How to find a blacklist in Xiaomi Redmi 5

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive calls from spammers, bank agents or just unwanted interlocutors. The Redmi 5, which is based on the MIUI shell, has a powerful built-in filtering system for incoming calls. However, finding locking settings is difficult due to the peculiarities of the localization of menus and firmware versions. Understanding exactly where the Antispam functionality hides will allow you to quickly block an unwanted number.

The main security tool in this device is the system application "Security." This is where all the functions of memory cleaning, antivirus and, most importantly for our topic, blacklist management are aggregated. Many users mistakenly search for the lock option directly in the call log or the standard menu of phone settings, overlooking this central control hub. The blacklist in Redmi 5 works at the system level, so calls and SMS from blocked subscribers will not disturb you with notifications, but will be stored in a special log.

In this article, we will discuss the algorithm of actions for different versions of the interface, since the location of elements may vary slightly depending on the year of release of the device and the regional version of the firmware (Global, China, EEA). You will learn not only to add numbers manually, but also to configure automatic rules for blocking hidden numbers.

⚠️ Note: Once you add a number to the blacklist, you will not see missed calls from that subscriber in the standard log.All information about communication attempts is stored only inside the Security app in the lock section.

Searching through the Security App

The most reliable and versatile way to manage the lock list on Xiaomi Redmi 5 is to use the pre-installed Security app, which has a green icon with a shield and is usually located in the Tools folder on the desktop. Inside this app, the Antispam module is hidden, which is responsible for filtering traffic. By opening it, you get access to all the locking settings, which are not always obvious in the standard call interface.

Once you start the Security app, scroll down or look carefully at the icons available. You need to find an item called Antispam or Lock. In some versions of MIUI, this section may be called Blacklist. Clicking on this icon will open the ban control interface, displays the statistics of blocked calls and messages, and also finds the button to add new numbers.

The interface of the partition can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the MIUI shell. If you do not see the list of numbers immediately, look at the three dots in the upper right corner or the gear settings. This is often where the Blacklist or Locked button is hidden. The system lock settings allow you to flexibly manage the behavior of the phone when a call is received from a contact entered in the database.

Importantly, the Security app on Redmi 5 also allows you to set up Do Not Disturb mode for certain contact categories. You can create contact exceptions from the phone book to block only unknown numbers, especially for those who want silence but are afraid to miss an important call from loved ones.

Adding a number through the call log

There's a faster way to blacklist a specific number without going deep into the settings menu. This is ideal when you just got an unwanted call and you want to block the subscriber instantly. The algorithm is simple and intuitive, but requires careful choice of options in the pop-up menu.

Open the standard Phone app and go to the Recent or Journal tab. Find the number you want to block in the list. Click on it and hold your finger for one to two seconds, or click on the arrow or the "i" icon to the right of the number to open the context menu. In the action list that appears, select Add to the blacklist or Block.

Once you have selected an action, the system can request confirmation. Make sure you block calls, not just SMS, if possible in your version of the software. On Xiaomi Redmi 5, you often have to choose the type of lock: only calls, only messages or all at once. Blocking through the call log automatically adds a number to the database of the Security application, so you do not need to search for it separately.

If there is no “Block” option in the context menu, this may mean that the feature is not activated in the system settings or that a third-party call is used (for example, Google Phone instead of MIUI Dialer), in which case you should return to the method through the “Security” application or check the settings of the “Phone” application itself by clicking three dots in the corner of the screen and selecting “Settings” → “Block incoming”.

Configure the rules of blocking and filters

Xiaomi Redmi 5 allows you to not only manually enter numbers, but also create smart filtering rules. This is especially useful for combating mass spam when numbers are constantly changing. Going to the Antispam settings through the Security app, you will find the section “Blocking Rules” or “Filters”.

Here you can activate some useful options that automate the protection process, such as disallowing all calls from hidden numbers or from unknown subscribers (those whose numbers are not in your notebook), a radical but effective method for periods when the level of phone fraud is particularly high.

Let’s look at the main filter settings available:

• 🚫 Hidden Number Blocking: Disconnects calls from subscribers hiding their own ID. It is useful if you do not receive anonymous calls.
• 📵 Unknown Blocking: Bans calls to anyone except contacts stored in the phone's memory».
• 🌏 Region Code Block: Allows you to ban calls from certain countries or cities unless you expect to be contacted from those locations.
• 🔢 Mask lock: Allow a range of numbers, such as all numbers starting with certain numbers.

