Setting up SMS delivery reports on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones, particularly the popular Redmi 9, often face the need to confirm receipt of messages sent. Standard settings of the MIUI shell can hide some options, making the activation process unobvious to the average user. Lack of visual confirmation can create inconvenience when business correspondence or communication with important contacts, when it is critical to know whether information has reached the recipient.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm for enabling the delivery report function, and also look at the nuances of the Android messaging system in conjunction with the corporate shell. You will learn how to interpret different message statuses and what to do if the desired option is not on the menu or is not working correctly.

It’s worth noting that SMS functionality is not only dependent on your phone’s settings, but also your mobile carrier’s plan. Some service providers may restrict or charge extra fees for service status data, although most modern rates have it enabled by default, so if you don’t get reports after all the settings, it makes sense to check with your carrier’s support team.

Differences between standard application and Mi Messaging

Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones can have different messaging apps depending on the firmware region and operating system version, most often either a standard Google Messages app or a proprietary Mi Messaging development. The interface and settings location vary significantly, which often causes confusion among users trying to find the right switch.

If you have a Google app, which is now the Android standard, then the logic of the reports is built on the RCS protocol or classic SMS. In this application, developers tend to be minimalist, so some features can be hidden in deep menus or require the activation of additional services. Redmi 9 users often note that after updating the system, the menu can change.

For Mi Messaging, which is more common in Chinese firmware or older builds of global versions, the interface is more visually charged, and delivery reports can be not only ticked but also accompanied by text notifications at the bottom of the screen, and it’s important to understand which app is the main one on your device before you start setting up.

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Before changing your message settings, make sure you have the latest version of the app installed from Google Play or Mi Store, as older versions may lack the necessary features or be bugged.

You can identify the current application by looking at the message icon on the desktop or in the default settings menu. If you prefer the functionality of one application but use another, you can always download the desired version from the official store and assign it by default through the system settings.

Activation of reports in the standard Google Messages app

For Redmi users 9 With Google Messages installed, the process of activating delivery reports is quite logical, but requires care when choosing the type of chat./MMS and messages via the Internet (RCS), and settings for them may be in different sections or have different priorities.

To enable reports, you need to open the app and go to the settings menu, usually through the profile icon in the upper right corner or through three dots in the menu, find the section responsible for SMS and MMS, and activate the "Request Delivery Report" switch, and then status will begin to be added to your messages.

☑️ Checking the SMS settings

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It’s worth considering that activating the feature may require rebooting the app or even the Xiaomi smartphone itself.If the switch is active but reports don’t come in, try clearing the app’s cache through the phone’s settings.This often helps to reset temporary sync errors with the operator’s servers.

An important aspect is that the delivery report will only come if the recipient's phone is on and in the network coverage area. If the recipient's device is off or in flight mode, the report may not arrive until it appears on the network.

Setting up the function in the Mi Messaging app

Owners of Redmi 9 with global or European firmware sometimes use the Mi Messaging app, which has its own set of settings.In this application, delivery reports are part of advanced messaging features and require a separate activation in the corresponding settings menu.

To enable the function, open the app, click on the three dots in the upper right corner, and select Settings. In the list that opens, look for “Additional” or “Extended Settings” where the “Delivery Reports” switch will be located. Activation of this slider will trigger the status tracking mechanism for your messages.

⚠️ Note: In some versions of the shell MIUI For Redmi 9, activation of Mi Messaging delivery reports may result in service SMS from the operator, which may be charged as normal incoming messages depending on the terms of your tariff plan.

Mi Messaging allows you to configure the display of reports more flexibly. You can choose whether you want to see only checkmarks or receive a text notification about the delivery time. This feature is especially useful for those who are actively correspondence and need accurate timing of sent data.

If you can’t find this item on the menu, your version of the app may be outdated or the region of the device is set to a country where this feature is limited, in which case it is recommended to check for system updates in the About section or change the region in the device settings to a more versatile one, such as Singapore or India, which often unlocks hidden MIUI features.

📊 What SMS application are you using?
Google Messages:Mi Messaging: Other Application: I do not use SMS

Interpretation of statuses and message indicators

After successfully configuring the system on Xiaomi Redmi 9, it is important to understand correctly what the various icons next to the messages sent signal. The system uses color encoding and symbols to indicate the current state of the message as it is transmitted from sender to recipient.

The following notation system is usually used, which can vary depending on the version of the application, but the basic principles remain the same. Understanding these symbols will help you quickly assess the situation without having to delve into the technical logs of the application.

