How to permanently block unknown numbers on Xiaomi: from standard tools to hidden settings

Spam calls and messages from scammers have become a real scourge of our time: according to Kaspersky, in 2023, one in three smartphone users in Russia faced phone fraud at least once a week. Xiaomi owners have the advantage of the branded shell MIUI offers several levels of protection from unwanted contacts, but not everyone knows how to use them effectively. In this article, we will analyze not only the obvious ways of blocking through the “Black List”, but also hidden functions, which even official instructions are silent about.

Xiaomi’s locking methods differ depending on the MIUI version and regional firmware, for example, the global versions (Global ROM) have a built-in spam filter from Google, and the Chinese (China ROM) has its own Mi Security system with advanced settings. We tested all methods on current models (Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO F5) and identified those that work stably on Android 11-14.

1. Built-in “Blacklist” in MIUI: the basic method

The easiest way is to use the standard call blocker built into the Phone app. It is available on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the firmware version, but has limitations: it does not block SMS and only works for known numbers (those that are already in the history of calls).

To add a number to the blacklist:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Go to the Recent section and find the unwanted number.
3. Click on the number → select Block (or Blacklist in older versions).
4. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

To manage the list of blocked contacts:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Phone. → Number locking.
• 🔍 You can delete numbers, add new ones manually or import from messages.
• ⚙️ Enable the option to Lock Unknown Numbers (if available in your version).

⚠️ Note: In some regional firmware (India) ROM, Russia ROM) The option to block unknown numbers is hidden. To activate it, you may need to change the region of the device through Settings. → Additionally. → Region (but this will reset some settings!).

Has the number been added to the call history?

Is the “Block Unknowns” option activated in the settings?

Is the list of blocked after adding?

Are your settings synchronized with Mi Account (if cloud sync is enabled)-->

2.Spam filter from Google: how to turn on global firmware

If your Xiaomi is running on Global ROM (check in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version), you have access to Google’s built-in spam filter, which analyzes incoming calls and automatically flags potentially dangerous numbers as Spam or Fraud.

To activate the filter:

1. Open Phone → Three Dots (menu) → Settings → Spam and Fraud Protection
2. Turn on the switches: Spam filter (suspicious call mark) Fraud protection (blocking known fraudulent numbers)

The history of spam

The advantage of this method is that Google’s database is updated in real time, so new fraudulent schemes are blocked faster than through the standard Blacklist, but the filter does not block calls completely, but only marks them as spam (the call will still pass, but with a warning).

Every day.

Several times a week

Rarely (once a month)

Never encountered it.-->

Hidden Mi Security Settings: Advanced Lock

On smartphones with China ROM (or re-imprinted for the Chinese region), the Mi Security utility is available, which offers advanced locking tools, including:

• 📞 Keyword blocking (for example, all numbers with a prefix) +7999 or containing the word "bank").
• 📧 Filtration SMS by templates (blocking messages with links or suspicious text).
• 🌐 Xiaomi’s Cloud Fraud Base, which Updates More Than Google.

How to set up:

1. Open Security. → Number locking.
2. Enable options: Block unknown numbers Filter messages Use cloud base (requires connection to Mi Account)

Lockdown rules

bank

credit

⚠️ Note: When using Mi Security in non-Chinese regions, there may be a conflict with Google Play services. If notifications from banks or messengers stop coming after activation, check for exceptions in the lock settings!

4 Third-Party Applications: Truecaller, Hiya and Alternatives

If Xiaomi's built-in tools aren't enough, specialized apps will come to the rescue.

• 📲 Truecaller is the largest database of spam numbers (more than 300 million records), supports the Russian-language interface.
• 🛡️ Hiya – blocking calls and SMS, It integrates with the standard phone application. It works without registration.
• 🔍 Should I Answer? — analyzes numbers in real time and shows the trust rating.

