Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to limit unwanted calls from spammers or intrusive acquaintances. The MIUI operating system that is installed on the Redmi Note 7 has a built-in lock mechanism for this function. However, finding a specific list of numbers that you previously banned is not so easy, since the settings menu here has its own specific logic. Users often get lost in the multi-level menu or search for the desired option in the wrong application.
The challenge is that the call management and messaging in the MIUI shell are split into different sections, but combined into a single security center. If you lock a number through a standard call interface, it may not show up in the general phone settings the way you expect, and it's important to understand where the blacklist database is stored, so that you can quickly remove the contact or check if you need it.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to access the blocked list on the Redmi Note 7 model. We will look at both standard methods through the Security app and alternative methods through the call system settings, which will allow you to fully control incoming traffic and make sure that important calls are not lost due to an erroneous lock.
Using the Security App to Find Numbers
The most reliable and quickest way to see all blocked users is to use the system app Security. This is where Xiaomi aggregates all the security features, including antivirus, memory cleanup and call blocker. On Redmi Note 7, this app is pre-installed by default and has a green icon with a shield. Launch it from the home screen to get to the control center.
Once you open the app, scroll down or find a tool list called Blocker. In some versions of MIUI, it can be called Antispam or have a cross-over shield icon. By clicking on this item, you'll be taken to a menu that displays blocked calls and SMS statistics. There's a setting button, usually located in the top right corner of the screen as a gear.
⚠️ Warning: If you don't see the Security app on your desktop, try searching by system. Type the word "Security" into the search bar and the system will find the right shortcut, even if it's hidden in the Tools folder".
Inside the blocker menu, you need to select a tab or Blacklist, and that's where you have a complete database of all the numbers that you've added manually or automatically, filtering rules, and the list is usually sorted by the date you add, so you can quickly find recent locks, and you can click on any number to remove it from the list or add it to the whitelist.
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Check the blacklist regularly, as delivery or courier numbers may be included if they are calling from different devices.
Search through the standard phone application
An alternative method of accessing the restricted list is through a standard call, which may seem more logical to those who are used to managing contacts directly in the dialing interface. Open the Phone app (green handset) and look at the three dots or menu button in the upper right corner of the screen.
In the list that opens, select Settings or Call Settings. Next, the interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI installed on your Redmi Note 7. You need to find a section called Lock or Lock Incoming. In older firmware versions, this item may be deeper, under "Additional".
Once you go to the lock menu, you'll see the activation switch and the number list. If the list is empty but the calls don't go through, check if Do Not Disturb mode or lock all unknown numbers is on. List management here is similar to a security application: you can add new numbers or delete existing records by clicking on them.
Differences in MIUI interfaces on Redmi Note 7
Users are often confused because menu layouts can vary from version to version. Redmi Note 7 can have different global firmware, and the interface logic is different. For example, in MIUI 10, the blocker menu was built directly into the call settings, while in MIUI 12 and later, the emphasis shifted to a separate security application.
In some regional versions (for example, India or China), item names can be translated differently or have a different hierarchy. If you can't find the item you want in the description above, try searching inside your phone's settings. Click on the magnifier icon at the top of the Settings menu and type in the "Black List" or "Block" request. The system will redirect you to the desired menu.
Also, you should consider that when you update your system, some settings may be reset or moved, so if you upgrade your Redmi Note 7 to a new version of the software, it makes sense to double-check the relevance of the location of important functions, which will help to avoid a situation where an important call was missed due to a change in the logic of the interface.
| MIUI version | Location of the menu | Title of paragraph | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 10 | Phone -> Settings | Locking incoming | Basic functionality |
| MIUI 11 | Security -> Blocker | Blacklist | Extended statistics |
| MIUI 12 | Security -> Antispam | Blacklist | Integration with AI |
| Global ROM | Depends on the version. | Blocking/Blocklist | English interface |
Why is the interface changing?
Managing the blocking of unknown and hidden numbers
The hidden number lock feature deserves special attention. On the Redmi Note 7, this option is often turned on separately from manually adding to the blacklist. It is in the same lock settings, but is a global switch. If you activate the option to block hidden numbers, the phone will reset any calls where the subscriber decided to hide his ID.
This is a useful feature for dealing with telemarketers, but it can create problems if you get calls from organizations that hide a number for security reasons (such as banks or government agencies). So before turning on this option, weigh the pros and cons. In the blocked list, such calls may not appear as specific numbers, but rather as “Hidden Number” or “Unknown”.
It also allows you to block all international numbers or numbers that are not saved in the contact book, which are next to the main blacklist in the Security app, and it allows you to create a very hard filter that only select contacts will pass through, which is a last resort, but it is effective during periods of aggressive spam.
⚠️ Warning: Enabling blocking of all unknown numbers may cause you to miss an important call from a courier or doctor whose number is not yet recorded in your phone book.
Synchronization and backup of the blacklist
One of the important questions is whether the blacklist is maintained when changing your phone or resetting. On Xiaomi, the list of blocked contacts is tied to the phone's local database, but can be synced through your Mi Cloud account if the option is enabled. You can check this in the Settings -> Mi Account -> Cloud menu.
If you plan to move to a new smartphone or do a full Redmi Note 7 reset, it is recommended to take screenshots of the lock list or write important numbers manually. Standard backup tools do not always correctly carry the locker settings, especially if the firmware versions on the old and new device are very different.
When you restore data from a backup after a reset, the system can only suggest that you restore contacts and messages, ignoring lock settings, so once you return to the factory settings, you will likely have to re-form a blacklist by going through the security app paths described above.
☑️ Checking the lock settings
Frequent problems and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the number seems to be on the blacklist, but the calls still pass. This may be due to the fact that the number is recorded in contacts with or without the country code, and in the blocker it is entered in a different format. MIUI can perceive +79990 billion and 89990 billion as two different subscribers.
Another common problem is that there is no blocked call log, so if you have enabled locking but you don't see your call history in the tab, check if your phone's memory is full, and the log can be cleared automatically when the cache is cleared by the system if you don't configure long-term log storage.
In rare cases, the Android system itself can cause a crash. If the blocker menu does not open or crashes, try to clear the Security app data. To do this, go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps -> find Security -> Clear -> Clear all data. This will not delete your personal files, but reset the security application itself.
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The format of the number recording (with or without the country code) can affect the operation of the blocker, so enter the numbers in a single format.
Using third-party applications to block
If the Redmi Note 7's built-in features don't seem functional enough, you can always use third-party solutions. App stores offer a variety of options, such as Calls Blacklist or Truecaller, and have more flexible settings, such as locking by room mask or region.
However, when installing such applications, MIUI will ask for a variety of permissions, including access to contacts, call logs and location. Be careful when granting such rights to unknown developers, as this may affect your privacy.
When using third-party software, the built-in blacklist may conflict with the new one, and it is recommended to choose one primary tool to filter calls and disable the second one to avoid double-handling an incoming call, which can lead to connection delays or phone malfunctions.