Managing unwanted calls is becoming a critical challenge for smartphone owners, especially in the face of increased phone fraud and intrusive spam. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face a situation where they have added a contact to a blacklist but cannot find it back for editing or deleting, a common problem associated with the features of the MIUI and HyperOS shell interface.
Finding where blocked subscribers are stored is complicated by the fact that the system application Security hides these settings in the depths of its menus to prevent the accidental removal of important filtering rules. Unlike standard Android smartphones, where the blacklist is often located directly in the Phone application, the Xiaomi ecosystem has brought this functionality into a separate module of antivirus.
In this article, we will take a look at the algorithm that will allow you to quickly get to hidden lock lists. We will look at different versions of firmware, since the location of the items may vary slightly depending on the year of release of the device and the version of Android. You will learn not only to find, but also to correctly configure filtering so that your smartphone only calls when it really needs to.
The logic of the blacklist in MIUI and HyperOS
Before we get to specific steps, it is important to understand the architectural solution made by Xiaomi engineers: the lock function is not part of the standard dialer, but is integrated into the Security Center system complex, SMS-So you need to start looking not at the icon of the handset, but at the security app).
Inside this app, there's a module that processes all the incoming connections and compares them to a database of prohibited contacts, and if the number matches the entry in the list, the system automatically resets the call or redirects it to "do not disturb" mode without making a sound, which to the user looks like a missed call from the caller, but your phone doesn't even vibrate.
Note that in different regions (Global, China, EEA) the names of items can vary, for example, in the Chinese versions of firmware, the lock functionality is expanded to include more aggressive filters, while in the global versions it is adapted to European privacy standards.
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The blacklist in Xiaomi is part of the system’s “Security” app, not a standard call, which often causes confusion among new users.
Step-by-step: how to find a list through the Security app
The most reliable and versatile way to get to lock settings is to use the regular Security app, which works on 99% of Xiaomi devices, regardless of model. First, look for a green icon with a shield image on your desktop or app menu. Launch it.
Once you open the app, you'll see a dashboard with quick-clean buttons and virus checks, and you'll need to scroll down or switch to the Tools tab if the interface is categorized, and look for a blocker or anti-spam item, which in some versions may be simply called "Blacklist."
Clicking on this item will take you to the filter control menu, which displays the statistics of blocked calls and messages, and to see the list of numbers, you need to click on the three-dot icon or the gear in the upper right corner of the screen, and in the menu that opens, select "Blacklist".
☑️ Checking the path to settings
This section shows a complete list of all the numbers you have ever added manually to your lock, as well as automatically logged in, and you can delete records, add new ones, or import lists from other sources.
Alternative access via the Phone app
There is a second, less obvious way to get into the same settings without leaving the dialing interface. This method can be useful if you just received a spam call and want to quickly check if the number is locked or add it to it. Open the standard Phone app (green handset).
In the upper right corner, click on the three-dot icon or the gear settings. In the drop-down menu, find "Settings anti-spam" or "Blocking." Clicking on this item will automatically take you to the Safety interface, immediately opening the desired partition, which confirms that both paths lead to the same system module.
However, be careful: some older versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 10 or early 11) may not have a direct blacklist in the call settings, but it might have used hidden code. Try dialer with ##4636##, although in modern versions it often opens the testing menu rather than locking, so the method through the Security app remains a priority.
⚠️ Warning: If you reset the Security app settings to factory settings, the list of locked numbers will be cleared.Before you complete a full system reset (Wipe Data), be sure to take screenshots of important locks.
Managing blocked contacts and setting up rules
Once inside the Blacklist, you'll see a list of numbers. The interface allows you to perform different operations on each record. When you click on a particular number, you can see the details: when the last lock was made, how many times the caller tried to reach you. The Delete button (usually a basket icon or cross) removes the number from the list, and the calls will start coming back.
In addition to manual addition, the system offers flexible filtering rules, and you can configure the locking according to the following criteria:
- 📞 All unknown numbers: blocks any calls that are not in your phone book, useful if you only expect calls from friends.
- 🔢 Country code numbers: allows you to block calls from specific regions (e.g, +7 for Russia or +380 for Ukraine) if you receive spam calls from certain areas.
- 🤖 Automatic Detector: Uses Xiaomi’s database to tag and block numbers labeled by other users as “Advertising”, “Courier Delivery” or “Crackers".
It also has a "Silent Mode" or "Do Not Disturb" feature on a schedule that can work in conjunction with a blacklist, so you can set your smartphone to block all calls at night, except for selected contacts.
Table: Comparison of locking methods in Xiaomi
To make it easier to understand the differences between manual and automatic lock control, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you choose the best strategy for protecting against unwanted communication depending on your situation.
| Method | Wherever | Effectiveness against spam | Risk of missing an important call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual addition | The Blacklist (Security) | Low (only known numbers) | Absent. |
| Blocking hidden | Locking settings | Medium (cuts off anonymous) | High (couriers, doctors) |
| MIUI's online base | Antispam (Cloud) | High (updated daily) | Low (smart filtering) |
| Prefix locking | Lockdown rules | Medium (regional spam) | Medium (depending on region) |
What happens to a blocked subscriber?
Synchronization and cloud-based blocking functions
One of the key features of Xiaomi’s ecosystem is the ability to synchronize the blacklist through the Mi Account, which, if you turn on this feature, you won’t have to manually interrupt hundreds of locked numbers when you switch to a new Xiaomi smartphone.
To activate sync, go to Settings → Mi Account → Sync and make sure that the Antispam or Blacklist option is active. This is especially true for users who often change devices or use several of the brand’s gadgets (for example, a tablet and phone).
There is also a cloud-based spam database feature, and the smartphone periodically updates the list of known scammers and telemarketers, and in order for this feature to work properly, you need to give the Security app access to the Internet and allow databases to be updated in the background.
⚠️ Warning: Enabling blacklist synchronization requires you to transfer some of your contacts data to Xiaomi servers for verification.If you are strictly privacy-friendly, consider using only a local lock database.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Despite the system's cleverness, users sometimes encounter bugs. The most common problem is that the blacklist stops working after a firmware update. In this case, it is recommended to clear the cache of the Security application. You can do this through Settings → Apps → All apps → Security → Memory → Clear the cache.
Another situation is that the number is blocked, but the calls pass, and this can happen if the subscriber has changed the number ID or calls from Internet telephony (VoIP) masquerading as a regular number, in which case only completely blocking all unknown numbers helps, but this is an extreme measure.
Conflicts are also worth mentioning: If you have installed third-party calling apps (like Truecaller or GetContact) and you are using Xiaomi’s built-in blocker at the same time, priority conflicts may arise.
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If you have changed region in your phone settings (e.g. from Russia to India), the list of blocked numbers may be cleared, as it is tied to the Mi Account region.