Constant calls from advertising agencies, scammers and just unwanted subscribers can piss off any smartphone owner, especially for users of popular Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, where standard settings sometimes seem confusing. Fortunately, the Android operating system, in conjunction with the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, offers powerful built-in tools to filter incoming traffic.
In this article, we'll take a look at all the ways you can block, how to completely cut off calls from people who have hidden their number, and how to set up smart limit lists, and configuring those parameters correctly will allow you to forget about intrusive noise and focus on really important conversations.
Before we get into the technical details, it’s worth noting that the methods may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. However, the basic principle of the security module remains the same for all current models.
Use of the built-in Security application
The most reliable and quick way to get rid of unwanted calls is to use the system application Security, which is a pre-installed tool that is deeply integrated into the system and does not require the installation of third-party software, and this is where the blacklist is located, which can automatically reject calls according to specified criteria.
To get started, you need to open the app through the main screen or the Tools folder. Inside the interface, you need to find the partition responsible for blocking. In different versions of the shell, it can be called Antispam or simply Lock. By clicking on this item, you will be taken to the prohibition control center.
The next step is to go to the settings menu, which is usually hidden behind the gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen, and you have to find the Block Unknown Numbers and activate the corresponding switch, and once you turn on this feature, all calls where the number detector has failed or the number is hidden by the subscriber will be automatically reset.
It is important to understand the difference between an “unknown number” (when the screen says “Unknown” or “Private number”) and a number that is not stored in contacts. Standard setting blocks precisely those calls where there is no digital ID or it cannot be determined by the network.
⚠️ Warning: By including a complete lock on unknown numbers, you risk missing an important call from a doctor, courier or emergency services officer who may be calling from hidden service phones.
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Xiaomi’s built-in anti-spam blocks system-level calls, so the phone won’t even vibrate or show a call screen for banned contacts.
Configure through the standard phone application
An alternative, but equally effective, way is through a standard caller, with MIUI and HyperOS shells allowing you to manage the lock list directly from the dialing interface, a method that is convenient because it doesn't require you to find a separate app on the menu.
Open the Phone app and click on the three dots or menu icon in the top right corner. In the drop-down list, select Settings or Lock. The interface may vary, but the logic remains the same: search for the Antispam or Blacklist section.
Inside the lock menu, there's often a "Block Rules" tab, where you can set more flexible terms, like you can set up a lock-down on all calls from numbers that aren't in your phone book, a radical but powerful method for people who only want calls from people you know.
Why are the calls still going through?
Remember to check the lock log periodically. There is a separate tab or section in the Security or Phone app where logs of all rejected calls are saved, which makes sure that the function is working correctly and you do not miss anything important.
- 📱 Open the phone application on the main screen.
- ⚙️ Click on the menu (three dots) and select Settings.
- 🚫 Go to the Antispam or Block section.
- ✅ Activate the switch to Lock Unknown Numbers.
Blocking through Google Contacts and Assistant
If you use Google’s standard call interface, which is often installed on global versions of Xiaomi smartphones, the settings may differ, in which case the lock functionality is built directly into the Google Contacts app or the Google “caller” itself.
To activate the protection, open the Phone app (Google's blue handset). Click three dots in the corner and select Settings. Next, look for Spam and Fraud Protection or Blocked Numbers, and you can turn on a filter that will hide spam calls defined by Google's algorithms.
However, to block hidden numbers in the application from Google may require the use of codes or third-party solutions, as the standard interface sometimes limits this feature.
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Use Google Assistant to automatically respond to spam. In the Assistant settings, you can enable Call Filter, where the robot will ask the caller who they are and show you the transcription of the response on the screen.
It’s also worth checking your sync settings. If you’re using a Google account to store contacts, make sure the lock list is synced, so you don’t lose your ban settings when you change your device or reset your system.
⚠️ Note: Some Global Firmware (Global) ROM) The hidden number blocking function may be limited by Google policies, in which case it is recommended to use third-party identifiers.
Comparison of locking methods on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
Users are often confused about the interfaces, as Xiaomi regularly updates its shell.The differences between the old MIUI 12/13, the current MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS can be noticeable visually, but the essence remains the same.
In HyperOS, the security menu has been redesigned to be more minimal, and lockdown controls are now more often put into a separate Security app than smeared into the phone settings, to harmonize the experience across all regions.
Below is a table comparing feature availability and menu layout across different software versions, which will help you navigate faster if the standard path doesn’t match the description.
| Shell version | Location of the menu | Name of function | Additional opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12/13 | Appendix Phone → Settings | Antispam | Basic lockdown |
| MIUI 14 | Security Annex → Antispam | Blacklist | Cloud database of spam numbers |
| HyperOS | Settings → Applications → Phone | Locking down calls | Smart sorting, AI filters |
| Android (Go) | System settings → Block. and ID | Protection against spam | Limited functionality |
Regardless of the version, the key element remains the MIUI/HyperOS Security module. If you can’t find settings in one place, be sure to check the app with the shield icon or green lightning icon.
Use of operator services for protection
If the built-in smartphone is not enough, the services of mobile operators come to the rescue. The largest communication providers in the CIS (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) offer their own services to protect against spam and block anonymous calls.
These services are network-level, meaning the call is cut off before it reaches your device, meaning that the phone won't even use up battery power to process the incoming signal, which is usually paid, but often has a free trial period.
You need to send the connection USSD-For example, some operators have an Anti-Definition service that hides your number, but there are also Blacklist services with advanced features.
- 📞 MTS: Blacklist service (activation through the application or USSD).
- 📡 Beeline: Service "Black List" with the ability to configure through a personal account.
- 🌐 Megaphone: Antispam service with the definition of unwanted numbers.
- 📶 Tele2: The option "Black List" in the app "My" Tele2».
The main advantage of networking methods is that they are universal. If you change your Xiaomi smartphone to an iPhone or a button phone, the lock setting will remain, since it is tied to the key. SIM-map, not device.
Third-party applications for extended control
When standard tools are lacking, users turn to third-party solutions from Google Play. Apps like Truecaller, GetContact or Yandex with Alice have huge databases of spam numbers.
These programs not only block hidden numbers, but also identify the caller by name of the organization or surname, if the number is in the public database, and to activate the lock in such applications, it is usually enough to give them permission to manage calls and contacts.
But privacy is important, because when you install these applications, you often agree to transfer your contacts to the developer servers, and weigh the pros and cons before you install them.
☑️ Checking privacy settings
For maximum efficiency, it is recommended to combine methods: use the built-in Xiaomi blocker for hidden numbers and a third-party application to filter known spam.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install multiple numbering apps at the same time. They can conflict with each other, causing delays in displaying a caller or miss calls.