Many users of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are faced with an intrusive feature that automatically replaces the standard “ringer” and the “call caller”. SMS-This app, known as Mi Messages, is often annoying due to advertising, incorrect display of incoming confirmation codes and excessive data collection. MIUI And the new HyperOS, whether you have a budget phone or flagship.
Disabling this service returns the device to classic functionality and increases the level of privacy. You will no longer receive spam mailings, and the system will no longer require you to link a number to your Mi Account account for basic functions. The deactivation process does not require root rights or complex firmware, but knowing the exact steps is critical, since hidden menus can change after system updates.
In this article, we will take a look at all the methods available, from simple switching in settings to forced shutdown of system processes, learn to distinguish between system messages and Internet chat, and understand why sometimes after “turning off” the function returns itself.
Difference Between Standard SMS and Mi Messages
Before we start shutting down, it's important to understand what we're fighting against. Mi Messages is not just a beautiful wrapper, but a separate service that uses RCS (Rich Communication Services) protocols to try to replace regular SMS/MMS with Internet messages similar to iMessage or Viber. Unlike classic SMS, which work through the carrier's cellular network, this service requires a constant connection to the Internet and Xiaomi servers.
The main problem is that the system often prioritizes this particular service to send confirmation codes, leading to delays or complete disregard for incoming messages from banks.The standard Messages app (often from Google or basic Android) works directly through the service. SIM-And the difference in architecture is fundamental, because it's a card that guarantees delivery even when there's no mobile Internet.
- 📱 Transmission Protocol: Messages use Internet traffic (Wi-Fi or mobile data) whereas conventional messages use Internet traffic. SMS They go through cellphones.
- 🔒 Encryption and data: A proprietary service can scan the contents of messages for targeted advertising, while standard SMS remain local on the device until synchronized.
- 💰 Tariffing: Use RCS-The chat room may consume packet traffic, while incoming SMS Operators are usually free of charge.
⚠️ Warning: After disabling Mi Messages, some features like Xiaomi's "Antispam" or syncing chat history with the Mi Cloud will stop working.Make sure you have an alternative app to block unwanted calls.
Understanding these differences helps us understand why users tend to go back to the classics, especially for those who use the two. SIM-Maps, as Mi Messages often mischoose the default SIM for outgoing messages, sending them from a balance you didn't plan to use.
Disconnection through application settings
The easiest and safest way to deactivate a service is to use the app’s built-in settings, which require no third-party software installation and is completely reversible, but the menu interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS.
To start, open the standard yellow or blue Messages app on your desktop. Click on the menu icon (three dots or gear) in the upper right corner and select Settings. Here we are interested in the section related to the chat or account. In some versions of the firmware it is called "Mi Message", in others — «RCS-chat».
☑️ Pre-switch check
Inside this menu you will see the M Messages switch or RCS-It needs to be moved to off, and the system can warn you several times that messages will be sent as normal. SMS, And it can cost you money according to the operator's rates, and we agree and we confirm the action, and then the application may need to reboot or just go back to normal.
If the switch is inactive (gray) or immediately returns to the on position, this means that the service is locked at the system process or regional setting level, in which case a simple change of settings is not enough, and a deeper intervention will be required, which we will talk about in the next sections, and it is also worth checking whether synchronization with Mi Cloud is enabled, which can force the service to reactivate.
Change of region and resetting of settings
One reason why you can't turn off Messages is because it's regionally-specific, and in some countries (like India or Russia), it can be aggressively imposed, while in others (Europe, Global Versions) it's softer, and changing the region in the phone settings often helps to reset the service.
Go to Settings. → Additional settings → Region: Try setting up a region called Singapore, Indonesia, or the United States, and when you change region, the phone may need to reboot, which changes the set of pre-installed services and can automatically deactivate. RCS-chats, as they may not be supported by the operator in the selected region.
| Action. | The way is on the menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Change of region | Settings → Additional → Region | Deactivation of Xiaomi regional services |
| Clearing the data | Settings → Applications → Messages → Memory | Resetting the application settings to factory |
| Disabling notifications | Settings → Notifications → Messages | Blocking pop-up windows |
If changing the region didn't help, try clearing the app data. Go to Settings → Annexes → All applications → Tap “Clear” and select “Clear All” (or “Reset”). This will delete your correspondence history, so back up important dialogs in advance if they are not synced with the SIM-card.
Why does the region affect the operation of services?
Forced shutdown and shutdown via ADB
For advanced users who haven’t been helped by standard methods, there is a way to force the system component to shut down, which requires connecting the smartphone to a computer and using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) debugging tool, which is effective when the interface is locked or settings are reset by themselves.
First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings. → On the phone and press quickly 7-10 once by “Version” MIUI» (or "Version" OS»), Until you see "You're a developer." Then, in the "Additional" or "Extended Settings" menu, find "Developer" and turn on "Debug by Development" USB».
Connect your phone to your PC with a cable. On your computer, open the command line (terminal) in the ADB folder and type the following command to disable the component:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.mmsIn some cases, the package may be called differently, for example, com.miui.messaging or com.android.messaging. If after you enter the command, the phone stops receiving SMS at all, the component can be activated back, replacing the word disable-user with. Be careful: disabling system components can lead to unstable phone operation.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-Pm disable commands can cause a device to “brick” or cyclic reboot if a critical component is turned off.
Installation of an alternative application for SMS
The most elegant way to get rid of Mi Messages is to completely replace them with a third-party counterpart. Android allows you to assign any default application to work with SMS. The best choice at the moment is Google Messages, which is already pre-installed on many global versions or easily downloaded from the Play Market.
After installing or updating the Google Messages app, the system will suggest making it the main one. If this does not happen, go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Messages (three dots) → Default applications → SMS. Select Google Messages. From now on, all incoming and outgoing messages will be processed by this app, ignoring Xiaomi's settings.
- 🛡️ Google is actively implementing protection against spam and phishing using real-time databases.
- 🎨 Design: The interface meets Material Design standards and is easily customized to your preferences.
- 🔄 Synchronization: Ability to read SMS from a computer via a web interface without being tied to the Mi ecosystem.
Using a third-party app also solves the problem with confirmation codes. Google Messages handles short numbers correctly and doesn't try to translate them into an internet chat, which is often the case with Xiaomi's native solution.
💡
If Google Messages isn’t installed as the main app, try removing updates from Xiaomi’s built-in Messages app through the App Management menu, and then reassigning Google as a priority.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to delete all messages?
Why do messages turn on again after rebooting Mi?
Will my old SMS disappear after the shutdown?
Can I only turn off ads in my posts?
💡
Replacing the native application with Google Messages is the most stable and secure solution that allows you to keep the functionality of SMS without intrusive Xiaomi services.
To sum up, getting rid of Mi Messages is an important step to improve the comfort of using a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone. Regardless of the method chosen, whether it is simple setup or using ADB, the result is worth it: your phone will become yours again, not an advertising platform. Remember, regular firmware updates can return old settings, so periodically check the status of services.