How to send a text message with Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite: all ways and solutions to problems

Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, released in 2019, but still heavily used due to balanced features and support for updates. Sending SMS on this device may seem like a trivial task, but users often have questions: how to set up sending through Google Messages, why messages do not reach the recipient, or how to fix the error “SMS not sent.” In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to send messages to Mi 9 Lite, including hidden MIUI features, bypassing carrier locks and alternative messengers.

Feature of the Mi 9 Lite – a hybrid slot for the SIM-Cards that may affect the work SMS You can use two sims at the same time. MIUI It has unique settings for messages that are not available in pure Android, and we will analyze them in detail, and also look at how to integrate sending. SMS with other Xiaomi services (e.g. Mi Cloud) for backup. If you have problems sending, there is a section at the end of the article with solutions to typ errors and FAQ.

Method 1: Standard application "Messages" on MIUI

The basic method of sending SMS to Mi 9 Lite is through the built-in Messages app, preinstalled in MIUI and supports all the basic functions: text sending, MMS, group mailing and delivery notifications.

1. Open the Messages app (an envelope icon on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Click on the new message writing button (usually located in the lower right corner, indicated by the pencil icon).
3. In the Who field, enter the recipient's phone number in the format +7XXXXXXXXXXX or select the contact from the address book.
4. Enter the text in the main field, limiting 70 characters for Cyrillic (160 for Latin) in one SMS. If you exceed the limit, the message will break into several parts.
5. Press the Send button (arrow to right).

In MIUI 12 and later, the Message app introduced a quick response feature: if you swipe left on a new SMS notification, you can immediately respond without opening the application. It also provides delayed sending, useful if you need to send a message at a certain time (for example, in the morning) to activate it:

• 📝 Press and hold the send button. → Select Delay the shipment.
• ⏰ Please specify the date and time (available up to 7 days in advance).
• 🔄 The message will be saved in drafts and will be sent automatically.

💡

If you're missing SMS-notifications, check the Message settings → Settings → Notifications and enable the option "Show notifications on the locked screen".

Method 2: Google Messages is an alternative to a standard application

Many Mi 9 Lite users prefer to use Google Messages instead of the built-in MIUI app.

• 🔄 Sync messages with your Google account (access to other devices).
• 🛡️ Built-in protection against spam and phishing.
• 🎨 Dark theme and flexible appearance settings.
• 🤖 Support RCS (Extended chat features, similar to iMessage).

To set up Google Messages on Mi 9 Lite:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and allow access to SMS, Contacts and Warehouse.
3. Choose Google Messages as an App for SMS by default in system settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Communications → By default. → SMS-attachment
4. Set up sync in Settings → Messages for the web version if you want to read SMS on a PC.

An important nuance: on the Mi 9 Lite with MIUI 13+, there may be a conflict between two SMS applications. To avoid duplication of notifications, turn off the option to Show notifications in the standard Messages app.

Method 3: Sending SMS via third-party messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)

While WhatsApp, Telegram and other messaging apps don’t support sending classic SMS, they can be useful in two ways:

1. Sending over the Internet (if the recipient also has a messenger installed) is free and does not require a mobile network.
2. Using virtual numbers (for example, in Telegram you can link a number and send messages as SMS, but over the Internet).

If you need to send SMS via messenger, consider the following applications:

For the Mi 9 Lite, we recommend the Pulse. SMS — It is optimized for devices with MIUI and supports duality SIM-When you first start up, the app will suggest making it the primary SMS — Agree to avoid conflict.

Install an application from the Play Market|Allow access to SMS contact|Make the application basic in the settings|Configure synchronization with the cloud (optional)|Check the delivery of the test SMS-->

SMS is not sent to Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite

If the messages do not reach the addressee, the reasons can be as programmatic (settings). MIUI), and hardware (problems with the SIM-Let's look at typ errors and how to fix them:

1. error "SMS not sent" or "failed to send"

This is most often related to:

• 📶 If you're not on the network, check the signal indicator in the status bar. If you don't have a network, restart your phone or turn on/off Flight Mode.
• 💳 Problems with SIM-card – try to move it to another slot or test it on another device.
• 📱 Blocking the operator – some operators (for example, Tele2) block SMS negative-balance.
• 🔧 Incorrect center settings SMS — The center number may be lost after the update MIUI.

To check the number SMS-centre:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636###.
3. Go to Phone Information → scroll down to the SMS block.
4. Check the SMSC field – if it is empty, enter your operator’s center number (for example, for MTS – +79169991111).

2. Messages are sent but do not reach the addressee

Possible causes:

• 🚫 Blacklist – check if the recipient number is blocked in the Message settings → Spam and blocking.
• 📡 Operator problems – contact support (e.g. via *111# for Beeline).
• 🔄 The conflict of dualities SIM — If you use two SIMs, make sure that SMS goes off right.

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Mi 9 Lite with custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), sending SMS It may not work due to the lack of proprietary modem drivers, in which case you need to flash the original modem. modem.img from MIUI.

Sending SMS from PC via Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite

If you need to manage messages from a computer, there are several ways:

1. Through Google Messages for the Web

Required:

• 📱 Installed Google Messages app on your phone.
• 🌐 Browser on PC (Chrome, Edge, Firefox).

Instructions:

1. Open on your phone Google Messages → Settings → Messages for the web version.
2. Press the scanner. QR-code.
3. On the PC, go to the address. messages.google.com/web and scan. QR-code.

2. via Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi)

The functionality is limited, but allows you to view and send SMS:

1. Download Mi PC Suite and install it on your computer.
2. Connect Mi 9 Lite over USB (enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on version, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
3. In the program, go to the Messages section.

⚠️ Attention: When using Mi PC Suite do not enable contact sync if other Android management programs (such as MyPhoneExplorer) are installed on the PC.

Hidden SMS features on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite

MIUI offers some unique messaging options that many people don’t know about:

• 🔐 Protection SMS Password: You can block access to messages from certain contacts. → Settings → Lockdown and protection → Password protection.
• 📊 Statistics SMS: This shows the number of messages sent/received per month. → Settings → Additionally. → Statistics.
• 🎵 Melody of contact notifications: you can assign a unique signal to SMS From a specific person, go to chat with a contact. → ⋮ → Notifications → Sound.
• 🔄 Answering machine for SMS: Sends automatic responses to incoming messages (useful driving or meeting) Setup: Messages → Settings → Voicemail.

Another useful feature is the quick copying of code from SMS. If you receive a confirmation message (for example, from a bank), MIUI automatically recognizes the code and prompts you to copy it with one tap on the notification, this only works in the standard Message application.

💡

On the Mi 9 Lite with MIUI 14+, the Smart SMS function appeared – it automatically sorts messages into categories (banks, delivery, social networks) and offers quick actions (for example, pay an invoice directly from the notification).

FAQ: Frequent questions on SMS on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite