How to set up SMS on Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shell or the new HyperOS offer users a wide range of multimedia capabilities, but basic features such as text messaging remain critical. Often after buying a new device or updating the firmware, users are faced with the fact that standard settings do not allow you to send or receive SMS. This can be due to incorrect network parameters, failures in the messenger application or erroneous settings of the message center. Understanding how to correctly configure this partition will help avoid problems with obtaining confirmation codes from banks and important notifications.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all aspects of text messaging on Chinese brand devices. Not only will we go through the menu, but we will also touch on hidden settings that affect the stability of delivery. The correct configuration of the message system is a guarantee that you will not miss an important call from the courier or two-factor authorization. Many users do not even realize that the standard application hides powerful functionality to combat intrusive spam.

Before you go into complex manipulations, you need to make sure that the basic conditions are met. SIM-The card is active, the account has funds (if the tariff is not unlimited), and the device correctly sets the date and time. The wrong time zone often causes messages to fail to arrive on time or to be lost when synchronized with the operator's server (SMSC) — It is a unique number that should match your carrier, not be the default standard.

Basic configuration of the message application

The first step to ensure that the service works correctly is to check the parameters of the application itself. In Xiaomi smartphones, the standard Messages app is responsible for this, which can sometimes conflict with third-party counterparts if they were installed earlier. To avoid confusion, it is recommended to use only the system solution or completely disable the alternatives. Open the phone settings menu and find the section responsible for the applications.

Inside the program management menu, you need to find Messages and go to Notifications, where it is important to allow all types of alerts, including sound and pop-ups. If the system suggests selecting a priority application for SMS, confirm the choice of a standard MIUI client. This action ensures that the operating system will redirect incoming signals to this interface, avoiding possible software conflicts.

Then you have to check the permissions that the app has. To work properly, it needs access to contacts, phone and, of course, SMS. Without these permissions, the functionality will be cut down: you can't use quick answers or see the sender's name instead of the number. The access settings must be as complete as possible so that the shell's artificial intelligence can effectively filter spam.

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If you have installed a third-party launcher, make sure it doesn’t block pop-up notifications from system apps, otherwise you may miss an incoming message.

It’s also important to pay attention to battery savings. Xiaomi’s aggressive power saving algorithms can kill the process of synchronizing messages in the background. Go to the battery settings, find the Messages app, and select No Limits mode. This will allow the program to always stay active in the background and instantly deliver content to users.

Message Center and Network Configuration

One of the most common causes of broken SMS is the wrong number of the message center (SMSC). This parameter is automatically prescribed when installed. SIM-In some cases, especially when using old cards or after flashing, the data may get lost. To check and change this setting, you need to open the Messages app, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings. In the menu that opens, look for the item “Additional” or “Settings” SIM-map».

Within this section, the message center number is displayed. If the field is empty or the number does not match your operator, messages will not be sent. You can find the current number for your region on the Internet or call the operator's support team. Entering is in an international format, for example, +79160000000. After entering, you must click on the "Save" or "Update" button to make the changes effective immediately.

In addition to the center number, check the network modes. Make sure that the mobile network settings have a mode that supports your tariff and carrier coverage (LTE/3G/2G). Sometimes switching only to 4G can temporarily disrupt the delivery of SMS in areas of unstable coverage, so the mode "Auto" is the most preferred.

Below is a table with typical message center numbers for the main operators operating in the Russian Federation (data may change, check the relevance):

Management SIM-cardboards in two-symbol smartphones

Xiaomi owners often use two devices. SIM-So you can set the default card for voice calls and text messages separately, which is very convenient if you have unlimited messages on one card and only the Internet on the other. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.

In this section, you'll see two blocks: Calls and SMS. By clicking on SMS, you can select the default card or leave the question "Always ask." The latter option is convenient for those who rarely send messages and want to control which SIM text will leave each time. However, to automate processes such as receiving codes from banks, it is better to fix the main SIM.

