How to permanently block unknown numbers on Xiaomi: from standard tools to secret MIUI chips

Every day, Xiaomi smartphone owners face dozens of calls from scammers, spammers and intrusive marketers. According to Kaspersky data from 2026, 68% of Android users receive at least one unwanted call per week, and on devices with MIUI this figure is higher by 12% due to the peculiarities of handling incoming calls.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven methods - from basic functions Phone and Security to little-known tricks with the help of the MIUI 14/15 And we'll focus on the unique blacklist feature. 2.0" In firmware for the Chinese region, which is not available in the global versions, but can be activated through a hidden menu, and you will learn how to block not only numbers, but also the number of the user. SMS-Spam, video calls via Google Duo and even hidden VoIP calls (WhatsApp, Viber).

1. Standard lock through the application "Phone"

The most obvious, but not the most effective method: in MIUI, the algorithm for blocking the built-in app Phone works differently than in pure Android: it does not analyze the database of spammer numbers and does not use cloud filtering (unlike Google Phone), but it does have manual locking and a log of unwanted calls.

To block the number:

📱 Open the Phone application and go to the Journal tab.
🔍 Find an unwanted number and tap it. In the window that opens, select Lock (the icon with the crossed out phone).
⚙️ For mass locking: press ⋮ → Settings → Number locking → Add it manually.
📋 To view the list of blocked: Settings → Number locking → Blacklist.

💡

If the number starts with +79 or +375, block it without the last 2-3 digits (for example, +7912345**).

The main disadvantage of the method is that locking only works for exact matches of numbers. If the spammer uses a caller ID swap (for example, shows random numbers), this method is useless. In addition, MIUI does not automatically synchronize the blacklist with the Mi Account account, when you reset the phone, all locks will reset.

2.Use of the built-in "Security" application

Xiaomi’s Security app (shield icon) is not just an antivirus, but a full-fledged security center with a call lock module. Unlike the standard Phone, it has a spammer cloud base that is updated weekly. The feature is available on all devices with MIUI 12+, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13T.

Algorithm of action:

Open Security. → Locking down calls.
Activate the switch to block unwanted calls.
In the section Blocking Settings, select: 🔄 Block hidden numbers (if the call is "Unknown subscriber"). 📊 Blocking the database (using the cloud Xiaomi). 📱 Block by keywords (e.g., “bank”, “credit").

Blacklist. → Add

How does Xiaomi’s cloud base work?

Xiaomi’s cloud collects spam calls from millions of users around the world, and if a number is flagged as fraudulent at least 50+ times, it is automatically added to the global blacklist, but in Russia and the CIS, this feature is worse due to local telephony features (voIP number swapping).

The important point is that if you use two SIM-Cards, locking through Security will only work for the main SIM (The one that's chosen for the default calls, to block the second call. SIM, You will have to duplicate the settings manually.

3. Secret function "Blacklist 2.0" (for Chinese firmware only)

In firmware for the Chinese market (China ROM) there is a hidden function Blacklist 2.0, which is absent in the global versions of MIUI. It allows you to block numbers by templates (for example, all numbers with the prefix +7926), as well as configure the lock schedule (for example, block all calls from 22:00 to 8:00).

How to activate:

Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
Open it and find activity called com.android.contacts/.BlackListActivity2.
Open the hidden menu Blacklist 2.0.
Enable the option Advanced Lock and add templates:

Examples of templates for blocking:




+7926* (all MegaFon numbers)




+37529* (Belarusian rooms)




- 8800 (toll-free rooms)




- # (service codes)

💡

Blacklist 2.0 may conflict with the standard lock in the Phone app. If normal locks stop working after activation, disable the extended mode.

⚠️ Note: Use of Chinese firmware on global devices (Redmi Note 11 Global, POCO F4 Others may cause problems with Google services (no Play Market, no push notifications). → Additionally. → Backup.

4.Blocking through Google Messages and Google Phone

If you use Google services instead of standard Xiaomi apps, you have access to a more advanced filtering system: Google Phone and Google Messages apps use artificial intelligence to detect spam and fraud, and synchronize the blacklist with your Google account.

Setting up in Google Phone:

📞 Install Google Phone from Play Market and make it the default app for calls.
🛡️ Go to Settings. → Spam and calls → Spam filter.
🔄 Enable options: Filter spam calls (blocks known scammers); display spam warnings (reveals a red label on an incoming call); block hidden numbers.
📋 For manual locking: open the magazine, tap the number → Blocking/Tag as spam.

The advantage of this method is cloud synchronization, where if you drop your phone or switch to another Xiaomi (or even Samsung), the blacklist will remain, and Google updates the spammer database more often than Xiaomi (daily vs weekly).

📊 What Calling Application Are You Using?

