Hi Cathy, Do you have your Data turned on? If not your phone will not download pics. I run my phone on WiFi 99% of the time as I don't want to use up my Data when I am at home and can use WiFi for free. I was having the same issue with my ZTE, then with my new Alcatel. I did some research and found out what the problem was. Now if I receive a text with a pic in it, I just turn my Data on long enough to download the pic. Then I turn it off and the pic is still there. Hope this helps.☻❤