Xiaomi’s smartphones offer many ways to communicate, far beyond the standard voice calls. Users often search for answers to how to send a message from a Xiaomi smartphone, meaning not only classic SMS, but also multimedia data or messages through Internet services. In the MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS, this process has its own features that every device owner should know.
Understanding the differences between data protocols will save you traffic and avoid unnecessary costs. Standard SMS messages use the operator's cellular network, whereas Internet messages (RCS, Mi Message) require a connection to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet. The choice of the right method depends on which phone the recipient has and what settings are activated on your device.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways you can send text, photos and files, not only to send simple text notifications, but also to manage group chats, as well as solve typical delivery problems. Competent communication services are the first step to effectively use your Xiaomi Redmi or Poco.
The main ways to send messages to Xiaomi
The first thing you need to do is to determine the type of message. Xiaomi smartphones have a default Messages app, which combines the functions of the classic message. SMS-If you want to send a simple text notification, you don't need additional applications, you need enough built-in functionality.
However, if the recipient also uses an Android smartphone with RCS (Rich Communication Services) technology, your text message can automatically be richer format, which allows you to send high-quality photos, see the status of "prints..." and read confirmation without installing third-party messengers.
To send multimedia content, such as videos or large files, it is better to use MMS or Internet protocols.
- 📱 Text (SMS): Text messages up to 160 characters, work without the Internet, are charged at operator rates.
- 🖼️ M.M (MMS): Messages with attachments (photo, audio), require setting up the access point (APN) and mobile Internet.
- 🌐 RCS / Chat: Advanced messages via the Internet, analogue of messengers, but built into the standard “ringer».
- 💬 Mi Message: Xiaomi’s proprietary service for fast messaging between brand devices (in some regions).
The choice of method often happens automatically depending on the settings of the application, for example, if the contact is specified by the number, not the email, the system will try to send an SMS. If the recipient is activated chat, the interface will change, reminiscent of popular messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp.
Configure and use the standard “Messages” application
The interface of the Messages app on Xiaomi may differ depending on the shell version MIUI It's either HyperOS or HyperOS, but the logic is the same. SIM-The map and it is active for outgoing calls.
To create a new message, open the app and click on the floating button with a pencil or plus-plus, usually located in the lower right corner of the screen. In the Who field, you can start typing a contact name from the phone book or manually dialing your phone number. The system will automatically suggest options from your saved records.
⚠️ Note: When manually entering a number, make sure you use the correct format (e.g, +7 for Russia) to avoid routing errors when sent abroad.
Once you select the recipient, you'll have a text input field at the bottom of the screen, where you can not only type, but you can add attachments, and clicking on the clip or plus icon will open an attachment menu where you can get the camera, gallery, contacts and location, and that makes a standard SMS application a powerful communication tool.
For users who often communicate with the same group of people, the function of fixing dialogues is useful. Long-term clicking on the chat list allows you to pin it at the top, which speeds up access to important correspondence.
If you plan to use your smartphone for work, consider the ability to create templates, which is especially true for those who often send the same texts, such as access codes or addresses, and you can quickly insert saved phrases into the input field, saving time.
Step-by-step instructions: how to send SMS and MMS
The process of sending a simple text message is intuitive, but it has its own nuances when working with multimedia, so let's break down the algorithm for both cases, so you don't have any problems.
To send an SMS, open the application, click the new message creation button, select the recipient, type in text and click the send button (usually an airplane or arrow). If the message is longer than 160 characters, it will be broken into several parts, but the recipient will see it as a whole (if his phone supports concatenation).
☑️ The algorithm for sending MMS
MMS requires active mobile internet. Even if you're connected to Wi-Fi, setting up an MMS often requires a mobile network. Once you select a recipient, click on the attachment icon, select an image or video from the gallery, you'll see a preview of the file in the text input field, add a comment if necessary and send it.
It is important to watch the delivery status indicator: one tick indicates that the message is sent to the operator's server, two indicates that it has been delivered to the recipient's phone, and if the second tick does not appear for a long time, it is possible that the recipient has turned off the phone or is not on the network.
⚠️ Note: When sending MMS, make sure you have free space on your phone to create temporary files, or the process may end in an error.
In some versions of MIUI, there is a limit on the size of the attachments for MMS, usually it is about 300-500 KB. If your photo is too large, the system will automatically compress it, which can reduce the quality.
