How to add a number to the blacklist on Xiaomi Redmi: all ways + hidden MIUI features

Unsolicited calls from spammers, collectors or intrusive advertising services can turn life into a nightmare. Xiaomi Redmi smartphone owners have several effective tools in their arsenal to block such numbers - from standard features MIUI However, many users face problems: the lock does not work on the system. SIM-In the cards of certain operators, the blacklist is suddenly reset after the update, the spammer just calls from a new number.

In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways to blacklist Redmi numbers (including Redmi Note models). 12 Pro+, Redmi 11 Prime and others, explain why sometimes the lock doesn't work, and share life hacks on setting up extended protection. MIUI 13/14 and nuanced for double SIM-map.

If you are tired of intrusive calls at 3 a.m. or want to get rid of your phone forever SMS-spam, this guide will help you to adjust the protection so that no unwanted contact can bother you. And at the end of the article, answers to frequent questions and a table of compatibility methods with different versions of the firmware.

Why Xiaomi Redmi’s standard lock may not work

Many users complain that after adding a number to the blacklist through the Phone app, calls still pass, and there are several reasons, most of them due to the peculiarities of MIUI and telecom operators.

First, Xiaomi locks work at the system application level, not at the level of the system. SIM-This means that if a call is made via VoLTE or VoWiFi, it can bypass the standard filter. Second, some operators (such as Tele2 or Iota) use their own numbering services that conflict with the lock. MIUI.

Another common problem is blacklisting after a firmware update, which is because the data is stored in the Contacts app cache, which is sometimes reset when updates are made, so the solution is to use alternative blocking methods (about them below) or back up the list regularly through Settings → Google → Backup.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-maps, blacklists are set up separately for each. SIM not extending to the second!

Finally, spammers often use spoofing, where each new call comes from a different identifier, in which case only blocking keywords in SMS or installing a third-party application like Truecaller will help.

Method 1: Locking through the Phone app (the fastest method)

This is the basic method that works on all Xiaomi Redmi smartphones regardless of the MIUI version. Its main plus is speed: the number can be locked right during an incoming call or from the call log.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the Journal tab and find the unwanted number.
3. Click on the number, then tap on the icon. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner.
4. Select Blocking/Spam Report.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Block.

If the number hasn’t called yet, but you want to block it in advance:

1. In the phone application go to Contacts → ⋮ → Settings.
2. Select Number Lock.
3. Click Add and enter the number manually (e.g. +79991234567).

MIUI 14 has an Automatic Spam Block feature that uses Xiaomi's database to activate it:

Settings → Applications → Phone → Number Lock → Auto-Block Spam (enable)

Check the version of the Phone app (must be at least 12.5.4)

Make sure the number is saved in an international format (+7...)

Turn off "Determination Number" in the settings SIM-Cards (may conflict)

Make a backup of contacts (Settings) → Google → Backup)-->

Method 2: Blacklisting through MIUI Security

Security (or Global Firmware Security) offers more flexible lock settings, including SMS filtering and fraud protection, which is suitable if the standard lock through the Phone does not work.

How to add a number to the blacklist:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Blocking section (or Call & SMS filter in English versions).
3. Select the Blacklist. → Add.
4. Enter the number manually or select from the log/contacts.
5. Specify the type of lock: 📞 Calls – only blocks voice calls. 💬 SMS — block out messages. 📞💬 Everything is a complete lockdown.

Additional settings in MIUI Security:

• 🔍 Spam filter: Includes automatic blocking of suspicious numbers from Xiaomi database.
• 📋 Block log: Shows all blocked calls and SMS (Useful for tracking spammer activity).
• 🔄 Import/Export: Allows you to save the blacklist to a file and restore it after resetting your settings.

⚠️ Note: In some regional firmware (for example, for India) the section Blocking may be called SMS & Call Blocking.If you don't find it, update the Security app via Google Play!

The advantage of this method is that locking works even if the number is not saved in the contacts, and it is more difficult to get around through VoLTE, but for full protection, we recommend combining it with the following method.

Method 3: Blocking through settings SIM-cards (for double sims)

If you use two of them SIM-Xiaomi Redmi cards, standard locking methods may not work properly, because the default blacklist is tied to the main one. SIM-The card, and the second one is vulnerable, so to block the number on both SIMs, you have to configure the parameters of each individual.

