How to turn on anti-spam on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

Modern smartphones, including the popular Redmi Note 8 Pro, receive dozens of notifications every day, many of which are intrusive advertising or fraudulent communication attempts. Owners of devices based on the Android operating system and the proprietary shell MIUI often face a problem of spam, which is not only annoying, but can carry a real threat to the security of personal data. Fortunately, Xiaomi has provided powerful built-in tools to filter incoming traffic that do not require the installation of third-party applications.

Effective security starts with the right setup of security system components. Unlike many other vendors, the Redmi Note 8 Pro features a deeply integrated Security module that runs at the system level and consumes minimal resources. The tool’s competent configuration allows you to automatically screen out unwanted calls and messages, leaving the user alone with only important information.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps of activation and fine-tuning anti-spam, you will learn how to block hidden numbers, create your own blacklist and configure behavioral filters for the use of the Internet. SMS-The key feature of the message. MIUI It's the ability to block keyword messages, so you can cut down to 99 percent of your junk without user input.

Access to the security system centre

The first step to activate protection is to log into the main system control menu. Your Redmi Note 8 Pro desktop should have a pre-installed app called Security, which has a distinctive green lightning shield icon. If you can't see it on the home screen, check the Tools folder or search the system by entering the app name. Launching this module gives you access to all the protection features, including antivirus, memory cleanup and, of course, call blocker.

Once you open the app, you need to go to the section that is responsible for filtering incoming connections. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI firmware, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the item "Antispam" or "Blocker", which is usually located at the bottom of the screen or in the top tab menu, and this is where all the settings that allow you to manage blacklists and incoming data processing rules are concentrated.

It is important to note that some features, such as updating spam databases, may require an active Internet connection to function properly. Xiaomi’s system periodically uploads up-to-date data on fraudulent numbers, which greatly improves the effectiveness of protection. Without regular database updates, the phone will rely only on static rules, which are less effective against new spam schemes.

⚠️ Note: When you first start the security module, the system may request permission to access contacts and call logs. Without these permissions, the lock function will not be able to analyze incoming numbers and will be useless.

📊 How often do you get bothered by spam calls?
Daily (10+ times)
Several times a week
Rarely (1-2 times a month)
I'm not worried about it.

Configure the blocking of incoming calls

Once you enter the Antispam menu, you will see several switches and settings that are responsible for different types of locking. The first thing you need to do is activate the blocker function itself by moving the main slider to the "On" position. Then you should pay attention to the "Block Hidden Numbers" option, which is extremely useful, since many robotic callers use the number detection (AON) function with the transfer of a hidden ID.

To fine tune things up, click on the gear icon or Lock Settings, and you can set up an extended menu that allows you to set rules for different categories of subscribers. You can choose to lock all unknown numbers completely, but this can cause you to miss an important call from a courier or a doctor who calls from an unfamiliar city number, so it's smarter to use selective filtering or Quiet mode, which simply doesn't sound when you call from a blocked contact.

☑️ Setup of a call blocker

Done: 0 / 1

Schedule Lock is a feature that allows you to set up automatic Do Not Disturb mode at night or during hours of operation when spam is most likely, and in this mode, the phone can automatically drop calls from numbers that are not in your phone book, or send them directly to the answering machine, if this function is supported by the operator.

Filtration SMS-messages and keywords

Spam in the form of text messages is often even more intrusive than calls, as notifications pop up on the screen and distract from work. Redmi Note 8 Pro has a smart filter SMS, To activate it, go to the anti-spam settings and find the section associated with the message. SMS-You need to turn on the option "Spam filter" or "Smart filtering" here».

The most powerful feature in this section is the ability to create your own list of keywords. You can add terms specific to advertising, such as “credit”, “winning”, “promotion”, “casino”, “contribution”. The system algorithm will automatically scan each incoming message, and if the text finds one of the specified words, the message will be moved to the Spam folder and will not disturb you with an audible signal.

You can also pay attention to the display settings. You can set your phone so that messages from blocked senders do not appear in the dialog list at all, but are stored in a hidden folder. This helps keep messages in order and avoid littering the main list of correspondence with advertising debris. Periodically check this folder for false positives so that important information from banks or delivery services is not missed.

Type of filtrationDescription of actionRecommended status
Hidden numbersBlocks calls without a number detectorIncluded.
KeywordsFilters SMS on specified phrasesSetting up
UnknownBlocks numbers that are not in the contactsThe situation
BlacklistComplete locking of specific numbersActively.
What to do if an important message is spammy?
If you find that a message from a bank or delivery service has been blocked, go to the Messages app, click three dots in the corner and select "Spammy Senders Messages" or "Blocked." Find the message you want, click on it and select "This is not spam" or "Unblock the number."

