The basic method differs by phone type, but the process takes under a minute
On both iPhone and Android, you open your text message app, start a new message or reply to an existing one, and tap the attachment button — a plus sign, paperclip, or camera icon depending on your phone. From there you either take a photo in the moment or select one from your phone's photo library. The message then sends with the image included. The exact steps vary slightly by manufacturer and which texting app you use, but the principle is the same across all phones.
Most phones let you attach multiple photos at once, though some carriers or messaging apps limit how many you can send in a single message. If you're sending to someone on a different type of phone — say, an iPhone user texting an Android user — the photo may arrive smaller or in a different format, but it will still arrive as a photo, not a link.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users tap the plus icon next to the message box, then select Photos to choose an existing image or Camera to take a new one.
- Android users tap the attachment icon (usually a paperclip or plus sign) in the message compose area and select Gallery or Camera.
- Photos sent via text message are embedded in the message itself, not sent as links, so they work even without internet.
- File size limits vary by carrier and messaging app, but most phones automatically compress photos to fit within those limits.
- If you're using a third-party messaging app like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger instead of your phone's default app, the attachment button location may differ.
How to attach a photo on iPhone
Open the Messages app and either start a new conversation or open an existing one. Tap the plus icon to the left of the message composition box at the bottom of the screen. A menu will appear with options including Photos, Camera, and others. Tap Photos to browse your photo library, or tap Camera to take a new photo right then.
If you chose Photos, your library will open. Select the photo you want by tapping it once — it will show a checkmark. You can select multiple photos by tapping additional ones. Once you've chosen all the photos you want, tap Send in the bottom right corner. The message will send with all selected photos attached.
If you chose Camera instead, your phone's camera will open. Take the photo, tap Use Photo to confirm it, and then tap Send to include it in your message. You can take multiple photos this way by repeating the process before sending.
How to attach a photo on Android
Open your default messaging app — usually called Messages, SMS, or Texting depending on your phone manufacturer. Start a new message or open an existing conversation. Look for an attachment icon near the message composition box. On most Android phones this is a paperclip, plus sign, or camera icon. Tap it to see your attachment options.
Select Gallery or Photos to browse images already on your phone, or select Camera to take a new photo. If you chose Gallery, navigate to the photo you want and tap it to select it. Some Android phones let you select multiple photos at once by tapping each one. Once you've made your selection, tap Send or Attach to add the photo to your message.
If you chose Camera, take your photo and confirm it. You can take multiple photos before sending, or send after each one — it depends on your phone's interface. Once you're ready, tap Send to deliver the message with the photo attached.
What happens to photo quality when you send via text
Your phone automatically compresses photos before sending them as text messages. This means the image that arrives on the other person's phone will be smaller in file size and lower in resolution than the original on your phone. For casual photos and screenshots, this compression is usually not noticeable. For high-resolution photos you want to preserve in full quality, text message is not the best method — cloud storage services like Google Drive or iCloud, or photo-sharing apps like Google Photos, preserve the original quality better.
The exact amount of compression depends on your carrier and which messaging app you're using. Some carriers compress more aggressively than others. If you're sending to someone on a different type of phone, additional conversion may happen — for example, an iPhone might convert an Android photo format to ensure compatibility. In all cases, the photo will still be readable and usable on the receiving end.
Using third-party messaging apps instead of your default app
If you use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, or another third-party messaging app instead of your phone's built-in text app, the steps are slightly different. These apps typically have their own attachment buttons, usually located in the message composition area. Look for a plus sign, paperclip, or camera icon specific to that app. Tap it and you'll see options to select from your photo library or take a new photo.
Third-party apps often handle photo compression differently than your phone's default messaging app. Some preserve quality better, while others compress more. WhatsApp, for example, has a High Quality option in settings that lets you choose whether to send photos in original quality or compressed form. Check your app's settings if photo quality matters for what you're sending.
Troubleshooting when photos won't attach
If the attachment button doesn't appear or tapping it does nothing, first check that you have enough storage space on your phone. If your phone's storage is full or nearly full, it may not let you attach files. Go to your phone's Settings, find Storage or About Phone, and check how much space is available. If you're below 500 MB of free space, delete some apps, photos, or videos to free up room.
If you have storage space but still can't attach photos, try closing the messaging app completely and reopening it. If that doesn't work, restart your phone. If the problem persists, check whether you've given the messaging app permission to access your photos. On iPhone, go to Settings > Messages and make sure Photos is enabled. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Permissions and make sure Camera and Storage are both enabled.
If you're using a third-party app and photos won't attach, the same permission check applies — make sure the app has permission to access your camera and photo library. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the app, though this will not delete your message history if the app stores it in the cloud.
When to use text message photos versus other methods
Text message photos work well for quick sharing with one person or a small group, and they don't require internet — they send over your cellular connection. They're good for screenshots, casual snapshots, or anything you want the recipient to have immediately without clicking a link. However, text message is not ideal if you need to preserve photo quality, send to many people at once, or want a permanent record that's easy to search later.
For sharing albums or many photos at once, cloud services like Google Photos or iCloud are better — they let you create a shared link that multiple people can view and download from. For sending to groups regularly, a group chat in WhatsApp or Messenger may be more convenient than creating a new text message each time. For work or formal communication, email often works better because it preserves metadata and makes it easier to organize and reference later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a photo to someone without a smartphone?
If the person has a basic phone that receives text messages, the photo will arrive as a link or a separate file depending on their carrier and phone model. Some older phones cannot display photos in text messages at all. The safest approach is to ask the person how they prefer to receive photos — email, a cloud link, or another method.
Why is my photo arriving blurry or pixelated?
Your phone compressed the photo to fit within carrier limits. This is normal and happens automatically. If the recipient needs the original quality, send the photo through email, Google Drive, iCloud, or another cloud service instead, which preserves the full resolution.
Can I attach a photo to a group text message?
Yes, the process is the same. Open the group conversation, tap the attachment button, and select your photo. It will be sent to everyone in the group. Be aware that group messages sometimes have lower file size limits than one-on-one messages, so very large photos may be compressed more.
What if the person I'm texting uses a different type of phone than mine?
Photos sent between iPhone and Android work fine — they arrive as photos, not links. Your phone may convert the file format slightly, but the image will be readable on the other end. The only exception is if one person is using a very old phone that doesn't support photo messaging.
Is there a limit to how many photos I can attach at once?
Most phones let you attach between 5 and 10 photos in a single message, though some carriers or apps limit it to fewer. If you try to attach more than the limit, your phone will usually warn you or split the message into multiple sends. For sending many photos, a cloud link or photo-sharing app is more practical.