How to set up Xiaomi so that unfamiliar numbers do not call: 5 working ways

Uninvited calls from spammers, scammers and intrusive marketers are one of the most annoying problems of modern smartphones. Xiaomi owners face this as much as others, but MIUI has hidden tools that will help radically reduce the number of unwanted calls. Unlike standard tips like "put the app," we will analyze the built-in features of the system that work without additional software and do not eat the battery.

The problem is that most users don't even know these tools exist. For example, Xiaomi has Contact Only Mode, which completely blocks all incoming calls except the numbers from the phone book - but it's hidden in the back of the settings. And Mi Security's Spam Filtering feature is able to analyze numbers in real time, but it's disabled by default on many firmware. In this article, a complete breakdown of all methods, including those that are not dokumented in official guides.

1. Incorporate a built-in spam filter into MIUI

The easiest and most effective way is to activate the system anti-spam, which is built into the firmware MIUI 12/13/14. It works at the OS level and does not require the installation of third-party applications.

To turn it on:

• 📱 Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
• 🔍 Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
• 🛡️ Go to Blocking and Filtering (or Spam Protection in older versions).
• 🔄 Activate the Spam Filtering Switch and confirm permission to access calls.

Once activated, the system will automatically detect and block numbers marked as spam by other users, and it will only work for mobile operators, since VoIP calls (such as WhatsApp or Viber) are not filtered.

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If spam calls continue to arrive after the filter is turned on, manually update the database. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and check for updates for Mi Security.

Configure the “Contacts Only” mode

If you want to completely ban calls from unknown numbers, use Contact Only mode, in which case the phone will only accept calls from numbers stored in your address book, all other calls will be automatically reset.

How to turn on:

1. Open the phone → Settings → Lock and filter.
2. Select Inbound Calls (or Inbound Settings depending on the MIUI version).
3. Activate the Contacts Only option.
4. In the window that appears, confirm the action by pressing OK.

Note that this mode blocks all unsaved numbers, including calls from delivery services, banks (if their numbers are not in contact), and even emergency services. Use it with caution if you expect important calls from unknown numbers.

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The “Contacts Only” mode does not block SMS-To prevent them, also enable filtering messages in Settings → Communications → Spam filter.

3 Manual addition of numbers to the blacklist

If spam calls come from the same numbers, they can be manually blocked through a blacklist, a method that is suitable for targeting specific scammers or intrusive subscribers.

Instructions:

• 📞 Open the call log and find the number you want to block.
• 📍 Click on the number to open the details of the call.
• ⚫ In the upper right corner, tap three dots and select Add to the blacklist.
• ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

You can also add a number to the blacklist through the settings:

1. Go to Phone → Settings → Lock and Filter → Blacklist.
2. Click Add a number and enter it manually or select from the log.
3. Save the changes.

In MIUI, the blacklist syncs with the Mi Account, so the lock will also apply to other Xiaomi devices associated with this account.

4.Use of the functions of the communications operator

Many Russian operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) provide their own services to block spam, which are often more effective than the system, since operators have access to databases of fraudulent numbers and can block them at the network level.

How to connect:

The advantage of carrier services is that they work even when the phone is off or out of network coverage, but they don't block VoIP calls (like WhatsApp or Skype).

5. Set up the application "Security" (Mi Security)

Mi Security (or "Security" in Russian) has advanced spam protection tools, and it can block calls in addition to filtering. SMS-Posts and even analyze potentially dangerous links.

How to set up:

• 🛡️ Open the Security app (shield icon).
• 📞 Go to the section Call blocking or Spam protection.
• 🔄 Turn on the options: 📵 Blocking Unsolicited Calls 📧 Spam filtering-SMS 🔍 Checking fraudulent numbers
• 🔄 Update the spam database by clicking Update at the bottom of the screen.

Mi Security uses Xiaomi’s cloud database, which is updated several times a day, to block even new fraudulent schemes, but it requires an internet connection to work.

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6. Hidden MIUI features for advanced users

If standard methods don't work, you can use hidden settings that aren't documented in the official guides, which require more in-depth intervention, but give you better results.

Method 1: Blocking by prefix of the number

Many spam calls come from numbers that start with specific prefixes (e.g. +79xxxx or +375), and in MIUI you can block entire ranges of numbers:

1. Open Phone → Settings → Lock and filter → Locking rules.
2. Select Add a rule.
3. In the Prefix field, enter the beginning of the number (for example, +7926).
4. Keep the rule.

Method 2: Using ADB for deep customization

For power users, it is possible to disable calls from unknown numbers via ADB. This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and executing commands:

adb shell settings put global block_unknown_callers 1

Once this command is completed, all calls from numbers not saved in contacts will be automatically reset.

adb shell settings put global block_unknown_callers 0

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Before using ADB, make sure your phone has USB Debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).

7. Alternative methods: third-party applications

If the built-in MIUI tools fail, you can install specialized spam-blocking apps that offer advanced features such as:

• 🌍 Global databases of fraudulent numbers (not only for Russia).
• 📊 Statistics and reports on blocking.
• 🔔 Notifications of Missed Spam Calls.
• 🤖 Automatic identification of robot bells.

The best apps for Xiaomi:

Warning: Some apps (like Truecaller) require access to your address book and call history. If privacy is more important to you, use the built-in MIUI tools.

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Third-party applications may conflict with built-in MIUI filtering. If spam calls continue to arrive after installing such software, turn off the system filter in Phone Settings → Lock and Filter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If none of these methods worked, it may be the firmware or the phone model that is the problem.

• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📱 Reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
• 📧 Contact Xiaomi via the official Mi Community website or forum.

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If you often receive spam calls from foreign numbers, blacklist entire country codes, such as blocking the +375 prefix will cut off all calls from Belarus and +92 from Pakistan.