Guide: How I fixed MMS Settings in Flashable VS996. Might work on All V30 Stock Roms.

[my.ads0]

Hey all. I thought I would share what I found in fixing my own MMS issues in the hopes that maybe this will help other people. I only take responsibility for what I did to my own Frankensteined, unlocked, US998 kdz'd, stock Verizon Rom'd V30 phone. If this doesn't work for you or causes you issues, I am in no way at fault or liable for what you did to your own phone. I only know this worked for me.

I'm on Verizon and installed Westwood's flashable VS996 20-D ROM over the US998 20B KDZ. For some time, I've been having issues sending MMS messages from both Android's Stock "Messaging" app and Google's "Messages" app. I was able to use Verizon Messaging+, which is set to work directly with Verizon's servers, and was also able to use Legacy mode in Textra, where I was able to set the APN for Textra to use independently of what the system was set to use. However, I wanted to use the somewhat more Default messaging apps, Android Messaging or Google Messages...or at least have the ability to do so.

After a lot of sleuthing, and some subsequent testing, I found that the default APN settings for MMS messaging is saved in:

\root\data\data\com.android.mms\shared_prefs\com.android.mms_preferences.xml​

Now, there's a lot of other stuff in there, and I didn't feel comfortable changing things around in that file, so I used another program, Shortcut Master Lite, from the XDA forums, to search for those hidden settings. (There is also a full, paid version of this program on Google Play to support the developer. There are likely many other programs that do the same things as well).

In ShortcutMaster Lite, I clicked the hamburger (3-dot) button choose App Explorer.
I scrolled down to and clicked on Messaging (com.android.mms)
I scrolled to the bottom and clicked on MmsSprintSettingActivity
I clicked on Launch
There I was able to see what the default MMS settings are. In my case, this was still set to the Sprint URL, https:/mms.sprintpcs.com, and some fancy Gateway and Port.

I changed these values to match up with Verizon's MMS settings, so I set the URL to http://mms.vtext.com/servlets/mms, and then left Gateway and Set Port blank. After saving this, the phone IMMEDIATELY rebooted on it's own. After a brief heart attack, the phone rebooted and .... whaBAM! Both Messaging and Messenger work fine now!

It's kind of funny that the setting that needs to be changed is MmsSprintSettingActivity, no? Is that a holdover from the original KDZ? Is @westwood24 's Rom possibly flawed?

Also funny is that, upon post-change review, the Gateway field, which I intentionally left blank, says "only sprint server". Ha!

So in the end, these steps helped me fix my stock MMS-application(s) setting(s) problem(s). Maybe this can help others as well.

 

[4stringenator]

I decided to experiment with this yesterday. I'm on Verizon and have a converted LS998 and was using US99820d flashable ROM. I purchased Shortcut Master and did some exploring. Sorry I didn't grab any screenshots while in the US998 ROM but I found a similar mms/apn hidden app that mentioned Sprint in its name that wasn't exactly under com.android.mms. I changed it the url to http://mms.vtext.com/servlets/mms (notice the spelling of servlets lacking the "e") and blanked out all the other fields. The phone rebooted when I closed the app. I use Textra so went I to its settings and reverted the MMS behavior from Legacy back to System. I rebooted and opened Textra back up to find it fully working on the "stock" System mms settings. I thought this was a good reason to flash the latest VS996_20F ROM. I flashed the ROM and found the same mms location/settings reported by my.ads0 in the VS996 ROM. Using Shortcut Master I explored system apps and found Messaging com.android.mms (screen shot 1). I tapped it and launched MmsSprintSettingsActivity (screen shot 2). After launching, this is where you can edit default Sprint url (screen shot 3). You have to blank out all the other fields with the space bar. I closed the app and the phone rebooted. Textra was now fully functioning under the VS996 ROM without using its Legacy setting. The stock LG and Verizon sms apps are working too.

A bonus note is that I checked my WiFi calling and Video calling settings after all of this and they both were not grayed out! I'll have to try to test this soon. I never used these features because I live in a rural area but if they work because of the information that my.ads0 found it might help others. It may help that my Verizon account was already provisioned for these features because of my VZW Droid Turbo.)

What I'm sort of taking from all of this is that either the ROM or your provider's network automagically senses and fills in the mms system settings according to the type of LG V30 device you have unless you actually edit these settings to reflect your service provider when using a Frankensteined V30.

