How to unlock SMS on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face an unexpected problem: suddenly stop coming or sending text messages. MIUI HyperOS or with technical problems SIM-This is especially problematic when you need to get a confirmation code for a bank or an important service on your phone.

In most cases, the problem is solved independently without going to the service center. Unblocking SMS on Xiaomi requires a consistent approach: from checking the balance to resetting network settings. It is important not to panic and methodically check each item, since the reason often lies in the banal overflow of message memory or mistakenly getting a number into the blacklist.

This article covers all aspects of messaging on Chinese brand devices, and we will discuss how to unblock if the phone requires activation, what to do when you make mistakes. SIM-maps and how to set up a standard Messages app for stable operation, a critical point is to check the activation status of the Mi Account, as it often blocks the sending of free service service SMS abroad.

Diagnostics of the problem: why do not come SMS

Before you start taking action, you need to understand the nature of the lock. Often users confuse the absence of a network signal with the inability to receive a message. If you have a missing network icon or a “No Service” burn, the problem is solved in the settings section. SIM-maps, not in the message appendix.

However, if you have a network, calls pass and text messages don't reach, there are several reasons: the most common is the overcrowded memory of the phone or the application itself. Android can block new information from being received if there is nowhere to save it, and it is also worth checking whether the "Do Not Disturb" or "Air mode" mode that could "stick" software is turned on.

Another important aspect is carrier lock-in, where service providers sometimes block incoming messages from short numbers (service SMS) due to suspicious activity or debt, in which case no phone settings will help until you contact your carrier's support.

Don’t ignore software failures after the system update. After installing the new version of MIUI, notification settings may reset, and important messages will arrive but not appear on the screen. Check notification settings for the Messages app under Notifications and Status Bar.

Checking settings SIM-maps and networks

The first step in deciding how to unlock SMS on Xiaomi should be to check the physical condition and settings. SIM-Often, the card just moves away from the contacts or oxidizes. Try removing the tray, rubbing the chip with a soft cloth and inserting it back, making sure it sits tightly.

In the phone settings go on the Settings path → SIM-maps and mobile networks. Make sure you have the right SIM-This card is activated for data and voice calls, sometimes switching the network standard helps. 5G/LTE on 3G/2G This action will force the device to re-register in the operator's network.

• 📱 Make sure that SIM-card not blocked PIN-code-on.
• 📡 Check if data roaming is enabled if you are abroad (even if voice roaming is enabled).
• 🔄 Try to rearrange. SIM-card to another slot if there are two of them to rule out the malfunction of a particular module.

⚠️ Note: If after restarting the phone constantly requests PUK-- code, do not enter it at random. PUK-code will be permanently blocked SIM-The card will have to be changed by the operator.

It is also worth checking whether the restriction on incoming calls and messages in the menu itself is worth it. SIM-In some old tariffs or corporate tariffs, such restrictions may be set by default. USSD, which can be found on your operator’s website.

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Before complex manipulations, simply turn on and off Flight Mode, which will quickly reconnect the phone to the nearest tower and often solves the problem of the frozen status of SMS.

Activation of Xiaomi Message Service (Mi Message)

One of the specific features of the MIUI shell is Mi Message (similar to Apple’s iMessage), which allows you to send messages between Xiaomi devices over the Internet for free, but it requires activation, which involves sending a hidden paid SMS to an international number.

If you have a negative balance or have a SMS to other countries blocked service, activation will not go away and this may block the entire application. To check status, go to the Messages app, click three dots in the corner and select Settings → Chat Services (or Mi Message).

If you see Activation status or an endless connection process, you better turn it off. It's rarely used in our latitudes, but it's often a problem. Turn off the switch, Turn on Mi Message. Then the phone stops trying to send a service message and starts running in normal SMS mode.

In some cases, even after the service is disabled, a tail is left in the system as a waiting message. Clear the Messages app cache through your phone settings: Settings → Apps → All Apps → Messages → Clear → Clear the cache. This will not delete your texts, but will reset temporary service files.

Setting up the Messages app and cleaning

The standard SMS app on Xiaomi sometimes doesn't work properly due to accumulated debris or conflicts with new versions of Android.If messages don't come in but the network is catching perfectly, the problem is most likely in the software. Start by clearing the cache as described above, but if that doesn't work, try clearing the data.

Important: Cleaning up the data (Clean it all up) will delete all your communications. If you care about them, back up first. Once cleaned, the app will go back to factory settings. Often this solves the problem of a dead messaging database.

Also check if the app is in power saving mode. Xiaomi aggressively unloads background processes. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance, find Messages, and select No Limits mode. This will allow the app to always be active and receive instant SMS.

Spam Blocking and Blacklisting

A common situation is that the user is waiting for the code from the bank and there is no code. They check the phone, and it turns out that the message came, but was automatically deleted or hidden by Xiaomi antivirus. MIUI security system is very sensitive and can count a short message with the code spam.

To check for Quarantine, open the Security app (green shield), scroll down to the Antispam or Block section, where your lost message may lie. If you see the right SMS, whitelist the sender.

• 🛡️ Go to the Antispam settings and turn off Smart Lock while waiting for an important message.
• 📜 Check the list of blocked numbers in call and message settings.
• 🔍 Make sure that the Messages settings do not tick the “Filter unknown numbers” box».

⚠️ Warning: Don't blacklist unknown short numbers globally, but instead, set up filtering so that they don't make a sound, but they get in the inboxes, or you may miss the account recovery code.

If you use third-party SMS apps (like Google Messages or Textra), make sure they are assigned by the default app.The conflict between the standard Xiaomi app and a third-party one can cause one to "intercept" the message but not show a notification.

Resetting network settings and extreme measures

If none of the above helped unlock SMS on Xiaomi, the radical but effective method is to reset the network settings, which will return all the connection parameters (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Mobile Networks) to factory values, and your personal files, photos and contacts will not be affected.

To perform the reset, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Press Reset button at the bottom of the screen. The phone can reboot. Once turned on, you will have to re-enter passwords from Wi-Fi networks, but the cellular settings will be updated.

In the rarest cases where the problem is a deep firmware system failure, you may need to reset completely to the factory settings (Wipe Data).Be sure to make a full backup to your computer or to the Mi Cloud before doing so, remember that this will remove everything from your phone.

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Network reset solves 90% of software problems with SMS without affecting personal data of the user, it is the most secure "hard" method of solving.

Even if a complete reset does not help, there is a high probability of hardware malfunction of the antenna module or the antenna itself. SIM-In this case, a visit to the communication salon to replace the SIMKI or to the service center is the only way out.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)