Spam calls and intrusive offers have become a real problem for smartphone owners, and Xiaomi users are no exception. Built-in lock functions allow you to effectively filter incoming calls, but over time, important contacts or old numbers that are no longer relevant can get into the Blacklist. MIUI, Because the standard interface does not always offer obvious solutions.
Owners of Redmi and Poco devices often face a situation where you need not just unlock the contact, but completely remove it from the database of prohibited devices. This may be necessary to free up space in the database of the phone or when changing the SIM card. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for managing the lock list, including hidden settings and working with system applications.
Understanding how the filtering mechanism works in the HyperOS shell or classic MIUI will help you avoid situations where important calls are lost. We will look at the standard system tools, the features of the Security application and alternative ways to clean up the history of prohibitions. This guide is relevant for most modern models, including the Note and Pro series.
Staff methods of managing the blacklist in MIUI
The main tool for controlling incoming traffic in Xiaomi smartphones is the system application "Security". This is where all the call filtering settings and the user experience are concentrated. SMS-To access the blocked list, you need to run the application and find the Blacklist section, which is usually located in the toolbox or in the locker settings menu.
The management interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. Once you enter the section, you will see a list of all the numbers that have been added manually or automatically. To delete a particular contact, just click on it and select the appropriate action in the menu that appears or use a swipe.
The system allows you to flexibly configure the rules, but if you plan to clear the database completely, it is more convenient to use the mass selection feature available through the control menu.
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Use the Clear All feature only if you are sure that none of the blocked numbers are no longer a spam threat.
In some versions of the MIUI shell, access to the advanced list settings is hidden. If you can't see the delete button, try clicking on the gear icon or the three dots at the top of the screen, which will open up additional options, including importing and exporting lock data.
Step-by-step: removal through the Security app
To get started, you need to open the standard Security app, which is preinstalled on all Redmi devices. Find the shield icon on the home screen or in the Tools folder. After you start the application, scroll down to the Antispam section or immediately click on the Blacklist if it is placed in a separate menu.
The window that opens will display a complete list of prohibited numbers. To delete one contact, follow the following steps:
- 📱 Press and hold your finger on the number you want to delete until the action menu appears.
- 🗑️ Select “Delete” or click on the basket icon that appears at the top of the screen.
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window so that the number finally disappears from the database.
If you want to delete multiple entries at once, use multiple choice mode, which is usually activated by long-term pressing on the first item of the list, after which you can tick the remaining numbers, which greatly speeds up the process of cleaning the database from outdated entries.
☑️ Contact removal algorithm
Note that when you delete the number, it automatically becomes authorized, which means that the owner of the number will be able to call you again and send you a message, and make sure that this is the action you were planning to take.
Controlling lockdown via standard phone
An alternative way to manage the lock list is available directly through the Phone or Contacts app, which is useful when you need to quickly check the status of a particular subscriber or remove it from the ban without going into the deep system settings. In the Phone app, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings, then go to Lock.
Here you'll see the same data as the security application, but in a more compact form. Deletion is done in a similar way: you select a number and press the delete button. The peculiarity of this method is that it often works faster and does not require loading heavy modules of the Security application.
It is important to note that changes made through the Phone app are instantly synchronized with the system locker. There is no need to restart the device or restart services. However, if you have a third-party call installed (for example, from Google), the path to settings may differ and lead to the Android system menu, rather than the MIUI settings.
Why can numbers be duplicated?
Use this method to quickly check the status of recent calls. If you see a missed call marked “Blocked”, you can immediately go to the lock settings and delete this number if the lock was incorrect.
Working with Contacts and Groups in Xiaomi
Lock management in Xiaomi is closely linked to the Contacts app, where you can block not only individual numbers, but also entire groups, such as Unknown Numbers or Hidden Numbers, and removing these rules requires you to switch to group filter settings.
To remove the rules for blocking entire groups, go to Settings -> Applications -> Phone -> Locking inboxes. Here you can turn off the lock for categories "Hidden numbers" or "Numbers outside the phone book." This action does not remove numbers from the database, but changes the logic of how they are processed by the system.
If you have previously created special contact groups to block, they are deleted through the standard contact management interface. Find the group, click on it and select the group deletion option along with the numbers contained in it.
It is worth mentioning that synchronizing contacts with a Google or Mi Cloud account can restore deleted records if they were saved to the cloud.So after cleaning the list on the device, it is recommended to check cloud backups so that the deletion is final.
Table: Comparison of number removal methods
Different methods of blocking control have their advantages and disadvantages. Below is a comparison table that will help you choose the most suitable method for your situation.
| Method | Speed of operation | Functional | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Annex | Medium | Complete (mass removal, settings) | All Redmi/Xiaomi models |
| Application Phone | Tall. | Basic (one by one) | Depends on the MIUI version. |
| Android settings | Low. | Limited (system blocks only) | Android 10 and higher |
| Third-party annexes | Tall. | Advanced (automation) | Requires installation |
As you can see from the table, the most versatile tool is the standard Security app, which provides maximum control over the list and allows you to perform batch operations, and third-party solutions are justified only in rare cases when the standard functionality does not meet the specific requirements of the user.
The method also depends on how many numbers to remove, so the Phone app is good for cleaning one contact, and the Security app is better for a complete database revision.
Third-party applications and alternative solutions
If MIUI is inconvenient or not functional enough, you can always turn to third-party solutions from Google Play. Apps like Calls Blacklist or Truecaller offer more flexible lock management settings, including importing and exporting lists in text format.
Using third-party software requires advanced permissions to access calls and contacts, which is necessary for the blocking functions to work properly, and once installed, it can fully assume the functions of the system blocker, and then the list management will take place inside it.
However, be careful: deleting numbers through a third-party application does not always clear the system "Blacklist" Xiaomi. There may be a conflict in which the number will be deleted from the database of a third-party application, but will remain in the system memory.
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Third-party applications offer more features, but can conflict with the system lock MIUI, creating duplicates or skipping calls.
For advanced users, a use case is available ADB-commands for forced database cleanup, but this requires a connection to a computer and the presence of debugging USB. This method is recommended only for experienced users who understand the risks of tampering with system files.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users may encounter a number of common problems in managing a lock list, such as the delete button may be inactive or the list may not be updated after the record is deleted, often due to a temporary security app failure or cache overflow.
If the number is not deleted, try clearing the cache of the Security app. To do this, go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps, find Security, click Clear -> Clear Cache. This action is safe and will not result in loss of personal data or settings.
⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the data (cache only) of the Security app unless you want to reset all antivirus and blocker settings to factory values.
Another common problem is that the number appears on the blocked list immediately after it is deleted, which may indicate that the number is included in an updated spam database that is downloaded by Avast antivirus or another built-in service, in which case you need to disable the automatic updating of the spam database numbers in the blocker settings.
It’s also worth checking if the Block All Unknowns feature is enabled, and if it’s active, any number that isn’t in your phone book will automatically be included in the ignored call list, creating the illusion of being blocked.
⚠️ Attention: Removing a number from a blacklist doesn't remove it from call history.The call record will remain in the log unless you clear it separately.
In rare cases, the problem may lie in the corruption of the contact database file, and if nothing helps, reset the phone's app settings and contacts, but this is a last resort.