How to send a message from a Xiaomi phone: SMS, messengers and voice notes

Introduction

Sending messages from Xiaomi phones is a daily challenge, but even such a simple operation can raise questions, especially if it comes to new models with an updated MIUI interface or specific features like voice messaging. In this article, we will examine all possible ways of sending messages, from classic SMS to instant messengers and built-in Xiaomi tools.

Whether you’re using the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, or Xiaomi’s flagship 14 series, the algorithm for sending messages remains similar, but there are nuances: for example, some regions have RCS turned off by default, and messengers like Telegram or Viber may require additional permissions, and we’ve taken these into account to make sure that the instruction is as complete as possible.

Method 1: Sending SMS via a standard application

The standard Messages app on Xiaomi supports not only SMS, but also RCS (if the operator provides this service) to send a text message:

1. Open the Messages app (the envelope icon on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Click on the icon to write a new message (pencil in the lower right corner).
3. In the Who field, enter a phone number or select a contact from the list.
4. Type text in the input field and press the Send button (arrow to the right).

If you do not send SMS, check:

• 📶 Network signal: no messages will leave without coverage. Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks and make sure the SIM-map is active.
• 💰 Account balance: Some operators have SMS SMS tariffs without subscription fee at zero balance.
• 🔄 Message Center: in Messages Application Settings → Settings → Additional → Message Center must be your operator number (e.g. +79990000000 for MTS).

On Xiaomi models with MIUI 14+, the Messages app has a delayed sending feature to use:

1. Write a message, but don't send it.
2. Press the Send button and a time-selected menu will appear (e.g., “In 1 hour” or “Tomorrow at 9:00”).

💡

If you send SMS to the same number frequently, add it to your favorite contacts in the Messages app. To do this, click on the contact avatar in the chat and select "Add to favorites".

Method 2: RCS- Messages (Enriched Chats)

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a modern standard that replaces SMS by adding the capabilities of instant messengers: read notifications, file transfers, group chats. This feature is supported on Xiaomi, but it needs to be activated.

To activate the RCS:

1. Open Messages → Settings → Chat settings.
2. Select Enriched Messages (RCS).
3. Turn on the switch and follow the instructions (number confirmation may be required).

After activation, you will be able to:

• 📎 Send files up to 100MB (versus 300KB in SMS).
• 👥 Create group chats with read notifications.
• 🎨 Seeing when the interlocutor typed the answer.

Important: RCS It only works between subscribers of the same carrier or if both use Google Messages (on Android). SMS.

Method 3: Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Most Xiaomi users prefer instant messengers because of free calls and additional features.

WhatsApp

To send a message to WhatsApp:

1. Install the app from Google Play (if not already installed).
2. Register by confirming your phone number.
3. Click on the New Chat icon (in the lower right corner) and select the contact.
4. Type text or attach a file (photo, video, document).

Xiaomi with MIUI has a feature: if you use dual applications (cloning messenger for the second SIM), then notifications can be duplicated.

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Duplicate applications.
2. Select WhatsApp and turn off notifications for the cloned version.

Telegram

In Telegram, you can send messages to Xiaomi even without a phone number (via username).

• 🔒 Secret chats: messages are encrypted and not stored on servers. To create such a chat, click on the Pencil icon → New Secret Chat.
• 📁 File Sending: 2GB per file limit (vs. 100MB on WhatsApp).
• 🤖 Bots: You can send messages to bots for automatic responses (e.g., @vid for video compression).

If Telegram doesn’t send messages to Xiaomi, check:

• 🌐 Internet connection: The messenger requires stable network access.
• 🔄 Battery Limits: in Settings → Apps → Telegram → Battery, select No Limits.
• 🔒 Permissions: in Settings → Apps → Telegram → Permissions enable access to Contacts and Warehouse.

Method 4: Voice Messages and Notes

Xiaomi can send voice messages not only in instant messengers, but also through standard tools, for example, the application Recorder has the function of exporting audio in the message format.

To send a voice message:

1. Open the Record application (Micron icon).
2. Click Record and say the text.
3. After recording, click Save and select Share.
4. Select the method of sending: SMS, messenger or email.

In messengers, the process is even simpler:

• 🎤 On WhatsApp: Hold the microphone icon to the right of the input field.
• 🎙️ In Telegram: swipe right on the input field or click on the paperclip and select Audio.

💡

Voice messages in messengers are compressed automatically, but in the Record application you can select the quality (up to 192 kbit / s) before sending.

If the microphone is not working:

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi models (e.g., Redmi 10C) may lose access to the microphone for third-party apps after upgrading to MIUI 13. To fix this, go to Settings → Privacy → Permissions → Microphone and enable access for the desired messenger.

Method 5: Send messages through Xiaomi smart devices

If you have a Xiaomi ecosystem (such as Mi Band or Xiaomi Smart Home), you can send messages via connected devices.

• 📱 Mi Band 7/8: You can send quick responses to notifications (set up in the Mi Fitness app).
• 🔊 Xiaomi Smart Speaker: Voice commands like "Send a message to Mom: I'll be right back."
• 💻 Xiaomi Notebook: Synchronize notifications via Mi Cloud (you need to enable in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Synchronization).

To set up sending messages from Mi Band:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app.
2. Go to the → Mi Band → Notifications Profile.
3. Enable Quick Answers and add templates (e.g., “OK,” “I’ll re-take later”).

Resolving problems with sending messages

If messages are not sent, use this instruction:

1. Check Network: 📡 Switch from 4G to 3G to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred network type. 🔄 Reboot phone or turn Flight Mode on/off.

Reset the network settings:

Go to Settings → Connections & Sharing → Network Reset. This will remove stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but often solves SMS issues.

Update:

An outdated version of MIUI can cause crashes. Check the updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi models (e.g., POCO F3) will not have access to the SMS- center after resetting. To restore it, manually enter the center number in the Messages app settings (check the operator number).

If the problem is only with a specific messenger (for example, Viber):

• 🗑️ Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps → Viber → Storage → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Reinstall the messenger.
• 📋 Check if the recipient number is blocked (some messengers have a blacklist).

Safety Tips When Sending Messages

Messages may contain confidential information, so it is important to monitor the security of:

• 🔐 Encryption: Use secret chats on Telegram, enable Two-Step Authentication on WhatsApp (Settings → Account → Two-Step Verification).
• 🚫 Phishing: Do not follow links in messages from unknown senders, even if they come from a bank or Xiaomi support team.
• 📱 Screen lock: Set your password or fingerprint to Settings → Lock screen and password so no one can read your messages.

Xiaomi has a built-in Private Space feature that allows you to create a separate profile with your messengers.

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Follow the configuration instructions (an additional PIN- code is required).
3. In the second space, install messengers and use them separately from the main profile.

⚠️ Warning: Second Space doesn't sync notifications from the main profile, so you need to log into each space separately to get alerts.

FAQ: Frequent questions