My HUAWEI phone/tablet cannot receive SMS messages

Applicable products： Tablet，Smartphone
Applicable products：
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My HUAWEI phone/tablet cannot receive SMS messages

Unable to receive certain SMS messages

The phone/tablet does not receive SMS messages from certain numbers, but it receives replies from a carrier number.

  1. Go to Blocked in Optimizer/Tablet Manager, and check whether the contacts have been added to Blocklist.

    If so, go to Optimizer/Tablet Manager > Blocked > Block rules > Blocklist, and remove the required contacts from Blocklist.

  2. Go to Blocked in Optimizer/Tablet Manager, and check whether Block unknown numbers has been enabled.

    If so, turn off the Block unknown numbers switch. For example, go to Optimizer > Blocked > Message block rules > Block unknown numbers.

  3. Check whether you are using a third-party security management app that blocks messages.

    Some security management apps may block certain SMS messages. It is recommended that you uninstall any such apps.

  4. Check whether the numbers have been saved to PrivateSpace.

    Open Settings, search for and open PrivateSpace, and open Messaging.

    If there is a reply, move the required Contacts to MainSpace and try again. To do so, perform the following:

    1. In PrivateSpace, go to Settings > Privacy > PrivateSpace, and touch PrivateSpace to MainSpace.
    2. Select the content you wish to transfer (for example, Contacts), touch MOVE, and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the transfer.
  5. Go to Optimizer > Blocked to find the blocked messages. If you find messages that are not related to advertising or junk, contact Huawei consumer service hotline for further assistance.

Unable to receive all SMS messages

  1. Certain third-party SMS messaging apps may be incompatible. If you are using a third-party messaging app, open Settings, search for and open Default apps, and set Messaging to Default.
  2. Swipe down from the status bar, enable and then disable Airplane mode, and try again.
  3. Go to Settings > System & updates > Developer options > Apps, disable Don't keep activities, and set Background process limit to Standard limit.

    To enable Developer options, perform the following steps:

    Open Settings, enter About phone in the search box, and touch to open it. Touch the EMUI version number or HarmonyOS version number seven times in quick succession until the message "You are now a developer!" displays.

  4. Insert the SIM card into another phone/tablet for troubleshooting.

    ① If the other device is also unable to receive messages, contact your carrier.

    ② If the other device can receive messages, the VoLTE network may be abnormal. Contact your carrier to re-subscribe to VoLTE and try again.

Clear and restore your data

  1. Restore the default settings for Messaging
    • Path 1: Go to Messaging > > Settings > , and select Restore default settings.
    • Path 2: Go to Messaging > > Settings > , and select Restore default settings.
  2. Reset network settings

    Go to Settings > Reset network settings, touch Network settings reset (this will delete Wi-Fi and Bluetooth data), and check whether the issue is resolved.

    This will only reset Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth settings (such as hotspot connection and Bluetooth pairing), and won't affect other data or files.

If the issue persists

If the issue remains unresolved or you encounter any difficulties, please contact the Huawei customer service hotline for assistance. We will do our best to address your needs.

To learn more

HUAWEI phones/tablets do not push notifications when receiving SMS messages

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