Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face intrusive calls from advertising agents, scammers or simply unknown numbers. Xiaomi’s antispam is not just a standalone application, but a deeply integrated mechanism that analyzes incoming traffic in real time. It is based on cloud databases and local algorithms, which allows you to effectively cut off unwanted contacts before they bother the user.
The MIUI and the new HyperOS filtering system works at the telephony level, intercepting calls and messages before they are displayed on the lock screen. Xiaomi’s main feature of protection is the use of a hybrid method: local number database on the device and cloud analysis from Tencent (for global versions) or local operators, which ensures high response speed and minimal battery consumption.
Understanding the principles of this module allows not only blocking calls, but also flexibly configuring exceptions, creating personalized whitelists. In this article, we will discuss the security architecture in detail, learn how to properly configure filters and eliminate common errors that can cause important calls to be lost.
Security architecture: how the system identifies spam
The security mechanism in Xiaomi smartphones is built on a multi-step check of the incoming signal. When a call or SMS arrives, the system first checks the number against the local database stored in the device’s memory, which contains millions of user-labeled numbers that were previously identified as spam, fraud or telemarketing.
If a number is not found in local storage, the request is sent to the cloud for verification, which is where the algorithm for analyzing the behavior and reputation of the number comes into effect. The cloud database is updated dynamically: if many users have marked a number as "Advertising", it instantly goes into a blacklist for all other owners of Xiaomi devices around the world.
- 📞 Local Filtering: Instantly check the phone’s internal database without internet access.
- ☁️ Cloud Analysis: Real-time Global Database Verification to Identify New Threats.
- 🤖 Heuristic analysis: Identifying suspicious patterns, such as mass mailing SMS identically.
⚠️ Attention: Cloud-based reputation checks require an active Internet connection at the time of incoming call, and only a local database works without a network.
Importantly, the system takes into account not only the number itself, but also the context. For example, short numbers of banks or delivery services can be marked as "Service", which allows the user to quickly identify the source of the call, even if it is not stored in contacts. Artificial intelligence also learns from the actions of a particular user: if you regularly drop calls from certain prefixes, the system may suggest adding them to the lock.
Setup of call filtering and SMS
To effectively combat unwanted contacts, you need to configure the built-in Security app correctly. This is where the main management module resides. Go to Security → Antivirus → Settings → Antispam. This section focuses all the levers of incoming traffic management.
First, activate the Spam Filter switch. Without this step, the rest of the settings will not work. Next, select the level of aggressiveness of the filtering, you can block all hidden numbers, international calls (if you do not wait for calls from abroad), or numbers that are not in your phone book.
The Whitelist setting is worth special attention, and adding important contacts to this ensures that even with the most stringent filters, you are always accessible to loved ones and colleagues, and the system prioritizes the whitelist numbers by passing them through all barriers without checking.
- 🛑 Blocking Hidden: Completely cuts off calls with the "Detector" Unknown number".
- 🌍 International Calls: Useful if you don’t plan to communicate with subscribers from other countries.
- 📚 Contacts only: Radical mode, allowing only saved phone numbers.
For SMS-And if you have the word "Credit," "Winner," or "Casino" in the text, it will automatically move to the Spam folder and not cause notifications. SMS-fraud.
Working with the journal of blocking and exclusion
All blocked calls and messages do not disappear without a trace. They are stored in a special log inside the Security application or in the standard Phone application (Block tab), which is a critical element of the system to avoid losing important information due to an erroneous lock.
Check this log periodically. Sometimes spam filters may mistake a courier or delivery officer for a scam. If you find an important missed call, just click on the number and select the "Unblock" or "Add exceptions" option.
☑️ Checking security settings
Exceptions allow you to create flexible rules, such as allowing repeated calls from one number within 3 minutes, which is useful if the person is actually trying to reach you on an urgent matter, rather than being a robot caller.
| Type of rule | Operation of the system | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Blacklist | Full lock without notice | For known fraudsters and compulsive organizations |
| Whitelist | Always skip by ignoring filters | For family, work and emergency services |
| Keywords | Hiding SMS in the Spam folder | To filter advertising of goods and services |
| Hidden numbers | Automatic discharge | For users who do not expect anonymous calls |
The lock list management is also available directly from the call log. (long click) on a number in the call history allows you to quickly add it to the blacklist without opening unnecessary menus, which speeds up the response to new sources of spam.
Blocking Advertising in System Applications
While not exactly “anti-spam” in the classical sense, many users perceive banner ads in the system as spam. MIUI and HyperOS have built-in mechanisms to reduce the amount of advertising in standard applications such as “Conductor”, “Music” or “Cleanup”.
The main tool is MSA (MIUI System Ads), which is a system service responsible for displaying advertising materials, it can be disabled by going to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to personal data. Find in the "msa" list and turn off the switch. The system will ask you to wait 10 seconds, after which it will confirm the disconnection.
What if the MSA doesn’t shut down the first time?
Additionally, you should disable personalized ads. Go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Privacy → Advertising Services and disable Personalized Ads. This will not remove ads completely, but will make them less intrusive and tied to your interests.
- 🚫 Shutdown MSA: Blocks system advertising in standard applications.
- 🔒 Tracker Restriction: Bans apps from collecting data for targeted advertising.
- 📱 Browser settings: The built-in browser also has its own ad blocker in the settings.
Remember that removing ads completely can affect some of the free features in the Xiaomi ecosystem, but for most users, comfort is more important than occasional ad integrations.
Third-party solutions and integration with determinants
Staff funds are not always enough, especially if you encounter local spam that has not yet made it to Xiaomi’s global databases, and third-party number detectors like Yandex, Kaspersky Who Calls, or Truecaller come to the rescue.
These applications are integrated with Xiaomi through a special API, and once the determinant is installed and the permissions are granted, the system starts using the determinant database as an additional source of truth, which greatly improves the filtering efficiency.
⚠️ Note: By giving third-party app access to calls and SMS, You trust them with sensitive data, only use trusted applications from well-known vendors with a good reputation in the security field.
To configure a third-party determinant, go to Settings → Applications → All Applications → (Three Dots) → Access to Special Permits → Access to Notifications. You need to find your ID and allow access. Also, in the Phone app, you need to select the installed application instead of the standard one in the number detector settings.
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Use Do Not Disturb mode with anti-spam, set it so that calls from your favorite contacts are made even at night, and all other noise is blocked.
Some users prefer to use DNS-filtering (e.g. AdGuard) DNS) It's designed to block ads at the network level, and while it doesn't block calls, it effectively removes banner ads in the browser and some apps, creating a comprehensive digital noise protection.
Typical problems and methods of their solution
Despite the reliability of the system, users can run into problems, the most common of which is missing important calls, this happens when a number is mistakenly marked as spam or a too aggressive filter is triggered, the solution lies in regularly checking the lock log.
Another problem is the lack of spam database updates: If your phone hasn’t been updated for a long time or has problems connecting to Xiaomi servers (especially for global versions in some regions), the database may become outdated, in which case cleaning the data of the Security application through the application management menu helps.
Also worth mentioning is the conflict of third-party antiviruses: installing two or more security applications can lead to unstable telephony operation. Android system allows you to use only one active number detector and a call blocker at a time.
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Regular updates to the antivirus database and the MIUI/HyperOS system itself are key to the relevance of the security mechanisms.
If you notice that the phone has stopped responding to incoming calls at all, check to see if Do Not Disturb or On the Plane is activated. Sometimes users accidentally activate radical filtering settings, blocking all incoming ones.