How to turn on anti-spam on Xiaomi Redmi: a step-by-step guide

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have a powerful built-in security system that is often underestimated by users. One of the key features of this system is anti-spam, which allows you to block unwanted calls and intrusive messages. Device owners often face a situation where the phone is torn from advertising or spam, unaware that the solution is already built into the shell of MIUI or HyperOS.

Activating this tool does not require installing third-party applications, which has a positive effect on the autonomy and performance of the gadget. The system blocker works at a deep level, intercepting calls before they have time to disturb the owner. In this article, we will discuss the configuration process in detail, consider the hidden filtering capabilities and answer frequently asked questions.

It’s worth noting that the interfaces of different firmware versions may be visually different, but the logic of the work remains the same for all models of the brand. Whether you use a budget Redmi Note or flagship Xiaomi 14, the principles of fraud protection are identical.

Principles of operation of the built-in blocker

The defense is based on an algorithm that analyzes incoming calls from a database of known spammers and behavioral patterns. MIUI Security automatically checks the caller's number against cloud and local listings. If there are no matches, the call passes, but if the number is marked as an advertising agency or other users, it will be blocked.

Special attention is paid to SMS-Anti-spam scans the text of incoming emails for keywords characteristic of fraud, which can be offers of loans, lottery winnings or requests to transfer money. Such messages automatically enter a separate folder without disturbing the user with notifications.

It's important to understand that filtering is dependent on the regularity of database updates: Local number databases are only updated when the function is actively used or security components are manually updated. Without current lists, the phone can miss new cheating schemes that appeared just yesterday.

⚠️ Note: Cloud databases may be disabled by default in some regions due to local privacy laws. Check your region settings if the filter is not working properly.

The user can add to the lists by tagging suspicious numbers, and this crowdsourcing model allows the community to respond quickly to new waves of spam, and the more people use the system, the more accurately it works for each individual smartphone owner.

Setup of call blocking and SMS

To get started, you need to go to the Security settings menu. Open the Security app (a lightning icon or shield) and find Lock. This is where the communication restriction control center is located. This is where the basic configuration of the filtering rules takes place.

Inside the Lock menu, you'll see several tabs, including settings for calls and messages. Click on the gear icon or Lock Settings to open the extended menu. You can activate the toggles Call Block and SMS Block. Without these switches, the rest of the settings will not be valid.

Next, you have to choose a lock strategy, and the system offers a range of options, from soft filtering to hard cut off all unknowns, and for most users, the best choice is to block hidden numbers and numbers from blacklists, which allows you to keep in touch with new contacts, cutting out obvious spam.

For SMS-You can enable keyword filtering. To do this, select Keyword Filter from the Message Lock menu and add words such as "credit", "win", "casino". Any message containing these terms will be automatically deleted or hidden.

Managing the Black and White Lists

The Blacklist functionality allows you to manually enter numbers that you absolutely do not want to communicate with, this can be an intrusive seller or a former partner, the addition is made through the lock menu or directly from the call history: just click on the number and select the appropriate option.

Unlike blacklists, whitelists have priority, and if a number is whitelisted, it will be blocked even under the most stringent settings, and it's the perfect tool for emergency availability, for example, you can block all calls except from the phone book and the whitelist.

• 📞 Addition from history: Open the call log, click on the number and select Add to the blacklist".
• 📝 Manual Entering: In the lock menu, select "Black List" → "Add" → manually enter.
• 📁 Contact Import: You can immediately transfer the entire phone book to exceptions, so as not to miss important calls.

List management is also available through a hidden dial menu. By dialing ##86569726## (not working on all firmware), you can get into the engineering menu, but the standard settings through the app are more reliable. It is recommended to regularly review the blacklist, removing from there numbers that may have changed owners.

Advanced Advertising Filtering Settings

In addition to calling, Xiaomi provides tools to combat advertising notifications from apps. Often spam does not come through SMS, but through push notifications installed programs.

To disable system advertising, go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Access to Personal Data. You can restrict apps from accessing your contact list, which will prevent your number from being passed on to advertisers. You should also disable the MSA (MIUI System Ads) feature if it is active in your firmware version.

For advanced users, you can customize the rules through ADB. With the command line, you can implement deeper filters that are not available in the standard interface.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling system advertising services (MSA) This can cause some embedded applications to work in an unstable way, such as "Music" or "Video.

Use of third-party databases

Staff antispam is good, but it can be inferior to specialized services. On Xiaomi, you can integrate databases from Truecaller or Yandex, if they are supported in your region, which significantly increases the percentage of spam that is detected.

To connect third-party number detectors, you need to provide the appropriate permissions in the Settings menu → Applications → Permissions → Call Manager. Here you select an application that will handle incoming calls. After that, the phone will begin using the algorithms of the selected service to identify the caller.

Using third-party solutions requires a careful approach to privacy, and by transferring the rights to process calls to a third-party application, you actually trust it with your contact details, and carefully read the user agreement before installing such programs.

Some telecom operators offer their own anti-spam services that work at the network level, and connection of such tariffs is often more effective, since the call is blocked even before the SIM card arrives, you can find out about the availability of such services in your operator's personal account or by calling for support.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

Users often experience anti-spam blocking important calls, such as from couriers or doctors, because of too aggressive filtering settings, and if you are waiting for an important call from an unfamiliar number, temporarily disable the hidden number lock.

Another common problem is the lack of notifications for blocked calls. Check the notification settings for the Security app. Make sure the "Block" category is not hidden and has audible accompaniment if you want to know about communication attempts.

• 🔍 Check Logs: Check the lock log regularly to make sure the system is working properly.
• 🔄 Update: Make sure the Security app is updated to the latest version via GetApps or Google Play.
• 📉 Resetting: If the filter has stopped responding, try resetting the lock app settings in the app menu.

In rare cases, after updating the firmware settings may be confused, it is recommended that after each major update MIUI or HyperOS recheck the status of the switches in the lock menu, this will take a minute, but save from days of phone noise.

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Tip: Add emergency and delivery numbers to the Whitelist immediately after you buy your phone, which ensures you are always in touch in a critical situation.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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Competent setting of built-in anti-spam on Xiaomi allows you to weed out up to 95% of unwanted traffic without installing additional software.