Android users say GIFs, photos and screenshots in messages from iOS appear pixelated

Update 22/06/24 03:55 pm (IST): WhatsApp’s latest “Modern Family-themed” ad takes a dig a the poor picture quality and texting experience between Android and iOS devices. Such issues as described below are the primary reason why cross-platform messaging apps like WhatsApp are thriving in countries outside the US.

Update 15/06/24 03:55 pm (IST): Apple has finally confirmed that the much-awaited RCS messaging support is coming with iOS 18. The functionality is not yet live with the beta build. However, this means that the quality issues with GIFs should no longer be a problem once Apple introduces RCS support in its Messages app. Sadly, for now there’s no definitive fix for the bug.

Update 05/06/24 03:40 pm (IST): A r/USMobile subreddit moderator claims that this is a known issue and affects “Android Warp 5G” devices. Here’s what they say:

Yeh, this has now become a known issue on Android devices on Warp 5G. Let me get your details and escalate this as well to the parent carrier. (Source)

Update 20/05/24 03:55 pm (IST): One user shared a potential solution for GIFs not loading in Google Messages. They suggested going to Settings > Connections > Data Usage and then to Allowed Networks for Apps. There, you can specifically set Google Messages to use mobile data only, disabling Wi-Fi access for the app. While this user reports success with a limited test, it’s worth trying to see if it resolves the issue for you as well.

If you’ve received a blurry, garbled, grainy, or pixelated mess instead of a hilarious GIF, photo or even a screenshot from your iPhone friends lately, you’re not alone. Some Android users across various devices and messaging apps are reporting a frustrating glitch where GIFs from iPhones arrive looking like they’ve been through a digital shredder. The issue isn’t limited to GIFs, but it also affects photos and screenshots sent from iOS to Android devices.

The issue has been plaguing users of popular Samsung Galaxy models, Google Pixels, and even older devices like the Galaxy S10, leaving many scratching their heads and cursing Apple’s name. The timing of this GIF-pocalypse coincides with recent Android security updates and Apple’s iOS 17 updates, but the root cause remains unclear.

One user, however, found a potential workaround in Textra’s MMS settings, disabling a memory-saving feature that compresses MMS messages. While this may offer temporary relief, it’s hardly a satisfying solution for a problem that shouldn’t exist in the first place. Furthermore, this workaround only applies to Textra users, yet the issue also affects Google Messages and Samsung Messages users. Below is a screenshot of what Android users see when their iPhone friends send a GIF their way.

Other users claim that re-sending the media works at times, and they can see the GIF or image without it being pixelated. In case GIFs or images are pixelated when sending them from Android to Android, then users can perform these suggested steps:

For the Google messaging app, go into the messages settings. You should see “send photos faster. Resolution is reduced for faster sending.” Turn it off. That fixed the issue. I never turned it on. I think it was turned on automatically with an update. Both the sender and receiver should check.their settings and turn that off. (Source)

Users on iOS devices can go to Settings > Messages and then toggle off the ‘Low-Quality Image Mode’. This should ensure that any images sent from the iPhone will be in high quality.

There’s also speculation that the issue might be affecting users using certain carriers. However, carriers like Visible reportedly confirmed that they’ve tested things on their end and everything checks out. So right now it’s not possible to pinpoint carriers as the root cause.

But here’s where Apple’s stubborn refusal to fully embrace RCS (Rich Communication Services) comes into play. For years, Google has been pushing for RCS as the successor to SMS, promising enhanced messaging features and seamless cross-platform compatibility. Apple, however, has remained steadfast in its reluctance, preferring its proprietary iMessage system that works flawlessly… as long as you’re within the Apple ecosystem. The good thing is this may be about to change with plans in store to adopt RCS likely with iOS 18, but such issues with pixelated GIFs on Android shows this adoption should happen much sooner.

This GIF debacle is just the latest in a long line of frustrations stemming from Apple’s walled garden approach. Heck, I couldn’t even get to send a sticker from my iPhone to my Android phone, leave alone GIFs. Granted, it’s a reminder that when you communicate with someone on an iPhone, you’re essentially stepping into their territory, subject to their rules and limitations. Frankly, it’s infuriating. In 2024, when we can send probes to Mars and fold our phones in half, we should be able to send a simple GIF without it looking like a Picasso painting gone wrong.

So, what can you do? Well, you could try the Textra workaround, or you could simply accept that communicating with iPhone users will always be a bit of a gamble. But ultimately, the solution lies with Apple. It’s time for the tech giant to stop holding back progress and adopt RCS, not just for the sake of GIFs, but for the sake of a better, more unified messaging experience for everyone.

Until then, we’ll just have to keep cursing Apple’s name and hoping that one day, they’ll finally see the light.

Featured image: Google Messages forum