Standard Xiaomi Phone

Google Phone

Truecaller

Other

Third-party applications: Truecaller vs. "Blacklist"

If the built-in MIUI tools fail, third-party apps come to the rescue, the most popular being Truecaller and the Blacklist (from Vlad Lee), which differ in their locking approaches and level of protection:

Function	Truecaller	Blacklist.
Spamer database	🌍 Global (500 million rooms)	🇷🇺 Local (Russia/CIS)
SMS lockdown	✅ Yes (including bank spam)	✅ Yes (with keyword filtering)
Identification of fraudsters	✅ AI analysis (determines “phishing” numbers)	❌ Only manual lock.
Energy consumption	🔋 High (works in the background)	🔋 Low (only when calling)
Cost	Free (with advertising) / 99₽/mos (Premium)	Free (no advertising)

For the installation of Truecaller:

Download the app from the Play Market.
Register (required!) and confirm your phone number.
Enable permissions: Phone → Access to calls and SMS.
In the settings, activate: 🛡️ Blocking spam. 🔔 Spam notifications. 🌐 Global spam database.

⚠️ Warning: Truecaller collects your contacts and calls to improve its database. If you're confused, use the Blacklist, which is local and doesn't send data to the cloud.

6. blocking VoIP calls (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram)

Scammers are increasingly using Internet calls via WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram to bypass the carrier’s standard lockdown, and MIUI does not have built-in tools to filter such calls, but there are workarounds.

Methods of blocking:

📱 In the messenger itself: on WhatsApp: open a chat with a contact → ⋮ → Block it. Viber: More. → Information → Block. Telegram: Profile → ⋮ → Block it.
🛡️ Through Android Settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Permits → Phone. Find a messenger (like WhatsApp) and turn off the permission of Calls. ⚠️ Disadvantage: This will disable all calls through the application, including the necessary.
🔧 Through Firewall (requires root): Install AFWall+ F-Droid. Block Internet access for the messenger (for example, only over Wi-Fi).

Turn off notifications about calls in the settings of the messenger

Do not add unfamiliar numbers to your contacts.

Use two-factor authentication in your accounts

Check the number through services like who-called.me-->

If you are frequently called via WhatsApp from unknown numbers, turn on My Contacts Only in the notification settings: WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → Notifications → Calls. → It won't block calls completely, but at least there won't be any intrusive notifications.

7. Radical methods: disabling incoming calls and changing the number

If spam calls have become unbearable and standard methods have failed, radical measures remain, and should only be used in extreme cases, as they affect the basic functions of the phone.

Options:

📵 Disable all incoming calls: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Challenges. SIM-Map and activate Call forwarding → All challenges → Please enter any non-existent number (e.g. 00000000000). ⚠️ Note: After that, you will not be able to receive any calls, including important ones!
🔄 Change of phone number: Contact the operator (MTS, Beeline, Tele2, MegaFon) with your passport. Ask to change the number, keeping the tariff and balance. 💡 Tip: Choose a number with a non-standard prefix (for example, +7910 instead +7926) to reduce the risk of being in the spammer databases.
📱 Use of the second number: Activate the second number SIM-- card (or eSIM) and use it only for important contacts, leave the main number for registrations and services (it can be blocked through Security).

If you decide to change the number, do not forget:

Update the number in WhatsApp, Telegram, banking applications.
Reconfigure two-factor authentication (2FA) on new services.
Notify the number to relatives and colleagues before disconnecting the old one.

FAQ: Frequent questions about locking numbers on Xiaomi

🔹 Why Phone Locking Doesn't Work on Some Numbers?

In MIUI, the standard lock doesn't work on: Numbers with a swapped caller ID (for example, when SberBank calls, but it's actually a scammer); VoIP calls (WhatsApp, Viber); Hidden numbers (if Security is not enabled); Solution: use Truecaller or Google Phone, they recognize the swapped numbers.

🔹 Can I block all numbers except contacts?

Yes, but not through standard settings. Options: Google Phone: Settings → Spam and Calls → Contact Filter. Truecaller: Settings → Lock → My Contacts Only. Blacklist 2.0 (Chinese firmware): Add a rule to Block Everything except Contacts. The standard Xiaomi Phone app doesn't have that feature.

🔹 How to block SMS-spam?

For lockdown SMS: In Messages: Open the spam-SMS → ⋮ → Block. Security: Block messages → Add keywords (e.g., “credit”, “winning”). In Truecaller: Enable Lock SMS For bank spam (Sber, Tinkoff), use the official applications of banks - there is an option to unsubscribe from mailings.

🔹 Why After Updating MIUI All the blocked numbers are missing?

In MIUI, the blacklist is stored locally and is not tied to the Mi Account. Once reset or upgraded, all locks are reset. Solutions: Use Google Phone or Truecaller – they sync the list to the cloud. Before updating, back up via Settings → Additional → Backup (but this does not guarantee the safety of locks!) Save the list of blocked numbers manually (for example, in Google Sheets).

🔹 How to Unlock a Number If It’s Not on the Blacklist?

Sometimes numbers are blocked implicitly (e.g. via Security or operator). Check: Settings → Apps → Phone → Warehouse → Clear data (will reset all locks!). Call from another phone - if you hear "subscriber temporarily unavailable", the number is blocked by the operator (call for support). Check Security → Call Lock → Log - there may be hidden locks.