Working with a black contact list

Manual lock management is done through the Blacklist, which allows you to add specific phone numbers that you do not want to receive calls or messages from, and you can add a number to the blacklist in several ways: directly from the call log, from the contact list, or through the menu of the Security app itself.

To add a number from the call log, find the unwanted call in the story, click on it (or the "i" icon next to it) and select the option "Block" or "Add to blacklist" from the menu that appears. The system immediately makes changes, and the next call from this number will be automatically reset. For the subscriber at the other end of the wire, it will look like a normal beep, after which the reset will follow, or the phone will not show signs of life at all.

In blacklist settings, you can also import numbers from other sources or create lock groups. For example, if you receive calls from numbers starting with a certain prefix combination, some third-party applications (which can be integrated) allow you to block entire ranges. However, with standard MIUI tools, it is most convenient to work with specific numbers. Regularly cleaning the blacklist is also useful: remove from there numbers that are no longer relevant, so as not to get confused in the future.

⚠️ Warning: If you add an emergency number or an important institution (polyclinic, school) to the blacklist by mistake, you may miss a critical notification.Always check the list of blocked contacts.

Use of third-party databases and cloud services

While Xiaomi’s built-in tools are quite effective, they can be enhanced by connecting cloud databases. Anti-spam settings often include the option “Update databases” or “Use cloud databases.” Activating this feature allows your Redmi Note 8 Pro to check incoming numbers against a global list of numbers flagged by other users as spam or fraud.

This feature requires permission to transfer anonymized incoming call data to the manufacturer’s or partner’s servers (often using a Tencent database or similar services depending on the firmware region), which raises privacy concerns for some users, but the effectiveness of this method is difficult to deny: the phone learns about the spam call before you pick up the phone and marks it red or immediately resets it.

If you're worried about privacy, an alternative method is to install specialized number detectors like Truecaller or Yandex.Definition. These applications have their own, often more complete, databases for a specific region, but it's worth remembering that installing a third-party detector can conflict with the built-in MIUI blocker, so it's recommended to choose one primary security tool.

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Tip: For maximum efficiency, combine methods. Leave the lock of hidden numbers in the system anti-spam on, and use a cloud database or a third-party application to determine advertising, configuring them to work in pairs.

Additional protection and maintenance

Spam protection is not a one-time procedure, but a process that requires periodic attention. From time to time, check the lock log in the Security app. Analysis of this log will help you understand what types of spam you are most concerned about and adjust your keyword or filtering settings. If you notice a spike in calls from certain codes, you can temporarily add a prefix lock (if this option is available in your version of the software) or increase the filtering of unknown numbers.

Also remember to update the Security app and system components through the GetApps app store or Google Play. Developers are constantly improving spam recognition algorithms, closing vulnerabilities and adding new features. An outdated version of the antivirus module can skip new types of fraudulent messages using fresh deception schemes.

In conclusion, the importance of digital hygiene is worth mentioning: Do not display your phone number on public bulletin boards, forums or social networks unnecessarily. Use virtual numbers to register on questionable resources. Prevention, combined with the technical protections described in this article, will ensure that your Redmi Note 8 Pro will be as safe as possible from information noise.

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Xiaomi system anti-spam works best in conjunction with updated cloud databases and manually configuring keywords for SMS.

Can I turn off all calls except those in the phone book?
Yes, in the call blocker settings (Antispam), you can select Block All mode and then add exceptions, but an easier way is to activate Do Not Disturb (DND) mode in the audio settings and allow exceptions only to call from selected contacts or re-calls.
Will the battery be charged if spam lock is enabled?
Yes, the anti-spam module consumes minimal power. The processor is not constantly loaded, since the number analysis occurs at the time of incoming call or receiving an SMS. The impact on the autonomy of the Redmi Note 8 Pro is almost imperceptible.
What if you stopped sending SMS from the bank after setting up?
Check the Spam or Blocked folder in the Messages app. Chances are the message has been filtered by a keyword (e.g., code, confirmation) and add the sender number (usually short) to the whitelist or contacts to rule out false positives.
Does antispam work if your phone is locked?
Yes, the system blocker works at the operating system level and functions regardless of whether the screen is unlocked or not, and the call will be reset or flagged as spam before the phone even makes a sound or vibrates.