How to turn on and change the sound of SMS notifications on Xiaomi: all ways

Are you missing important messages because Xiaomi's smartphone doesn't make a sound when you receive an SMS? Or is the standard melody tired of playing yours? In this article, we'll look at all the ways to customize sound notifications for SMS, from basic MIUI settings to hidden features that work even on older Redmi or POCO models.

The problem with SMS sound on Xiaomi often occurs after updating the firmware, resetting settings or installing third-party messengers (like Google Messages).We will not only show how to enable notifications, but also explain why they may not work - with specific solutions for each situation.

Note: instructions are current for MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions). If you have older firmware, some menu items may differ - check the version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t have a sound on SMS: 5 main reasons

Before you change your settings, you should understand why notifications are silent.

🔇 Do Not Disturb ** or No Sound Mode is enabled in the sound settings.
📵 Synchronization error with SIM-card (especially after the operator has been replaced).
🔄 Resetting the settings of the application Messages or system.
🛠️ Conflict with battery optimization (MIUI block out background work SMS-applications).
🎵 Individual Contact Notification settings (sound disabled manually).

If the problem appears after the MIUI update, try clearing the Messages app cache:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Find Messages (or Messages in English firmware).
Tap Clear the cache and restart the phone.

📊 What is your Xiaomi model?

Redmi Note 10/11/12

POCO X3/X4/X5

Mi 11/12/13

Another model

Method 1: Adjust SMS sound through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in notification settings. It works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 9A, POCO F3 and the Mi series flagships.

Instructions:

Open the Messages app (an envelope icon).
Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
Select Notifications (or Notifications).
Activate the Sound slider (if it's gray, notifications are disabled).
Click the Notification Sound and select the tune from the list (e.g. MIUI Ring or Bamboo).

- Make sure that SIM-card active (no sign for "no network")

- Check to see if the "Airplane" mode is on.

Open any SMS – if it does not come, the operator has a problem

- Restart your phone before changing your settings-->

Important: If you don't have the right tune on the list, you can add your own.

Download the audio file (.mp3 or.m4a format, up to 30 seconds).
Place it in the Ringtones or Notifications folder on internal memory.
Restart the phone and the file will appear in the sound list.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The solution is to use the Mi File Manager file manager and manually specify the path to the file in the notification settings.

Method 2: Configure with “Sounds and Vibrations” in System Parameters

If the previous method didn’t work, try changing the sound. SMS It's a global system setting, and it's especially useful if you have a third-party setup. SMS-Applications (e.g. Google Messages or Textra).

Step-by-step:

Go to Settings → Sounds and vibrations.
Select Default Notification (or Default Notification Sound)
Scroll down the list and find the Messages section (some firmware calls it SMS).
Slip on the current tune and select a new one from the list.

Xiaomi model	The path to settings SMS-sound	Features
Redmi Note 10/11	Settings → Sounds → Notifications → Messages	Global firmware may not have a separate SMS item – use “Default Notifications”
POCO X3/X4	Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound of notifications → Messages	Supports custom sounds without rebooting
Mi 11/12	Settings → Sounds → Additional → SMS Sound	There is a separate volume control for SMS
Redmi 9A/9C	Settings → Sounds → Notifications → Application “Messages”	You may need to reset the application settings

On MIUI 14 firmware for the European region, the path to settings may be different: instead of “Sound and Vibration”, look for “Sound” or “Sound & Vibration”. If there is no “Messages” option, use “Default Notifications”.

Method 3: Using the Security App to Manage Notifications

MIUI has a hidden notification management feature via the Security app, which helps if the sound of SMS is blocked by system optimization.

How to set up:

Open the Security app (the shield icon).
Go to Optimization. → Auto-start.
Find Messages in the list and enable auto-start.
Go back and select the battery. → Battery consumption management.
Set the Message mode without restrictions.

Then check if the sound is coming. If it's not, do the following:

🔄 Reboot the phone.
📲 Send a test. SMS For example, from another phone (for example).
🔊 Make sure the overall volume of notifications is not at a minimum (adjusted by volume buttons when active notification is given).

