Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face situations where standard messaging features seem too simple and access to advanced options is hidden behind several layers of the interface. The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS have a deep setup system that allows you to fully control incoming and outgoing traffic messages. However, finding these options the first time is difficult, as developers constantly change the structure of the menu.
Understanding how to properly configure a message center is essential not only for ease of reading, but also for effective protection against intrusive advertising and fraudulent mailings. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to access the configuration of the message center. SMS-We will look at the hidden features and learn how to configure filtering so that only really important notifications from banks and delivery services are skipped.
You don't have to be a technical person to optimize your messaging application, but you need to do a few things consistently, as described below, to turn a standard tool into a powerful communication combine, and we'll cover security, notification settings, and templates that save time when typing.
The main access path through the Messages application
The most obvious and frequently used way to change SMS settings is to log directly into the app itself, which is usually called Messages on Xiaomi screens and an icon in the form of a green or white envelope, and this is where most of the user settings regarding the display of dialogs and the behavior of the system when new data is received are concentrated.
To start, open the app and look at the top right or left corner of the screen where the menu button is located. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, this can be a three-dot icon or a gear. When you click on this element, you will see a drop-down menu where you want to select Settings, and this section is the central hub for managing all aspects of the messenger.
Inside the settings menu, you'll find a few key sections that require your attention, where you can change the font, turn on a dark topic, set up delivery and reading notifications, and manage SIM cards if there are two, and it's important to understand that the changes made here apply globally to all dialogs.
☑️ Checking the basic SMS settings
It's worth noting that in some regions or on global firmware, the interface may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same: logging in through the main menu of the application is the primary gateway to the configuration. If you don't see some of the options described in the manuals, maybe your version of the software needs an update or has regional limitations.
Settings through the system menu of the smartphone
An alternative but equally effective method of finding message settings is through the general operating system settings, which is especially useful if the messaging app isn’t running or if you need to prioritize notifications on the Android system-wide level.
Go to the main settings menu of the phone, find the Apps section, and select All Apps. In the list that opens, look for Messages. Going inside the app card, you will be taken to the management menu, where features such as data cleaning, permission management and, most importantly, the Notifications section are available.
Here you can fine-tune how exactly your smartphone will respond to incoming SMS. You can allow or disallow sound, vibration, pop-ups on a locked screen. For users who want silence but are afraid to skip a bank code, this is the perfect tool for creating exceptions.
Also in the system settings, in the section SIM-maps and mobile networks, you can find parameters associated with service messages (SMSC), Although modern operators usually transmit this data automatically, manual intervention is rarely required, but it is necessary to know that this option exists.
Management of the communications centre and SIM-map
Communications centre (SMSC) — It is the technical gateway through which all of your SMS. If this number is downed or missing, you will not be able to send messages, although incoming ones may come. In Xiaomi smartphones, the control of this option is often hidden in the depths of the engineering menu or in specific sections of the settings. SIM-map.
To check or change the message center number, go to the Messages app, open the settings, and find the section associated with Additional or Advanced Settings. There may be a Message Center. If it's not in the interface, you can use the secret code by dialing ##4636## in the telephony, and selecting Phone Information.
⚠️ Warning: Changing the message center number unnecessarily may result in the complete inoperability of the sending function SMS. Use this option only if you are sure that the number provided by your operator is correct.
For users of dual-sym devices, it is critical to set priorities correctly. → SIM-maps and mobile networks can be assigned which card will be used for calls, mobile Internet and, separately, for the use of mobile devices. SMS-This will eliminate the constant questions of the system "Send with the SIM 1 SIM 2?" for each typing of text.
Below is a table that will help you understand the main parameters available for customization in this section:
| Parameter | Function | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Centre (SMSC) | Address of the operator's lock | Auto (by default) |
| Delivery report | Notification of receipt by the addressee | Included (for control) |
| Message limit | Number of SMS in the dialogue | 1,000 or 5,000 |
| Coding | Text format (Unicode/GSM) | Automatically. |
Blocking Spam and Filtering Messages
One of the most sought-after features in the Xiaomi ecosystem is the built-in antivirus and security module, which includes a powerful SMS filter.It is able to automatically detect and hide advertising mailings, messages from unknown numbers and potentially dangerous content.
To access these settings, open the Security app (green zipper icon) that is pre-installed on each of the brand’s devices. In the menu, look for Antispam or Blocker, and you can turn on a smart filter that analyzes the content of messages and flags them as spam without disturbing the user with an audible signal.
You can create a blacklist for specific numbers or entire prefixes, and you can also have "Block Hidden Numbers" and "Block Messages from Unknown People," which is especially true during times of massive fraud attacks, when people get links to fake banking sites.
How to recover a remote spam message?
Setting up a whitelist allows you to skip messages from your favorite contacts, ignoring everyone else, and it's a radical but effective method for those who want complete silence, and remember to add the numbers of loved ones and colleagues to this list so you don't lose touch.
Working with templates and smart functions
Modern versions of MIUI offer users to create their own message templates, which greatly speeds up the communication process if you often have to send the same texts, such as meeting coordinates, card number or standard responses to customers.
To create a template, go to the Messages app settings and find Quick Answers or Templates, where you can add new text, assign it a keyword for quick search, and pin it at the top of the list if you need to, and when typing a message, you just need to select a template from the menu.
It also has a Smart Message feature that automatically recognizes message types: confirmation codes, bank notifications, delivery services, which are grouped into separate categories and can be prioritized, and you can set up widgets like the Call Courier buttons right in the body of the message.
⚠️ Warning: Be careful with action buttons in smart messages. Fraudsters can mask phishing links as legitimate notifications. Always check the sender before clicking on a link or confirming an action.
Using templates and smart categories turns a chaotic SMS stream into a structured database, and you will no longer lose code from an Internet bank among dozens of promotional offers if you properly sort it.
Solving problems with sending and receiving
Even with the right settings, there may be failures in the work. SMS-Messages may not be sent, may be stuck in the status of "Send" or not come at all, before you bring the phone to the service, it is worth performing a number of diagnostic actions that often solve the problem by software.
The first thing to do is clear the Messages cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Messages → Storage and click Clear Cache. Don't worry, your text messages won't be deleted, only temporary files that may have been corrupted will be cleared.
If clearing the cache didn’t help, check to see if there is a limit on sending paid SMS (relevant for some tariffs or parental controls). Also make sure that the date and time settings are automatically determined. Incorrect time on the device is one of the most common reasons for refusing to send messages due to desynchronization with the operator’s server.
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If SMS If they don't go, try temporarily disabling Wi-Fi and sending a message over a mobile network, this will help you to understand whether the router is blocking or not. DNS-service-port filter.
At the very least, you can reset your network settings. This action will return APN, Bluetooth and mobile settings to factory values. Path to reset: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Once you reboot, the phone will re-register on the network, and the problem often disappears.