Spam calls and intrusive advertising have become a scourge for smartphone owners, and users of the Xiaomi ecosystem are no exception. Every day, dozens of unknown subscribers try to impose services, offer loans or simply disturb your peace. Fortunately, the shell of MIUI and its new version of HyperOS has a powerful built-in functionality that allows you to effectively cut off unwanted calls without installing third-party applications.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for filtering incoming calls, and you will learn not just to blacklist contacts manually, but also to set automatic rules that will block entire groups of numbers, hide the detector and create a “quiet hour” for maximum concentration.
Competent spam protection is not just a convenience, but a necessity for maintaining mental health and personal time. We will look at the regular tools of the system that are more stable and energy efficient than any third-party number detectors that load the device’s memory.
Use of the built-in Security application
The central security element in Redmi and Poco smartphones is the system app Security, which is where the main toolkit for managing blacklists and filtering rules is located. Unlike third-party programs, this module has deep permissions to access the call system, which allows you to block calls even before they start ringing or vibrating.
To get started, you have to run the app and find the partition that locks. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. Here you can see the statistics of blocked calls and messages, and also go to fine-tuning the rules.
It is important to understand that the built-in filter works at the database level of the system, and not just resets the call, which means that the Caller ID (number detector) may not have time to download from the network if the operator does not transmit data instantly, but the call itself is interrupted by hardware.
☑️ Checking security settings
The main strength of this method is the flexibility of the configuration, you can create a whitelist for important contacts to be sure that even with Do Not Disturb mode on or complete blocking of unknowns, a call from a loved one or a doctor will be missed.
Automatically locking unknown numbers
The most effective way to get rid of spam is to enable full lockdown of all numbers that are not in your phone book, a feature that is especially relevant for those who rarely receive calls from strangers, such as couriers or customers who are not in contact in advance.
To activate this function, go to the lock settings menu, you will need to find a switch responsible for blocking hidden or all unknown numbers, the system will offer several options for responding: a full reset, sending a busy signal or simply silently ignoring the call.
⚠️ Warning: By including a complete lock on unknown numbers, you risk missing an important call from a courier, delivery service, or emergency service if their number is not stored in your notebook.
Consider the main types of lock available in the Lock Settings menu:
- 🚫 Block all unknowns: calls will only be received from contacts stored in the phone's memory. All other subscribers will hear horns or a message about a lesson.
- 🔒 Block hidden numbers: the system will cut off only those calls where the subscriber specifically hid his/her phone. ID. It is a less aggressive method, skipping regular city and mobile numbers.
- 📵 Prefixed lock: the ability to screen out numbers that start with specific numbers (e.g. city or country codes).
Once lock mode is enabled, it is recommended to conduct a test call from another device to make sure the rule is working correctly and does not block your own numbers.
Manual addition of numbers to the blacklist
Sometimes automatic filters are not effective enough, especially if spammers use a pool of changing numbers, and in these cases, manually adding specific subscribers to a blacklist comes to the rescue, and this can be done in several ways, and each of them has its own advantages.
The easiest method is through call history, find an unwanted number in the call log, click on it or the information icon next to it, and select the "Block" option from the menu that appears, and the system will instantly enter this number into the database of prohibited.
An alternative way is to directly edit the list in the Security app, where you can manually enter a number or select it from your contacts, a method that is convenient because it allows you to prepare a list of “undesirable guests” in advance.
What does the blocked subscriber see?
For advanced users, mask locking is available, which allows you to screen out entire ranges of numbers, for example, if you receive spam from a specific city code or from a specific virtual operator, you can block all numbers that start with a certain sequence of numbers.
Management through call log and contacts
Controlling locks directly from the call interface is the fastest way to respond. When a call is made from an unknown number, there is often no time to look for settings. The MIUI interface allows you to solve the problem in a single touch.
During an incoming call or immediately after it is completed, the log will be able to block the subscriber. SMS-Messages with the text “I am busy” or “Don’t call”, although this function does not work for all operators and depends on the tariff plan.
If the number is already saved in the contacts, but you have decided to limit the communication with this person, the process is similar: Open the contact card, find the action menu (usually three dots or a gear), and select the lock.
| Locking method | Where to find out. | Efficiency | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the call log | Call history → Information → Block | High (specific number) | Low. |
| Through the Security App | Security → Antispam → Blacklist | Maximum (setting the rules) | Medium |
| Through Contacts | Contacts → Contact selected → Menus. | High (for acquaintances) | Low. |
| Do Not Disturb mode | Settings → Sound and vibration | Medium (temporary measure) | Low. |
Using different entry points to manage locks allows you to react flexibly to a situation, for example, immediately after an intrusive call it is easier to use a log, and for a planned cleaning of the contact list, the Security application is better suited.
Do Not Disturb as a Temporary Measure
Do Not Disturb is often confused with blacklisting, but these are fundamentally different tools: If the blacklist is constantly and selectively running, then Do Not Disturb mode is designed for temporary complete or partial silence on a schedule or manually.
You can set exceptions to this mode, such as allowing calls from "Favorites" only or repeat calls from one number for 3 minutes (in case of an emergency), which is ideal for night time or important meetings.
⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Do Not Disturb mode with locking specific numbers.If you turn on this mode without setting exceptions, you may miss a really important call, as the phone will be silent for everyone.
You can activate the mode through a notification curtain (the crescent icon) or through sound settings. In newer versions of HyperOS, the mode has become more intuitive, allowing you to quickly create scenarios: “Sleep”, “Work”, “Meet”.
💡
Set up the automatic Do Not Disturb mode from 23:00 to 07:00 so that morning spam calls do not wake you up in the middle of the night.
Use of third-party databases and number determinants
While Xiaomi’s built-in tools are powerful, they don’t always have up-to-date spam number databases, and to improve security, many users are integrating third-party services like Yandex, Kaspersky Who Calls, or Truecaller to improve security.
The integration is done through the blacklist settings menu, which allows you to select a numbering service provider, and once connected, the smartphone will check incoming calls against the service's cloud base and mark them as "Spam," "Advertising," or "Frod."
But the trade-off in privacy is that by installing these apps and giving them access to calls, you often agree to transfer your contacts to the company's servers, which may not be acceptable to users who value privacy over the convenience of automatic filtering.
💡
The built-in Xiaomi filter is good for manual blocking, but for automatic detection of spam on the base, it is better to connect a third-party service, weighing the risks of confidentiality.