Where to enter the number of the SMS-center on Xiaomi: a complete guide with pictures and tips

Have you encountered a problem when messages are not sent or not coming to your Xiaomi? One of the common reasons is the SMS- center number (SMSC) that is responsible for routing SMS- messages between your phone and the carrier. Unlike an iPhone, where the SMS- center number is usually set up automatically, on Android (including MIUI), it sometimes has to be entered manually - especially after a change of operator, resetting or firmware updates.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all versions of MIUI (12 to 14), including hidden menus of engineering settings, as well as solutions to typical errors, from no input field to save failures. We'll look at how to check the current number SMS- of the center, where to get it from your operator, and what to do if the changes don't apply. We'll go into the nuances for the Redmi, POCO and the old Mi models separately.

What is SMS- Center and Why is it Important for Xiaomi?

The SMS- Center Number (SMSC) is a special short number (usually 5-10 digits) that is used by the mobile network to route your SMS. When you send a message, it first goes to the operator's server (SMSC), and from there to the recipient. If this number is incorrect or missing, the messages:

• 📤 Not sent (remain in a "Send" status or disappear without error)
• 📥 Not coming (sender receives failure notification)
• ⚠️ Arrives with a delay (sometimes hours later)
• 🔄 Duplicate (receiver sees one message multiple times)

On Xiaomi, the problem is compounded by the fact that MIUI often hides SMSC settings in the depth of the menu or does not provide an interface to change them at all. Unlike Samsung or Google Pixel, where the SMSC input field is available in standard settings, here you may need to:

• 🔧 Use of the engineering menu (code ##)
• 📱 Installation of third-party applications (e.g., SMS Fix)
• 🖥️ Connect to PC via ADB

In addition, after the MIUI update, the SMSC settings may be reset, especially if you use two SIM- cards or switch between carriers often.

Where to find a SMS- center number for your operator

Each operator in Russia and CIS has its own unique number before entering an SMSC number, and the following is an up-to-date table for the main providers (reviewed in 2026):

⚠️ Warning: If you use a virtual operator (e.g. Tinkoff Mobile, SberMobile), the SMSC number may be different.

• 📞 Support (toll free from operator number)
• 🌐 On the official website in the "Phone Settings" section
• 📄 In the contract or start pack SIM- cards

You can also automatically find the SMSC number by sending an empty SMS to the short number 0000 or 0001 (not all operators work), and a service message will be sent back with the current SMSC.

💡

If you travel frequently, keep the SMSC numbers of the main operators in your notes. When changing the SIM- card abroad, this will save time.

Method 1: Enter SMS- Center through standard settings MIUI

On most Xiaomi smartphones (especially with MIUI 12-14), the SMS- center number can be changed via the message menu.

1. Open the "Messages" app (the envelope icon).
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Choose "Settings".
3. Go to the "Additional" or "SMS settings" section (the name may differ).
4. Find the "SMS Center" or "SMS- Center Number".
5. Enter your operator number (see table above) and click OK.
6. Reboot your phone to make the changes take effect.

🔍 If no paragraph "Center SMS" is:

• 📌 Try another path: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Your SIM] → Settings SMS → Center SMS.
• 🔄 On some models (e.g., POCO F5), this item appears only after sending the first SMS.
• 🛠️ If there is no menu at all, go to the engineering menu method.

Important: On Xiaomi with two SIM- cards, the SMS- center number is set up separately for each SIM. Make sure you edit the settings of the desired card.

Method 2: Change SMSCs through the Engineering Menu (for the experienced)

If standard settings do not allow you to change the SMS- center number, you will have to use an engineering menu, which works on all Xiaomi models, but you need to be careful - wrong actions can disrupt the network.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone application (call).
2. Enter the code: ##4636## Some models may require code ##36446337##
3. You will be taken to the Testing menu. Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
4. Scroll down to the "SMSC" block. Here you will see the current center number (if any).
5. Click on the "Update" or "Update" field.
6. Enter a new SMSC number (e.g. +79160000000 for MTS) and click "Update".
7. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: No engineering menus are allowed:

• 🚫 Change other parameters (e.g., PRL or Network Type) if you don't know their values.
• 🚫 Pressing the Reset or Factory Reset buttons will result in data loss.
• 🚫 Enter the number SMSC in a format without + (e.g. 79160,000,000 instead of +79160000000).

If you still don’t send messages after the SMSC update, check:

• 📶 Network signal level (see Signal Strength in the engineering menu).
• 📵 Flight mode - it should be turned off.
• 🔄 Network switching: Try manually selecting the operator in Settings → SIM-maps → Network selection.

Method 3: Using ADB to change SMSCs (for advanced ones)

If none of the previous methods worked, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) option remains, which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but is guaranteed to work on all versions of MIUI.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB (You can download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Click on MIUI Version 7 times until the notification “You are a developer” appears.
2. Activate USB Debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → For developers. Turn on the USB Debugging switch.
3. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb shell content insert --uri content://telephony/carriers/smsc --bind address: <your SMSC> For example, for MTS: content insert --uri content://telephony/carriers/smsc --bind address:s"+791600000000"
5. Reboot the phone.

🔹 Verification of current SMSC via ADB:

adb shell


content query --uri content://telephony/carriers/smsc

If the command returns an empty result, the SMSC number is not set, and then you can also try an alternative method:

adb shell


setprop ril.smsc <your number SMSC>

💡

ADB is the most reliable way to change SMSCs, but it requires caution, and the wrong commands can disrupt the communication module.

SMS is not sent even after changing SMSC

You changed the SMS- number, but the messages still don't work? Here are the typical reasons and ways to fix them:

🛠️ Additional steps for diagnosis:

1. Install the Fix & Restore SMS app from Google Play, which will show you the current SMSC and allow you to change it without root rights.

⚠️ Warning: If after all the manipulations SMS still doesn't work, the problem may be a hardware failure of the communication module. In this case, contact Xiaomi's service center - especially if the phone fell or came into contact with water.

Features for different Xiaomi models

SMSC settings may vary depending on the model and version of MIUI. Here are the key nuances:

• 📱 Redmi Note 10/11/12: The field for SMSC is usually available in standard message settings. MIUI 13+ may need to send at least one SMS first.
• 📱 POCO F3/F4/F5: Use the engineering menu (code ##4636##. On some firmware, SMSC is reset after an update — check after each update.
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 11/12/13: The message menu may not have the "Center SMS" option — use ADB. On flagship models, sometimes resetting network settings (Settings → Memory → Resetting Network settings → Resetting) helps.
• 📱 Older models (Redmi 4/5, Mi A1/A2): On Android One (e.g. Mi A2) SMSC, root access may be required on older versions of MIUI (up to 10-th).

🔍 Ownership Tip POCO: If you have custom firmware installed (e.g., Pixel Experience), the settings SMSC may be in the developer menu (Settings → System → Developer → Settings SMS).

For models with dual SIM- card (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) it is important:

• 🔄 Set SMSC separately for each SIM.
• 📶 Before changing SMSC, make sure that the desired SIM- card is active (in network settings).
• 🔋 After changing SMSC, restart the phone or the settings may not apply.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)