How to set up messages on Xiaomi Redmi 8: from SMS messenger-to-message

Xiaomi Redmi Smartphone 8, released 2019 It is still a popular choice due to its balanced features and support for current features, but many users have difficulty customizing messages, whether they are standard ones. SMS/MMS Or modern messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram, and in this article, we'll go through all the nuances, from basic configuration of the Messages app to fine-tuning notifications and solving typical delivery problems.

Feature Redmi 8 - work on the basis MIUI, Android shells with unique features, for example, there is built-in spam blocking, duplicate notifications in the status bar and even the ability to send SMS But these chips often go unnoticed, and we'll show you how to activate them, and we'll also explain why sometimes messages are delayed or never reach their destination.

Important: The instructions in the article are relevant to MIUI 12–14 (last supported versions for Redmi 8). If your phone runs on older firmware, some menu items may differ. → The phone. → Updating the system.

1. Basic configuration of the Messages app

Default on Xiaomi Redmi 8 It uses a standard Message app (a green envelope icon) and it's more functional than it seems. SMS/MMS, There is built-in spam blocking, quick response templates and even support. RCS-Messages (if your carrier supports this standard) Let's start with the basic settings.

To open an application, find it on the home screen or in the application menu. When you first start, the system may suggest making it the default application for the app. SMS — Please agree if you plan to use it:

• 📱 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
• 🔄 In the General section, select the SMS center and make sure that the number matches your operator’s number (usually it is automatically registered).
• 📩 Enable the Automatic Boot option MMS, If you want to receive multimedia messages without additional confirmation.
• 🔔 In the Notifications section, activate Sound and Vibration to avoid missing important ones. SMS.

Pay attention to the item Duplicate notifications - if you turn it on, messages will appear in both the status bar and the notification curtain.This is convenient, but can quickly drain the battery if you get a lot of SMS.

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If you send the same messages frequently (such as order confirmations), save them as templates. → Add a template.

2. Set up notifications for messages

Notification of new SMS Redmi 8 can be customized flexibly, from beep to light, and this is especially useful if you're using your phone in quiet mode, or if you want to distinguish messages from different contacts:

Go to Settings. → Notifications and status bar → Notifications from apps. Search in the Messages list and click on it:

• 🔔 Change the notification sound (e.g. assign a unique signal to the SMS).
• 💡 Turn on LED indicator – it will flash when new messages (color can be selected in Settings) → Screen. → LED indicator).
• 📳 Allow notifications to be displayed on the lock screen (useful if you don’t want to unlock your phone to read).
• 🔕 Add exceptions to not disturb important SMS They even came in silent mode.

For even more fine-tuning, go to the Messages app itself, open any chat, click on three dots. → Details. → Notifications. You can assign a specific signal to a specific contact, or even turn off notifications altogether.

3. Block spam and unsolicited messages

One of the key advantages MIUI — built-in spam protection in SMS. On Redmi 8, it runs on Xiaomi's database and analyzes the content of messages. However, by default, the filter can be too aggressive or, conversely, skip obvious spam:

Open the Messages app, go to Settings → Spam filter. The following options are available here:

• 🚫 Enable spam filter - the main switch (we recommend to leave on).
• 📊 Filtering Level – Choose Medium or High if you get a lot of spam.
• 🔄 Automatically block similar numbers – if enabled, the system will block messages from numbers similar to those already blocked.
• 📋 Blacklist – here you can manually add numbers from which you do not want to receive SMS.

If an important message is spammy, find it in the Spam folder, open and click on "No Spam" and the system will remember this number and will not filter it in the future. SMS, Not for messaging.

4.Tune in. MMS and group mailing

MMS (Multimedia messages on Redmi 8 require a separate setup, especially if you plan to send photos or videos through a standard application. Without the right settings, messages will either not leave or will come in poor quality:

Go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → Mobile network → Access points (APN). Find your operator profile (e.g. MTS, Beeline, MegaFon) and make sure that it contains the following parameters for the operator: MMS:

If your operator is not on the list, create a new one. APN manually using data from its official website. After saving the settings, restart the phone to make the changes effective. Also check that the Messages app settings have enabled the Autoboot option. MMS (see section 1).

For group mailing SMS Go to create a new message, add a few recipients, and write text. MMS Contact group, each recipient will see the numbers of other recipients.

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If MMS Check balance – many operators block multimedia messages with a negative or zero score, even if you have unlimited rates.

5. Backup and transfer of messages

Messages on Redmi 8 can be saved to the cloud or external drive so as not to lose them when resetting your phone or replacing it. SIM-In the cards. MIUI There are built-in tools for this, but they don't work with all types of messages.

