Modern Xiaomi smartphones, working on the basis of the shell MIUI HyperOS, or HyperOS, is famous for its clever interface and many features, but sometimes users face basic communication problems, such as the inability to send a text message, often caused by a failure or lack of a correct SMS number (SMSC) This parameter is the critical gateway through which all your messages pass before they are sent to the recipient, and without the correct configuration, communicate with the outside world via protocol. GSM will be impossible.
In most cases, the Android operating system automatically picks up the necessary data from the operator immediately after installation. SIM-There are exceptions, but there are also some, and failures can occur when you flash the device, change the region, use non-original versions of the software, or when you move the SIM card between different devices. If you notice that messages do not leave, hang in the status of “Sending” or receive notifications of delivery error, then the first thing to check is the address of the message center.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to install and verify the number of the SMS center on Xiaomi smartphones. USSD-And with more advanced options for power users, understanding how this system works will help you quickly restore your device to work without going to a service center.
What is an SMS center and why you need it
A Short Message Service Center is a special server of a mobile operator that acts as an intermediary for text messages, and when you send an SMS, it doesn't go directly to the recipient's phone, but first goes to this server, which checks the availability of the subscriber and delivers the message. If the addressee's phone is turned off or is out of range, the server stores the message and sends it as soon as the connection is restored.
On Xiaomi and other Android smartphones, this number is stored in a special SIM card memory section or in the modem settings. Operators automatically transmit this number when they first connect to the network, writing it to the SIM profile. However, software failures, application conflicts or manual interference with settings can lead to the address field being empty or filled with incorrect data, which completely blocks outgoing communication.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect number of SMS-center can lead not only to the inability to send messages, but also to unnecessary write-offs if the device tries to send a message to the wrong gateway of the paid service.
It is important to distinguish between SMS and MMS. Although they are often used together, they are different services and may have different setting addresses. In this article, we focus exclusively on text messages, as they are the ones that most often require manual intervention when configuring on Redmi and Poco.
How to find the number of your operator’s SMS center
Before you make changes to your phone settings, you need to get the correct and up-to-date SMS number for your specific carrier and region, which is unique to each provider and can vary even within the same country, usually looking like a regular phone number, often starting with a country code and a specific prefix.
The easiest way to find the address is to visit your carrier's official website in the help or settings section, where you always find the latest technical information, and you can find the number on the back of the plastic card that held the SIM card when you bought it, and if you don't have any physical media at hand, you can search the Internet by specifying the operator's name and your city.
For major Russian operators, SMS numbers are usually as follows (but it’s always best to double-check the relevance for your region):
- 📞 MegaFon: +79262950000 or +79990000700
- 📞 MTS: +79168970000
- 📞 Beeline: +79037000100
- 📞 Tele2: +79050000500
- 📞 Yota: +79050000500 (using infrastructure) Tele2)
Please note that the number must be written in an international format, starting with the plus and country code (for Russia it is +7). Using a local format (for example, starting with 8) can lead to errors in the operation of some Android applications, although the system sometimes automatically converts the format.
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Save your operator’s SMS number in contacts under the name “SMSC Operator” – this will quickly copy it to the clipboard if manual configuration is required.
Customization through the Xiaomi Engineering Menu
Xiaomi smartphones have a hidden settings section known as the Engineering Menu, which is designed to test hardware and diagnostics, but also allows you to change deep communication settings, including the SMS number, accessed through a special code in the Phone app.
To enter the menu, you need to dial the combination ##4636##. Once you enter the last star, the menu should open automatically. If this does not happen, your firmware version or phone model may block this access method. From the list that opens, select Phone Information.
Dial: ##4636##
The Way: Phone Information -> SMSC
Action: Update (Refresh) -> Enter number -> Install (Set)Inside the Phone Information section, scroll down to the SMSC box. It may be empty or the current number is indicated. Press the Refresh button to try to read the data from the SIM card. If the number does not appear or is incorrect, enter the correct number in the input field (no plus, in an international format, for example, 79262950000) and click the Set button.
Once installed successfully, the system will issue a pop-up notification, “SMSC Update Successful,” which means that the command has been successfully sent to the modem. However, in some cases, especially on newer versions of MIUI 14 or HyperOS, access to changing this field may be limited by operator or firmware rights.