Use of RCS technology and chat functions
Technology RCS (Rich Communication Services is the evolution of SMS that turns a standard messaging app into a full-fledged messenger. On Xiaomi, this feature is often called "Chat" or "Chat" or "Chat" or "Messaging «RCS-It allows you to exchange messages over the Internet, send large files and see the statuses “print” and “read».
To activate this feature, open the Messages app settings (three dots in the corner or profile). Find the Chat Functions or RCS section. The system will prompt you to check your phone number. Once confirmed, your status will change to Connected. Now, if you text a person who also has RCS enabled, the text in the input field will be Message via Chat, not SMS.
The benefits of using RCS are clear: messages are not charged by the operator (traffic is consumed), photo quality does not decrease when sent, and you can create group chats with administration, which is especially convenient when you need to quickly exchange contacts or coordinates with a person without installing applications.
What to do if the RCS is not connected?
However, RCS depends on Google servers and operator support, and in some regions or carriers, this feature may not work well or be available at all, in which case the system will automatically switch to sending a regular SMS, warning you about this.
For those who value privacy, it is important to know that RCS-Messages can be protected by end-to-end encryption, but only if both participants use compatible applications (e.g. Google Messages.
Comparison of methods of communication
To make it easier for you to navigate your communication method, we've developed a comparison table that will help you understand when to use SMS and when to switch to Internet protocols.
| Parameter | Text | M.M. | RCS/Chat | Messengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network requirement | Cellular service | Cellular + Internet | Internet (Wi-Fi/4G) | Internet (Wi-Fi/4G) |
| Cost | Operator's rate | High (at the rate) | Traffic consumption | Traffic consumption |
| File size | Only text | Up to 500 KB (usually) | Up to 100MB and more | No restrictions. |
| Reading status | No (delivery only) | No. | There is. | There is. |
| Working without the Internet | Yes. | Partially. | No. | No. |
And you can see from the table that SMS remains the king of reliability in areas of poor Internet coverage where there is only voice communication, but for everyday communication with photos and videos, RCS or messengers win in all respects.
It’s worth noting that Xiaomi smartphones can set the priority of messages sent, so you can specify that the phone always tries to send a message through chat, and only if it fails to go to SMS, which eliminates the need to constantly monitor the type of connection.
Compatibility is also important to consider: SMS will read any phone, even a Nokia button from 2000. RCS only works on Android smartphones (and some iPhones in the future).
Solving problems with sending messages
Even on modern devices, there are occasional crashes. If you can't send a message from a Xiaomi smartphone, don't rush it into service. Often, the problem is solved by simple setup.
The most common error is “Not delivered.” This can mean that you have run out of money in your account, no network signal or overloaded phone memory. Check the balance and availability of free megabytes (or gigabytes) on the device. Also try to reboot your smartphone — this updates the registration in the network operator.
If you have an MMS problem, check the access point settings (APN). Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choose. SIM-map → Access points (APN). Make sure your operator’s active access point is selected. If there are none, click Reset or Restore by Default».
⚠️ Note: Never remove standard access points (APN) if you are not sure of the correctness of the data entered - this can completely disconnect the mobile Internet.
Another reason is blocking antivirus or built-in protection. MIUI. Check if the recipient's number is blacklisted. Go to the Security app» → «Blacklist and make sure that the contact you need is not blocked accidentally.
💡
If messages don’t get sent after you update, try clearing the Messages cache: Settings → Apps → All Apps → Messages → Clear → Clear the cache. Your email data won’t get hurt.
In rare cases, the problem may be on the operator's side or in the operation of Google. If nothing helps, extract it. SIM-If you have a card and put it in another phone, if you have text messages, it's a problem with Xiaomi's settings.
Additional features and hidden capabilities
The messaging app on Xiaomi hides a few useful features that not everyone knows about. For example, you can schedule an SMS. To do this, type in the text of the message, click on the alarm icon (or three-point menu) next to the input field and select the time of sending. The phone will send the message automatically, even if it is blocked.
Another useful option is to blacklist and filter spam, so you can turn on the Spam Filter in your message settings, which will automatically hide your emails in a separate Spam and Blocked folder, which keeps your main inbox clean.
For people with visual impairments or just for convenience, the car has a feature called Driving Mode, which allows you to respond to messages with a voice or send pre-prepared templates ("I'm driving", "I'll be back later") with a single touch.
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Message scheduler is the perfect solution for congratulations: you can write a text at night, set a time for 9:00 a.m., and the phone will send a greeting while you sleep.
Also worth mentioning is the ability to sync messages with other devices through a Google account or Xiaomi cloud services, which allows you to read and send SMS from a tablet or computer if they are connected to your phone.