For backups via Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure you are logged in to your Xiaomi account.
3. Find the Messages item and enable synchronization.
4. Click Sync to start the process.

Limitations of this method:

• ⚠️ Only preserved. SMS, MMS and RCS-Messages (messaging apps like WhatsApp are not backed up).
• ⚠️ When you restore the message will only return to the device with the same phone number.

For full backup (including messengers), use third-party applications, for example, SMS Backup & Restore. It stores messages to a.xml file that can be transferred to a PC or other phone:

If you’re changing Redmi 8 to another Xiaomi smartphone, use the Transfer Data in Settings feature, which will transfer not only messages, but also contacts, photos and even some application settings.

6. Solving problems with message delivery

Redmi 8 users are sometimes faced with the fact that SMS They either don't send or they come late, and there are different reasons for this, from the wrong settings. APN before-the-fuck SIM-We've collected typical scenarios and how to solve them.

Problem 1: No messages are sent

• 🔌 Check if the mobile internet is enabled (even for the SMS Sometimes you need to connect to the network).
• 📶 Make sure there is a network signal on the phone (the top panel should display a coverage indicator).
• 📞 Reboot your phone – it will reset the temporary errors of the communication module.
• 🔧 Check the number of the SMS center (see section 1). +79169997766 for Beeline — +79039997766.

Problem 2: MMS loadless

• 🌐 Check the settings APN (see Section 4).
• 💾 Make room on your phone — MMS They require free space to load.
• 🔄 Turn on Automatic Booting. MMS in the application settings Messages.

Problem 3: Messages are delayed

• 📵 Check if Traffic Saving mode is enabled in Settings → Battery and productivity.
• 🔄 Turn off Battery Optimization for the Messages app (find it in Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Communications → Battery).
• 📡 If you are roaming, contact the operator - some rates are blocked SMS elsewhere.

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If messages do not reach a particular subscriber, try sending them. SMS If the problem persists, the recipient may have activated your number lock.

If none of these things work, contact your carrier's support team, and they may have a problem, such as a temporary problem in your phone. SMSC (service-centre SMS).

7. Alternative messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram and others

Many Redmi 8 users prefer to communicate via instant messengers, rather than using the Internet. SMS. In this case, the standard Messages app can only be used to receive confirmation codes or notifications from banks.

WhatsApp:

• 📥 Download the app from Google Play (do not use it) APK third-party!).
• 🔑 Register by phone number and will come SMS confirmation-coded.
• 🔔 In the messenger settings (⋮ → Settings → Notifications) turn on Sounds, Vibration and LED.
• 🔒 Activate Two-Step Authentication in Settings → Account for additional security.

Telegram:

• ☁️ When registering, select Use the Cloud to sync messages between devices.
• 🔐 Enable Secret Chats for Confidential Communication (messages are not stored on servers).
• 📁 B Settings → Data and memory set up Auto Download Media so that photos and videos are uploaded only over Wi-Fi.

For both messengers, we recommend disabling Battery Optimization (as in Section 6) so that notifications arrive on time, and make sure that apps are allowed to access Contacts and Storage in your phone settings.

If you use Dual Apps (function) MIUI For cloning messengers, remember: the second account WhatsApp or Telegram will work only with another SIM-Dual Apps settings are available in Settings → Annexes → Dual Apps.

8 Additional chips: RCS, Quick responses and automation

Xiaomi Redmi 8 supports the support RCS-The standard is a modern standard that makes SMS Similar to instant messengers (with read notifications, file transfers and group chats), but it requires three conditions to work:

1. Your operator supports you. RCS (Check on the website of MTS, Beeline or MegaFon).
2. The phone has enabled the Chat Message option in the Messages app settings.
3. The recipient must also have a phone with support. RCS.

To activate RCS:

1. Open the messages. → Settings → Chat messages.
2. Enable the option to Enable chat messages.
3. Confirm the phone number (will be available) SMS coded).

If the feature is not activated, your carrier may not have already enabled support, in which case you can use Google Messages (download from Google Play), which supports the service. RCS via Google servers.

Another thing that's really useful is quick answers. You can configure them into Settings. → System and device → Gestures → Quick cans, after activation on intake SMS On the lock screen will appear a button for a quick response without unlocking the phone.

To automate your messaging, use MacroDroid (available on Google Play) to help you, for example:

• 🤖 Automatically respond to SMS from certain contacts.
• 🔔 Turn off the sound of notifications at night.
• 📎 Save incoming messages with a confirmation code to a separate folder.

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RCS-Messages are not encrypted with end-to-end encryption (unlike WhatsApp or Telegram), and do not use them to transmit sensitive information.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up messages on Redmi 8