 

[4stringenator]

I decided to experiment with this yesterday. I'm on Verizon and have a converted LS998 and was using US99820d flashable ROM. I purchased Shortcut Master and did some exploring. Sorry I didn't grab any screenshots while in the US998 ROM but I found a similar mms/apn hidden app that mentioned Sprint in its name that wasn't exactly under com.android.mms. I changed it the url to http://mms.vtext.com/servlets/mms (notice the spelling of servlets lacking the "e") and blanked out all the other fields. The phone rebooted when I closed the app. I use Textra so went I to its settings and reverted the MMS behavior from Legacy back to System. I rebooted and opened Textra back up to find it fully working on the "stock" System mms settings. I thought this was a good reason to flash the latest VS996_20F ROM. I flashed the ROM and found the same mms location/settings reported by my.ads0 in the VS996 ROM. Using Shortcut Master I explored system apps and found Messaging com.android.mms (screen shot 1). I tapped it and launched MmsSprintSettingsActivity (screen shot 2). After launching, this is where you can edit default Sprint url (screen shot 3). You have to blank out all the other fields with the space bar. I closed the app and the phone rebooted. Textra was now fully functioning under the VS996 ROM without using its Legacy setting. The stock LG and Verizon sms apps are working too.

A bonus note is that I checked my WiFi calling and Video calling settings after all of this and they both were not grayed out! I'll have to try to test this soon. I never used these features because I live in a rural area but if they work because of the information that my.ads0 found it might help others. It may help that my Verizon account was already provisioned for these features because of my VZW Droid Turbo.)

What I'm sort of taking from all of this is that either the ROM or your provider's network automagically senses and fills in the mms system settings according to the type of LG V30 device you have unless you actually edit these settings to reflect your service provider when using a Frankensteined V30.

WiFi calling is working. :good:

 

[4stringenator]

Video calling working too!

 

[my.ads0]

First of all, thanks for pointing out the error in my URL. I've changed "servelets" to "servlets" in the 1st post as it should be.

Second of all...WOW! I'm so glad that my write-up helped you out!

What I'm sort of taking from all of this is that either the ROM or your provider's network automagically senses and fills in the mms system settings according to the type of LG V30 device you have unless you actually edit these settings to reflect your service provider when using a Frankensteined V30.

I know! Isn't that crazy? That kept on throwing me for a loop and sent me searching for that elusive value. Does that mean that the KDZ process sets that value and then the Verizon flashing just leaves it in place? Weird.

WiFi calling is working. :good:

Video calling working too!

Sweet! So that's the fix needed for verizon roms. Canestfr & I had to check for OTA's at least once to enable those features on our devices. But if this method does that for us, that's even better as it kills two birds with one stone.

Thanks for these follow ups, 4stringenator!

 

[4stringenator]

Hopefully what you started will help other Verizon folks! This is what XDA is all about. We may not have numerous custom Roms but every little bit helps keep control of our tech.

 

[seadersn]

..

It's kind of funny that the setting that needs to be changed is MmsSprintSettingActivity, no? Is that a holdover from the original KDZ? Is @westwood24 's Rom possibly flawed?

...

here i have to protect westwood24 it's not flawed, it's just fact that these zips doesn't contain all and everything of a full firmware kdz, like partition table, op partition and roundabout ten to 15 other partitions are missing. i would bet that this wouldn't happen on a full kdz flash :good:

 

[4stringenator]

here i have to protect westwood24 it's not flawed, it's just fact that these zips doesn't contain all and everything of a full firmware kdz, like partition table, op partition and roundabout ten to 15 other partitions are missing. i would bet that this wouldn't happen on a full kdz flash :good:

I don't believe it has anything to do the gracious work that westwood24 has done for community either. :good: I have the same issue with full VS996 and US998 KDZs. The firmware and VZW network can detect that I am using a LS998 device. I always had to change the settings within the sms/mms apps to get multimedia messages work properly. Having the ability to change these setting within the android system helped my non-Verizon supported LS998 become fully functional now. (At least in the St. Louis area VZW network) :victory: There probably is way more to this but I'm happy that I didn't have to pay full price for a VS996 and now can enjoy all the features on an affordable LS998 V30.

 

[TPMJB]

Is there any way to get to these settings without purchasing an app?

 

[schwinn8]

Is there any way to get to these settings without purchasing an app?

ShortcutMaster Lite is free... just not available on the play store anymore. I got my copy from APK mirror...

 

[TPMJB]

ShortcutMaster Lite is free... just not available on the play store anymore. I got my copy from APK mirror...

I ended up not needing to do this anyway. Thanks though

 

[jaygo444]

ok, will this work for me? I have an LS998 Frankensteined to US998 running US99820e Oreo and am using Total Wireless (verizon mvno)

I was using textra legacy, but they have omitted it now from their latest update, so MMS isn't working anymore for me, so i would like to see if this works for my situation.

I have shortcut master lite installed, but cant find what the rest of this post states to change/update the mms.

Thanks

 

[ChazzMatt]

ok, will this work for me? I have an LS998 Frankensteined to US998 running US99820e Oreo and am using Total Wireless (verizon mvno)

I was using textra legacy, but they have omitted it now from their latest update, so MMS isn't working anymore for me, so i would like to see if this works for my situation.

I have shortcut master lite installed, but cant find what the rest of this post states to change/update the mms.

Thanks

You can always go back to using previous Textra. And then don't let it update. UNcheck automatic updates for that one app in Google Play.

