Owners of Redmi and Poco smartphones often face an intrusive notification in the status curtain: “Failed to activate the device.” SMS-This is a systemic error that is characteristic of the shell. MIUI And HyperOS, because it tries to send a hidden service signal to the company's servers to link the number to the account, usually when you first set up the device, reset it to factory settings, or when you change it. SIM-map.
While the message may look alarming, it is not critical to the basic functions of the phone. However, the constant presence of the icon in the status bar irritates users, and in some cases may indicate problems with Internet access or blocking short numbers by the operator. Ignoring the problem does not make it disappear on its own — the system will periodically try to register.
In this article, we will discuss the mechanics of the error and suggest working methods for fixing it. You will learn how to change the DNS settings, reconfigure the APN access point and use hidden engineering menus. It is important to understand that the solution depends on the region of use of the device and the specific mobile operator.
Causes of activation error
The main reason is the Mi Cloud architecture and Find Device function. To properly operate geolocation without constantly turning on GPS, the smartphone must periodically confirm its location through the cellular network. If this process is interrupted, the system emits an activation error, most often the problem lies in the lack of access to the Internet when you try to send a service message.
The second common reason is that paid SMS or short numbers are blocked by the carrier, and many default plans limit sending messages to international or short numbers that Xiaomi servers use to sign up, and the problem may lie in incorrect date and time settings, leading to desynchronization with the security server.
⚠️ Note: If on balance SIM-There is not enough money to send a single paid card SMS (If it's charging, activation won't be possible.
In addition, antivirus or “cleaner” applications that block background activity of MiuiService system processes can cause conflict. Aggressive battery saving can also interrupt the registration process, preventing the system from completing handshake with the server.
- 📱 Lack of stable connection to mobile Internet (3G/4G) at the time of registration.
- 🚫 Blocking short numbers or international SMS communicationsman.
- ⏰ Incorrect date, time or time zone settings in the system.
- 🔋 Aggressive energy saving settings that block background processes.
Checking network and Internet connection settings
The first step to fix the problem is to ensure a stable communication channel. The system tries to send data over the mobile network, so connecting via Wi-Fi may not help in the initial activation process. SIM-The card selected by default for data transfer and that the mobile Internet is active.
Often, the problem is solved by simply switching the network mode. If you are in the area of insecure reception, the phone can constantly lose connection, which interrupts the activation process. 4G» or vice versa «3G/2G», To check if the connection status changes, go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Type of network.
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Try to turn on the flight mode on 10-15 It'll restart the communication module and can help you get fresh. IP-operator.
Also worth checking is if the traffic restriction for system applications is worth it. The MIUI shell has a Data Transfer feature that allows you to prevent applications from accessing the Internet. If the MiuiService system service or Security is blocked, activation is not possible. Check the list of applications with access to the network and make sure that the system components are not limited.
- 🔄 Switch over. SIM-a data transfer card to another if there are two.
- 📶 Make sure the badge 4G/LTE stand-up.
- 🚫 Check if the Traffic Saving mode is included in the settings.
Changes to DNS and APN Access Point
One of the most effective ways to solve the problem is to change DNS-servers, providers DNS By default, Xiaomi activation server domain names are sometimes not allowed correctly, especially in certain regions. DNS Google or Cloudflare often bypasses this issue.
To change settings, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. In the window that opens, select the option “DNS Provider Host Name” and enter the address dns.google or 1.1.1.1.cloudflare-dns.com. After saving the settings, restart your smartphone and check if the notification has disappeared.
If the change DNS It didn’t help, you need to reset the settings of the access point (APN) Sometimes they have incorrect proxy settings that prevent you from sending service requests. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → (Choose. SIM) → Access points (APN). Click the Reset button (usually located at the bottom of the screen or in the three-dot menu).
☑️ Set up a Private DNS
After resetting the APN, be sure to turn on and off flight mode so that the phone re-registers with new settings, a method that solves the problem in most cases when the error is caused by the provider's network configurations.
Managing Mi Cloud Service and Device Search
The “Find Device” function is directly linked to the service. SMS-If you don't feel critical about using this feature to find a lost phone, temporarily shutting it down may remove the bug, but it will reduce the security of the device, so approach this step carefully.
To disable the feature, go to Settings → Mi Account → Cloud → Find the device and switch to Off. The system will ask you to enter the password from your Mi Account account for confirmation. Once you turn off the error should stop appearing, as the system will stop trying to activate geolocation via SMS.
| Action. | The way is on the menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Disabling search | Settings → Mi Account → Find the device | Ending activation attempts |
| Exit from account | Settings → Mi Account → Get out | Complete resetting of the binding (requires a password) |
| Clearing the data | Settings → Applications → All applications → Security | Resetting security cache |
If you don't want to turn off the protection completely, try just logging out of your Mi Account and logging in again. This will update the authorization tokens and may eliminate the sync error. To do this, go to Settings → Mi Account, scroll down and click "Exit." After rebooting, enter your data again.
⚠️ Warning: Before leaving your Mi Account, make sure you remember the password. Without it, you won't be able to unlock your phone after you reset, as theft protection will work.
Resetting network settings and system parameters
When software failures accumulate, a complete reset of network settings helps, which will bring Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and mobile network settings back to factory values without affecting your personal files, photos or apps, a safe way to resolve deep configuration conflicts.
Resets can be done via Settings menu → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Click Reset button at the bottom of the screen. After this operation, the phone will restart, and you will need to re-enter passwords from saved Wi-Fi networks.
In some cases, it helps to clean up the data of the Security app, which is responsible for system checks on Xiaomi phones, including: SMS-Positioning. Go to Settings. → Annexes → All apps, find Security (the shield and lightning icon), click Memory and select Clear or Reset».
What do you do if nothing helps?
Also, check system time. Make sure that the "Use network time" option is enabled. If the clock is lagging or in a hurry, the security certificates will not pass the check, and activate SMS It's not going to be possible. → Additional settings → Date and time.
Engineering menu and additional commands
For advanced users, you can check the registration status through the engineering menu, which allows you to see if the phone sees the network and if it is registered correctly. To enter the testing menu, type ##4636## in the Phone application.
In the menu that opens, select Phone Information, where you can see the connection status and even force the network type to be switched if standard methods don't work, but beware: changing unknown parameters can cause the communication module to work in an unstable way.
##4636##Another method is the use of ADB-commands for forced re-registration, but it requires a connection to a computer and drivers. For most users, the methods described above are sufficient. If the persists error persists after all the manipulations, it may be a problem in the firmware.
- 🛠 Use the #4636## code to diagnose the network.
- 📲 Check if the background activity ban is worth it for system services.
- 🔄 Consider reflashing to the global version (Global) ROM).
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In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by changing the DNS to dns.google or resetting the APN access point settings.