The lack of incoming SMS from Tele2 on a smartphone running Android is most often caused by a failure in the message center settings or blocking the number on the black list, which instantly stops the delivery of confirmation codes and important notifications.
Owners of devices based on Android face this more often due to the huge variety of firmware and operating system versions. The error may lie either in an overcrowded message storage or in misconfigured SMS processing center settings. Before you panic and write to support, you should go through the diagnostic steps described below.
We will analyze the algorithm of actions from simple reboots to complex manipulations with network parameters. It is important to understand that if only you have a problem, but everyone you know with the same operator is working, then the reason is 99% in your phone. Let's consistently eliminate all possible failure factors.
Primary diagnostics of the network and SIM card status
The very first action that users often ignore in the hope of a “magic” fix is checking the physical state of the connection. Make sure that the 4G or 4G+icon is displayed in the upper right corner of the screen and not E or G. In second and third generation networks, SMS delivery may occur with a critical delay or be completely blocked if the signal is poor.
Try to perform a soft reboot of the radio interface. You don't have to turn off your phone completely to do this. It is enough to turn the device on Airplane mode for 10-15 seconds, and then turn it off. This will force the modem to re-register with the nearest cell tower Tele2 and update the network profile.
If the network icon disappears completely or an exclamation mark appears, the problem may be in the SIM card contact. Carefully remove the tray, wipe the chip contacts with a soft, dry cloth (lint-free cloth) and insert back until it clicks. Sometimes oxidation of contacts leads to the fact that voice communication works, but data and SMS services do not.
⚠️ Attention: If after rebooting the phone says “No network” or “Emergency calls only,” the problem may be on the side of the operator in your area. Check the coverage map on the official website or call 611 from another phone.
Try to move the Tele2 SIM card to another slot (if there are two) or to another phone. If you receive SMS on another device, the problem is definitely in the settings of your main smartphone.
Checking the settings of the Messages application
In modern versions of Android, the standard messaging application has advanced functionality that sometimes conflicts with classic SMS. Go to Settings your phone, find the section Applications and select your messenger (most often it is Google Messages or the manufacturer’s proprietary shell).
First, check to see if there are any filters or blocks installed. In the settings of the application itself, find the item Spam and blocking. Make sure that operator short numbers Tele2 (usually starting with 236, 555, etc.) are not blacklisted by mistake. Also check your notification settings: the sound may be muted and you simply don’t see messages coming.
Clearing the application cache is an effective method for solving software glitches. In the application menu, click Storage and select Clear cache. Not press "Clear data" if you do not want to lose your correspondence history, although in some cases a complete reset of the application data helps restore the delivery service.
- 📱 Check if Do Not Disturb mode is enabled, which may hide notifications of new SMS.
- 🗑️ Make sure the phone memory is not full - if there is no free space, new messages cannot be saved.
- 📵 Disable the Chat function (RCS) in the settings messages, if it is active, and try sending a test SMS again.
☑️ Application diagnostics
Setting up the message center (SMSC)
This is one of the most technical and often ignored causes of problems with SMS. Message Center (SMSC) is a special number in the SIM card memory through which all outgoing and incoming text messages pass. If this number is knocked down or deleted, the phone simply does not know where to route your messages, and incoming messages may also not be processed correctly.
To check this setting, open the application Messages, click on the three dots in the corner (menu) and go to Settings. Find item Advanced or Text messages (SMS). There should be a line “Message Center” or SMSC. For the operator Tele2 in most regions of Russia, this number should be +79220000236.
Tele2 message center number: +79220000236If the number is different or the field is empty, enter it manually and save. In some Android shells (for example, older versions of MIUI or EMUI), this setting may be hidden. Then you will have to use the engineering menu or a special code.
⚠️ Attention: Entering the wrong message center number will make it completely impossible to send SMS. Be extremely careful when manually entering numbers.
How to change SMSC through the engineering menu?
