SMS does not arrive on Android MTS: what to do and how to fix

The situation when messages from banks, confirmation services or friends suddenly stop arriving can cause panic, especially when it comes to critical operations. For operator subscribers MTS on devices with an operating system Android this problem occurs with alarming regularity, but most often it is not associated with a breakdown of the smartphone itself. In most cases, the failure lies in software settings, application conflicts, or temporary problems on the network equipment side.

Before contacting a service center or writing a complaint to the operator, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis. The algorithm of actions should be built from simple to complex: starting from checking a banal balance and ending with resetting network settings to factory settings. It is important to understand that Android is a complex ecosystem where third-party antiviruses or memory cleaners can mistakenly classify normal SMS as spam and block their display.

In this article we will analyze in detail all possible reasons for the absence of incoming messages and provide step-by-step guide for eliminating them. You will learn how to check hidden blocking settings, update network settings, and what to do if the problem lies in the physical card SIM. Following the recommendations will help restore the functionality of the messaging service as soon as possible without extra costs.

Primary diagnosis and balance check

The most commonplace, but often ignored reason is the lack of funds in the account or the blocking of the message receiving service. Some operator tariff plans MTS imply paid reception SMS when you are in roaming or when using specific options. If the balance has gone into a deep minus, the network can limit not only outgoing traffic, but also the delivery of service notifications.

First of all, make sure that your number is not on the blacklist of third-party services. Sometimes users accidentally activate Antispam services, which filter incoming traffic too aggressively. You can check the status of services through your personal account or USSD commands. You should also make sure that the phone is not in Do Not Disturb mode or airplane mode, which could be turned on by software.

Pay attention to the network indicators at the top of the screen. If instead of 4G or LTE you see E or G, or the network icon is crossed out, the problem may be with the signal quality. In areas with poor coverage, messages may take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to arrive. Try moving to another place or approaching a window.

⚠️ Attention: If you are abroad, make sure that the Roaming service is activated. Without it, incoming SMS from Russian banks may not reach the device, even if calls are working.

Message settings and spam blocking

Modern versions Android are equipped with built-in spam filters, which sometimes do not work correctly. Messages from short numbers (banks, delivery services) can automatically end up in the “Spam” or “Archive” folder without triggering notifications on the screen. The user thinks that the message has not arrived, although in fact it is simply hidden from view.

You need to go to the Messages application (or the one you use by default, for example Google Messages). In the settings menu, find the “Antispam Protection” or “Message Filter” section. Check your spam folder - perhaps the notifications you need are there. If you use third-party applications for calls and SMS, their settings may overlap the system ones.

It is also worth checking the notification settings for a specific application. You may have accidentally turned off sound or pop-ups for the messaging service. Go to Settings → Applications → Messages → Notifications and make sure that all switches are active. Pay special attention to the “Incoming messages” item, it should have high priority.

• 📱 Check the "Spam" folder inside the messaging application.
• 🔔 Make sure that the mode is not set in the notification settings “Mute.”
• 🚫 Disable third-party blocker applications during the test.
• 📂 Check if archiving of incoming messages is enabled.

Working with the SIM card and network settings

The physical condition of the SIMcard plays a key role in the stability of the connection. Over time, the contacts on the card oxidize, or the card itself becomes deformed when frequently moved between devices. If the card is old (issued more than 5-7 years ago), it may not work correctly with modern networks, especially in the 4G bands. Try removing the tray, wipe the card contacts with a soft, dry cloth, and insert it back. Make sure the card fits snugly and does not wobble. If you have a dual SIM phone, try moving the card to a different slot. Sometimes one of the slots may have problems receiving data, while voice communication works normally. MTS, especially in the 4G bands.

Try removing the tray SIM, wipe the card contacts with a soft, dry cloth and insert it back. Make sure the card fits snugly and does not wobble. If you have a dual SIM phone, try moving the card to a different slot. Sometimes one of the slots may have problems receiving data, but voice communication works fine.

The most effective method for solving software network failures is resetting the network settings. This action will not delete your photos or contacts, but it will return your settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile networks to factory values. After this, the phone will re-register in the operator’s network, receiving the current parameters of the access point.

To perform a reset, go to the settings menu of your device. The path may differ depending on the model (Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor), but the logic remains the same. Find the section responsible for the system or general settings and select reset.

Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth settings

After completing this operation, the phone will reboot. You will need to re-enter passwords for Wi-Fi networks, but the problem with delivery SMS is often solved in this way, since the profile settings of the telecom operator are updated.

