Put yourself in the picture

Love texting? Then you're going to love this. Picture Messaging (or MMS) lets you send messages to your mates, but now the messages can contain:

• Videos
• Pictures
• Sound
• Text

If you have a camera phone then you can take your own photos, add a message, and forward it on. Or, if your phone is compatible, you can download ringtones or pictures from Virgin Media on your mobile and send them on.

Sounds good to me. How do I get Picture Messaging?

To use Picture Messaging, you need to:

• Be a Virgin Mobile customer
• Have a Picture Messaging phone.
• Bought a Virgin Mobile phone recently? It should be set up and ready to go.

Then all you need to do is activate the service.

Here's how:

• Send a picture message to any UK mobile phone
• If they don't have a Picture Messaging phone, they'll be able to see their message on the internet.
• Or, you could send a message straight to an email address.

If you have a Picture Messaging phone, but it doesn't seem to work, then you might not be set up... but we'll get you set up in no time!

How do I create a picture message?

Creating a picture message is simple.

• Just decide what you want to include in your message - it could be a photo you've taken with your phone, or maybe wallpaper you've downloaded.
• Then take a look at the Picture Messaging guide that came with your phone. It'll tell you all you need to know.

How do I send a picture message?

Sending a picture message is as easy as sending a text message!

• Just create the message you want to send, and then add in the mobile phone number or email address you want to send it to.

Who can I send picture messages to?

You can send picture messages to other people with Picture Messaging phones.

There are also a couple of ways for you to send picture messages to people who don't have Picture Messaging phones:

• Send it to their email account - they can pick it up from there.
• Send it to their mobile - they'll get a text message with instructions on how to see it online.

And with Group Picture Messaging, you can send a single picture message to up to 10 people at the same time - you'll pay the standard rate for each message you send. So you can circulate that snap in seconds!

Can I receive them wherever I am?

You might be able receive picture messages while you're abroad, but that will depend on the network of the country you're in. Before you go, check to see if the partner network is GPRS compatible - they'll need to be for you to download your picture message.

If the network isn't compatible, you'll either get a message asking if you want to read the message, or it'll try to download to your mobile. If you can select a compatible network - that's one with GPRS - you'll be able to get your message. If not, we'll keep it for 3 days.

So if you're planning a trip, get them to text you instead!

Before you go, make sure you check coverage and costs. for using your phone abroad.

I've had a text message telling me that there's a picture message waiting for me on your website. What do I do?

Great news! Everyone can get picture messages, even if they don't have a Picture Messaging phone.

Of course, it's much easier if you do have one, but if you haven't got hold of one yet, then your picture message will go to our website instead and we'll text you to let you know. The text will tell you which web address to pick up your message at and it'll give you the message code you need to see the message too. Then all you need to do is visit the website, enter the message code, and hey presto! Your picture will appear.

How much does it cost?

• It’s just 30p to send a picture message to any UK mobile phone or email account.
• And it's totally free to receive them.

Want more info? Check out our tariff table for call and text message costs in the UK

It's not working! What could be wrong?

Well, there are a few things you could check yourself:

• First of all, do you have enough airtime? You need to have at least 35p in your account to send or receive a picture message.
• Remember you need to send a picture message first and then you'll be set up to receive them.
• Is there GPRS network coverage where you are? Make sure you have a strong signal.
• Check that the message that you're trying to send isn't too big.
• Check your settings. The Picture Messaging guide that came with your phone will tell you how.
• If you are trying to view a picture on line it may have expired, we're only able to keep picture messages online for you for 14 days
• If you're still having problems, then call our team on 789.