SMS setup on Xiaomi phone: from basic parameters to hidden features

Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer a wide range of opportunities to work with SMS-While messaging is a big part of the way, not everyone knows how to set up the feature, standard text messages remain relevant for bank notifications, two-factor authentication and communication in areas with poor Internet. This article will help you understand all the nuances of the setting SMS on Redmi devices, POCO Mi – from choosing the default application to solving typical problems.

Xiaomi phones feature the MIUI, which offers enhanced messaging capabilities compared to standard Android. Here you will find not only basic instructions, but hidden features that most users don’t even know about. We’ll look at setting up for both new devices and those who have experienced problems after a system upgrade or operator change.

Selection of a standard application for SMS

The first step in setting up SMS on Xiaomi is to define the application that will handle messages by default. MIUI preinstalled the proprietary Messages app, but many users install third-party alternatives like Google Messages or Textra. It is important to understand that some features (for example, sending SMS over Wi-Fi) may not work properly in third-party applications.

To change the default application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Default Applications
2. Select the item Application for SMS
3. From the proposed list, specify the desired application

If the desired app is not listed, make sure it is installed and has the necessary permissions. Some POCO models may require additional configuration in the Special Features section, where you need to activate the Show All Apps option.

Basic settings of the Messages application

The branded Messages in MIUI app offers flexible settings that many users do not fully use, and after the first run, it is recommended to perform the initial setup:

• 📱 Message Import: When switching from another phone, you can transfer your story through Settings → Imports/Exports
• 🔔 Notifications: Set up sounds and vibrations for different contacts in Settings → Notifications
• 🗑️ Autoclean: Activate automatic deletion of old messages in Settings → Storage
• 🔒 Protection: Set a password to access messages in Settings → Confidentiality

Smart Answers, which analyzes incoming messages and offers quick answers, is available in Settings → Smart Functions and works on artificial intelligence. For models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and later, an advanced version with support for multiple languages is available.

Setting up SMS-center and network parameters

Problems with sending SMS Often associated with incorrect settings SMS-center, which is a special number that sends messages through, and in most cases, this setting is automatically set up when you install it. SIM-cards, but sometimes manual adjustments are required.

To check or change the number SMS-centre:

1. Open the Messages app
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to Additional Settings → SMS Settings
4. Select the Message Center and enter the number provided by your operator

For the main Russian operators, current numbers SMS-centre:

On Xiaomi devices with two SIM-cards (Dual) SIM) number SMS-The center is configured separately for each SIM in the Settings section SIM-This is especially important for Redmi Note 12 Pro models.+ Xiaomi 13T, where support is implemented 5G both-sided.

Advanced features: schedule, autoresponder and filters

MIUI offers unique SMS features that distinguish Xiaomi phones from their competitors, including a timetable that allows you to schedule a message for a specific time, which is available in the new message creation menu (a watch icon next to the input field).

Business users will be interested in Autoresponder, which automatically responds to incoming SMS using a given template. Setup is available along the way: Settings → Autoresponder → Create a rule

Here it may be indicated:

• 🕒 Time interval of the answering machine
• 📞 Specific contacts or groups
• 📝 Response text with support for variables (%name, % date%)
• 🔄 Frequency of sending (once or with each message)

To combat spam, MIUI 14 and later implemented an improved Message Filter, which automatically recognizes spam and promotional emails by sending them to a separate folder, to configure filtering:

1. Go to Settings → Spam filter
2. Activate the option to Filter Unknown Numbers
3. Add unwanted numbers to the blacklist
4. Set up exceptions for important contacts

Solving Typical SMS Problems

Even after setting up correctly, Xiaomi users may encounter problems when working with SMS. Let’s consider the most common situations and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If messages are not sent after a change of operator, check the balance and tariff plan first – some modern fares do not include SMS base-value.

Problem 1: No messages are sent

• Check the number. SMS-centre (see section above)
• Make sure that SIM-The card is activated and not blocked
• Try sending a message through another app (e.g. Google Messages)
• On eSIM models, check that SMS is linked to the correct profile.

Problem 2: Incoming SMS is not coming in

• Turn off power saving modes for the Messages app
• Check if Do Not Disturb mode is activated with notification filtering
• For Redmi with MediaTek processor, update the radio module via Settings → About Phone → Software Update
• Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings

Problem 3: Old messages are disappearing

This problem is often associated with automatic message deletion. Check storage settings in Settings → Message Storage and disable the Autoclean option. For models with small memory (such as Redmi 10A), it is recommended to manually archive important messages through the export function.

💡

If you have stopped receiving SMS from banks after the MIUI update, check the permission settings for the Messages application in the Special Access → Display over other apps.

SMS settings via Wi-Fi and RCS

Modern Xiaomi phones support sending SMS over Wi-Fi, which is especially useful in areas with poor mobile network coverage, a feature available on devices with MIUI 12 and later, but requires support from the operator.

To activate SMS sending over Wi-Fi:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks
2. Choose yours. SIM-map
3. Activate the Call option via Wi-Fi (automatically enable SMS)
4. Confirm activation via SMS from the operator

More advanced technology is RCS (Rich Communication Services), which turns regular SMS into a modern messenger with support for chat, reactions and file transfer. On Xiaomi devices, RCS is available through the Google Messages app:

• 📥 Install Google Messages from Play Market
• 🔧 Make it an app for you. SMS default
• 🔄 Turn it on. RCS-chatrooms in application settings
• 📶 Wait for activation (may take up to 24 hours)

It is important to understand that RCS only works between supported devices and requires an active Internet connection. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F5 Pro models have improved RCS support with the ability to send files up to 100 MB.

Security and privacy of SMS

SMS-Communications often contain confidential information, so security is especially important. MIUI Offering several levels of protection:

1. Password protection of the application

You can set a separate password or fingerprint to access messages. → Confidentiality → Application locking. For maximum security, it is recommended to use a combination PIN-code and biometrics.

2. Encryption of messages

Starting with MIUI 13, you can encrypt your local message database. Activated in Settings → Additional → Data Encryption. Once activated, all messages will be stored in encrypted form, and you will need to enter a password to access them.

3. Filtration of phishing messages

The system automatically blocks messages with suspicious links, and when you receive such an SMS, you receive a warning that suggests you delete the message, and the database of phishing sites is updated weekly through Xiaomi Cloud Security services.

⚠️ Note: Never follow the links from SMS, Even if the message looks like a formal notification from the bank, the attackers often forge the sender's numbers. MIUI The real number can be seen by holding your finger on the message – this will help to identify the fake.

For additional protection, it is recommended:

• 🔐 Update regularly MIUI (New versions are fixing vulnerabilities)
• 📱 Use a separate one. SIM-card
• 📤 Turn off automatic loading MMS In Settings → MMS
• 🔄 Periodically check permissions for the Message application

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up SMS on Xiaomi