Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which run MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, offer users several ways to text. The standard short message (SMS) procedure may seem trivial, but there are nuances in the Chinese manufacturer’s ecosystem that often baffle newcomers.
In this detailed guide, we’ll not only break down the basic algorithm of actions, but also delve into the technical details of setting up message centers, which is especially true for users facing delivery problems. We’ll look at the standard Messages app, alternative solutions from Google, and the proprietary Mi Talk service. Understanding these differences will help you stay connected, regardless of the situation.
We will also discuss security and spam blocking issues, as Xiaomi’s built-in filters are able to effectively weed out unwanted ads. If you’re used to the pure Android interface, navigation in the MIUI menu can be addictive, so each step will be described in as much detail as possible.
Basic instructions: creating and sending SMS
To start texting, you need to run the appropriate app. Most Xiaomi devices have a default Messages app with a distinctive blue or green icon, although global firmware versions often pre-installed the standard Google Messages. Open the app to see a list of previous dialogs or a welcome screen if you use the device for the first time.
In the lower right corner of the screen (or in the upper, depending on the version of the shell) is a button to create a new message, usually presented in the form of a pencil, plus or bubble with text. You click on it and you open an input field, where you need to type in the addressee's number or select a contact from the phone book. SIM-dispatcher.
Once you type in a number or select a contact, you have a text field, and you can type in a message, you can use voice input, you can paste patterns. When you're ready, you click the send button, which often looks like a paper airplane, and if the connection is stable, the message will leave instantly, and the text will be "delivered" status.
- 📱 Click on the Messages app icon on your desktop.
- ➕ Slip the button to create a new message (usually in the corner of the screen).
- 📝 Enter the phone number or contact name in the recipient field.
- ⌨️ Type the text of the message at the bottom of the screen.
- 🚀 Press the send button (arrow or plane).
Setup MMS and multimedia messages
Sending photos, videos or audio files through a standard communication channel requires setting up MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service). Unlike conventional SMS, multimedia transmission requires active mobile Internet. Even if you have Wi-Fi enabled, the appropriate operator settings must be prescribed for the MMS to work correctly in the APN settings.
To send a media file, open a contact dialog and find a clip, camera or gallery icon. When selecting a photo from a gallery, the system automatically determines that it is a multimedia message, and can warn about a possible paid service or traffic expense. Modern versions of MIUI often suggest compressing the image before sending to speed up the process.
If pictures are not sent, check your mobile network settings. Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks and make sure that mobile internet is enabled, it's also worth checking if the background data limit for the Messages app is worth it. APN, which can be obtained from your operator's website.
⚠️ Attention: When sending MMS abroad without connected data roaming, the message may not leave or be charged at a very high fare.Always check the fare conditions before traveling.
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To save traffic and money, send photos via messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), if the recipient has the Internet. MMS Use only as a backup channel.
Working with two SIM-maps on Xiaomi
Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their functionality for working with two SIM cards, but this makes its own adjustments to the process of writing messages. The user should clearly understand which card will be sent from, especially if the tariffs for them differ (for example, one batch, the other social), the system allows you to flexibly manage this process.
In the application "Messages" you can configure priority SIM-map for outgoing calls and SMS. To do this, go to the application settings (three dots or gear) and find the Settings section. SIM-You can set the default card here, or you can turn on Always Ask mode, so that the system will specify the choice before each shipment.
When you are in a correspondence with a particular contact, the system “remembers” which card you last wrote to him and will suggest sending a new message from it. However, if you change the map manually during the dialogue, the interface may not be switched visually immediately, which requires attention. SIM-maps (usually blue or orange) help you navigate.
| Parameter | SIM-map | SIM-map | Mode of work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of network | 4G / LTE | 2G / 3G | Dynamic switching |
| Operator. | Basic | Additional | Active at the same time |
| Appointment | Internet and calls | Just calls./SMS | Hybrid |
| Status | Included. | Included. | Waiting. |
Mi Talk and Alternatives Service
Xiaomi device owners have access to the branded Mi Talk service, which allows you to send messages and make calls over the Internet for free, similar to iMessage or FaceTime. This is convenient when you need to contact another Xiaomi user, but he has run out of minutes or no coverage of the cellular network, but there is Wi-Fi.
To activate the function, you need to log into your Mi Account. The message app has a mode switch: SMS and Mi Talk. If the contact also uses a Xiaomi device and is authorized in the account, the message will go via the Internet, which is especially important when you are abroad.
An alternative is to switch to RCS (Rich Communication Services) if your carrier and phone support this technology (often implemented via Google Messages). RCS allows you to see typing status, send high-quality photos and have read statuses, working through a standard phone number but using an Internet channel.
What to do if Mi Talk is not activated?
Solving problems with sending messages
When a message is not sent and hangs with a red exclamation point, it's familiar to many. The first and most common reason is the banal absence of a network signal or negative balance. But there are specific reasons for energy saving and permissions in MIUI-based Android.
Check if the Messages app is in the list of blocked background processes. Aggressive battery optimization can kill the sending process if the screen is out. Go to Settings → Applications → Messages → Battery and select No Limits mode. Also make sure that the SMS settings correctly specify the message center number (SMSC) that you can find from the operator.
If the problem is massive and not solved by a reboot, try clearing the app cache. Go to Settings → Applications → Messages → Memory → Clean. This won’t delete your correspondence, but it will reset temporary files that may have been corrupted.
⚠️ Attention: If you reset your network settings, you will have to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords and your Bluetooth devices.
☑️ Diagnosing problems with SMS
Spam blocking and correspondence security
Xiaomi pays great attention to protecting users from intrusive advertising and fraudulent SMS. Built-in antivirus and spam filter automatically analyze incoming messages. If the system suspects a message of fraud, it falls into a separate Spam folder or is blocked completely without issuing an audible notification.
You can add a blacklist yourself. Open an unwanted message, click on three dots on the menu or contact avatar, and select "Block." Then the sender will no longer be able to reach you via SMS or calls. Check your spam folder regularly so that you do not accidentally miss an important notification from the bank or delivery service that the system may find suspicious.
To increase privacy, it is recommended to enable encryption of backups of correspondence if you use cloud services, and in modern versions of HyperOS, the Privacy Protection feature is available, which hides the content of messages on a locked screen, showing only a notification of a new event.
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Regularly checking the Spam folder and updating the database of malicious numbers in the Security app is the key to calm and protection from fraudsters.