How to Fix Stuck Android Text Messages “Downloading” or “Expired”

Lately, many Android users have started complaining that their phone is showing the message “Failed to Download”. Technically, messages are stuck loading or expired. The message cannot be viewed in plain language if you encounter this error.

On the other hand, if you see that the message has expired, we’re sorry, but you can’t receive the message because it’s too late. With all this information in hand, let’s begin our guide.

Content:

Fix Android Text Messages Stuck Saying “Loading”or “Expired”

Loading or expiration usually happens in the regular Android messaging app, but especially for MMS (multimedia messaging service). So, if you are using MMS and you are facing this problem, this guide is sure to help you solve it. But be sure to read it in its entirety and don’t miss any corrections.

Reboot your device

Rebooting your device is probably the easiest way to fix text messages stuck loading or expired. It’s easy to reboot your device. So go ahead, reboot your device and then try to get the message.

Check your network

It’s possible that your phone keeps talking about downloading because it’s actually unable to download due to your network connection. MMS is different from iMessage and requires a proper internet connection as well as career support.

In addition, many professions do not support this feature. If you think you are using such a career, please contact support to resolve your issue.

Switch to Wi-Fi connection

As we already mentioned, the MMS service requires a proper internet connection. If you think your career supports MMS but you still can’t get them, then it’s probably because of its extremely slow speed.

If you’re using mobile data, it’s time to switch and try a WiFi connection. After connecting to WiFi, try to receive a message. It should get, if not, move on to the next fix.

Turn on enhanced communication

It is possible that advanced communication is disabled, preventing MMS from being received and causing the download to hang or even expire. Follow these steps to enable Rich Communication:

  • Open settings.
  • Go to Connections.
  • Scroll down to advanced connection options.
  • Now switch Rich Communication.

After that, try to receive the message; your problem can only be solved now.

Clear the cache of the Messages app

You may be fine, but the app on your phone is having problems. Sometimes the app cache on Android smartphones gets corrupted, resulting in abnormal behavior such as downloading or expiring messages. So to fix it, follow these simple steps:

  • Press and hold the Messages app icon for 2 seconds. The menu will appear.
  • In the pop-up menu, click App Info or the i button.
  • Now in the next window, scroll down to “Storage Usage”and click on it.
  • Now click Clear Cache.
  • Now click on the back button and click on Force close.

When done, open Messages and click on your message to get and check if the messages are loading or not.

Stop using a VPN

Using a VPN for security reasons is good if you prefer privacy. However, this problem is quite common if you are using a VPN. Usually, free VPNs have their downsides, and this is one of them. If you want to browse and receive MMS naturally, please disable your VPN and try again. In any case, if you still want to use a VPN, choose a VPN that doesn’t interrupt your connection.

Reset APN settings

If none of the solutions above worked for you, it’s time to reset your APN settings. APN stands for Access Point Names. If you’ve been using smartphones since the days of 2G, you might be good at this. Keep in mind, however, that receiving MMS is part of the APN settings. Follow these steps to reset your APN settings:

  • Open settings.
  • Click on Mobile network.
  • Now, at the top, click on the SIM card you use for MMS.
  • In the next window, scroll down to “Access Point Names”and click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
  • Click “Reset APN”.

Well, now you will be able to download and view messages and they won’t get stuck loading forever.

FAQ:

Why does my phone say the message has expired?

If a message on your phone indicates that it has expired, then more than 2 weeks may have passed since the message was opened, or it may be deleted on the other side. Also, if the message has expired, you cannot view the message.

Why does my phone freeze on boot?

The main cause of stuck loading is weak signal strength and slow internet connection. It is also possible that your phone has problems with the APN. Read the fixes above to fix the issue.

Will clearing the cache delete my messages?

No, clearing the cache will never delete any message. However, your posts may be deleted if you mistakenly click “Clear Data”instead of “Clear Cache”.

Well, that’s all we have on how you can fix messages stuck during loading or expired. We hope this guide helped you resolve this issue. If you’re still having some issues, don’t forget to comment below and we’ll fix the issue in our next guide.

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