⚠️ Note: If you have a specific SIM-SMS card, which is out of reach or blocked, and the message will not be automatically sent through the second card, and the system cannot redirect the outgoing SMS to a backup number without user intervention.

You can also rename SIM cards as "Working", "Personal" or operator names, which makes it easier to choose when you write a new message, and when you dial or create a message, you'll see clear labels instead of abstract "SIM 1" and "SIM 2" labels, so identifying the cards helps you avoid accidentally sending sensitive information from the wrong number.

For users who change operators frequently, the quick switch feature is useful. You can output the control widget. SIM-This allows you to instantly turn off an unnecessary SIM card to save charge or switch the priority of Internet and messages to one tap. This flexibility makes working with two numbers on one Xiaomi device as comfortable as possible.

Filters and Spam Protection

MIUI is famous for its powerful built-in security tools, and the messaging app is no exception, with an effective spam filter that blocks unwanted mailings and calls. To activate and configure it, open the Messages app, click on the menu, and select Antispam or Antispam Settings.

Inside this section, you can enable blocking of hidden numbers, foreign numbers and messages containing keywords. You can create a blacklist of words such as credit, win, casino. All messages containing these terms will automatically be placed in the Spam folder and will not disturb you with an audible signal. This is especially true in the context of aggressive marketing.

• 🛡️ Keyword Blocking: Add frequently used terms to the stop list.
• 🌍 International number filter: useful if you do not wait for messages from abroad, it will save you from many scammers.
• 📵 Contact blacklist: the ability to manually add specific numbers whose messages you are not interested in.

In addition, the system offers smart sorting: messages from banks, delivery services and taxi services can automatically be grouped into a separate category “Service messages” or “Transactional”, which allows you to keep personal correspondence clean.

Solving problems with sending and receiving

If setting up the settings didn't work and the messages didn't go, you need to do a deeper diagnostics, and often the problem is that the phone's memory is crowded or the app cache is crowded, and when the internal storage is packed, the system has nowhere to save the incoming message or create a temporary file for the outgoing one. Free up at least 500MB of space and check the result.

The second step is to clear the Messages cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Messages → Storage and click Clear Cache. It is important not to confuse this with the Clear All button, which will delete the entire correspondence history. Cache is temporary files, deleting them is safe and often solves the problem of freezes.

⚠️ Warning: Before resetting your network or application, make sure to back up important communications if they are not synced to the cloud.

It's also worth checking if you have a Do Not Disturb or Sleep mode that can block notifications. In some scenarios, the user accidentally activates the lock of all incoming ones, and then forgets about it. Check the Do Not Disturb settings and make sure that an exception is made for the Messages app. Priority notifications should take place even in silence.

If none of the above works, try resetting the network to factory settings. This action will return all APN, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings to their original state. Path to function: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. After the restart, the phone will re-query the operator’s settings, which often eliminates software glitches.

Using Mi Cloud and Synchronization

For those who frequently change devices or fear data loss, Xiaomi offers a feature synchronizing messages through the cloud service Mi Cloud.This allows you not only to save your correspondence history, but also to continue to communicate from a tablet or another phone if you use one account. Enabling synchronization occurs in the Settings menu → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud.

In the service list, find Messages and activate the switch, and then all new SMS will automatically upload to the cloud, and if you lose or break your smartphone, just enter your Mi Account on the new device, and your correspondence history will recover, which is especially valuable for business correspondence and storing confirmation codes that may be needed in the future.

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Regular sync with Mi Cloud is the only reliable way to save the history of SMS when you switch to a new smartphone or after a complete reset of the device.

It is worth noting that synchronization requires a stable Internet connection to work. If you use a limited tariff, set up sync only over Wi-Fi so as not to waste mobile traffic. In the Mi Cloud settings, you can choose sync conditions: “Only through Wi-Fi” or “Always.” Traffic optimization will help save money, especially with a large volume of multimedia messages (MMS).