Where is Antispam in Xiaomi Redmi: The Complete Guide

Modern smartphones Xiaomi Redmi line equipped with powerful built-in tools to protect against unwanted content, which often remains hidden from the eyes of the average user. Many device owners do not even suspect that the function of blocking intrusive calls and messages is already integrated into the system and does not require the installation of third-party applications. Antispam in the shell MIUI works at the system level, which allows it to effectively filter incoming traffic before it reaches your attention.

In this article, we will take a closer look at where this functionality is hiding, how to set it up correctly, and what subtleties exist in different versions of firmware. Understanding the principles of the Security App will help you create a reliable shield from telemarketers, scammers and spammers. It is important to note that the layout of the menu may vary slightly depending on the regional version of the software, but the logic of the work remains the same for all devices of the brand.

Before we get to specific menu paths, it’s important to recognize the importance of regularly updating spam databases. It’s the relevance of these lists that determines how effectively your Redmi will weed out unnecessary calls. Let’s look at the main entry points in your security settings.

The main path through the Security application

The most direct and reliable way to get to the settings you need is to use the regular Security app, which has a green shield icon, and it's a system control center where all the security tools, including antivirus, memory cleanup and, of course, antispam, are concentrated. Open the app and look at the top of the screen or the tool list below.

In most current versions of MIUI and HyperOS, the desired item is called Blocklist and often has an icon with a crossed circle or shield. By clicking on this element, you will be taken to the blacklist and filter management menu, where the system offers flexible settings that allow you to block not only specific numbers, but also entire categories of subscribers, such as hidden numbers or contacts from other regions.

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If you can’t find the Lock icon on the app’s home screen, click on the settings gear inside Security and check if this module is hidden in the list of displayed features.

Inside the Lock menu, you will have a switch available to activate Quiet Hour or automatically reset calls. Filtering works in the background and does not require a permanent open application window. To access the advanced settings in this section, you usually just need to click on the gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen.

Alternative Entry through Call Settings

There is a less obvious, but often more convenient way to activate protection directly from the call interface, which is especially relevant if you want to quickly lock a particular subscriber or check the blocking history without wandering through the system menu. Open the standard Phone app and go to the tab with contacts or call history.

Click on the three-dot icon or the gear in the corner of the screen. In the menu that opens, find Lock or Antispam. In some versions of MIUI, this section can be hidden inside the Operator Settings or Extras subsection, often confusing users who are used to the old menu structure.

⚠️ Note: Global versions of firmware (Global) ROM) Some anti-spam features available in Chinese versions may be limited or otherwise called due to differences in local data protection legislation.

Call settings can also activate the “Block Unknown Numbers” feature, which will automatically reject calls from numbers not in your phone book, a radical but effective method of combating intrusive spam, although it can lead to missing important calls from couriers or delivery services.

Filtering for SMS and MMS messages

Special attention should be paid to filtering text messages, since it is through SMS-mailing scammers often try to introduce malicious links. In the section Blocking the application Security, you need to go to the SMS settings tab. Here you will see a list of keywords, the presence of which in the text of the message will lead to its automatic hiding in the Spam folder.

You can add relevant trigger words to this list yourself, such as “credit”, “winning”, “card” or the names of popular bookmakers. Smart sorting analyzes the contents of the message and, if it matches the template, does not display the notification on the lock screen, keeping you calm, which is especially useful for those who register on various sites and do not want to receive advertising debris.

To access the fine-tuning, use the following path: Security → Antispam → Settings (cogs) → SMS lock settings. Here you can turn on the option “Block messages from unknown senders”, which will create a white list that will only get contacts from your address book.

Database management and definition updates

The effectiveness of built-in anti-spam depends on the relevance of the databases used to identify unwanted numbers. Xiaomi cooperates with large aggregators (in different regions, it can be different services, for example, 360 Security or local partners) to provide users with fresh lists of phones scammers and advertising agencies.

To check the status of updates, go to Security → Antispam → Settings → Update databases. It is recommended to perform this procedure manually at least once a month if the automatic update over Wi-Fi is not configured or is not working correctly. In some cases, after updating the firmware, the old databases may conflict with the new version of the system, so reinstalling them solves many problems with false positives.

It's important to understand that databases take up space in your phone's memory, albeit a tiny one. If you haven't used locking in a long time, the amount of definitions you accumulate can be huge, and regular cleaning and updating is key to keeping MIUI running smoothly.

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Regularly updating anti-spam databases is a critical procedure, without which built-in protection becomes useless against new fraud numbers.

Third-party solutions and integration with Truecaller

Xiaomi’s regular tools are good, but sometimes they’re not enough, especially if you’re taking a lot of calls from strangers (couriers, taxis, masters). In these cases, users often turn to third-party apps, the most popular of which is Truecaller. This app has deep integration with Android and can completely replace the standard caller.

When you install Truecaller on Redmi, the system will request a number of permissions, including access to contacts and call management. Once set up, you will access a global number database that is updated in real time by a community of users around the world, which allows you to identify even those numbers that have not yet been included in Xiaomi’s official databases.

But privacy is important: when you install these apps, you often agree to transfer some of your data (contact book) to the developer’s servers, and if you want maximum privacy, you should limit yourself to built-in security tools and manual lockdowns.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party number detectors, the system MIUI It can aggressively kill their background process to save battery life. To avoid this, go to the battery settings, find the app, and select No Limits mode».

Solving problems with the work of the blocker

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where anti-spam stops working: calls pass, notifications about blocking do not come, or vice versa, important contacts are blocked. Most often, the problem lies in the failure of the system application Security or in the conflict of access rights. First of all, try to clear the cache of the application Security through the application management menu.

The second common cause is a malfunction of Google Play Services or phone call components, which can be a complete reset of the phone settings (after backup is created) or, in a milder version, a reset of network settings and calls, and check if the Do Not Disturb mode is activated, which can disguise itself as a call lock.

If nothing helps, your firmware version may have a software bug, so check for system updates in the About Phone menu or consult the official Xiaomi community forum for your device model.

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