The basic steps differ slightly between iPhone and Android, but both let you add photos directly from your phone's camera roll

To attach a photo to a text message on an iPhone, open the Messages app, start a new message or open an existing conversation, and tap the plus sign (+) to the left of the text field. Select "Photo Library" and choose the photo you want. You can also tap the camera icon instead to take a new photo right then and attach it. Once you've selected or taken the photo, tap "Send" to include it with your message.

On Android, open your default messaging app (usually Messages, but it may be a different app depending on your phone brand), start a new message or open a conversation, and look for a paperclip icon or plus sign (+). Tap it and select "Photos" or "Gallery" from the menu that appears. Choose your photo and tap "Send." Some Android phones also let you tap a camera icon to take a new photo before sending.

The photo will appear in the conversation as a thumbnail that the other person can tap to view in full size. Most phones compress the image slightly when sending so the message doesn't take too long to deliver, but the recipient will still see a clear version of your photo.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, tap the plus sign next to the text field, then "Photo Library," then choose your photo and send.
  • On Android, tap the paperclip or plus icon, select "Photos" or "Gallery," choose your photo, and send.
  • You can also take a new photo in the moment using the camera option instead of selecting from your existing photos.
  • The photo will compress slightly during sending but will still appear clear to the person receiving your message.

What happens if the photo is too large

If your photo is very large or high-resolution, your phone may take longer to send it, or the message may fail to send at all if your internet connection is slow. Most modern phones handle this automatically by shrinking the image before sending, so you usually won't notice a problem.

If a message with a photo keeps failing to send, try switching from WiFi to mobile data (or vice versa), waiting a few seconds, and trying again. If that doesn't work, the recipient's phone or network may be having trouble receiving large files — in that case, you can try sending a smaller or older photo instead.

The difference between text messages and messaging apps

A text message (also called SMS) is sent through your phone carrier's network and works on any phone, even very old ones. A messaging app like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger uses the internet instead and usually sends photos with better quality because it doesn't compress them as much.

When you attach a photo to a message in the Messages app on iPhone, it may send as an iMessage (through the internet) or as a text message (through your carrier), depending on whether the recipient has an iPhone or Android phone. If you're sending to an Android user, the photo will be compressed more than if you're sending to another iPhone. If you want the best quality, use a messaging app like WhatsApp or Messenger instead, which both iPhone and Android users can read.

Why some photos won't attach

A photo won't attach if your phone doesn't have permission to access your photo library. On iPhone, go to Settings > Messages and make sure "Photos" is turned on. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Messages (or your messaging app's name) > Permissions and turn on "Photos" or "Media."

If you've given permission but still can't attach photos, try closing the messaging app completely and opening it again. If that doesn't work, restart your phone. A corrupted photo file can also prevent attachment — if one specific photo won't attach but others do, that photo may be damaged and you may need to delete it or take a new one.

How to attach multiple photos at once

On iPhone, after you tap the plus sign and select "Photo Library," you can tap "Select" in the top right corner, then tap multiple photos to choose more than one. Tap "Done" when you've selected all the photos you want, and they'll all attach to the same message.

On Android, the process depends on your phone brand and messaging app, but usually you can tap multiple photos in the gallery before confirming your selection. Some Android phones let you hold down on a photo to select it, then tap others to add more. Check your specific app's instructions if the standard method doesn't work.

Sending photos without using the messaging app

You don't have to use your phone's messaging app to send photos by text. You can also open the Photos app, find the photo you want, tap "Share," and select "Messages" from the list. This opens a new message with that photo already attached, and you just type the recipient's name or number and send.

This method is useful if you're already looking at a photo and want to send it quickly without hunting through your photo library inside the messaging app. The result is the same — the photo arrives as a text message or internet message depending on your phone type and the recipient's phone type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a photo to someone who has a flip phone or very old phone?

Yes, but the photo will arrive as a text message (SMS) rather than through an app, and it may be heavily compressed. Very old phones may not display the photo at all — in that case, you could try sending a lower-quality version or describing the photo in words instead.

Why does my photo look blurry when the other person receives it?

Text messages compress photos to make them smaller and faster to send. If you need to send a high-quality photo, use a messaging app like WhatsApp, Messenger, or iMessage instead, which compress less. You can also email the photo if quality is very important.

What if I want to send a photo but keep it private?

Text messages and most messaging apps don't encrypt photos by default, meaning they can be intercepted or stored by your phone carrier or the app company. If privacy is important, use an app like Signal or Telegram, which encrypt messages and photos so only you and the recipient can see them.

Can I attach a photo from the internet instead of from my phone?

Most messaging apps don't let you attach a photo directly from a website. Instead, save the image to your phone first (usually by holding down on it and selecting "Save"), then attach it from your photo library using the steps above.