Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where standard text SMS comes instantly, and multimedia files in messages freeze or do not load at all. This is a common problem associated with the features of the MIUI or HyperOS shell and the settings of the mobile operator. Unlike modern Internet messengers, MMS technology requires the correct configuration of access points and a stable connection to the operator’s server.
Ignoring such failures can result in the loss of important photos, contact details or confirmations that senders expect to receive in the form of a delivery report. Multimedia messages are transmitted through data channels, so even with a balance in the account, the file may not load if the mobile Internet is disabled or APN is not correctly registered. In this article, we will examine all the nuances, from basic settings to complex cases of blocking by antivirus.
You don't have to be a technician to fix this problem, but you have to do the things that are described below in a consistent manner and check the messaging system, and we're going to look at both the standard solutions and the hidden settings that are often overlooked in the initial diagnosis.
Checking basic network and internet settings
The first thing to do before a deep diagnostic is to make sure that the data is physically possible. MMS technology does not work exclusively through voice or Wi-Fi (in most standard configurations). Make sure that you have mobile Internet activated. Often users forget that an active 3G or 4G/LTE connection is required to download the images in the message.
Go to your device settings and check your connection status. If the network indicators are on but the internet is not working, try switching the network mode. Sometimes the phone gets stuck in 2G/Edge mode, where large file transfers are impossible or extremely difficult. Switching to 4G often solves the problem instantly.
- 📶 Make sure that the mobile web slider is activated in the notification curtain.
- 🔄 Try turning on and off In-Flight mode to reboot the communication module.
- 📱 Check availability SIM-cards and the correctness of its installation in the slot.
- 💰 Make sure there are funds in the account, because MMS Charges separately from the Internet.
⚠️ Note: If you use a dual-sim phone, make sure that the mobile Internet is turned on for the same phone. SIM-The map that receives MMS messages. → SIM-maps and mobile networks check which card is selected for data transfer by default.
It is also worth noting that some tariff plans have limits on the amount of traffic. If your limit is exhausted, the operator can block the transmission of media even if text messages are freely available. USSD-request.
Setting up an APN access point for MMS
The most common cause of MMS failure is incorrect setting of the APN (Access Point Name) access point, which is the address of the gateway in the operator’s network through which the phone goes to the Internet and receives multimedia content. On Xiaomi smartphones, these settings usually come automatically, but sometimes manual adjustments are required.
To enter the settings menu, go on the Settings path → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choose yours. SIM-map → Access points (APN). Here you'll see a list of available profiles, and if the list is empty or if the settings look suspicious, you'll need to recreate them or reset them to the factory.
Below is a table with the main parameters for popular operators that most often raise questions. Note that the MMSC and MMS proxy fields are critical.
| Operator. | Point name (APN) | Type APN | Protocol |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | mts | default,supl,mms | IPv4/IPv6 |
| Megaphone | internet | default,supl,mms | |
| Beeline | internet.beeline.ru | default,supl,mms | IPv4/IPv6 |
| Tele2 | internet.tele2.ru | default,supl,mms | IPv4 |
After making the changes, be sure to save the profile and select it as active (put a dot next to the name). Then restart the device. This action will force the network registration data in the communication module to be updated.
What to do if the APN settings are reset?
Permissions of the message annex
The MIUI shell is known for its strict security and permission management policies. The Messages app (whether standard Google Messages or Mi Messages) may not be authorized to use mobile data or access storage, which blocks attachment downloads.
To check and fix this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find your SMS/MMS app in the list. Click on it and select "Permissions." This should activate access to SMS, Contacts, Phone and, critically, Storage (or "Photos and Videos").
- 🔒 Check the permission "Mobile Network" or "Data" - it must be allowed.
- 💾 Make sure the app is allowed to work in the background.
- 🔋 Turn off the power savings for this application so that the system doesn’t “kill” the boot process.
Special attention should be paid to the energy saving settings. The system can limit the background activity of the messenger, considering it as an unnecessary waste of charge. In the application settings menu, find the option "Battery Saving" and select the option "No restrictions", which will allow the MMS boot process to end even when the screen is off.
☑️ Checking of annex permits
Cleaning the cache and resetting the application settings
If network settings and permissions are fine, but MMS still doesn’t open, the problem may lie in accumulated debris or software failure of the application itself. Over time, temporary files (cache) can become corrupted, causing conflicts when trying to decode new media files.
To do the cleaning, go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Messages → Storage. Here you will see two buttons: Clear cache and Clear everything (or Reset). Start by cleaning the cache, which is safe and will not delete your text messages. If it does not help, perform a full application data reset.
⚠️ Note: Completely cleaning up your application data (“Clean All”) can delete your correspondence history if it is not synced to the cloud or stored separately.
After cleaning, try sending the test MMS to yourself or have someone send you a photo, and if the problem is solved, it was a software conflict, and then follow the updates of the application through Google Play.
💡
Use an alternative app to check. Install Google Messages from the Play Store and make it the default app.This often helps bypass the bugs of the stock MIUI app, as Google Messages has a more advanced mechanism for working with RCS and MMS.
The Impact of Antiviruses and Ad Blockers
Xiaomi smartphone owners often install third-party antiviruses or use a built-in security scanner with aggressive settings. MMS-messages as potentially dangerous, especially if they contain executable files or links, and block their download.
Check your antivirus event log. If there's a record of a message being blocked from an operator or unknown sender, add the Messages app to an exception or whitelist, and temporarily disable real-time protection to test the hypothesis.
In addition, some DNS-filters (e.g. AdGuard or DNS from Yandex/Google), Connected in Wi-Fi or mobile network settings (Settings) → Connection and sharing → Private DNS), They can block the ports used for MMS. Try switching. DNS to "Auto" or disable it while receiving an important file.
Specificity of work in roaming and abroad
In international roaming, MMS reception and sending can be disabled by default or require the operator to activate the service. Even if voice communication is working, data transmission can be blocked to avoid unforeseen costs.
Make sure that the mobile network settings activate the "Roaming Data Transfer" option. Without this permission, the phone will not be physically able to connect to the MMS gateway of the foreign partner operator. Also check the tariff plan: some operators require separate payment for incoming MMS in roaming.
If the automatic setting didn’t work, you may need to manually prescribe the local operator’s APN settings or use your home operator’s roaming settings (if there is an agreement).In complex cases, it’s better to temporarily use Internet messengers, as they are less dependent on specific cellular network settings.
⚠️ Be careful about automatically loading MMS in roaming. In some cases, the phone may try to download "heavy" video or a lot of photos, which will lead to significant traffic costs. It is recommended to enable the “Request before download” mode in the message application settings.