⚠️ Warning: Enabling All Unknown Numbers lock mode may cause you to miss an important call from a courier, doctor or new customer whose number is not yet in contacts.

Customizing these settings requires understanding your current communication needs, and for most users, manually adding spammers and turning on the Hidden Numbers filter are the best options.

Checking the list of blocked contacts

It's occasionally useful to check the contents of the blacklist to make sure that an important contact has not accidentally hit it, or simply to clean the database of old records. On Redmi 5, the list is viewed through the Security interface, a single center where all blocked entities are displayed.

To view the list, follow the following steps:

1. Launch the Security (Green Shield) application.
2. Go to the Antispam or Blocking section.
3. Click on the gear icon (Settings) in the upper right corner or select the menu item Blacklist.
4. A complete list of all the numbers that are locked will open before you.

In this list, you can see not only phone numbers, but also names, if they are saved in contacts, as well as the date of addition. By clicking on a specific number, you usually get the opportunity to remove it from the list (unblock) or view the history of blocked calls and SMS from this subscriber, this helps to control who exactly you have restricted communications rights.

If you sync with your Mi Account, the lock list can be stored in the cloud, which means that when you switch to a new Xiaomi smartphone and log in to the same account, all locked numbers will automatically be pulled from the backup, providing continuous protection.

History of blocked calls and messages

One of the key features of MIUI security is keeping a separate log for blocked events. Unlike many other smartphones where a spammer call is simply dropped without a trace, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 captures these attempts, which allows you to check at any time who tried to reach you and when.

To view the story, you need to revisit the Security app. The Antispam section usually has a Locked tab or watch/list icon, and it displays two types of events: calls and SMS, and you can filter them by switching between the respective tabs.

The journal displays the following information:

• 📞 Type of event: Incoming call or text message.
• ⏰ Time and Date: The exact moment of the communication attempt.
• 📱 Subscriber number: or contact name, if it is in the book.
• 📝 Contents: for SMS Preview of the text of the message is available.

Having this story is useful for analyzing spammer activity, and if you see the same number ringing from different SIM cards, it can signal the activity of autocallers, and then it makes sense to include more aggressive filters, as mentioned earlier, and the story helps to understand whether the system blocks the notifications you need from services (for example, confirmation codes from the bank), which sometimes happens when false positives.

Using third-party applications to block

While Xiaomi Redmi 5’s built-in tools are quite effective, some users prefer to install specialized apps from Google Play, such as Truecaller, Call Blocker or GetContact.These programs have their own spam databases that are updated by the user community in real time, which is often more effective than static MIUI lists.

When installing such an app, Android will ask for a number of permissions. To work properly, the blocker needs permission to access contacts, a call log, and most importantly, the right to “Map on top of other applications” or “Be the main call app.” Without these rights, a third-party blocker will not be able to intercept incoming calls.

Comparison of built-in solution and third-party applications:

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When using third-party number identifiers (like Truecaller), your contacts can be uploaded to a shared database. If privacy is a priority for you, it’s best to limit yourself to Xiaomi’s built-in blacklist.

If you decide to use a third-party solution, make sure the phone's settings are disabled or reconfigured with the built-in lock to avoid conflicts.Two apps trying to handle an incoming call at the same time can cause call crashes or double notifications.

Solving the blockage problems

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the blacklist on Redmi 5 stops working correctly: calls pass, or, conversely, everything is blocked, often the problem lies in updating the system or resetting the security application permissions. Check if the app has the necessary rights in the Settings menu → Annexes → Security → Permits.

The AutoRun permission for the Security app is especially important. If it is disabled, the system can kill the call filtering process to save energy, and the blacklist will stop functioning. It's also worth checking if the Do Not Disturb mode is included in the general audio settings, which may have its own rules ignoring the blacklist.

In case of persistent problems, you can try to clear the cache of the Security app:

Settings → Applications → All Applications → Security → Clean → Clear the cache

This action is secure and will not delete your personal data or lock settings, but can correct software errors of the filtering module.

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For stable blacklisting on Xiaomi Redmi 5, be sure to allow the Security app to auto-start and work in the background.

If nothing works, make sure that the date and time on the device are set correctly. Incorrect system time can disrupt security certificates and synchronize spam databases, which can cause filters to malfunction.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)