How to set up Truecaller on Xiaomi:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Register (confirmation by SMS will be required).
3. In settings, turn on: Spam Block Number Identification (shows the name of the caller) SMS filter

Give all necessary permissions (access to contacts, calls, messages).

Important: Truecaller and similar apps collect your contacts and calls to build up their database, and if privacy is critical, use offline solutions like Blacklist (no cloud sync).

💡

Before installing third-party blockers, check if they duplicate MIUI features. For example, if you already have a spam filter from Google active, an additional blocker can conflict and skip calls.

5. Blocking through the operator: pros and cons

All major Russian operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) offer spam blocking services, for example, MegaFon has Antispam service, and MTS has Anti-Spam protection, which is usually paid (from 30 to 100 rubles a month), but block calls at the network level without loading the smartphone.

How to connect:

• 📞 Dial it. USSD-team: MTS: *111*789# Beeline: *110*789# MegaFon: *105*480# Television2: *225*1#
• 💳 Or activate through the personal account on the operator's website.

Advantages:

• 🔄 It works even if the phone is turned off or not. SIM-Cards (blocking at the network level).
• 📡 Does not consume battery power and smartphone resources.

Disadvantages:

• 💰 Paid subscription (although often the first 30 days are free).
• 📵 Not blocking. SMS (call-up).
• 🔄 Delayed updating of fraud database (up to 24 hours).

💡

Blocking through the operator is the only way to protect against spam on phones without smart functions (buttons) or if the smartphone is broken.

6. Manual lock through USSD-Teams (for experienced teams)

If you do not want to install applications or change settings MIUI, You can block the number directly through USSD-This method works on all smartphones, including Xiaomi, but requires knowledge of special commands:

MTS: *441*number# - lock




#441*number# - Unlock




Beeline: *110*789*number# - lock




MegaFon: *130*number# - lock




Tele2: *220*number# - lock

Example: To block +79123456789 on MTS, dial:

*441*79123456789#

and press the call button. SMS confirmatory.

⚠️ Note: Some operators have a lock through USSD It is only valid for 30 days, after which it must be renewed! Also note that a fee may be charged for blocking more than 10 numbers (check the rates with the operator).

To check the list of blocked numbers:

• MTS: *441#
• Beeline: *110*789#
• MegaFon: *105*480#

7 How to block SMS-spam

Unlike calls, SMS locking requires separate settings, and MIUI has a built-in message filter, but it's hidden in the back of the menu, so you can activate it.

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Click on three dots (menu) → Settings → Spam filter.
3. Turn on the option to filter spam.
4. Add numbers or keywords manually (e.g. winning, credit, transfer).

For more flexible settings, use the applications:

• 📧 SMS Block – Blocks messages on regular expressions (e.g., all of them) SMS referenced).
• 🔒 Blacklist – creates a whitelist (allows messages only from selected contacts).

If spam comes from short numbers (e.g. 1234), it can only be blocked through the operator – Xiaomi’s built-in tools with such numbers don’t work.

8 What to do if the lock is not working?

If after all the settings spam calls continue to arrive, check the following points:

1. MIUI Update: In older versions (below MIUI 12), the lock is unstable. Check firmware relevance in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2. Application conflict: If multiple blockers are installed (like Truecaller + built-in filter), they can interfere with each other. Leave only one.
3. Settings SIM-maps: Some carriers have "anti-spam" by default, which conflicts with the lock on the phone. USSD personal account.
4. Resetting: If nothing helps, reset the phone: settings → apps → App management → Phone → Storage → Clear data Attention: this will delete the call history!

Critical error: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 9A with MediaTek processor), blocking unknown numbers only works when an active Internet connection is in place. If Wi-Fi or mobile data is turned off, spam calls will pass.

💡

If after all the manipulations the spam continues, try to switch temporarily to another. SIM-Card (for example, virtual from Tinkoff Mobile or SberMobil) scammers often call databases tied to the main number.

FAQ: Frequent questions about locking numbers on Xiaomi