emojis, but I don't have anything like this in my Google keyboard)
Do you know how I can find where this is installed?

alankabalan said:
Hey beerdroid, thanks for the advice. I installed the emoji for english words language pack but don't know how to access it or pull it up (in GO SMS there's a plus sign to access emojis, but I don't have anything like this in my Google keyboard)
Do you know how I can find where this is installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try this. if you've installed the emoji pack then go into your stock sms and select menu > settings. scroll down and see if there is a "display" section. if so, mine has boxes that can be checked for "Emoji support" as well as "Quick emojis button". with these selected, emojis are supported and a button is implemented on the keyboard.

xBeerdroiDx said:
try this. if you've installed the emoji pack then go into your stock sms and select menu > settings. scroll down and see if there is a "display" section. if so, mine has boxes that can be checked for "Emoji support" as well as "Quick emojis button". with these selected, emojis are supported and a button is implemented on the keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang i don't think my ROM (GoldenEye) has the Emoji Support or Quick Emojis Button options - let me try to flash AOKP to see if that works. Thanks very much for your help!

Emojis problem on SMS app

Here's my problem. I have my Nexus 4 on stock rom (just updated to 4.4.2), since y update to 4.4 I can't see emojis on sms apps when I receive a message with an emoji in it, I can just write them. E.x If I send a sms to my gf with them she can see the emoticons in her iphone, but when she reply to me, i can't. I just get symbols or question marks. What can I do? What's the problem.
Btw, the problem is just in sms apps Hangouts and Sms stock app. I can perfectly see color emojis on Instagram and Twitter, my problem is sms app.

Ale_Gnzlz said:
Here's my problem. I have my Nexus 4 on stock rom (just updated to 4.4.2), since y update to 4.4 I can't see emojis on sms apps when I receive a message with an emoji in it, I can just write them. E.x If I send a sms to my gf with them she can see the emoticons in her iphone, but when she reply to me, i can't. I just get symbols or question marks. What can I do? What's the problem.
Btw, the problem is just in sms apps Hangouts and Sms stock app. I can perfectly see color emojis on Instagram and Twitter, my problem is sms app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think social network apps like those have universal emoticons for all mobile OSes. Since iOS and Android don't use the same emoticons for SMS, they won't appear. I wouldn't think that you would be able to use emoticons like that even before 4.4.2 .
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

It has happened to me every time, on 4.3, 4.4. and 4.4.1, with every app. But finally I discovered Chomp SMS, which is very good, I'll recommend it for a lot of other features too.

Sending a smily without making the message an mms

I have sent 2 MMS now without wanting to. I have come from a HTC One X which was able to send a smiley as part of an SMS but when I use the smileys on the standard Samsung keyboard they are pictures. Are there any SMS smileys on the phone I thought I had found some but now cant find any.

descb600f said:
I have sent 2 MMS now without wanting to. I have come from a HTC One X which was able to send a smiley as part of an SMS but when I use the smileys on the standard Samsung keyboard they are pictures. Are there any SMS smileys on the phone I thought I had found some but now cant find any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Hangouts for SMS it has smileys which send as SMS

descb600f said:
I have sent 2 MMS now without wanting to. I have come from a HTC One X which was able to send a smiley as part of an SMS but when I use the smileys on the standard Samsung keyboard they are pictures. Are there any SMS smileys on the phone I thought I had found some but now cant find any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try SwiftKey keyboard beta Google it that has smileys built in

For the standard Android smileys (not emojis that count as MMS) just click the menu button and select add smiley

Skander1998 said:
For the standard Android smileys (not emojis that count as MMS) just click the menu button and select add smiley
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I knew I wasn't going mad cheers.
I tried the swiftkey but lost some of the Samsung features so went back.
Still missing some of the HTC features as it is.

SwiftKey emoji problem

Hi,
I've just installed the latest Swiftkey beta which has emoji support. The problem is that when you add a smiley face or something or warns you that it's sending it as an MMS ?!? Why's that ? I have to pay for MMS messages. The default samsung keyboard still manages to add them in as a standard SMS.

dayloon said:
Hi,
I've just installed the latest Swiftkey beta which has emoji support. The problem is that when you add a smiley face or something or warns you that it's sending it as an MMS ?!? Why's that ? I have to pay for MMS messages. The default samsung keyboard still manages to add them in as a standard SMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not an issue... Samsung keyboard does it too.