Instructions for dual SIMs:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose. SIM-The card you want to set up the lock for (for example, SIM 1).
3. Slip on the Call Lock Number (or Call Barring in global versions).
4. Enter. PIN2-code (by default 0000 or 1234 if not changed).
5. Select Blocking Incoming Calls → Activate.
6. Add the number to the list by adding the number.

Features of the method:

• 🔄 It works regardless of phone or security applications.
• 📶 The locking occurs at the operator level, so it is more difficult to get around it.
• ⚠️ Requires input PIN2 — If you do not know it, restore it through the operator.

How to check if the lock is working:

1. Ask your friend to call from a locked number.
2. If everything is set up correctly, you will hear a short horn, and then the message "Subscriber temporarily unavailable."
3. In the call log, the entry will appear marked Blocked.

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If you change often SIM-You can export the blacklist from Security to the file and import it after you change the SIM.

Method 4: Third-party applications for extended locking

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work (for example, spammers use number swapping), installing specialized applications will help, offering additional features like:

• 🌍 Global spammer number databases (updated in real time).
• 🔍 Blocking by Keywords in SMS (For example, "you won", "credit").
• 📊 Call statistics and automatic addition of suspicious numbers to the blacklist.

Top.-3 Applications for Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Truecaller: 🔹 A database of billions of spammers and scammers. 🔹 Identifying unfamiliar numbers in real time. 🔹 Integration with MIUI (You can make it the main call app.
2. Hiya: 🔹 Blocking of robbrae and SMS-spam. 🔹 There is no advertising in the free version. 🔹 Lightweight (does not load the system).
3. Should I Answer?: 🔹 Number ratings from other users. 🔹 Geolocation locking (e.g., only foreign numbers).

How to set up Truecaller on Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. When you first start, allow access to contacts and call logs.
3. Go to Settings. → Lock and activate: 📞 Blocking spammers 💬 Filter SMS 🌐 Protection against fraud

Settings → Applications by default

Truecaller

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Truecaller) may conflict with the built-in lock MIUI. If standard functions stop working after installation, disable duplicate settings in Security.

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Third-party apps are more effective than built-in tools if spammers use number swapping or bulk mailings, but they consume more battery and require access to personal data.

How to restore the blacklist after resetting settings

One of the worst things is resetting your phone to factory settings, and then all the locked numbers disappear, so to avoid that, export the blacklist regularly and keep backups.

Recovery methods:

1. Through MIUI Security: Open Security → Lockdown → ⋮ → Import/Export. Select Export and save the file (e.g., on Google Drive). After reset, import the file back.
2. Google Contacts: Create a Blacklist group in Google Contacts. Add all blocked numbers. After reset, sync your contacts and the numbers return.
3. Through Titanium Backup (root): Requires superuser rights. Create a backup of Phone and Security applications. After reset, restore data from the backup.

If there is no backup:

• 📱 Check the call log - some numbers may have survived.
• 🔄 Restore contacts from Google Account (if sync was enabled).
• 📋 Use the story. SMS — Spammers often send messages before calls.

Important: In MIUI 14, the blacklist from the Security app is automatically synced with Xiaomi’s account if the option “Cloud Backup” is enabled in your account settings.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the lock is set up correctly, Xiaomi Redmi users are experiencing problems, and we will analyze the most common cases and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Calls pass despite blocking

• 🔹 Reason: The number is called via VoLTE or VoWiFi.
• 🔹 Solution: Turn off VoLTE in Settings → SIM-map → A challenge through LTE or use the lock through MIUI Security.

Problem 2: The blacklist is reset after the update

• 🔹 Reason: Cache of the app Contacts cleared.
• 🔹 Solution: Before updating, export the list through Security.

Problem 3: You can't add a number manually

• 🔹 Reason: Operator restriction or regional firmware.
• 🔹 Solution: Install global firmware or use Truecaller.

Problem 4: The lock only works on one of them. SIM-map

• 🔹 Reason: Settings are not duplicated on the second SIM.
• 🔹 Solution: Set the lock separately for each SIM through settings SIM.

Problem 5: Spammer calls from different numbers

• 🔹 Reason: Used number substitution (spoofing).
• 🔹 Solution: Install Hiya or Should I Answer? with keyword filtering.

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If the lock stopped working after the MIUI update, clear the Phone and Security app cache in the settings. Go to Settings → Applications → App Management → Phone → Storage → Clear the cache.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions