Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often encounter an intrusive security system that blocks unknown numbers by default and hides notifications from suspicious applications.This feature, known as Hassle Interception, is designed to protect the user from scammers, but in some situations it can hide important calls from couriers, delivery services or colleagues using hidden numbers. Understanding how to manage this tool is a key skill for comfortable use of the MIUI shell or HyperOS.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to deactivate or fine-tune filters, you will learn where hidden switches are hidden in the standard Security application, how to disable filtering. SMS-It is important to understand that completely disabling protections can increase the risk of receiving unwanted content, so it is recommended to use selective rule settings. We will consider the nuances for different versions of firmware, as the menu layout may differ slightly.
Before we start to make changes, it is worth noting that the anti-spam system in Xiaomi devices works on two levels: a local filter on the device and a cloud database that updates automatically. Disabling one component does not guarantee full deactivation of all restrictions, so you need to check the settings in several menu sections, this will avoid the situation when calls pass, but SMS still fall into the Spam folder.
Setup of the built-in application Security
The main filter management tool is the standard Security app, which is pre-installed on all the brand devices, and this is where the main levers of incoming traffic are concentrated. To get started, you need to run this application, wait for the automatic scanning of the system to complete, and go to the Antispam section. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be called “Block” or have a shield icon with a prohibitive sign.
Inside the menu, you'll see a list of all the blocked events, but we're interested in setting the rules. Click on the gear icon or the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the screen to open the settings. Here you'll need to find the Block Rules. This section contains the switches that filter incoming calls and text messages. The system offers flexible settings that allow you to block only hidden numbers or, conversely, allow them to be blocked.
Note the Blacklist tab. If you've previously manually added contacts or entire number prefixes, they'll be forcibly blocked even if the general anti-spam rules are disabled. Check this list and delete the erroneously added entries. It's also worth checking the Whitelist settings, where you can add important numbers so that the system never applies filters to them, regardless of the general privacy settings.
☑️ Checking security settings
After making changes to MIUI Security settings, the system may require confirmation of actions or reboot telephony services. Make sure that the sliders opposite the "Block Hidden Numbers" and "Block Spam Messages" are inactive if your goal is to receive all notifications. However, remember that aggressive filtering often saves from phishing links that can lead to data theft.
Call Filtering and SMS Management
Separating voice and text settings is an important feature of the HyperOS and MIUI shell. Users often turn off call blocking, forgetting about SMS, where most of the advertising junk is hidden. To manage message filtering, select the SMS Settings tab inside the Antispam menu. Here you can turn off Smart Filtering, which analyzes the text of messages for keywords specific to advertising.
The same is true for call settings (Call settings): you can choose a strategy for unknown numbers. You can choose to lock everything, block hidden numbers, or don't block. Choosing Do not block completely disables the incoming number from Xiaomi spam database, which ensures that no calls are missed, but the phone can start ringing at inappropriate times.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling filtration SMS It can cause inbox to overflow with promotional mailings from stores and banks that you have not previously requested.It is recommended to leave the filtering for keywords on, but disable the lock by sender number.
Also worth mentioning is Quiet Mode or Do Not Disturb, which can work in conjunction with anti-spam. If you have sleep mode on, your phone can automatically reject calls even if the anti-spam is turned off. Check the schedule in the Sound and Vibration settings to make sure the filter schedule doesn't conflict with your current needs.
- 📱 Open the Messages app and go to settings to check if separate filtering is enabled.
- 📞 In the standard “Bell ringer”, click on three dots in the corner and select “Blocking Settings” to see duplicate options.
- 🔒 Make sure that the Privacy section does not activate the feature of hiding numbers from strangers, which works independently of anti-spam.
Disabling Advertising in System Applications
Often, by “anti-spam” users mean pop-up advertising windows that appear when you clear memory or open standard applications. This is not exactly spam in the classical sense, but built-in monetization. MIUI. To get rid of it, you need to disable the msa service (MIUI System Ads. Go to Settings for this. → Password and security → Access to personal data.
In the list of services, find msa and turn off the switch. The system will insist on leaving everything as it is, requiring you to wait 10 seconds before trying to turn off again. This is standard behavior, you just need to be patient and click "Cancel" again. Once this service is turned off, the number of banner ads in the system interfaces will be significantly reduced.
What if the msa doesn't shut down?
Additionally, it is recommended to go through the settings of each heavy application. For example, in Explorer, Music and Topics, there are internal switches "Get recommendations", disabling these options in each application individually gives the best result in cleaning the interface from information noise.
| System component | The path to adjustment | What to turn off | The effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSA Service | Password and security → Access to data | msa | Removes system advertising |
| Conductor | The guide → Settings → About the application | Recommendations | Clean file interface |
| Music. | Music. → Settings → Additionally. | Showing ads | Absence of banners in the player |
| Downloads. | Downloads → Settings | Receive recommendations | No ads in the file list |
Working with black and white lists
Well-managed access lists don't disable antispam completely, but make it more selective. Whitelist is the highest priority. If a number is whitelisted, it will pass through any filters, even if it's enabled to block all unknown numbers, ideal for important contacts, such as doctors, schools or work lines.
To add a number to the whitelist, open a call log or contact app, select the number you want, and in the action menu, find Add Exceptions or Whitelist. In some firmware versions, this functionality is put into a separate menu inside the Security app → Antispam → Whitelist. Here you can add entire ranges of numbers or region codes.
💡
Use wildcard symbols to create rules, such as adding +7900* to a blacklist will block all numbers starting with that prefix, which is useful for blocking entire regions or operators from which spam is coming.
On the other hand, Blacklist requires periodic cleaning, and over time, numbers that are no longer spammy (e.g., changed owners or) can be found on the list, and regular audits of the list will help you avoid situations where you are waiting for an important call and the subscriber can not reach you due to the old lock rule.
- 📝
- 📞
- 🛡️
Third-party solutions and Google Assistant
If Xiaomi’s built-in tools seem to you to be not effective enough or, conversely, too difficult to set up, you should pay attention to third-party applications. Google Assistant (Call Screen) and the Google Phone app have excellent algorithms for detecting spam, which often work softer and smarter than standard Chinese filters. Installing Google Telephony as a default application can solve the problem of false locks.
Apps like Truecaller or Kaspersky Who Calls use global databases updated in real time by millions of users, and can identify spam even when the number is not already known to Xiaomi, but installing such applications requires broad permissions to access contacts and call logs, which is a compromise on privacy.
⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party number detectors, make sure you turn off Xiaomi's built-in determinant to avoid conflicts.Two apps trying to intercept an incoming call at the same time can cause your phone to crash or miss a call.
There are also automation scripts like Tasker or MacroDroid that can create complex scenarios, such as turning on hard anti-spam only at night or on weekends, and allowing all calls during business hours, which takes time to set up, but gives you maximum control over the device.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users can face a variety of difficulties in setting up the system, and one of the most common problems is that settings are reset after a system update. MIUI and HyperOS are known for being able to return security settings to default when major Android updates occur, so it is recommended that you review your anti-spam settings after each major firmware update.
Another problem is dead zones, where calls from certain operators are not made due to mistaken identification of the region. If you notice that you are not receiving calls from certain codes, check geo-lock settings. 5G on 4G/LTE), Some filters operate at the operator's network equipment level.
💡
A systematic approach to security settings balances fraud protection with accessibility for important contacts. Don't be afraid to experiment with settings, but always keep the communication channel open for emergencies.
If none of these methods works and the phone continues to behave incorrectly (missing calls, not making sounds), perhaps the problem lies deeper - in the damage to system files or application conflict, in which case you should consider resetting to factory settings, but before that be sure to back up important data.