StatusIndicatorMeaning
Sent.One checkmarkThe message left the phone and was received by the operator.
Delivered.Two checks.Message to recipient's device
Sending.Clocks/CircleThe data transfer process is still underway
Mistake.Exclamation pointFailed to send a message, a repeat is required

Sent status means that your Redmi 9 has successfully transmitted a message to the mobile operator gateway, but this does not guarantee that the message is already on the interlocutor's phone.

Delivered status confirms that the message has reached the end device, and that's what the delivery report function provides, and if you see one tick for a long time, it could indicate that the recipient has a network problem or has turned off the phone.

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The delivery report only confirms that the message has entered the recipient’s phone memory, but does not guarantee that the person has already read the text or seen the notification.

Solving problems with reporting

Even after setting up correctly, Xiaomi Redmi 9 users may find themselves in a situation where delivery reports stop coming or are displayed incorrectly, which can be caused by software failures in the MIUI shell, as well as restrictions on the carrier or the recipient of the message.

One common reason is the aggressive MIUI energy saving system, which can limit the background operation of the Messages app. If the system considers the application inactive, it may stop sharing service data, including delivery reports, check battery settings and allow the application to run in the background without restrictions.

Make sure your Redmi 9 is enabled even if you are only using SMS, as some types of reports may require a minimal internet connection to synchronize statuses, especially if you are using a hybrid RCS/SMS mode.

  • 📱 Check if the recipient’s phone has a Do Not Disturb mode or locking unknown numbers, which may interfere with delivery.
  • 📡 Make sure you and the other person have a stable signal of the cellular network, as in the area of uncertain reception reports may not pass.
  • 🔄 Try resetting your network settings in the “Advanced Settings” menu» → «Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth settings».

If the problem is massive and no reports are coming from anyone, it may be the operator's side that is doing the maintenance work, but if the problem is with just one contact, it's probably the device or the tariff.

⚠️ Note: When resetting network settings on Xiaomi Redmi 9 will be deleted all saved passwords from Wi-Fi networks and pairs of Bluetooth devices, so write down the necessary data to reconnect.

Impact of the telecom operator and tariff plan

The functionality of delivery reports depends on the support of this service by your mobile operator. In the CIS, most large operators support the transfer of service SMS (Delivery Report), but roaming or using virtual operators (MVNO) may be limited.

Some plans, especially archive or enterprise plans, may have a network-level delivery report service disabled, in which case, even if Redmi 9’s settings are all-on, a physical report from the operator simply won’t come, and you can call customer support or check your account to verify this fact.

In addition, when sending messages abroad, the cost of delivery reports may be higher than the cost of the message itself or they may not come at all due to incompatibility of networks of different countries. Signaling protocols in international roaming work more complicated, and the loss of service data packets is not uncommon.

Technical details of the DLR
Delivery Report (Delivery Receipt) is a service report. SMS-A message generated by a message center (SMSC) It's a separate data channel that can be blocked by security settings or tariff.

If you are frequently communicating with subscribers of other operators or are on roaming, it is worth bearing in mind that the absence of reports does not always mean a malfunction of your Xiaomi.

Alternative methods of confirming receipt

In situations where standard SMS reports on Redmi 9 are unstable or unavailable, alternative methods of confirming receipt of information can be used. Modern smartphones offer many ways of communication that provide more reliable delivery.

The most popular solution is to use instant messengers like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, which use an Internet feed and provide detailed information about the status of a message: one tick is sent to the server, two ticks are delivered to the device, blue is read, which gives much more information than standard SMS.

For business correspondence where legal relevance is important, you can use business notification services or special applications that require proof of reading from the recipient. However, for household use, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 is quite enough and standard tools, if they are properly configured.

Why can't the Redmi 9 deliveries come?
The main reasons include: disabled function in the application settings, blocking background activity by the MIUI system, lack of support for the service by the operator, network problems with the recipient or sender, as well as overcrowded phone memory, which interferes with the processing of incoming service SMS.
Do operators charge for delivery reports?
In most cases, incoming delivery reports are free for the subscriber, however, technically it is an incoming SMS message. Some old rates or international roaming may charge a fee for incoming SMS, so in such situations it is better to check with your operator.
Can I only include reports for certain contacts?
In standard Messages apps on Android and MIUI, the setup of delivery reports is global, meaning it is either turned on for all outgoing SMS or off. You can’t select individual contacts to receive reports in the basic functionality, it requires third-party applications.
How to clear the memory of messages if they stopped coming?
Go to the Messages app, click on three dots or an avatar, select Settings, and find Delete Old Messages, and manually remove the long chains of attachments that occupy the most space in the device’s memory.