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This guide covers MMS messaging, supported media types, size limits, and delivery.

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Overview

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) allows sending images, videos, and audio in addition to text. Availability: US and Canada only

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Supported Carriers

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Major Carriers

  • AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile (US)
  • Rogers, Bell, Fido, Telus, Wind Canada

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Minor Carriers

365 Wireless, Alaska Communication System (ACS), Alltel Wireless, Bluegrass Cellular, Boost Mobile, and others.

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Pricing

DirectionCost per Message
Outbound$0.0160
Inbound$0.0080
Volume discounts available—contact Plivo Sales.

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Media Requirements

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Supported File Types

CategoryFormats
ImageJPEG, PNG, GIF
VideoMP4, 3GP, MOV
AudioMP3, WAV, AMR
See full list of accepted content types.

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Size Limits

LimitValue
Total message size5 MB
Maximum attachments10 files
Text content1,600 characters (~4.8 KB)
Recommended image size< 600 KB
Note: Plivo does not resize images. Messages exceeding 5 MB fail with error code 120.

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Content-Type Headers

Media URLs must return valid Content-Type and Content-Length headers. URLs without these headers are rejected.

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Send MMS

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Via API

curl -X POST "https://api.plivo.com/v1/Account/{auth_id}/Message/" \
  -u "{auth_id}:{auth_token}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "src": "14151234567",
    "dst": "14157654321",
    "type": "mms",
    "text": "Check out this image!",
    "media_urls": ["https://example.com/image.jpg"]
  }'

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Via Powerpack

Replace src with powerpack_uuid: 
{
  "powerpack_uuid": "your-powerpack-uuid",
  "dst": "14157654321",
  "type": "mms",
  "media_urls": ["https://example.com/image.jpg"]
}

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Multiple Media Files

Send up to 10 files in one message: 
{
  "media_urls": [
    "https://example.com/image1.jpg",
    "https://example.com/image2.jpg",
    "https://example.com/image3.jpg"
  ]
}
Note: Media file order is not guaranteed at delivery.

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Upload Media

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Via Console

  1. Navigate to Messaging > MMS Media Upload
  2. Upload files
  3. Use returned media_id in API requests

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Via API

Use the Media API to upload and manage files.

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Hosted Media

Host media on any cloud storage (S3, GCS, etc.) and provide the URL in media_urls.

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Media Storage

FeatureDetails
Storage durationUp to 1 year
URL typePublicly accessible
ExtensionCase-by-case basis
Media files sent or received are stored in your account with unique URLs.

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Receive MMS

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Configure Message URL

  1. Set message_url on your Plivo application
  2. Assign MMS-enabled number to application
  3. Plivo POSTs inbound MMS to your URL

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Inbound Parameters

In addition to standard SMS parameters:
ParameterDescription
Type”mms” for multimedia messages
Media0, Media1, …URLs of attached media files

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Retrieve Media Files

Via SDK: Use the list media method Via API: Use the Media API

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Delivery Statuses

StatusMeaning
queuedMessage accepted, waiting to send
sentSent to carrier
deliveredConfirmed delivery to recipient
undeliveredFailed to deliver
failedError occurred
View status in Message Detail Records or via delivery callbacks.

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MMS on Toll-Free Numbers

Toll-free numbers support MMS in the US and Canada. Features:
  • Videos up to 40 seconds
  • Audio files
  • Animated GIFs
  • Images and slideshows
  • Automatic message queuing

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Rate Limits

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Account Level

LimitValue
Default MMS MPS0.25
API concurrency100 simultaneous requests

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Per Number

Long code numbers have individual throughput limits.

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Error Handling

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Common Errors

ErrorCauseSolution
HTTP 400Unsupported numberUse MMS-enabled number
HTTP 400Unsupported destinationVerify recipient supports MMS
Error 120File too largeReduce total size under 5 MB

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Unsupported Destinations

MMS to countries or devices without MMS support returns HTTP 400 error.

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Image Metadata

  • Metadata (date, time, location) is usually stripped by sending carrier
  • If carrier preserves metadata, Plivo passes it through
  • No modification of received metadata