Apple Solves iPhone 5.6 Carrier Update Mystery

After three separate calls to Apple Support, I was able to reach a representative this morning that finally answered the infamous 5.6 carrier update mystery that quickly followed after iPhone OS 3.1.2 was released last week.

The Apple rep indicated that the 5.6 carrier file update addresses a specific issue that some iPhone users were experiencing after the 5.5 update enabling MMS was rolled out on Friday, September 25th.

When sending photos or videos in an MMS message, the progress bar would stall at about 90% then result in an error ending with a (!) red exclamation point next to the MMS message. The associated message failed to be properly sent, though standard text messages worked as normal. The 5.6 patch addressed that particular MMS issue.

I asked the Apple rep if he believed the problem was widespread.

"I fielded a fair number calls myself with that MMS issue, although it didn't appear to be a widespread epidemic," the Apple rep said, "In some cases it was an AT&T provisioning issue and in one case it was corrected for the user with a simple reboot."

Those awaiting the fix had to wait about two weeks for the 5.6 patch to be issued. While some like myself believed that the 5.6 update may have been a preemptive patch aimed at enabling VoIP apps like Skype to be used over AT&T's 3G network, Apple confirmed that speculation to be untrue.

At least... that's what I was told. Mystery solved!

Comments

[terry]

I had a problem not being able to text pictures. turned out to be that AT&T had not updated me to the second generation Iphone. THey still had the first generation iphone on my account which could not send text photos. The rep changed the settings and it's worked great since. If you had the first iphone, call AT&T and ask them to check which phone they're carring.

[Kurt]

Update fixed my picture problems, was able to send text but no pictures

[Jesse]

after installing this carrier update, my battery was draining twice as fast. I did a restore multiple times to check. whenever I applied the update, the battery would start draining quickly. has anyone else noticed this?

[warrior]

well I have no problem with either video or picture sending or receiving and my 3G signal has always been five full bars. but i like to see apple support live video share. every other phone at&t carries supports it. why not the iphone. very disappointed but I still love my iphone.

[jack]

i still get the same problem even though i updated my carrier to 5.6 and my version to 3.1.2 i continuously get the red exclamation point after it loads up to 90%. my txt messages work fine i just cant send or receive picture messages. does anybody know of any other way to fix this problem?

[Lance]

I've had this same problem with my 3GS since MMS was rolled out. I'm fully updated and just tried again, still no go. Guess it's time to call support.

[Ben]

I had this MMS issue, but it went away after about 24 hours. I figured it was AT&T's lousy network.