How to permanently block unknown numbers on your Xiaomi phone: instruction 2026

Spam calls and messages from unknown numbers have become an epidemic: according to Kaspersky, in 2023, every second smartphone user in Russia faced fraudulent calls at least once a week. Owners of Xiaomi phones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines) have several built-in tools to combat this, from a basic blacklist to advanced filtering through MIUI.

In this article — 5 We tested each method on Redmi Note models, including hidden firmware features, operator setup and recommendations for selecting third-party applications. 12 Pro+, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T latest-edition MIUI 14/15 (Particular attention was paid to circumventing the restrictions of operators, who often ignore requests for blocking through the Internet. USSD-team.

1. Built-in blacklist in MIUI: the basic method

The most obvious, but not the most effective way is to blacklist numbers through the standard Phone app, which is suitable for blocking spammers you already know, but is useless against dynamically changing numbers (for example, with a prefix swapping).

How to add a number to the blacklist:

• 📱 Open the Phone app and go to the Call log.
• 🔍 Find the number you want, click on it and select Block (or Blacklist in older versions). MIUI).
• ⚙️ For mass blocking: Settings → Blacklist → Add it manually.

Limitations of the method:

- Does not block numbers with a changed caller ID (for example, "Bank of Russia" or "SberBank").

- Doesn't work for SMS-Spam (Separate settings are required in Messages).

- Maximum 500 numbers in the list (on some firmware - 200).

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If the blacklist ran out of space, export it to the file via Settings → Blacklist → Export, then clear the list and import back.

2. Filtering unknown numbers through MIUI settings

MIUI 14/15 (and the new HyperOS) have a hidden feature to filter calls from unknown subscribers. Unlike the blacklist, it blocks all numbers not saved in contacts, except for exceptions. This is a radical but effective method for those who receive dozens of spam calls a day.

How to turn on the filter:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Call filter.
2. Activate the Filter Unknown Numbers switch.
3. In the Exclusions section, add the numbers that must pass (such as delivery services or bank hotlines).

⚠️ Note: Once activated, you will no longer receive calls from taxis, couriers and other services if their numbers are not stored in contacts. SMS-notifications (for example, from Yandex.Food or SDEC).

3. Blocking through the operator: USSD-commands and personal account

Russian operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) provide services to block spam calls, but their effectiveness varies: for example, MegaFon blocks up to 90% of fraudulent numbers, and Tele2 only 60% (according to Roskomnadzor for 2023).

Methods of blocking through the operator:

• 📞 USSD-teams: MTS: *111*777# (free of charge Beeline: *110*789# (30₽/Megaphone: *130*1# (Free for All Inclusive tariffs")
• 🌐 Personal account on the operator's website (section "Security" or "Antispam").
• 📱 Mobile application of the operator (for example, My MTS or MegaFon.Personal Account).

⚠️ Note: Operators often ignore requests to block numbers with code +7 9xx, If they are registered to individuals (not to legal companies), in this case, use a combination of methods: blocking through the law. MIUI + third party application (see section 5).

4.Using Google Messages to block SMS-spam

If you’re flooded with not only calls but also SMS (like loan offers or “you won an iPhone”), use Google Messages app – it has a built-in spam filter that often works better than the standard Messages app from Xiaomi.

How to set up:

1. Install Google Messages from the Play Market.
2. Make it the default SMS application in Settings → Applications → By default → SMS application.
3. Enable spam filtering: Open Google Messages → ☰ → Settings → Protection against spam → Insert "Spam filter"

Advantages of the method:

Automatic categorization of SMS to “Personal”, “Transactions” and “Spam”.

Blocking links from unknown senders (phishing protection).

Synchronize locks between devices (if you use the same Google account).

Install the application |Making it the main one for SMS |Enable the spam filter |Add fraudster numbers to the blacklist |Activate phishing protection-->

5 Third-Party Applications: Truecaller and Alternatives

For advanced blocking (including identifying spammers from a database), use specialized applications. The most popular is Truecaller, but it has analogues with better privacy (for example, Should I Answer? or Hiya).

Comparison of annexes:

⚠️ Warning: Truecaller by default uploads your contacts to its servers. To disable this, go to Settings → Confidentiality → Sync contacts and deactivate the option. Should I Answer? doesn't have that problem, it works locally.

Instructions for setting up Truecaller:

• 📥 Install the app from the Play Market (avoid it) APK off-site!).
• 🔐 At the first start, refuse to synchronize contacts.
• ⚙️ Enable lock: Truecaller → ☰ → Settings → Lockdown → Enable "Block spam"
• 🛡️ Activate protection against fraudsters in the Security section.

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Truecaller blocks up to 95% of spam calls, but requires constant internet access and permission to read SMS. Use Should I Answer? or built-in MIUI tools for offline work.

Radical measures: number change and two-factor authentication

If spam calls have become unbearable (for example, after your number has been leaked to scammers’ databases), consider extreme measures:

1. Change of telephone number

• 🔄 Contact the operator to change the number (free of charge while maintaining the tariff).
• 📋 Register a new number in the state services, banks and instant messengers before the old number falls into the hands of scammers.
• 🚫 Do not publish a new number in open sources (social networks, forums, ads).

2. Two-factor authentication (2FA) for important services

Many banks and services (for example, Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) allow you to link authorization not to SMS, but to:

• 🔐 Authenticator (Google Authenticator, Authy).
• 📱 Push notifications in mobile bank.
• 🔑 Hardware keys (e.g., YubiKey).

This does not block spam calls, but it does protect against data leaks if scammers try to use your number to reset passwords.

FAQ: Frequent questions about locking numbers on Xiaomi