What to do if the “Install” button is not active?
Use of the USSD-codes
If fiddling with the engineering menu seems too complicated or it is not available, you can use an easier way — USSD-Operators have special commands that send a setup package to the phone, including the address of the SMS center, which works on any phone, regardless of the model and version of Android.
To activate the automatic setting service, it is enough to send USSD-request or an empty text message to a special short number, and then you will receive a message with a link or configuration file.
Codes for automatic configuration of the main operators:
- 📲 MegaFon: USSD-request *105*0050# or texting 5049
- 📲 MTS: USSD-request *111*0888# or texting 111
- 📲 Beeline: USSD-request *111*192# or texting 5151
- 📲 Tele2: USSD-request *150*611# or texting 150
Once you have setups, the phone may ask for a reboot, so make sure that when you turn the device on, the message settings are the profile you just set up if you have more than one, which is the safest method for ordinary users, because it eliminates the risk of manually entering erroneous data.
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Automatic adjustment through USSD-code is the most reliable method, since the operator himself prescribes the current parameters, excluding the human factor and input errors.
Specialized applications for SMS management
In case the standard methods don’t work, third-party apps from the Google Play Market come to the rescue. There are utilities specifically designed to manage hidden SIM card settings, including editing the SMS center number, and they can have access to an API that is closed in the standard Xiaomi interface.
One popular solution is the SMS Center application or similar utilities with names like the "SMSC Tool", after installing such an application, you must give it the rights to manage calls and SMS. The application calculates the current status and prompts you to change the number of the message center.
| Title of the annex | Required rights | Functional | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMS Center | Phone, text. | Reading/Write down SMSC | Android 5.0+ |
| Force LTE Only (4G/5G) | Special access (ADB) | Engineering menu, SMSC | All Xiaomi. |
| NetMonster | Phone. | Network monitoring | Android 7.0+ |
It’s worth noting that on modern versions of Android (starting with 10 and above), Google has significantly restricted apps’ access to SIM card management for security reasons, so older apps may not work without root rights. If an app writes “Rule Error” or “Command Error,” then the system blocks the recording.
⚠️ Note: Download applications for working with system settings only from the official Google Play store. APK-Files may contain malicious code that can intercept your messages.
Problems with two-symbol devices and their solution
Xiaomi smartphone owners often use two SIM cards at the same time, which creates additional complexity when setting up.The system must clearly understand which SIM card (SIM 1 or SIM 2) you need to update the SMS number.
When using the #4636### engineering menu, you will see a list of Phone Information 1 and Phone Information 2. You need to go to each of these sections separately and check the SMSC settings for each SIM card. Remember that it may take a few seconds to update the data after switching between slots in the menu.
A common problem is when, after a call or using the mobile Internet, the active SIM card changes and the phone tries to send an SMS through the gateway of the wrong card that is chosen by default for messages. In the MIUI message settings, be sure to specify the default card to send SMS to avoid confusion.
☑️ Checklist of diagnostics of two SIM cards
Frequent errors and ways to fix them
Even if you follow all the instructions, you can get errors, and one of the most common is Command Error when you try to set up a number, which is often because the SIM card is currently in the process of registering on the network. Try to turn on the flight mode for 10 seconds, then turn it off and repeat the number setup procedure.
Another problem is the format of the number. Some phones require you to enter a number without a + sign, others require you to enter it strictly. If one format is not accepted by the system or the application gives a syntax error, try an alternative. Also make sure you do not use unnecessary spaces or brackets when entering data in the field.
If nothing helps and the messages don't get sent anyway, the problem could be deeper, it might require a complete network reset, it won't delete your personal data (photos, contacts), but it will return all network settings to factory values, including APN hotspots and network preferences.
Resetting path: Settings -> Connection and Sharing -> Reset Wi-Fi, Mob Networks and Bluetooth -> Reset settingsAfter the reset, the phone will restart and you will have to re-enter passwords from Wi-Fi networks, but this often solves problems with incorrect registration in the operator’s network and restores the correct operation of the SMS center.