“I couldn’t send an SMS to activate Xiaomi”: how to fix the error in 5 minutes

You just bought a new Xiaomi smartphone (or reset your old one to factory settings), but when you first set up, the system persistently issues an error: "Can't send an SMS to activate. Make sure..."? The confirmation code doesn't come and the phone blocks access to the system? This problem is familiar to thousands of users — and it's solvable without going to the service center.

The error is related to the operation of Mi Account activation services and can occur for various reasons: from banal network problems to blocking by Xiaomi due to suspicions of fraud. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes and offer 10 proven ways to get around the error - from simple (checking). SIM-maps) to advanced (manual addition) APN). You will also learn what to do if your smartphone requires activation through SMS, The phone number is not tied to the Mi Account.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t send SMS for activation: 5 main reasons

Before we get to the solution, it's important to understand why the system can't send a confirmation code.

• 📵 Problems with SIM-Card: the card is inactive, blocked by the operator or does not support SMS (For example, virtual numbers).
• 🌐 Network errors: weak signal, incorrect settings APN lock-in SMS operator.
• 🔒 Mi Account Block: Account was blocked for suspicious activity (e.g. frequent device resets).
• 📱 Regional restrictions: the smartphone is purchased in another region (for example, Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 for China), and activation servers are not available.
• ⚙️ Firmware failure: after updating or resetting the settings, the system files responsible for sending were damaged SMS.

Interestingly, the bug is more common on devices with MIUI 14+, where Xiaomi has tightened account verification, and if you bought the phone with your hands, the previous owner may not have unplugged his Mi Account, which now blocks activation.

Method 1: Verification SIM-Maps and Networks – Where to Start

The first thing to do is make sure that SIM-The card works correctly. Take the card and paste it into another phone:

• 📞 Send. SMS to your number from another device.
• 📶 Check the signal level (if the network is not available, the operator has a problem).
• 🔄 Reboot the smartphone with the removed SIM-card (sometimes helps resetting the communication module).

If SMS does not come even on another phone, contact the operator - perhaps the number has activated the service "Spam protection", blocking service messages. For example, MTS and Beeline, such services are disabled on request *111# or through the personal account.

⚠️ Note: Do not use virtual numbers (such as from Telegram or Google Voice) to activate Xiaomi. SMS automatically.

Insert SIM into another phone and check SMS

Make sure the number is not blocked by the operator

Disable the services "Antispam" or "Protection against fraudsters"

Check the balance (at some rates SMS paid)

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Method 2: Manually Adding APN Access Points

If there is a network, but SMS They are not sent, the problem may lie in the wrong settings. APN (Access Point Name: This is especially true for smartphones purchased abroad or after resetting. APN manually:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Access points (APN).
2. Click Add APN and enter your operator's settings. For example, for MTS: Name: MTS Internet APN: internet.mts.ru Username: mts Password: mts
3. Save the settings and restart the phone.

Full APN settings for other operators (Beeline, MegaFon, Yota) can be found on their official websites. After adding APN, try again requesting SMS to activate.

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If you add APN, check if 2G Only is activated in your network settings. Some operators block SMS on 4G/5G networks.

Method 3: Activate via Wi-Fi (if SMS does not arrive)

If SMS doesn't work hard, but you have access to stable Wi-Fi, you can try activating the device over the Internet.

1. Connect to a Wi-Fi network (preferably a home network, not a public one).
2. On the activation screen, click “Skip Activate Later” (if you have such an option).
3. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account and try to sign in through an existing account or create a new one.

Importantly, this method does not work on all firmware. On some devices (for example, POCO F5 or Xiaomi 13T), Xiaomi blocks the activation pass through SMS. If the “skip” option is not available, read on.

Method 4: Alternative activation methods (call, email, QR-code)

If SMS doesn’t come, Xiaomi offers several alternative ways to confirm:

• 📞 Call with activation code: on the activation screen, select "Receive code by call." The robot dictates the 6-digit code.
• ✉️ Email confirmation: If an email is linked to your account, request the code by email (access to another device is required).
• 🔳 QR-code: on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) scanner QR-code from another device where you are logged in to your Mi Account.

If these methods are not available, try changing the region in your phone settings:

1. On the activation screen, click “Additional Settings” (or “More”).
2. Choose a country other than the current one (e.g. India or Indonesia).
3. Repeat SMS requests – sometimes activation servers are more stable in other regions.

⚠️ Note: If you change region, you may need to confirm via Google Account. if your phone was reset after being blocked FRP, This method won't work.

Method 5: Reset network settings and factory reset

If none of these methods worked, the problem might be the network system settings.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Resetting Network Settings.
2. Confirm the reset and restart the device.
3. After the reboot, request SMS again for activation.

If that doesn't work, you'll have to do a full reset to the factory settings.

1. Turn off the phone.


2. Press the <power button> + <volume button> before the Mi logo appears.




3. From the Recovery menu, select "Wipe Data" → "Wipe All Data."




4. After reset, repeat the setting.

On some models (such as Xiaomi 12S Ultra) after Hard Reset, you may need to log in to the Mi Account that was tied before the reset. If you don’t know the details of the old account, read the section about unlocking.

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Network reset deletes all stored Wi-Fi passwords and APN settings, but does not affect personal data. Full reset erases everything, including photos and apps.

Method 6: Unlock Mi Account if the phone requires the activation of an old account

If you activate your phone, you ask the previous owner to enter the Mi Account, you're tied to someone else's account, which is a common problem when you buy used smartphones.

• 🔓 Contact the seller: ask them to untie the device via account.xiaomi.com (Devices section»).
• 📄 Check about the purchase: if the phone is new, contact the official Xiaomi service with a check - they will remove the binding.
• 🛠️ Passage EDL: It requires PC, cable and firmware (the risk of "bricking" the phone!).

To unlock through Xiaomi, you will need:

1. Serial phone number (you can find it on the box or under the battery).
2. Check or warranty card (for proof of possession).
3. Call for support through the official website.

It can take up to 7 days, and if the seller doesn't respond and the check doesn't, you only have to go around EDL mode -- but that's a topic for a separate article.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to bypass activation, users often make critical errors that can permanently lock the device.

• ❌ Enter random activation codes – after 10 wrong attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours.
• ❌ Use unofficial firmware (for example, with 4PDA) Without unlocking the bootloader, this will lead to hardbrick.
• ❌ Resetting your phone via Fastboot if you’re not sure what to do can erase the persist partition.
• ❌ Buying “unblocks” from third parties – scammers often sell dummy items or steal account details.

If you choose to use informal methods (for example, Mi Flash Tool), you should:

1. Make a backup persist and modem partitions through ADB.
2. Use only official firmware from the Xiaomi website.
3. Follow the instructions for a specific model – the firmware from Redmi Note 11 is not suitable for the POCO X5!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions