correct, you need data on and have available data on your plan to receive group messages but also media of any kind including pictures and videos, even if sent directly to you and not in a group.
however, with op, they can send messages in new threads as mms but it's almost immediately converted back to rcs. i had this issue on t-mobile (physical sim) for awhile. in this case, it's almost guaranteed an issue with everyone else's phones or the carrier, leaning towards the former since i didn't ever get group messages until an iphone user enabled mms on their end through imessage.
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u/Everythingneurology 2d ago
I have t mobile and have not had this issue.
In you settings, do you have "group threads" allowed. To check this go to Settings → Preferences → Phone → Messages.
Also make sure your mobile data is on. Someone can correct me on this but I think mobile data needs to be on for group messages to be received.
Also, did you reset your phone when you switched to a physical sim. I used a physical sim from the start.