How to Send Photos by Text: Step-by-Step Guide
Sending a photo by text is one of the nicest everyday uses of a phone. A snap of the garden, the grandchildren, or something funny at the shops, sent off to family in a few taps. Once you’ve done it once, it becomes second nature. For choosing the phone itself, see our guide to the best smartphone for seniors in Australia, and for another simple way to share photos, how to set up WhatsApp on iPhone.
The steps are slightly different on an iPhone and an Android phone, so we’ll cover both. The idea is the same on each: open a message, attach the photo, and send.
Quick answer
Open a text conversation with the person, tap the photo or plus icon next to where you type, choose the picture you want, then tap send. On both iPhone and Android the photo sends along with any message you type. For lots of photos at once, email or a free app like WhatsApp is easier.
Sending a photo on an iPhone
1. Open Messages and the conversation
Open the green Messages app. Tap the name of the person you want to send the photo to, to open your conversation with them. If you’ve not messaged them before, tap the pencil-and-paper icon to start a new one and type their name.
2. Tap the plus button
To the left of the box where you type, tap the plus sign. A small menu appears. Tap Photos.
3. Choose your photo
Your pictures appear, newest first. Tap the one you want, and it drops into the message. You can tap more than one if you want to send a few.
4. Add a note and send
Type a few words if you like, such as “Look who came to visit.” Then tap the arrow button to send. Done.
Sending a photo on an Android phone
1. Open Messages and the conversation
Open the Messages app, usually a blue or green speech-bubble icon. Tap the conversation with the person, or tap Start chat to begin a new one and choose their name.
2. Tap the plus or photo icon
Near the box where you type, tap the plus sign, or the small picture or paperclip icon. This lets you attach a photo.
3. Pick the photo and send
Tap Gallery or Photos, choose the picture you want, then tap the arrow to send. You can type a message alongside it if you’d like.
A note about cost and quality
When you send a photo to another iPhone over Wi-Fi or data, it goes as an iMessage, which is free and good quality. Sending to an Android phone, or when iMessage can’t connect, it goes as a picture message, which may use a small amount from your plan and can look a little less sharp. For most people this is nothing to worry about.
If you want to send a whole batch of photos, say twenty holiday pictures, a text isn’t the best tool. They can arrive blurry or not at all. Email handles a handful well, and a free app like WhatsApp is great for sharing lots of clear photos with family. Our guide on setting up a family group chat shows how that works.
Good to know
- You can also send a photo straight from the Photos app: open a picture, tap the share icon (a box with an arrow), and choose Messages.
- If a photo won’t send, check you have a signal or Wi-Fi, then try again.
- Sending one or two photos at a time is the most reliable way by text.
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
FAQ: Sending photos by text
Does sending a photo by text cost money?
Between two iPhones over Wi-Fi or data it’s free. To an Android phone it sends as a picture message, which may use a small amount from your plan. For most people the cost is minor.
Where do I find the button to add a photo?
Look next to the box where you type your message. On iPhone it’s a plus sign, then Photos. On Android it’s a plus sign or a small picture icon.
Can I send more than one photo at a time?
Yes. When choosing photos, tap each one you want before sending. For more than a few, though, email or WhatsApp gives better results than a text.
Why did my photo arrive blurry?
Picture messages to non-Apple phones are squashed down in size, which can soften them. To send a sharp copy, use email or a free app like WhatsApp instead.
Can I send a photo straight from my photo album?
Yes. Open the photo, tap the share icon, which looks like a box with an arrow coming out, then choose Messages and pick who to send it to.
