Many users are faced with the need to send messages to short numbers to activate banking services, purchase digital goods or participate in voting. However, modern Android smartphones often block such actions by default, considering them potentially dangerous. This is a built-in security mechanism designed to protect the owner from fraudsters and accidental spending. To send, the user must independently change the system settings, allowing paid actions.
In this guide, we will look in detail at where to find the necessary switches in different versions of the operating system. We will consider not only standard menus, but also specific cases when access to the function is limited. Correct setup will allow you to seamlessly interact with services that require confirmation via SMS, without the risk of losing important notifications.
It is worth understanding that the activation process may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer of your device. Interfaces Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei have their own menu design features. We'll cover the basic scenarios so you can easily navigate any shell. The main thing is to carefully follow the steps of the instructions.
The principle of paid messages on Android
Paid SMS are technically regular text messages, but sent to special short or long numbers. Telecom operators identify such numbers and automatically debit funds from the account. Android system, starting with certain versions, have introduced strict control over this process. The smartphone “knows” the database of paid numbers and warns the user about a possible charge of funds.
Blocking occurs at the level of the “Messages” system application. When you try to send a text to a blacklisted or premium number, a warning pop-up appears. If permission is not given, the message simply will not go away. This is a critical barrier that malware protection uses to prevent money theft.
Always check the cost of a subscription or one-time service before sending an SMS. Prices can vary from a few rubles to significant amounts, and unsubscribing can sometimes be difficult.
It is important to distinguish between the two types of blocking. The first is a ban on sending to a specific number after a warning. The second is complete blocking of premium SMS in the SIM card settings. In the first case, just click “Allow” or “Submit”. The second requires changing parameters in the settings menu. Understanding this difference helps to solve the problem faster.
Setting permissions in the standard Google Messages application
Most modern smartphones running “pure” Android or shells close to it (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) use the Google Messages application. This is where the main switch that controls paid mailings is located. To access it, you need to open the application itself and go to the control menu.
Click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen or on your avatar to open the drop-down menu. Select "Settings". Next, find the “Advanced” or “Advanced Settings” section. This is where the desired parameter is hidden, which is responsible for interaction with short numbers. In some versions it may be called “Premium SMS”.
- 📱 Open the "Messages" application (Google Messages).
- ⚙️ Go to the settings menu through three dots or an avatar.
- 🔒 Find the "Advanced" or "Security" section.
- ✅ Activate the switch “Allow premium SMS.”
After activating this option, the system will no longer block sending. However, the first time you try to send a message to a paid number, you may still receive a pop-up window asking “Allow sending?” This is fine. You will need to select the “Always Allow” or “Allow Once” option for the confirmation to be successful.
Setting up features on Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei
Chinese manufacturers and Samsung often modify the standard messages application or create their own analogues. The logic remains the same, but the path to the settings may differ. Device owners Samsung Galaxy should look for settings inside the application, but the path may be hidden deeper in the menu.
On Xiaomi devices with MIUI or HyperOS shell, the situation is more complicated. Mi's own Messages application is often used here, which has its own database of paid numbers. Blocking can occur even without explicit warning if paid services are prohibited in the phone’s system settings, and not just in the application.
⚠️ Attention: On some Huawei and Honor models with the EMUI/Magic UI shell, paid SMS settings may be hidden in the “Security” or “Phone Manager” section, and not in the messages application itself. If you do not find the item you need in the message menu, check your system security settings.
For Xiaomi and Redmi devices, you often need to do the following: go to the “Settings” of the phone, find “Applications”, select “All applications”, find “Messages” and look for permissions there. However, an easier route is to open the Messages app, tap the menu, and select Settings. There should be an item “Blocking paid SMS” or “Premium SMS”. It needs to be disabled or switched to the “Allow” mode.
Checking the settings of the SIM card and telecom operator
Sometimes the problem lies not in the smartphone software, but in the settings of the SIM card itself. Telecom operators may set limits on sending paid messages or completely block this feature by default, especially on tariffs for children or corporate tariffs. In this case, no Android settings will help until you contact the operator.
