download attachment from multimedia message?

[HPWhite]

Hi - I have a Samsung J3 (2018). Whenever anyone sends me a text with a picture, I get notified that I have a text with the download arrow. When I press the download arrow I get the message "Failed to download attachment from multimedia message. Try again later."

Then on a daily bases I get randomly flashing on my screen (often at irritating times) stating the same ("Failed to download attachment ..."). This goes on for months.  
So why can't I download the file? Why does the phone keep telling me it can't? What is going on?

Thanks. HPWhite

[FuzzyLogic]

Is it possible your phone plan only supports SMS and not MMS? This may also be helpful:

Steps to fix picture & video message issues | TELUS Support

There is some discussion of this in the Public Mobile forum that implies it may no longer be supported due to it's age:

MMS not working on galaxy j3 prime - Community

[jackrabbit000]

To download the MMS picture you need to have your phone’s Data turned on.  

[HPWhite]

I've never had Data on this phone (never needed it before). I had hoped MMS would work with WiFi connections. But I guess my phone is too old. Thanks all

[jackrabbit000]

Even though you don’t have data, if you turn on Data on your phone, it will let you download the MMS picture.   Click on the download arrow on the message. 

[HPWhite]

Doesn't that mean I would get charged for Data? I have a no Data plan with Telus. 

[HPWhite]

So the next trick will be to stop the daily messages I get randomly flashing on my screen (often at irritating times) stating the same ("Failed to download attachment ..."). I'm assuming this is my old phone not doing MMS, and I can't seem to get my phone to stop telling it won't work. Suggestions?