Managing unwanted calls and messages is becoming a critical skill for every smartphone owner. In Xiaomi devices that use the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, the call filtering system is implemented quite deeply, which sometimes causes difficulties for users. Often there is a situation where the number was blocked accidentally or you need to check the list of unwanted subscribers, but you can not find this option immediately.
Unlike pure Android, where lock management can be scattered across applications, in the Xiaomi ecosystem, it is the built-in security service that is integrated directly into the caller and the separate Security app. Understanding the logic of how these components work will allow you to effectively control incoming traffic. The blacklist in Xiaomi is not just a list of numbers, but an active filter that handles calls before they reach your screen.
In this article, we will discuss in detail where data about blocked contacts is stored, how to view the history of blocked events and what subtleties exist in different versions of firmware. You will learn not only to find these settings, but also to manage them competently so as not to miss an important call from a courier or colleague who accidentally got into the Ban list.
The main path through the phone application
The fastest and most logical way to get to the list of ignored numbers is to use a standard call app. This is where the initial processing of the incoming signal takes place. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the algorithm of actions remains the same for most models, whether it is a budget Redmi or flagship Xiaomi.
First, you open the standard "calling phone." In the upper right corner of the screen, you'll see a three-dot icon or a gear that indicates the settings menu. When you click on it, you'll enter the call settings menu, and you'll find an item that might be called "Antispam," "Blocking," or "Calling Disallow."
This menu hides all the information you need, and it's where global filters are activated and you get a final list of numbers that are not allowed to access your device, and it's important to note that the lock settings in this section apply to all SIM cards installed on your phone, unless otherwise specified.
β οΈ Note: If you use a third-party call app (like Google Phone or Truecaller), the path to lock settings may be different, so you should look for a blacklist in the settings of the installed application, not in the system βbell ringerβ of Xiaomi.
We organize the main menu items that you may meet:
- π Blacklist β direct access to the list of blocked numbers.
- π‘οΈ Antispam β section with filtering settings SMS and spam-definition.
- βοΈ Blocking parameters β general settings of the system behavior when a prohibited call arrives.
Searching through the Security App
The second, and often more functional, way to manage locks is to use the Security system app, which is your smartphone's command center, which has tools for cleaning memory, protecting against viruses, and, of course, controlling communications, and in some versions of the firmware, it's from here that you can fine-tune filters.
Run an app with a green shield icon. On the home screen you'll see a lot of tool icons. You'll need to find a section called "Antispam." If there's none on the home screen, click on the menu button (usually three bars or dots) and select "Antispam" from the list or find it in the "Tools" category.
Once you enter the section, you will see statistics of blocked calls and messages. At the top of the screen, you will usually find tabs or buttons to switch between Blacklist, Whitelist and Exclusion List. Here, the functionality is broader: you can add mask numbers, block hidden numbers or all unknown contacts.
Using the "Security" application gives several advantages over the usual "caller":
- π More detailed statistics of blocked events for the month.
- π Opportunity to set a password to enter the blacklist settings.
- π Convenient management of a white list of trusted contacts.
Blacklist structure and types of blockages
Once you know where the settings are, it's important to understand how they work. Xiaomi's blacklist is not a monolithic structure, it's a flexible rule system. Understanding the difference between the types of locks will help you avoid situations where you're blocking the wrong person you planned or skipping spam.
There are several levels of filtering, and the simplest is to manually add a specific number, so you can list any contact you want from your phone book, or you can type in a number manually, and that calls will be blocked at all times, regardless of the time of day or other conditions.
A more sophisticated layer is smart locking, which can analyze a database of spammers and tag calls from advertising agencies or scammers, and it also has a feature to block all hidden numbers (those who hide their ID) or all unknown numbers (those that are not in your phone book).
What's going on with the caller?
Letβs compare the types of locks in the table:
| Type of lockdown | Who is affected | Where to set up |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-held | Specific numbers from the list | Blacklist |
| Hidden numbers | All calls without numbering | Lockdown parameters |
| Unknown | Numbers not available in the contacts | Lockdown parameters |
| Smart antispam | Numbers from spammer database | Antispam settings |
History of blocked calls and SMS
Often, users don't look for the ban list itself, but for who tried to reach them. MIUI keeps a detailed log of all the events that have been filtered, which is especially useful if you missed an important call, thinking that the phone was silent while you were being reached.
To view the story, you need to go back to the Security app -> Antispam. At the bottom of the screen or in the menu (three dots) will be "Record Lock" or "History" and there are two tabs on it: "Calls" and "SMS".
In the call log, you will see the number, date, time and reason for the lock (for example, a blacklisted number or a hidden number) and in the SMS log, you can not only see the message coming, but also read its contents, even if it was marked as spam, which makes sure that the bank did not receive an offer, but a confirmation code.
β οΈ Attention: The history of the locks is not endless. Old records can be automatically deleted by the system to save space or overwritten by new ones. If you need to save the proof of a call or text, take a screenshot or copy the text manually.
To view the details of a particular event:
- π Open the History tab in the Antispam section.
- π Find the right date and time in the list.
- ποΈ Click on the record to see the details or text of the message.
Instructions: How to add and delete a number
The ability to quickly manage a list is a key skill, and there are situations when you urgently need to block an intrusive person, or, conversely, unlock a number that was added by mistake or changed the owner.
To add a number to a blacklist, the easiest way to use a call log is to find a number in the call history, click on it (or the "i" icon next to it), and select "Add to a blacklist" from the menu that appears. The system will confirm the action, and from now on, calls from this number will be blocked.
To remove a number from the lock list, go to the blacklist settings (via Phone or Security as described in the first sections). You will see a list of all blocked contacts. Click on the number to unlock and select the appropriate button (usually a basket icon or switch).
βοΈ Checking lockdown
Algorithm of actions when unlocking:
- Go to Call Settings -> Antispam.
- Select the Black List tab.
- Find the number you want on the list.
- Press Remove or swipe left to unlock.
Work in different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomiβs ecosystem is constantly being updated, and the interface can change, and owners of older models with MIUI 12 and users of new flagships with HyperOS may notice differences in the layout of the elements.
In newer versions of the shell, Google is increasingly implementing its standards. In some regions, the default app on Xiaomi smartphones is Google Phone. In this case, the MIUI system blacklist may not work for incoming calls through the SIM card if not configured accordingly. You will have to use a lock inside the Google app, which is on the way: three points -> Settings -> Locked numbers.
Also worth mentioning is sync. If you have sync enabled with your Mi Cloud or Google account, your blacklist may be transferred to a new phone when you replace your device, but local anti-traffic settings (spam databases) will have to be updated again.
π‘
Tip: If you've switched from MIUI to HyperOS and can't find the old settings, search inside the Settings menu. Type the word "Block" or "Antispam" and the system will open the desired partition.
Key differences in the new versions:
- π¨ More minimalist design of the settings menu.
- π€ Integration with Google Assistant to Filter Spam.
- π Changed logic of working with notifications about blocked calls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will the caller see that I blocked it?
Can I block the entire contact list at once?
Where are SMS messages from blocked numbers stored?
Is the blacklist resetting when resetting settings?
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Main conclusion: Management of blocked contacts in Xiaomi is concentrated in two places: the application βPhoneβ and the system service βSecurityβ. Regularly checking these sections will help not to miss important information and effectively fight spam.