Dial the code ##4636## in your phone. Select Phone Information. Scroll down to the "SMSC" field. Click “Update” to see the current number, or “Set” to enter a new number in semi-octet format (this is difficult for the average user, it is better to change through the app).
The influence of third-party applications and antiviruses
Modern smartphones are often overloaded with software that claims to control the security system. Aggressive antivirusesmemory cleaners or battery saving applications can block the SMS service, considering it a suspicious activity or a background process consuming resources.
Remember, have you recently installed any new apps? Especially those that ask for rights to read SMS or access contacts. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus or uninstalling recently installed utilities. Often the problem is solved by simply removing the “optimizer” that blocked the system process com.android.mms.
It is also worth checking the access rights. Go to Settings → Applications → Accessibility → Change system settings (the path may differ depending on the model). Make sure your messaging app is allowed to run in the background and have unlimited network access.
| Application type | Possible impact | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus (Avast, Kaspersky, etc.) | Blocking incoming SMS as spam | Check quarantine and filtering settings |
| Battery saving (Greenify, etc.) | Killing the message process in the background | Add the application to exceptions (White List) |
| Call/SMS managers | Conflict with the standard application | Delete or disable third-party manager |
Reset network settings and re-register in the system
If the previous methods did not help, perhaps in the network The Android stack has accumulated configuration errors. Resetting network settings is a safe procedure that will not delete your personal files (photos, contacts, applications), but will return Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile network settings to factory settings.
To perform this operation, go to Settings → System → Reset settings. Select item Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth settings. Confirm the action. After rebooting, the phone will ask for passwords for Wi-Fi networks again, but this often “cures” problems with registration in the operator’s network.
It also makes sense to check the access point settings (APN), although they affect mainly the mobile data. Sometimes incorrect APN entries can indirectly affect the operation of service SMS. Go to Settings → Mobile network → Access points (APN). Press the menu and select Reset to default settings.
Resetting network settings eliminates software conflicts at the modem level, but requires re-entering Wi-Fi passwords. This is one of the most effective methods of solving communication problems.
When you need to contact a communication salon or service
There are a number of situations when independent repair is impossible. If the SIM card is physically damaged (scratches on the chip, cracks), it will not be able to correctly process operator service commands. In this case, you will need to replace the SIM card in the salon Tele2 while maintaining the number.
Also, the problem may be related to the Antispam service on the operator’s side. Sometimes users accidentally activate it through their personal account, and it begins to block all messages from short numbers, including codes from banks. Check the list of connected services in your personal account or through the “My Tele2” application.
In rare cases, the malfunction is hardware in nature - the phone’s radio module has failed. If the phone has been dropped, dropped into water, or exposed to extreme temperatures, software methods will not work. Only diagnostics at an authorized service center will help here.
⚠️ Attention: Tariff conditions and technical network parameters may change. The current settings for your region can always be clarified in the official application of the operator or on the Tele2 website in the support section.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why do SMS arrive with a long delay?
There may be a delay caused by network overload during peak hours, low signal level (for example, in a basement or outside the city) or full phone memory. Also check if the power saving mode is turned on, which limits background activity.
What to do if SMS messages do not come only from banks?
Most likely, bank short numbers are assigned spam status in your phone or operator service. Check the “Spam” folder in the messages application and the Antispam service settings in your Tele2 personal account.
Can blocking your phone affect the receipt of SMS?
No, locking the screen does not affect the receipt of messages. They come and are saved in memory, you will see them immediately after unlocking. The exception is if a specific privacy application is installed that hides notifications on the lock screen.
How can you tell if your SIM card is locked?
Try calling someone. If the call does not go through and you hear a busy tone or a message that the subscriber is unavailable, the balance may be negative or the card has been blocked by the operator for a long period of downtime. Check your balance with the command *105#.
Will resetting the settings delete my photos?
No. Resetting network settings (Network Reset) affects only connection settings (Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth settings, mobile network settings). Your personal files, contacts and applications will remain safe.