How to add a number to the blacklist on Xiaomi: all ways to block

Spam calls, intrusive SMS messages from marketers, or unwanted contacts can make smartphone use a nightmare. Fortunately, Xiaomi offers built-in tools to block such numbers — a blacklist in MIUI firmware. But not everyone knows where the feature is and how to use it properly.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to blacklist numbers on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from standard settings to hidden features. You’ll learn how to block contact permanently, temporarily disable locks or restore accidentally deleted numbers. And we’ll also explain why some calls still pass through the filter and how to fix it.

Where is the blacklist on Xiaomi?

Depending on the version of MIUI, the path to blacklisting may vary: in recent versions (MIUI 14/15), developers have made it easier to access the feature, but on older smartphones (for example, Redmi Note 8 or Mi 9T), the menu is hidden deeper.

The main places where you can find a blacklist:

• 📱 Phone: Open the application "Phone» → press three points (⋮) → «Settings» → «Blocking numbers" or "Blacklist».
• 🔧 System settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Number locking.
• 📝 Contact: Open contact → three-point (⋮) → «Add to the blacklist».
• 📊 Call log: swipe left by number → «Lock down».

If you have a MIUI 12 or older, the path may look like this: Settings → All settings → Lock numbers. On some models (for example, POCO F3), the function is hidden in the Security section.

How to add a number to the blacklist through the phone app

The fastest way to block unwanted contact is through the standard Phone app, which works on all Xiaomi devices, regardless of the MIUI version.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the "Journal" section (the icon of the clock at the bottom of the screen).
3. Find the number you want to lock and swipe left on the record.
4. Click on the “Block” button (or “Add to the blacklist”).
5. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

If you need to block the contact from the phone book:

• 👤 Open the "Contact" app».
• 🔍 Find the right contact and tap it.
• ⋮ Click on three dots in the upper right corner.
• 🚫 Select "Add to the blacklist».

Once blocked, calls and SMS from this number will be automatically ignored. In the log, you will see a notification “Blocked Call” (if the appropriate setting is enabled).

Block numbers through MIUI settings

If you prefer to configure everything through system settings, you can add a number to a blacklist directly in the settings menu, which is useful when you need to lock several numbers at once or adjust the filtering rules.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. Open the "Settings" (cog icon).
2. Go to the "Applications" section.
3. Select “Phone” (or “Contacts” if you lock them).
4. Slip on "Number Blocking" (or "Black List").
5. Click Add (+) and select the contact from the list or enter the number manually.
6. Confirm the addition.

On older versions of MIUI (12 and below), the path may look like this:

Settings → All settings → Block numbers → Add a number

This section may also include:

• 🔄 Remove the number from the blacklist (swipe left on the record).
• 📋 Import/export list (useful when changing phone).
• 🔔 Set up notifications for blocked calls.

💡

If a number with an international code (e.g. +7) is added to the blacklist, make sure it is entered in the same format as the call log.

How to temporarily disable number lock

Sometimes you need to temporarily unlock a number — for example, if you are waiting for an important call from a previously blocked contact.In MIUI, there are two ways to do this: completely remove the number from the blacklist or turn off the lock for a while.

Method 1: Complete removal from the blacklist

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Lock numbers.
2. Find the number you want on the list.
3. Swipe left and click "Delete".

Method 2: Disable lock without removal (not available on all models)

• 📱 Open the phone» → «Journal».
• 🔍 Find the blocked number (it will be marked with a special icon).
• 🔄 Slip it and select “Unlock for 1 hour” (or another time slot).

Please note: if you use Google Messages or other third-party SMS-The application, the lock can be duplicated, in which case you have to unlock the number in both places.

Why the lock doesn’t work: frequent problems and solutions

Sometimes users find that locked numbers still break through, and this can happen for several reasons:

Another common problem is that you have duplicate calling apps, and if you have Google Phone, Truecaller or some other communication software on your phone, you can have a conflict.

• 📌 Install one application by default for calls (Settings) → Annexes → By default).
• 🔄 Check the blacklists in all installed applications.

💡

If the number is blocked, but calls still arrive, check whether the subscriber uses a hidden number (*67 before dialing) or a Caller ID substitution. In this case, a standard lock will not help - specialized software will be required.

How to Restore a Deleted Blacklist

If you accidentally cleared the blacklist or it resets after resetting, you can restore it in a number of ways, and the key is to act quickly before the data is overwritten.

Method 1: Restore from MIUI backup

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Select the latest backup (if any).
3. Find the "Phone" or "Contacts" item and recover the data.

Method 2: Export/import blacklisted (if previously exported)

• 📤 Connect your phone to your computer and find the file. blacklist_backup.vcf file MIUI/backup/.
• 📥 Copy it back into your phone and import it through Settings → Number locking → Imports.

Method 3: Manual recovery through call log

If there is no backup, you can manually add the numbers back to:

1. Open the call log.
2. Review the history and add suspicious numbers to the swipe blacklist.

⚠️ Note: If the blacklist was deleted due to a factory reset, it cannot be restored without a backup. In the future, export the list regularly to the file.

Third-party applications for extended locking

The built-in MIUI tools are suitable for basic locking, but if you need additional features (like keyword filtering in SMS or blocking entire regions), it’s worth considering third-party apps.

Top.-3 Applications to block calls to Xiaomi:

Before installing third-party software:

• 🔒 Check the permissions (don’t give access) SMS needlessly).
• 📥 Download only from Google Play or Mi App Store.
• 🔄 Turn off the built-in lock. MIUI, avoiding conflict.

Important: some banking applications (such as SberBank or Tinkoff) may conflict with applications to block calls. If after installation, SMS from the bank stopped coming, add its numbers to the exceptions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the blacklist on Xiaomi