Xiaomi smartphones, and in particular the popular Redmi Note 4, feature a powerful built-in security system that includes a feature to block unwanted calls. This option, often referred to as the “Blacklist”, allows the user to effectively combat spam, advertising calls and intrusive interlocutors without installing third-party applications. However, when the lock is installed, many device owners forget exactly what contacts were restricted, or accidentally introduce the right person there.
The MIUI shell interface on which the Android operating system in these phones is based has its own unique navigation features. The path to the list of banned numbers may not be obvious to those who have previously used pure Android or devices from other manufacturers. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to view, edit and delete entries from the blacklist on your Redmi Note 4.
You will learn how to use standard system tools, where to look for hidden call logs and what to do if the desired item is not on the menu, we will also touch on the topic of third-party applications that can intercept the management of calls, and explain why it is important to consider this when finding blocked contacts.
Using the Security App to view the list
The main tool for managing calls and messages in Xiaomi smartphones is the pre-installed Security app. This is where all the incoming traffic filtering settings are concentrated. To get to the desired section, you need to find an icon on your desktop with a green shield image. When you run the app, you'll see a summary of the system status, but we need a section that is responsible for blocking.
Inside the Security app, you scroll down or find a section that could be called Antispam or Lock. In different versions of MIUI (9 to 12, current for Redmi Note 4), the name and location may vary slightly, but the functionality remains the same.
To see the list of locked numbers, you need to go to the settings in this section. Usually, in the upper right corner of the screen, there is an icon of a gear or three dots indicating the menu. After clicking on this item, you will open a list of options where you want to select the "Black List" item, and here you will see all the numbers that were entered into the ban base manually or automatically by the rules.
⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party “caller” (e.g. Google Phone instead of Mi Dialer), the path to the blacklist may be in the settings of the phone’s app itself, not in system security.
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For quick access to frequently used features, add the Security widget to your desktop so you don’t look for an icon in the app menu.
Navigation through the standard phone application
An alternative and often faster way to get to the settings is to use the standard Phone app. On the Redmi Note 4, it usually has a green or blue tube icon. At the top of the dialing interface or call log, there are often additional menus hidden behind a three-dot or stripe button.
When you click on the menu button, you'll see a drop-down list of options, which is to look for Lock Settings or Antispam. In some versions of MIUI, this item can be put into the general application settings that open through a gear in the corner of the screen. The interface logic tells you that everything that is related to filtering should be next to contact management or call history.
When you go to the lock section, you'll see the control panel, and you'll see tabs for SMS and voice calls, and if you go to the call tab, you'll see a list of all the numbers that are blacklisted, and you can not only view them, but you can edit the list immediately, delete the extra entries or add new ones.
Step-by-step instructions for unlocking numbers
If you find a number on a blacklist that needs to be unlocked urgently, the procedure for deleting it is simple, but requires care. The blocked contacts list in front of each number usually has a switch or deletion button. Clicking on the number itself can open a detailed menu where unlock is also available.
For mass removal or spot settings, you better use editing mode. Often it is activated by a long press on the number in the list. This will highlight the record and open up additional actions at the bottom or top of the screen. You can select several numbers at once and delete them in one action, which saves time when cleaning a large list.
The following is a sequence of actions for the guaranteed result:
☑️ Checking unlocking
Once you have completed these steps, the chosen contact will be able to reach you again. Android on Xiaomi does not require a reboot to apply the changes, they are effective instantly. However, if the caller used the “hide number” function, unlocking a specific digital code will not help him, since his identifier is not transmitted to the network.
⚠️ Note: Deleting a number from a blacklist does not restore the history of missed calls or messages that were blocked while the number was on the list.
Analysis of the block settings table
For a deeper understanding of how the filtering system works on the Redmi Note 4, it is useful to consider the main options that can be customized. The table below shows the key options available to the user in the lock management menu.
| Parameter | Description of function | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Lockdown mode | Determines what to do with the call (reset, busy, silent) | Defeat |
| Blocking of unknowns | Banning calls from numbers that are not in contacts | Disabled (risk of missing important) |
| Keyword Blocking | SMS filter on the content of the text | Customized individually |
| Notifications | Show a message about a blocked call | Included. |
Setup lock mode is particularly important, because if you choose "Busy," the caller will hear the beeps, but you won't get notifications, and if you choose "Reset" mode, the caller will simply call and then drop, which may be less annoying for legitimate callers who just got the wrong number.
The MIUI lock function is aggressive, and if you're expecting a call from a courier or a doctor who doesn't have your number, you'd better turn off the filter temporarily, otherwise Android will ruthlessly cut off all incoming numbers except those in your phone book.
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The optimal setup is to block only specific spammers, not all unknown numbers, so as not to lose touch with the real world.
Problems with third-party applications and conflicts
Often Redmi Note 4 users install additional number-detection and spam-fighting apps, such as Truecaller, NumBuster or similar. With such software, Xiaomi’s built-in blacklist may stop working correctly or become unavailable through the standard menu, due to a dispute of access rights to the call database.
If you can’t find a blacklist in standard settings, check which application is assigned by the default call handler. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management and find your call app. The Default or Other Permissions section may indicate that a third-party service is filtering.
In this case, you have to make the blocked numbers inside the third-party application itself. Open the settings of the installed antonym spammer, find the "Block" or "Blacklist" section, which is where the list of prohibited contacts is stored, and you can not manage them through the MIUI system menu.