 

[cmrntnnr]

One expects a full KDZ flash to convert the phone to the model of the KDZ, at least within compatible sets like US998 (open market and US cellular flavors), LS998, VS996 and AS998. Subtle issues like with texting and booting weirdness of AOSP roms on certain frankensteined models shows that isn't true. Thinking like a detective, there might be value in collecting images from Frankensteined v30's according to this matrix below for comparisons and to pull back the curtain. One benefit would be to understand what is happening behind the scenes. Another is to have a list of all of the differences to account for in a conversion.

KDZ Phone Model
Flashed US998O US998USC VS996 LS998 AS998
US998Open Ref ? ? ? ?
US998USC ? Ref ? ? ?
VS996 ? ? Ref ? ?
LS998 ? ? ? Ref ?
AS998 ? ? ? ? Ref

 

[4stringenator]

ok, will this work for me? I have an LS998 Frankensteined to US998 running US99820e Oreo and am using Total Wireless (verizon mvno)

I was using textra legacy, but they have omitted it now from their latest update, so MMS isn't working anymore for me, so i would like to see if this works for my situation.

I have shortcut master lite installed, but cant find what the rest of this post states to change/update the mms.

Thanks

I just noticed that today when I updated Textra too. The updated Textra should work once you find the system mms settings. I'm using the updated Textra currently with no issues. You are going to have to explore and poke around a little under system apps in Shortmaster. Look under com.android.mms to begin with. Start launching and exploring untill you find the settings screen with the Set URL, Gateway and Set Port. Tap on each one to edit. (Sorry I can't remember where it was when using the US99820x rom.) Once you find this you only change the URL to http://mms.vtext.com/servlets/mms. The Gateway and Port need to be blank. Once you change those and tap your back navigation button the phone will reboot. Go back and check your settings to make sure the Url is correct and the others are blank. I have a Verizon account, your gateway and port may need to be adjusted for Total Wireless https://bestmvno.com/apn-settings/total-wireless-apn-settings/

 

[4stringenator]

Textra app update after Nov. 1st FYI

My question to Textra devs on Dec 11: "I had issues with not being able to change the mms to "legacy' a few updates ago. I always needed this ability to edit the mms url and port for Textra to function properly. I purchased the app specifically for that function a few years ago because I use a rooted phone and custom ROMs on Verizon. Is this feature forever discontinued?"

Textra's reply:
As part of a greater Google initiative to ensure all apps are compiled against a later version of Android (API 26) from 1 Nov 2018, all apps must comply. For Textra users, this means the following features had to be removed in order to comply:
1) Notification Icons can only be white (unless you are running Android KitKat or below)
2) Notification vibration is either on or off (with a pattern) and can no longer be set independantly of your phones sound settings (as was the case in v3.50 of Textra).
3) The Android System APIs must be used for MMS, you can no longer do your own MMS protocol due to certain APIs no longer being available. This means the WiFi fix feature is also gone in Textra.
Please understand these are not features we wanted to remove (why would we?), but we had no choice.
For more details see https://developer.android.com/distribute/best-practices/develop/target-sdk
Still not happy? Please don't give a poor review, as we have no control over this, and leaving a poor review only hurts us. Even if you are angry at Google, don't shoot the messenger!
You can always downgrade to v3.50 (the last version of Textra without these Google changes) but remember you'll never get another update again or any bug fixes. Understood?

1) Uninstall Textra
2) Install http://adhoc.textra.me/Textra-35090.apk
3) Turn off auto-updates for Textra in Google Play

Mandy - Textra SMS Team

 

[nnjimmy59]

I recently purchased a new V 30+ from Wally World. Unlocked, rooted, and flashed vs996g. Everything is fine except VOWIFI. With my previous V30+ I was able to get VOWIFI working but with the new one, no luck. I have used Shortcut Master and gone into Verizon Hidden Menu and populated the VOWIFI toggle with my number, enabled VOWIFI in WIFI calling, LG IMS Provisioning, and Call services and still no luck. I get the VOWIFI enabled in Advanced calling, the VOWIFI Icon next to all my contacts, but when I go to make a call, it says WIFI Call for a couple of seconds and then the icon disappears before the call connects. I'm ready to give up and go back to my other V30+ and use this one as my backup, but I really wanted to use this one as my daily driver since it's brand new. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[4stringenator]

Just tried to tun my wifi calling back on, my network is having issues. I live in a very rural area. Can try when I'm back at work in the big city.
Are you using same sim from the other V30?

 

[nnjimmy59]

Yes, same sim. Someone on another thread suggested a logcat, but I don't know what I'm looking at. Not even sure if I did it correctly.

 

[4stringenator]

Yes, same sim. Someone on another thread suggested a logcat, but I don't know what I'm looking at. Not even sure if I did it correctly.

I just tried enabling WIFI calling, no dice. I haven't checked its functionality since I dirty flashed VS99620g over f. I never thought to check. Video calling still works though.