MMS in Shape: Send Images and Videos by Text

What is MMS in Shape?

MMS (multimedia messaging) lets you text images, videos, and other files, not just words. You can send an MMS two ways:

• Attach a file to any text. When you’re texting a customer, add an image, video, or file to your message, just like you would from your phone.
• Use an MMS template. An MMS template saves media you send often, along with who it comes from and who it goes to, so your team can send it again and again without uploading the file each time. Templates also let you send MMS in bulk texts, drip campaigns, and triggers.

Use MMS for things like:

• Birthday and holiday graphics
• Branded images and promotional flyers
• Short personal or explainer videos
• Event invitations
• Commonly shared images, like a business card or an office photo

In short:

• Attach a file to any text, or save media you send often as an MMS template in Settings › MMS Templates
• Use MMS templates for bulk texts, drip campaigns, and triggers
• Send common file types: JPEG, PNG, or GIF images, MP4 videos, MP3 audio, or PDFs
• MMS messages are limited to .67 MB, and Shape compresses larger files to fit, which can lower quality
• For longer videos, text a link instead of sending an MMS
• MMS can only be sent to mobile numbers in the U.S. and Canada

Why use MMS?

It stands out. An image or video catches attention in a way plain text can’t, which can make your message more memorable.

It adds a personal touch. A short video from the loan officer or rep, or a birthday graphic, makes outreach feel human.

It saves time. Upload a file once, and anyone on your team can send it in seconds.

It keeps your branding consistent. Approved graphics live in one place, so everyone sends the same, up-to-date version.

How to send an MMS without a template

You don’t need a template to send an image or video. Attach a file to any text you send from Shape.

1. Open the record you want to text, or the conversation in the Conversations Center.
2. In the text window, use the attachment option to add your image, video, or file.
3. Add a message if you’d like, so the recipient knows what you’re sending and why.
4. Send the text.

The same file types and size limit apply whether you attach a file or use a template. See Supported files and size limits below.

How to create an MMS template

Supported files and size limits

Shape sends MMS messages through its messaging providers, and those providers and the wireless carriers decide which files they’ll accept. Sticking to the formats and sizes below gives your media the best chance of arriving and looking good.

Supported file types

Images are the most reliable choice. Other file types, like contact cards, calendar invites, Word documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, aren’t supported. To share those, save them as a PDF or text a link instead.

File size limit

MMS messages are limited to .67 MB. Each wireless carrier sets its own limit for MMS attachments, and some are well under 1 MB, so this limit helps your messages deliver on every major carrier.

When you upload a larger file, Shape typically converts and compresses it to fit. That keeps your messages deliverable, but compression can lower the quality, especially for videos. The larger the original file, the more it has to be compressed. For the sharpest results, upload files that are already small.

Tips for videos

• Keep it short. A 10 to 15 second clip is much easier to keep small than a long video.
• Export as MP4. Use your video app’s export or share option to save the file as MP4, at a lower resolution for mobile.
• Shrink it before uploading. Shortening or compressing the video yourself usually looks better than letting Shape compress a large file.
• Apple videos are handled for you. Videos exported from Apple apps are often saved in Apple’s own version of MP4 (M4V), which many messaging providers don’t accept. Shape converts these to standard MP4 automatically when it sends them.

Sending longer videos as a link

Most videos are too long to send as MMS without heavy compression. For anything more than a short clip, share the video as a link in a regular text instead. Your customer taps the link and watches the full-quality video, at any length.

1. Upload the video to a video or file-sharing site your customers can reach, such as YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, or BombBomb.
2. Make sure the video’s sharing settings let anyone with the link watch it.
3. Paste the link into a text or SMS template, with a short note about what the video is.
4. Send yourself a test and tap the link to make sure it plays.

Example: “Hi {First Name}, I recorded a quick video walking through your next steps: [link]”

Use a recognizable link from a trusted site, and avoid URL shorteners when you can, since carriers are more likely to filter unfamiliar or shortened links. See SMS Spam Filtering & Deliverability.

Tips for images

• Use JPEG for photos and PNG for graphics with text or logos
• Resize large photos before uploading; phone cameras often create files several megabytes in size
• Make sure any text in the image is large enough to read on a phone screen

Where can I use MMS templates?

Once saved, an MMS template is available anywhere you can send MMS in Shape:

If you update a template that’s already used in a drip campaign, open the campaign and re-select the template in that step so it picks up your changes. See Drip Campaigns.

How MMS messages are delivered

MMS messages follow the same rules as regular texts:

• Texting hours. MMS messages follow Time Zone Protect, so bulk and automated messages wait for each recipient’s local calling window.
• Opt-outs. Recipients who have opted out of texts won’t receive MMS messages either.
• 10DLC. MMS messages to U.S. numbers fall under your 10DLC registration, just like regular texts.
• Prohibited content. Shape blocks texts with content carriers prohibit, including SHAFT content. See SMS Spam Filtering & Deliverability.

MMS can only be sent to mobile numbers in the U.S. and Canada. Some older phones, landlines, and phones with picture messaging turned off can’t receive MMS.

Best practices for MMS

Test every template. Send it to your own phone, and if you can, a coworker’s on a different carrier, before using it with customers.

Pair media with context. A picture or video with no explanation can look like spam. Make sure the recipient knows who it’s from and why they’re getting it.

Use clear names. Include the purpose and media type in the template name, like “Holiday | Thanksgiving GIF.”

Review templates regularly. Remove outdated graphics and promotions so your team doesn’t send them by mistake.

Troubleshooting

My MMS didn’t deliver

1. Check the file type. Use JPEG, PNG, or GIF for images, MP4 for videos, MP3 for audio, or PDF for documents.
2. Check the recipient’s number. MMS only works with mobile numbers in the U.S. and Canada. Some older phones and phones with picture messaging turned off can’t receive MMS.
3. Check opt-outs and texting hours. The recipient may have opted out, or the message may be waiting for their calling window.
4. Send yourself a test. If it doesn’t arrive on your phone either, the problem is likely the file. Try a smaller version or a different format.

If you’ve checked these and the message still doesn’t deliver, reach out to Shape Support with the template name, an example record, and the date and time of the message.

My file won’t upload

Make sure the file is a supported type. If it’s very large, shrink or compress it first, then try again.

My image or video looks blurry

Shape compresses files to fit the .67 MB limit, and carriers and phones may compress them again on delivery. The bigger the original, the more quality is lost. Upload a smaller file, a shorter video, or text a link to the full-quality video instead.

Frequently asked questions

Need help?

If your MMS messages aren’t delivering the way you expect, Shape Support can take a look. Email help@setshape.com or call (888) 718-6344.

Related guides: SMS Templates · Bulk Texting · SMS Spam Filtering & Deliverability · Drip Campaigns · Manage Triggers