Have you clicked “Send”, but the message still hangs with an exclamation mark or has completely disappeared without a trace? The problem with sending SMS on Android is one of the most annoying problems, because instant messengers are not always available, and two-level authentication, banking notifications and even regular communication with loved ones often depend on good old text messages. Unlike calls or the mobile data, failures in the operation of SMS can go unnoticed until a critical moment - when you urgently need to receive a confirmation code or warn your loved ones.

In this article we will analyze all possible reasonswhy Androidthe device does not send SMS - from trivial errors in settings to hardware malfunctions. You will learn how to diagnose a problem in 2 minutes, what parameters to check first, and what to do if it is not your phone that is to blame, but the telecom operator. And also - a list of smartphone models that have problems with SMS of a systemic nature due to firmware errors (and how to get around it).

1. Checking basic settings: SIM card, network and airplane mode

Start with the obvious: sometimes the problem lies in the little things that are easy to miss. The first thing you need to do is make sure that your SIM card active and correctly installed. Remove the tray and check:

  • 🔄 The card is inserted gold contacts down (on some models Samsung Galaxy S23 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 the tray has an asymmetrical shape - do not mix up the sides!).
  • 📶 There is no physical damage on the card (scratches, chips) - even a microcrack can interrupt contact with the communication module.
  • 🆔 If you dual-SIM (two SIM cards), make sure that SMS are linked to the correct card in the settings (Settings → SIM cards and mobile network → SMS by default).

Next check network mode. If your smartphone is configured only for 4G/5G (Settings → Mobile network → Mode networks), and the operator does not support SMS transmission according to these standards (this happens at Tele2 or Yota in some regions), the messages will not go through. Switch to 3G/2G (auto) and try sending the SMS again.

⚠️ Attention: On Samsung Galaxy A54 i Google Pixel 7 after updating to Android 14 sometimes the network priority is lost If SMS are not sent, reset the mobile network settings: Settings → System → Reset → Reset mobile network settings.

Do not forget about airplane mode. data-i="72">energy saving or energy saving —they can block sending SMS even when Wi-Fi is turned on. On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 on Xiaomi) the "Ultrasonic power saving" mode disables background data transmission, including SMS. Check in Settings → Battery → Energy saving modes.

📊 What is your telecom operator?
MTS
Beeline
MegaFon
Tele2
Yota
Other

2. Operator errors: blocking, tariff or network failures

If the phone settings are fine, the problem may be on the operator's side. Here are the three most common scenarios:

  1. Blocking the SMS service. Some tariffs (especially “Internet-oriented” ones, like "Unlimited" from Tele2 or "Everything for 300" from Yota) do not initially include SMS or limit their number. Check the terms of your tariff in your personal account.
  2. Technical work. Operators rarely advertise failures in the operation of SMS centers, but they happen. For example, in 2023, MegaFon had a massive failure due to an equipment update, and MTS - due to a cyber attack.
  3. Unpaid bill. If the balance is negative, some operators first block SMS, and then block calls and the Internet. At Beeline, for example, the SMS blocking threshold occurs when the balance is below -50 ₽.

How to check?

  • 📞 Call the operator's short number (for example *111# for MTS or *100# for Beeline) and request information about blocking.
  • 🌐 Go to your personal account on the operator’s website - the service status is usually displayed there.
  • 🔄 Try sending an SMS to another number (not the one where usually write). Sometimes blocking is selective.
⚠️ Attention: If you recently changed your tariff or activated a new SIM card, the SMS service may be disabled by default. For example, Tele2 when switching to series tariffs "My" SMS are enabled only after confirmation via the USSD command *155*1#.
How to find the number of your operator's SMS center?

The SMS center number (SMSC) is the “mail” through which everything goes through your messages. Each operator has its own:

  • MTS: +79160000000
  • Beeline: +79030000000
  • MegaFon: +79260000000
  • Tele2: +79500000000

You can view the current SMSC on Android through the engineering menu: enter in dialer ##4636##, select Phone information and scroll to block SMSC. If the field is empty, the center is not configured!

3. Firmware failures: Android errors and application conflicts

If SMS are not sent to all SIM cards and any numbers, the firmware may be to blame. This is especially true for:

  • 📱 Smartphones with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
  • 🔄 Devices after an unsuccessful over-the-air (OTA) update.
  • 📦 Phones with pre-installed “light” versions of Android (for example, Android Go on Nokia 1.4 or Samsung Galaxy M02).

Typical symptoms of a software failure:

  • Messages are sent, but do not reach the recipient (displayed as sent, but the recipient does not see them).
  • When sending an SMS, the phone reboots or issues error "The com.android.phone process has stopped".
  • In the system logs (can be viewed through the app Logcat) error entries appear RadioInterfaceLayer or SmsManager.

How to fix:

  1. Reset network settings. This will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords and operator settings, but often helps: Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings.
  2. Clear cache and data "Messages" application: 
    Settings → Applications → Messages → Storage → Clear cache / Clear data
    ⚠️ Attention: Clearing data will delete all SMS history! First, make a backup via Google Drive or third-party applications like SMS Backup & Restore.
  3. Update the firmware. Check for updates in Settings → System → System update. If there are no updates, but the problem is relevant for your model (see table below), contact the service center.
Smartphone model Version Android Typical problem with SMS Solution
Samsung Galaxy S22/S23 Android 13/14 (One UI 5.1/6.0) SMS is sent, but does not reach the recipient when Wi-Fi Calling is enabled Disable Wi-Fi Calling or update the firmware to the latest version
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11/12 MIUI 13/14 Error "Failed to send SMS" when using two SIM cards Reset network settings or roll back the firmware to a stable version
Google Pixel 6/7 Android 14 The Messages application freezes when sending an SMS >160 characters long Install an alternative SMS client (for example, Textra)
Realme 9/10 Pro Realme UI 3.0/4.0 SMS are sent only after the phone is rebooted Disable battery optimization for the Messages application
💡

If after updating the firmware SMS are no longer sent, try rolling back the changes via Fastboot or use the utility Samsung Smart Switch (for Samsung devices) to restore the previous version of the software.

