This guide explains the Telkom MMS settings code, how to configure MMS on your device, and the correct APN settings so your MMS works on Telkom in South Africa.
Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) lets you send and receive pictures, videos, audio files, and other rich media using your mobile data plan. While many people now use apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger, there are still times when MMS is needed — for example with basic phones or when messaging someone who doesn’t use internet messaging apps.
What Is MMS?
MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. It expands on traditional SMS by allowing you to send:
- Images
- Short videos
- Audio clips
- Longer text messages
MMS messages are delivered through a multimedia messaging server (MMSC) and use mobile data instead of SMS channels.
To send MMS successfully, your device must have the correct MMS configuration for your network (in this case, Telkom).
READ ALSO: Telkom Wifi Deals, Packages And Prices
How to Configure Telkom MMS Using a Settings Code
Some carriers provide an automatic MMS configuration service using a shortcode. For Telkom, you may be able to use the MMS setup code, which works on many devices:
- Open your phone’s Messaging app
- Create a new message
- In the message body, type:
setup <make and model of your phone>For example:setup Samsung Galaxy A12 - Send this message to 185
Once sent, Telkom’s system should reply with the correct MMS configuration settings that you can install. This method works on many phones but may not work on all newer models.
Manual MMS Configuration (Recommended for 2026)
For more reliable results — especially on Android phones — you may need to manually add MMS settings through your phone’s APN (Access Point Name) configuration. Telkom MMS settings for South Africa are:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Telkom Mobile MMS |
| APN | mms |
| MMSC | http://mmsc.telkomsa.net:38090/was |
| MMS Proxy | 41.151.254.162 |
| MMS Port | 8080 |
| MCC | 655 |
| MNC | 02 |
| Authentication Type | None |
| APN Type | mms |
| APN Protocol | IPv4/IPv6 |
These values align with verified South African Telkom MMS settings and should work on most Android and iOS devices.
READ ALSO: How to Switch to Prepaid LTE on Telkom
Step-by-Step: Configure MMS on Android
- Open Settings
- Tap Connections or Network & Internet
- Select Mobile Networks
- Tap Access Point Names (APN)
- If a Telkom MMS APN already exists, edit it. Otherwise, tap + Add
- Enter the MMS settings from the table above
- Save the APN
- Restart your phone
This ensures your MMS messages are routed properly through the Telkom network.
MMS on iPhone (iOS)
iPhones often detect MMS settings automatically, but if they don’t:
- Go to Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Network
- Scroll to MMS section
- Enter the MMS APN settings:
- APN: mms
- MMSC: http://mmsc.telkomsa.net:38090/was
- MMS Proxy: 41.151.254.162
- MMS Max Message Size: 1048576
(Leave others blank if not required)
- Save and restart your iPhone
This helps ensure MMS works correctly on iOS devices.
Why MMS Might Not Work Even With Correct Settings
Even after configuring MMS, you might experience issues because of:
Device incompatibility
Missing mobile data connection (MMS requires data to be enabled)
Incorrect APN type or values
Old phones that don’t support current MMS standards
Some carriers phasing out MMS support on certain models
In general, MMS requires mobile data — wifi alone usually won’t send multimedia messages.
READ ALSO: Best Telkom Data Deals & Cheap Bundles
Quick Troubleshooting Tips
Ensure mobile data is enabled (MMS won’t send/receive on Wi-Fi only)
Verify APN settings exactly match the values above
Restart your device after saving settings
Remove any duplicate or conflicting APNs
Test with a small image first
MMS Code vs. Manual APN: Which Is Better?
- MMS code (e.g., sending setup to 185) — Simple and automatic, but not guaranteed on all devices
- Manual APN settings — Most reliable method in 2026, especially for modern Android/iOS phones
For consistent performance, manual APN configuration is the recommended approach.
Conclusion
To get your Telkom MMS working in South Africa, the best approach in 2026 is:
- Try the MMS settings code (send
setup <make and model>to 185) - If that doesn’t work, manually configure the APN MMS settings from this guide
- Ensure mobile data is active whenever you send or receive MMS
Correct setup lets you send pictures, audio, and multimedia messages smoothly.