You can check the status of the service through the operator’s personal account or USSD commands. Each operator has its own codes for checking and managing services. For example, commands like *111# or *105# are often used, but they can change. It is best to use the official operator application, which can be downloaded from the Play Market.
| Operator | Check type | Command / Action | Service status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | Personal account / USSD | *152# or application "My MTS" | Active / Blocked |
| Beeline | Personal account / USSD | *110*99# or My Beeline application | On / Off |
| MegaFon | Personal account / USSD | *105*0052# or application | Allowed / Prohibited |
| Tele2 | Personal account / USSD | *153# or application "My Tele2" | Active / Inactive |
If everything is allowed in your phone settings, but the SMS is not sent, call support. The operator can remotely reconnect the “Payment from a phone account” service or remove the block on premium messages. This is especially true if you recently changed your tariff plan.
Why doesn’t SMS go through, although the balance is positive?
Even with a positive balance, the operator can block sending to short numbers if you have the “Antispam” or “Parental Control” option. These services often prohibit any paid activities, including SMS. Disable them in your personal account or ask the operator to do this temporarily.
Security: how to distinguish a legitimate service from scammers
By allowing the sending of paid SMS, you remove an important security barrier. This makes your phone vulnerable to fraudulent subscriptions. Often viruses or unscrupulous sites try to quietly send a message to a short number in order to write off money. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand who you are sending a message to.
Always check the sender. Banks and large services use short 4-5 digit numbers (for example, 900, 1161). If you are asked to send an SMS to a long number or a strange short code received in a suspicious letter or on a site with dubious content, this is fraud. Never send confirmation codes if you have not initiated the login.
- 🛡️ Do not follow links from SMS from unknown senders.
- 💰 Always check the cost of the service before sending (usually you receive a response SMS).
- 🔍 Check the recipient's number in the search engine before paying.
- 🚫 Block numbers that send spam.
If you notice that money is regularly debited from your account for subscriptions that you did not know about, immediately contact your operator to block all paid subscriptions. It is also recommended to install anti-virus software that can monitor attempts to send paid messages in the background.
Solving common sending problems
Even after enabling all permissions, users may encounter errors. Often the message hangs in the “Sending” status and then returns with a delivery error. This may be due to a poor network signal or a full SIM card memory. Older SIM cards have limited storage capacity for outgoing messages.
Try clearing the Messages app cache. To do this, go to your phone settings, select “Applications”, find “Messages” and click “Storage” -> “Clear cache”. This will not delete your conversations, but it may fix a software glitch that is preventing sending.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using a dual-SIM phone, make sure that you select the SIM card for sending SMS that has funds and paid services are allowed. In the message settings, you can set a priority card for SMS, but when sending it is better to double-check the selection manually.
Another common reason is third-party antivirus applications (Kaspersky, Dr.Web, ESET). They may have their own anti-paid SMS modules that override Android system settings. Go to the settings of your antivirus and find the “Antispam” or “Protection against paid subscriptions” section to add the desired number to the exceptions.
☑️ Diagnosing the problem with SMS
Alternative methods of confirmation and payment
In the modern digital world, the need to send paid SMS is reduced. Many services are switching to confirmation through Push notifications in bank applications or through online banking. It's more secure and convenient. If you have the opportunity to choose a confirmation method, give preference to digital channels.
To pay for digital goods (games, subscriptions) on Google Play, other methods are now also used, since direct payment from a phone account is limited or disabled in many regions. It is recommended to link a bank card or use alternative payment methods so as not to depend on SMS gateways.
Using Internet banking and operator applications to pay for services is often safer and cheaper than sending paid SMS, as it eliminates the risk of accidental subscription and allows you to see the full transaction history.
However, knowing how to enable paid SMS remains an important skill. It can be useful in emergency situations when other communication channels are unavailable, or when using older services that have not yet updated their security protocols. The main thing is to remain vigilant and control your expenses.
How to learn how much an SMS costs before sending?
Usually the cost is indicated in the service description on the website or in a reply SMS. Before sending the main message, you can try sending a test message with the question “Price” or “Cost” to the same number. Many services automatically send tariff rates in response.
Is it possible to get money back for an SMS sent by mistake?
Getting money back is difficult, but possible. You need to immediately call your telecom operator and report an accidental sending or subscription. The operator can block the recipient's number and initiate a refund procedure if a little time has passed since the debit.
Why is the paid SMS setting reset after an update?
With major Android updates (for example, from version 12 to 13), the system may reset application permissions for security purposes. After updating the OS, always check your message settings again, as the “Premium SMS” switch may have returned to the “Request” or “Block” state.
Does roaming affect the sending of paid SMS?
Yes, in roaming the cost of paid SMS can be significantly higher, and the function itself can be blocked by default by the operator to avoid huge bills. Before traveling, check the tariff conditions for short messages abroad.