How to Enable and Configure MI Messages on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Have you bought a new Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone but can't find a standard SMS app? or stopped receiving notifications about messages after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many users - despite the fact that MI Messages are installed by default, they can be hidden, disabled or replaced by third-party messengers.

In this article, you will find current ways to enable the MI Messages app on all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS), as well as solutions for cases when the application is missing from the menu, does not send SMS or does not show notifications.

Why can MI messages be disabled?

The reasons why the MI Messages app stops working or disappears are several:

• 📱 Default Replacement: Once you install WhatsApp, Telegram or Google Messages, the system automatically redirects SMS third-party.
• ⚙️ Resetting: After resetting to factory settings, some applications (including MI Messages) may be deactivated.
• 🔄 Update MIUI: In new firmware versions (for example, when you switch to HyperOS), the path to the application may change.
• 🚫 Manual Shutdown: The user could accidentally remove the shortcut from the home screen or disable the app in the settings.
• 🛠️ Battery Optimization: Battery Optimization in MIUI Often blocks the background work of system applications.

If you can't find an app on the menu, it doesn't mean it's deleted. In 90% of cases, it can be returned without flashing the phone. We'll show you how to do that.

Method 1: Enable through default settings

The easiest way to return MI Messages is to make it the default SMS application, which works even if the app shortcut is hidden.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Applications by default.
2. Click on SMS (or Messages)
3. In the list, select MI Messages (may be called Messages or Messages).
4. Confirm your choice by pressing OK.

After that, the app shortcut should appear in the menu. If it is not, try searching through the system (swipe down the home screen and type "Messages").

💡

If there is no MI Message in the default application list, it is disabled. Go to Method 2.

Method 2: Activate through a hidden application menu

MIUI has a hidden menu that displays all installed applications, including system ones, and includes those programs that the user has disabled or hidden.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Show all applications.
3. In the list, find MI Messages (or com.android.mms for tech users).
4. Click on the app and select Enable (if disabled) or Cancel Hiding.

If there is a gray icon next to the name of the app, it is disabled, and after activation, the shortcut will appear in the menu in 10 to 30 seconds.

Method 3: Reset application settings (if MI Messages are buggy)

If the MI Messages app is on but doesn't send an SMS, doesn't show a notification, or crashes all the time, resetting it won't delete your messages, but it will return all settings to factory settings.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find MI Messages and open its page.
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. Then select Settings Reset (or Delete Data, but this will delete all SMS!).
5. Reboot the phone.

After you restart, check the app. If the problem persists, move on to the next method.

Send the test SMS to yourself | Check notifications (they should come even when the screen is locked) | Make sure the app settings include alerts | Try sending MMS (if necessary)

-->

Method 4: Set up notifications (if SMS is coming but not notifying)

A common problem is that messages come in, but the phone doesn't vibrate or make sound, because it's due to battery optimization or incorrect notification settings.

To correct:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management.
2. Find it. MI Messages and turn on all switches: 🔔 Allow notices 📳 Show on the lock screen 🔊 Sound (select a tune) 📳 Pop-up notifications

Battery and productivity

Optimizing the battery

MI Messages

No restrictions.

Also check if the app is in sleep mode:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → MI Messages.
2. Press the Battery and select No Limits.

💡

If notifications don’t work even after these settings, check if the phone is worth it in Do Not Disturb mode (the crescent icon in the status bar).

Method 5: Recovery through ADB (for advanced users)

If MI Messages were deleted (e.g. via ADB or custom recavatories), they can be restored without full flashing, which requires a computer and an Android Debug Bridge debugging bridge.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Open Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version.

Settings

Additionally.

For developers

USB debugging

adb shell pm install-existing com.android.mms

Reset the device.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.mms

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB The wrong commands can disrupt the system. If you're not sure, contact the service center.

Table: Common mistakes and their solutions

FAQ: Frequent questions about MI Messages

If none of these methods worked, check if MI Messages is blocked by antivirus or VPN. It is also worth updating the firmware to the latest version - in new MIUI builds, many bugs with SMS have already been fixed.