phone will not send or receive pictures in messages

Hi peglegflatfoot,

Thanks for contacting Apple Support Communities and congratulations on your new iPhone!

We understand that you're unable to send or receive photos via Messages.

There are several steps you can take to help you to isolate this behavior further. This resource will help you to troubleshoot this behavior: If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

"If you have issues with Messages after you set up a new device

If you experience issues like conversations in Messages showing up as separate threads or sent messages appearing as green message bubbles instead of blue message bubbles when you set up a new device, update your settings using the following steps:

1. Update your device to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS if needed.
2. In the Settings app, tap Cellular. Make sure that your phone line is turned on. If you use multiple SIMs, make sure that the phone number you want to use is selected and turned on.
3. In the Settings app, tap Messages. Turn iMessage off and then back on.
4. Tap Send & Receive.
5. Tap the phone number that you want to use with Messages.

If you have issues when you try to receive a FaceTime call after you set up a new device, you can also update your FaceTime settings.

If you see a red exclamation point

If you try to send a message and you see  with an alert that says Not Delivered, follow these steps:

1. Check your network connection.
2. Tap , then tap Try Again.
3. If you still can’t send the message, tap , then tap Send as Text Message. Messaging rates may apply. Contact your carrier for more information."

We hope this helps.

Cheers!

You didn’t say what model phone, or who your carrier is. If it is an iPhone 14 series and you have Verizon here is the solution:

When you activate an iPhone 14 on Verizon their automated system does not set up MMS correctly. To fix it you need to call Verizon tech support (611 on your phone), tell the nice representative who answers that you need to speak to a senior tech to fix a problem with the provisioning of MMS on your account. This is a universal problem with the iPhone 14 provisioning by Verizon, so the tech should know how to fix it. And hopefully the 1st tier reps will eventually learn also.

Alternative:

User Laner84 has posted a do-it-yourself solution that works for most people →Just got iPhone 14 — can’t text android phones in group texts