4. Conflicts with applications: instant messengers, antiviruses and “optimizers”

Third-party applications may block SMS sending, even if you have not given them such permissions. The main “suspects”:

  • 🔒 Antiviruses and firewalls: Kaspersky, Dr.Web, Avast sometimes block SMS as “suspicious activity”. Check the blocking log in the antivirus settings.
  • 📱 Cleaning applications: Clean Master, CCleaner or DU Speed Booster can delete temporary files necessary for the operation of the SMS service.
  • 💬 Messengers with SMS support: Google Messages, Truecaller or Textra may conflict with the standard SMS client if assigned as the default application.

How to diagnose:

  1. Start the phone in safe mode (press and hold the power button → “Safe Mode”). If SMS are sent, one of the installed applications is to blame.
  2. Check permissions are enabled for the "Messages" application: Settings → Applications → Messages → Permissions. Make sure that SMS, Phone and Memory.
  3. Disable battery optimization for SMS client: Settings → Battery → Battery optimization → All apps → Messages → Unlimited.

If the problem appeared after installing a specific application, uninstall it and check the operation of SMS. For example, users Samsung Galaxy A73 complained of a conflict with an application Battery Guruthat aggressively closed background processes, including the SMS service.

Check Safe Mode|Disable the antivirus|Remove "optimizers"|Reset permissions for the SMS client|Update messengers-->

5. Hardware faults: communication module and antenna

If none of the software methods helped, the problem may be in hardware. Most often the culprits are:

  • 📡 Damaged communication module (modem). This is the microcircuit responsible for mobile communications. If it fails, the phone can catch the network, but not send SMS (or send them with a delay of several hours).
  • 🔌 Oxidized contacts SIM cards. If the phone was dropped into water or was in a humid environment, the contacts could corrode.
  • 📶 Faulty antenna. On some models (for example, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE or OnePlus Nord), the antenna cable moves away from the board over time.

How to check:

  • 🔧 Insert the SIM card into another phone. If SMS are sent, the problem is in your device.
  • 📱 Check IMEI phone (enter *#06#). If instead of the 15-digit code, Null or 000000000000000 is displayed, the communication module is faulty.
  • 🔍 Inspect the SIM card connector for oxidation or contamination. If necessary, clean the contacts with alcohol and a soft brush.

If you suspect a hardware malfunction, contact a service center. Average repair cost:

  • Replacement of the communication module: 3 000–8 000 ₽ (depending on the model).
  • Repair of the antenna loop: 1 500–3 000 ₽.
  • Cleaning contacts: 500–1 500 ₽.
⚠️ Attention: On Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra i Xiaomi 12 Pro communication module is integrated into the motherboard. Replacing it requires soldering and costs 10 000–15 000 ₽. In such cases, it is often cheaper to buy a new phone.

6. Alternative methods of sending SMS

If standard methods do not work, use workarounds:

Method 1: Online services of operators

Many operators allow you to send SMS via the web interface:

Method 2: Applications for SMS via Internet

Services like TextNow, FreeTone or Google Voice (not available in all countries) allow you to send SMS via Wi-Fi. The downside is that the recipient will not see your number, but a virtual one.

Method 3: USSD commands

Some operators support sending SMS via USSD. For example, you can send a message with the command: Tele2 you can send a message with the command:

*155*recipient_number*message_text#

Where text_message is written without spaces (for example, *155*79123456789*PRIVET#).

💡

If SMS are not sent due to operator blocking, online services and USSD commands often remain operational because they use other data channels.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about problems with SMS on Android

Is it possible to recover unsent SMS?

Yes, if they are saved in the phone's memory. Use applications like SMS Backup & Restore or Droid Transfer to retrieve drafts. If messages disappeared after resetting the settings, you can only restore them from a backup (for example, via Google Drive, if synchronization was enabled).

Why are SMS sent but not reached to the recipient?

This is a typical problem with:

  • Incorrect SMS center number (SMSC).
  • Blocking of messages by the recipient's operator (for example, if the number is on the black list).
  • Failure in routing (often happens when roaming).

Check SMSC (see spoiler above) and ask the recipient to check with his operator whether incoming SMS are blocked.

What to do if SMS are not sent to only one number?

Most likely, the problem is on the recipient's side:

  1. His number may be blocked for incoming SMS (for example, through the Black List service).
  2. It may have the Antispam service activated (at MegaFon this is "Spam Protection", at MTS — "Stop Spam").
  3. His SIM card is set to "Calls Only" mode (for example, on corporate tariffs).

Try sending an SMS to another number from the same operator. If it goes away, the problem is definitely not on your side.

How to send an SMS from a computer if the phone does not work?

Options:

  • Use Google Messages for Web (preliminary setup on the phone is required).
  • Activate the "SMS via Internet" service from the operator (for example, "SMS-online" from Beeline).
  • Insert the SIM card into another phone or USB modem with SMS support.
Why did they stop sending after the Android update SMS?

This is a known problem on some firmware. The most common culprits are:

  • Resetting the SMS center settings (solved by manually entering the SMSC number).
  • Conflict with new Android permissions (for example, Android 14 the access policy has changed telephony).
  • Error in the module Telephony Framework (fixed by rolling back the update or resetting the phone).

Check the support forums for your model (for example, XDA Developers) - there may already be a patch for your device.