How to enable and configure SMS on Xiaomi smartphones: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI Sometimes they have delivery problems. SMS: No messages come, no notifications are shown, or the Messages app is not on the menu at all, and the reasons are setup, errors, and the reasons are not available. SIM-In this article, we will discuss all the ways of activation. SMS Xiaomi – from basic SIM check to hidden parameters MIUI, which are rarely mentioned in official instructions.

It's important to understand that SMS problems on Xiaomi fall into two types: hardware (SIM slot malfunction, damaged card) software (done notifications, application failure, operator lock) and we'll start with simple solutions and gradually move to advanced methods, including working with engineering menus and resetting network settings. If you use Redmi, POCO or the flagship Xiaomi 13/14 series, the instructions will suit all devices on MIUI 12-15.

Before you start setting up, make sure your SIM-card SMS (Some virtual operators, for example, only provide Internet and calls. Also check the balance - some rates send SMS paid.

1.Verification SIM-maps and basic parameters

Start with a physical diagnosis. SIM-Check the card for damage, chip scratches, chips, or contamination. SIM 2, try to move it into SIM 1 – Some Xiaomi models will prioritize the first slot for the first time SMS. Also make sure the card is properly cropped: nano-SIM should sit tightly in the tray without backlash.

If SIM-The card is fine, check its status in the settings:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Make sure the SMS switch is active (on some firmware it is hidden under the option "Advanced").
4. Check the “Network Status” line – it should indicate “Connected” or the name of your carrier.

⚠️ Note: If the network status shows “Emergency Calls Only” or “No Service”, the problem lies in the carrier coverage or lockdown. IMEI. In this case, SMS It will not be possible to activate until the network connection is restored.

Another nuance is regional restrictions, and some Xiaomi models (especially global versions) may be blocked. SMS For example, if you bought a phone in China and use a Russian phone. SIM-map, messages may not come due to frequency conflict. The solution is to install custom firmware with support for local bands (we will talk about this in the section on the engineering menu).

2. Set up the “Messages” application

The standard Messages app in MIUI often crashes. The first thing to do is update it via Google Play (even if you have automatic updates). If the app is not on the menu, check the Google Services folder or search the system.

Next, set the parameters:

• 📱 Notifications: Go to Settings → Annexes → Communications → Notifications and turn on all switches (especially Show notifications and Sound»).
• 🔄 Automatic booting MMS: In the application settings, find the item «MMS» and activate Autoboot (without this, multimedia messages will not be displayed).
• 📌 SIM card default: If you have two SIM-maps, specify in the application settings which one to use for SMS («Settings SIM-map»).
• 🚫 Blacklist: Check if the sender number has been added to the lock ("Spam and lock»).

If messages come but don’t appear in the list, try clearing the app’s cache:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Messages → Storage.
2. Click Clear Cache (do not delete data or you will lose your history!).
3. Reboot the phone.

Xiaomi models with MIUI 14+ have a hidden feature called SMS Priority, which allows you to speed up the delivery of messages by optimizing network requests. To enable it, type in the Phone app code ##4636##, go to Phone Information and activate SMS Priority.

3. Checking network parameters and APN

Incorrect APN settings can block not only the Internet, but also SMS. Even if the mobile network is working, the settings for sending messages can be knocked down.

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM-map] → Access points (APN).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset to Default Values.
3. If the reset doesn’t help, create a new APN manually (options can be requested from the operator or found on its website).

For most Russian operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2), the following APN parameters for SMS are suitable:

After saving the new APN, restart your phone and try sending the test SMS to yourself. If the message does not arrive, check if the profile you created is active (should be ticked next to its name).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese) lacks the ability to edit APN. In this case, only reflashing to the global version will help. MIUI or installing a third-party application for SMS (For example, Google Messages).

4.Diagnostics through the engineering menu

If the standard methods don't work, you should go to the engineering menu, which allows you to check the status of the SMS module at the hardware level, to get there:

1. Open the phone app.
2. Enter the code ##4636## (some models run #36446337##).
3. Go to the “Phone Information” section (or “Phone Information”).

In the engineering menu, pay attention to the following parameters:

• 📶 Network status: Must be «GSM», «LTE» or «NR» (5G). If it says "Disconnected», SIM-map not recognized.
• 📡 Network type: For SMS enough «2G» (GSM), but if it's only on «4G/5G», Some operators may block messages.
• 📱 IMEI: Check if it is displayed (if instead of the Unknown digits, the communication module is faulty).

To force activate SMS, follow the following steps:

1. In the engineering menu, select “Set preferred network type”.
2. Set the value of "GSM only" (or "LTE/GSM auto").
3. Return to the main menu and click “Turn off radio”, then “Turn on radio” (this will restart the network module).

After manipulating the engineering menu, be sure to restart the phone. If the SMS is working, but the mobile network is lost, return the network settings to their original state (“LTE/3G/2G auto”).

5. Network resets and extreme measures

If all previous methods fail, you'll reset your network settings, which will delete all the stored Wi-Fi networks, passwords and mobile Internet settings, but often solve SMS problems.

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Click on “Reset Mobile Network Settings” (or “Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Network, and Bluetooth” in older versions of MIUI).
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After the reset, you will have to reconfigure:

• 🌐 Wi-Fi connection.
• 📶 Access points APN (parameters can be requested from the operator).
• 🔑 Passwords for VPN (if used).

If that doesn’t work, there are two radical solutions:

1. Third-party installation SMS-Messages: Try Google Messages, Textra SMS or Pulse SMS. They often work better with the operator services.
2. Phone flashing: On the Chinese versions MIUI There may be restrictions on foreign SIM-Install global firmware via Mi Flash Tool (instructions are available on the forum) 4PDA).

⚠️ Warning: Flashing will void the warranty and may result in data loss.Before the procedure, make a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. Also make sure the bootloader is unlocked (checked by the fastboot oem device-info command in Fastboot mode).

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If SMS does not come only from certain numbers (e.g. banks or services), the problem may be that the carrier is blocking the service, and call support to “unblock service SMS” — sometimes even without changes to the phone.

6.Problems with specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi models have unique bugs associated with SMS. Here are the most common cases:

For devices running a MediaTek processor (e.g., Redmi 10A or POCO M4), disabling VoLTE can help:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Challenges by 4G.
2. Turn off the Volte switch.
3. Reboot the phone.

If you have Xiaomi with duality SIM-With cards, try to turn off the second. SIM Sometimes a conflict between two cards leads to delivery failures. SMS.

7. Checking of the lock by the operator

Sometimes the problem with SMS is not connected to the phone, but is caused by restrictions on the part of the mobile operator.

• 📵 Messages do not come only from certain services (banks, social networks, confirmations).
• 🕒 SMS They are delivered with a delay of several hours.
• 🚫 When sending, an error appears “Message not delivered” without explaining the reason.

To check the lockdown:

1. Call the operator and ask if there are any restrictions on your number.
2. Check if the service has been activated «SMS-roaming (even if you are not abroad, some operators block the use of the mobile phone). SMS without).
3. Try sending an SMS to another number of the same operator – if it does, the problem is routing.

If the operator has confirmed the blocking, ask to unlock the service SMS (sometimes they are disabled by default on new tariffs), and check if the service is activated Antispam - it can filter incoming messages.

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If SMS doesn't come from banks or government services alone, the problem is almost always on the operator's side. Many providers block "mass mailings" by default - demand unlocking support.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SMS on Xiaomi