I cannot send images to buyers.

[Giforue]

When I responded to the buyers with pictures.  It always shows a note  "Looks like you're messaging this person for the first time, so you can't send images yet."  Whether new or returning customers.

[audreytherese]

Send it directly to their email. 

[JewelrypackagingShop]

Why can't I send photos in messages?

[HouseofWhisperingFir]

You have to respond to a request from a potential / previous  buyer to be able to send photos.  Otherwise, sending unsolicited photos is considered spamming by Etsy.

[lilymeru]

I also have problems. I can't send attachments and photos to customers. It is a big problem for me.

[ThatPartyChick]

I lost attachment button on my laptop. I can only attach if I message from an order, but I get an error and cannot send it. I also get errors on the app on my phone when I attach and send. Basically, impossible to send an attachment in Etsy messages in any way for me right now.

[Digipinata]

facing the same issue. when us computer website, no option to attach the image. (just gone) and when i use the seller app, it says some error and image not sending. even to past buyer with an open chat. 

[SunshineStoreFinds]

Dear colleagues,
Let's talk about this problem.
Maybe when there are many of us under this message, the support will pay attention to this problem.
I have the same thing. I can't send a personalized file to a regular customer.

[DipintoAdArte]

Same here! I lost attachment button, it shows me a note:  "Looks like you're messaging this person for the first time, so you can't send images yet."  This happens to new and returnes customers with a lot of previous conversations!

[MagicArtsHouse]

I have the same problem, have you solved it?

[BlossomStamps]

Same! I don't see any note. I need to send an image of a proof for a custom stamp ordered and the button to attach images is gone! 

[decembermoondesign]

Attachment button gone for me as well.

[CostumeCoutureNaomi]

Can you try logging in on a different browser?

[AutumnHollowStudio]

I hope this is a bug and not a permanent change. When I get custom orders, there is often a lot of back and forth with images being sent to the customer with design mock ups, ideas, etc. Emailing directly is an alternative,  but Etsy messaging would be preferable for all Etsy order related business.

[BlossomStamps]

I tried various browsers - no luck. The attach image icon is there when accessing messages directly through the order on the order page, but I get an error message when I try to send. If going directly through Messages, the icon isn't even there. @AutumnHollowStudio same here with the image back & forth! If I have to conduct all my business through email, it will be such a pain.

EDIT: I emailed myself a proof image from my computer and was able to attach the photo to a message through the Etsy app so this must by a PC issue. However, when I went back to the PC, the message I sent with the image via the app does not appear but a short additional message without the photo does appear.

EDIT AGAIN: going back to the app, the photo and message that attached minutes ago has now vanished and is no longer visible on the Etsy app messages. This is sooo weird.

[MaruPazLineArt]

I have this problem too, but I do have the attachment button…

[AnneLondezGlass]

Same problem, I can't attach pics to my messages. The option was missing altogether this morning on my phone's browser. Now that I'm on laptop it's there but it's not working, I get an error message everytime I try.

[JewelleryJKW]

The same problem!!!

[audreytherese]

For anyone getting this message, "Looks like you're messaging this person for the first time, so you can't send images yet."

Have you tried sending a message first to get a response, then sending photos? Like, "Hi, I see your order and just want to make sure this is a good place to send over the mock-up for approval"

I'm thinking they are implementing this as the latest attempt to thwart scammers, since they often send things like images of a QR code. Just curious if it is actually a glitch (wouldn't be surprising, Etsy is horrible at implementing any new programming), or if that is how the new programming is supposed to work. Like there must be an initial message and response before a picture can be sent. 

[BlossomStamps]

this is happening even within existing message threads and messages associated with orders where photos were previously successfully sent.

[michellepatterns]

I agree this is very likely a new thing etsy implemented to stop scammers. 

They might not have been able to not have it apply to existing messages or it was too complicated to make it work so they skipped even trying.  

[SnappyBaby]

I tried this and wanted to add in here, I had a customer message and tell me they wanted to send me a picture of a listing so I can see what listing she was referring to (she didn't know how to link and Etsy did not link her message to the listing)... so, I responded and she sent the images and then her message was immediately marked as SPAM! Luckily, I was waiting for the message, so I noticed it in spam, but this is really not good for Etsy to do. It was all through the app for that customer.

[AnneLondezGlass]

This is happening within conversational threads which have been open for a week and are actually linked to orders. And I didn't get that warning, just an error message. I need to send proofs! This is a stupid move on Etsy's part.

[BlossomStamps]

this is happening even within existing message threads and messages associated with orders where photos were previously successfully sent.

[michellepatterns]

Etsy probably couldn't make it work to have it only apply to new message threads. 

Basically, they couldn't backdate the programming so all messages after whatever date they launched it are now considered new and will get this message.