Blocking Unknown Numbers on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 Ways to Work (MIUI 12-14)

Why block unknown numbers on Redmi?

Spam calls and messages from scammers have become a scourge of modern smartphones. According to Kaspersky Lab, in 2023, one in three Xiaomi users in Russia experienced fraudulent calls at least once a week. Blocking unknown numbers on Redmi not only saves nerves, but also protects against phishing when attackers impersonate banks or government agencies.

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi (especially Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and the new Redmi 13C/14) often do not know that MIUI already has powerful tools for filtering calls, while many install third-party applications, overloading the system. In this article, current ways to lock on MIUI 12-14 without root rights and additional software.

It is important to understand that blocking unknown numbers works differently depending on the firmware. For example, MIUI 14 has an improved algorithm for spam recognition, and in older versions (MIUI 11 and below), some features may not be available. We will look at universal methods that work on most Xiaomi devices of the last 5 years.

Method 1: Built-in lock in the "Phone" (MIUI 12-14)

The easiest way is to use the standard Phone app. This method works on all Redmis with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi 10C and POCO X5.

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Go to the section "Number Lock" (or "Spam and Lock" in some firmware).
4. Activate the switch to Lock Unknown Numbers.
5. For additional protection, turn on Spam Filter and Fraud Prevention.

Once activated, all calls from numbers not saved in Contacts will be automatically rejected, the call will be logged as “Blocked”, but the notification of a missed call will not appear.

Is spam filter enabled in phone settings |

Updated to the latest version of MIUI|

Important numbers are kept in the contacts|

Exemptions for banks/delivery services checked-->

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 13 and later, the function Block unknown numbers may conflict with some banking applications (for example, SberBank or Tinkoff). SMS Add your bank number to the Exclusions in the same menu.

Method 2: Configure with Security (for MIUI 11 and older)

If you have a Redmi 8, Redmi 9A or another model with MIUI 11, the path to lock settings will be different. Here, the Security app (shield icon) is responsible for filtering calls.

• 📱 Open Security. → Go to the tab Blocking.
• 🔍 Select Call Locking → Settings.
• 🔄 Activate the option to Block Unknown Numbers.
• 📋 If you wish, add numbers to the blacklist manually (section Blacklist).

You can also set up a SMS block from unknown senders on this menu, useful if you are flooded with spam emails with loan offers or "wins." Note that MIUI 11 does not automatically detect fraudulent calls, a feature only added to MIUI 12.

Method 3: Using Google Phone (for GMS firmware)

If your Redmi runs on global firmware (Google services), you can use the Google Phone app instead of the standard one, which offers more flexible filtering settings:

1. Install Google Phone from Play Market (if not installed).
2. Open the app → tap on three points → Settings.
3. Choose Spam and Calls → Spam filter.
4. Activate options: 📞 Filter spam calls 🚫 Showing spam warnings 🔍 Check numbers (to identify fraudsters)

The advantage of this method is that Google's spam number database updates more often than the MIUI, but Google Phone doesn't block SMS, only calls, and you'll have to use a separate application to filter messages, like Google's Messages.

Standard Telephone (MIUI) |

Google Phone |

Truecaller|

Other-->

Method 4: Truecaller – Advanced Spam Blocking

For users who don't like standard MIUI, Truecaller is the best solution, and it not only blocks unknown numbers, but also identifies spammers by a billion numbers.

• 📲 Install Truecaller from Play Market or APKMirror.
• 🔓 Provide access to contacts and call logs (required for work!).
• 🛡️ In the application settings, activate: 📵 Blocking spam 🤖 Auto-detection of fraudsters 📊 Call statistics (to see how much spam is blocked)
• 🔄 In the Lock section, add regions/prefixes for filtering (e.g, +375 for Belarus, if calls are not needed from there).

Truecaller even works on Redmi with MIUI 10 and below, where there is no built-in lock.

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (background activity).
• 📶 Requires a permanent internet to update the spam database.
• 🛑 In some countries (e.g. China), access to Truecaller servers may be restricted.

💡

If Truecaller doesn’t detect spam calls, update the database manually: open the app → tap the update icon in the top right corner. This will cause the app to download up-to-date data about fraudulent numbers.

Method 5: Blocking through a communications operator

Many mobile operators (MTS, Beeline, Tele2, MegaFon) offer their own spam filtering services. It is free or costs a symbolic amount (5-30 rubles / month).

Operator services are network-based, so you block spam before the call gets to your Redmi, which reduces battery load and doesn't require you to install apps.

• 📡 Filtering only works for mobile calls (not Wi-Fi calls).
• 📞 Some “grey” operators (e.g. virtual operators) may not support this service.
• 🔄 Spam number databases are updated less frequently than in Truecaller or MIUI 14.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-Redmi cards (for example, in Redmi Note 12 Pro)+), Spam blocking service must be connected separately for each operator. MIUI Or Truecaller will work for both. SIM-mapping.

What to do if the lock is not working?

Sometimes even after all the filters are turned on, spam calls continue to pass, and here are the typical reasons and solutions:

• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Check if the Phone app or Security is limited in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.

If nothing helps, try resetting the phone app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone → Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. Reboot your smartphone and set up the lock again.

💡

On Redmi with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the built-in MIUI lock won’t work, in which case use Truecaller or Google Phone settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about locking numbers on Xiaomi