What to do if auto-start does not help?

If after the autostart is turned on, the sound SMS It still doesn’t work, try: 1. Remove Messages app updates (in the app settings) → three-point → "Remove updates. 2. Install alternatives SMS-client (e.g. Google Messages) and set up notifications in it. 3. Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

Method 4: Adjusting sound for individual contacts

In MIUI, you can assign unique notification sounds to specific contacts, which is convenient if you want to distinguish between messages and loved ones or work.

How to set up:

Open the Contacts app.
Select the desired contact and tap Edit (pencil icon).
Scroll down to the Notification Sound section.
Choose a tune from the list or add your own (as described in Method 1).
Save the changes.

If the notice notice item is not:

📱 Make sure that the contact is kept on SIM-Your account or your card (not just your device).
🔄 Update the Contacts app through Play Market.
🎵 Use a third-party application for SMS (For example, Textra, where this function is guaranteed to work.

1. Open Settings → Notifications → Priority of Notifications.

2. Find Messages and set High Priority.

3.Reboot the phone.-->

Problem Solving: SMS Sound Doesn't Work Despite Settings

If you’ve tried all the methods but the notifications are still silent, here’s a checklist for diagnosis:

Check if the Do Not Disturb mode for messages is enabled (Settings → Do Not Disturb → Rules)

- Make sure that SIM-The card is correctly defined by the system (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks)

Try sending SMS from another phone – the operator may have a problem

Disable VPN or proxy – they can block SMS (especially on Chinese firmware)

- Check if third-party apps are installed to block notifications (e.g. Clean Master)-->

If nothing helps, reset the Messages app settings:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Messages.
Select Storage → Clear the data (this will delete all SMS!).
Restart the phone and check the sound.

⚠️ Attention: On Chinese firmware MIUI (For example, for Xiaomi 12S Ultra may not have a notification section in the Messages app, in which case use Method 2 (Settings via Sounds and Vibrations) or install global firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SMS sound on Xiaomi

Can I put my music on SMS notifications?

Yes, but there are limitations: The file must be in.mp3,.m4a or.ogg format. It is no longer than 30 seconds (otherwise it will be cut off). The file must be placed in the Notifications folder on internal memory (create it manually if not). On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11), custom sounds may not be displayed - in this case, use the Mi File Manager file manager and select the file manually.

Why does the SMS sound work but the vibration doesn’t?

The problem with vibration in SMS is most often related to: Disabled vibration in notification settings (Settings → Sounds and Vibration → Vibration at notifications); Vibration motor failure (check if vibration is working when calling); Conflict with Do Not Disturb (check exceptions for SMS); Solution: turn on vibration manually in the Message application settings or reset vibration settings in Settings → Special features → Vibration.

How to make SMS sound louder than normal notifications?

In MIUI, you can set the volume to SMS: Open Settings → Sounds and Vibration. Select Volume (or Volume). Tap on Notifications and move the slider to the right. For some models (such as POCO F4), a separate SMS Volume Controller is available. If there is no controller, use a third-party audio control app, such as Volume Booster (available in the Play Market).

After the MIUI update, the SMS sound was lost.

This is a typical problem after upgrading to MIUI 14. Order of action: Clear the Messages app cache (as in Method 1). Check if the settings have reset to Settings → Sounds and Vibration → Default Notifications. If it doesn't work, roll back to the previous firmware version via Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Select an Update Pack. Redmi Note 12 and later: After the update, you may need to reinstall the Mes app via Play Market.

Can you turn off the SMS sound only at night, but leave other notifications?

Yes, to do this, set up the rule in Do Not Disturb: Go to Settings → Do Not Disturb → Rules. Add a new time rule (e.g. 23:00 to 7:00). In exceptions, select Messages and set Only Vibration or No Sound. Save the rule. Alternative: use MacroDroid to automatically turn off SMS audio on schedule.

💡

If it sounds SMS It doesn't work after all the manipulations, it could be at the firmware level. SMS-Customer (e.g. Google Messages) or contact a service center to check the communication module.