Updating software and applications

Outdated software is a common cause of conflicts in the operation of network modules. The operator MTS periodically updates data transfer protocols, and older firmware versions may incorrectly interpret new service signals. This is especially true for budget smartphone models that rarely receive security updates.

Check for system updates Android. Go to settings and find the “Software Update” item. If a new version is available, be sure to install it. It is also worth updating the Messages application itself through the store Google Play. Developers regularly release patches to correct delivery errors.

If the problem appeared after a recent system update, there may be a bug in the new firmware. In this case, it is worth checking the forums of the owners of your phone model. Sometimes clearing the cache of the Messages and Phone apps helps. This is done through the app menu: select the desired application, click “Storage” and select “Clear cache”.

Action	Impact on data	Efficiency
Reboot the phone	No	Low (temporary solution)
Clear application cache	No	Medium
Reset network settings	Reset Wi-Fi passwords	High
SIM card replacement	No	Very high

What to do if the update is stuck?

If the process the update is interrupted or the phone behaves unstable after it, try booting into safe mode. To do this, hold down the power button, and when the power off icon appears on the screen, press and hold it until you are prompted to switch to safe mode. This will disable all third-party applications.

The influence of third-party applications and antiviruses

User-installed applications can intercept rights to read and send messages. This is often done by battery optimization applications, antivirus apps or call recording apps. They may block incoming messages, considering them suspicious, especially if they come from short numbers with digital signatures. SMS, considering them suspicious, especially if they come from short numbers with digital signatures.

Analyze which applications you installed shortly before the problem appeared. Try temporarily removing or disabling antivirus apps and cleaners. If after this messages begin to arrive, it means that the conflict was in them. In the settings of such applications, you need to add service numbers to the white list.

Particular attention should be paid to applications that have permission to access SMS. Go to Settings → Applications → Permission Manager → SMS. See the list of apps that have this access. If you see unknown or suspicious utilities there, immediately revoke their permission.

⚠️ Attention: Some banking applications themselves request the right to read SMS to automatically enter verification codes. Make sure that your banking application has this permission, otherwise you will not see the code, although the message will arrive.

When the problem is on the side operator MTS

Sometimes all manipulations with the phone turn out to be useless, since the problem is localized on the operator's equipment MTS. This could be technical work on communication towers, failures in message receiving gateways, or blocking of a number by the operator's security service due to suspicious activity.

To exclude this option, call the support service at 0890 or from another phone to 8 800 250 0890. The operator will check the status of your line, the presence of blockages and will be able to re-register your SIMcard on the network remotely. It is also worth checking whether you have activated the “Banning SMS Reception” service (this happens with corporate tariffs).

If support claims that everything is clean on their part, ask to send a test message. If it doesn’t arrive, but on other phones with a SIM card MTS in the same location everything works, then the problem is still in your device or card. In this case, a visit to a communication store to replace SIMthe card with a new one (USIM) is a mandatory step.

It is worth remembering that technical regulations and service conditions may change. Information about tariffs and services is current at the time of writing, but to obtain the latest data on service statuses, always check the operator’s official application or personal account.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why do I receive SMS from MTS, but not from banks?

This indicates that the network is working properly, but the problem is content filtering. Most likely, messages from banks end up in spam or are blocked by an antivirus due to the links or digital signatures they contain. Check the filtering settings and white list of contacts.

Can a full phone memory block SMS?

Yes, if the device memory is completely full (100%), the operating system Android may not have room to record a new incoming message. Free up at least 100-200 MB of space by deleting the cache or unnecessary photos, and check the connection.

What to do if SMS do not arrive after resetting the settings?

If resetting the network settings did not help, the problem may be deeper. Try manually setting the network mode only 3G/2G in the mobile data settings to avoid conflicts with VoLTE. If this does not help, you will need to replace the SIM card.

Does the Do Not Disturb mode affect the arrival of SMS?

In the standard configuration, the Do Not Disturb mode does not block the arrival of messages, it only hides notifications (sound and vibration). However, in some custom firmware, you can configure this mode so that it blocks notifications from certain applications themselves.

How to check if my number is blocked for SMS?

The most reliable way is to call MTS support. You can also try sending a message to yourself or a friend's number. If outgoing messages leave, but incoming ones do not, most likely the problem is in the reception settings or the operation of the operator’s gateway.