How to enable locking unknown numbers on Xiaomi: all ways

Spam calls and messages from unknown numbers have become an epidemic: according to Kaspersky, in 2026, every third smartphone user in Russia encounters them daily. POCO) have in the arsenal of several built-in tools to combat this – from basic lock in the contact menu to advanced features MIUI The problem is that these settings are often hidden in non-obvious sections or require additional activation.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to block unknown numbers on Xiaomi, including hidden features. MIUI 14/15, work with a blacklist, set up operator filters and even automatic removal of spam SMS. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for different models (for example, Redmi Note). 12 vs Xiaomi 13T) And we'll explain why some techniques may not work on firmware for the global and Chinese markets. If you're tired of the intrusive "bank managers" and "loan assistants," read on.

Built-in lock in the "Phone" menu (basic method)

The easiest way to weed out unknown numbers is to use the built-in tools of the Phone app.This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones with a mobile phone. MIUI 12 and newer, but has limitations: it only blocks incoming calls, and SMS will have to filter separately.

To activate the lock:

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 "Block numbers" (or "Black list" on older versions of MIUI).
4. Activate the switch to Lock Unknown Numbers.
5. You can also enable Block Hidden Numbers (if you call with a switched number). ID).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) this section may be called Spam and Blocking. If you don't have the option, update the Phone app via Google Play or check the version MIUI In Settings → The phone.

Update the phone app to the latest version

Make sure you have a MIUI 12 or newer.

Check if there are any third-party calls installed (they may conflict)

Make a backup of contacts (set up) → Google → Reservations)-->

This method blocks all numbers that are not saved in your phone book, and if you get a call from an important contact (such as a delivery service or a doctor) that is not listed, their calls will be ignored, too, and the solution is to add those numbers to the exceptions (more on this below).

2. Set up the "Black List" for selective blocking

If you want to block specific numbers (like spammers you already identified) rather than all the unknowns in a row, use a blacklist. Unlike the previous method, here you manually control who you want to ignore.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the phone. → Settings → Number locking → Blacklist.
• 🔍 Click Add a number and enter the spammer number (for example, +79991234567).
• 📌 Alternatively: during the incoming call, click Reject. → Add to the blacklist.
• 🔄 To remove the number from the list, swipe it to the left and tap Delete.

💡 Useful advice: If the spammer calls from different numbers, but with the same prefix (for example, if the spammer calls from different numbers, +7910...), you can block the range of numbers. To do this, select Add the rule and specify the mask (for example, in the Blacklist, +7910*).

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with Chinese firmware (for example, Xiaomi 14 for the Chinese market), the lock menu may be missing or require binding to the Mi Account.

3. Use of "Security" and "Spam filter" in MIUI

MIUI It has a built-in Security module that not only protects against viruses, but also filters spam. MIUI 13) a separate section for managing calls and SMS has appeared here.

How to set up:

1. Open the Settings. → Security (shield icon).
2. Choose a spam filter (or spam protection on some models).
3. Activate the switches: 📞 Call filtering – blocks spam calls. 💬 Message filtering – removes spam SMS. 🔍 Fraud detection – Warns of suspicious numbers.

Filter settings

Medium.

High-pitched

💡

If important SMS (e.g. from a bank) stop coming after activating the filter, add the sender number to the whitelist. To do this, select Exceptions in the spam filter and enter the number.

🔹 Features for different models:

• 📱 On the Redmi Note. 11/12 and POCO F4 Spam filters may be called fraud protection.
• 📱 Xiaomi. 13/14 Global firmware filter integrated into Google Messages (if used by default).
• 📱 On devices for the Chinese market (CN ROM) Mi Account binding is required for filter operation.

Built-in lock on the phone.

Blacklist.

Spam filter in "Security"

Third-party annexes

I don't block unknown numbers.-->

4. Blocking through the operator (MTS, Beeline, Tele2, MegaFon)

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools fail, you can connect the service of blocking spam from the operator. It is free or costs a symbolic 3-5 rubles a month, but works at the network level – that is, spam does not reach your phone at all.

Instructions for popular operators:

⚠️ Attention: Operators only block spam on the network level. If you use Viber, WhatsApp or Telegram for calls, the spammer will still be able to reach you through these messengers.

🔹 How to disable the service:

• 📶 For MTS/Beeline/MegaFon: send a team *111*789*0# (substitute 111 your operator's code).
• 📶 For the Body.2: *155*0#.

5. Third-party applications to block spam

If standard methods don't work, try specialized applications that use real-time spam databases, and are often more effective than embedded tools. MIUI.

📌 Top.-3 apps:

• 🛡️ Truecaller identifies spammers from 300 million numbers. MIUI (It shows the name of the caller on the screen.
• 🚫 SberCalls is a free solution from Sberbank with a fraud blocking solution. It works without advertising.
• 🔒 Hiya, which blocks not only calls, but also SMS, and there's a reverse search function.

🔧 How to set up Truecaller on Xiaomi:

1. Install the application and complete the registration (phone number will be required).
2. In the Truecaller settings, activate: 📞 Locking down calls 💬 SMS filter 🔍 Definition of spam

Settings → Applications → Permissions

Truecaller

Phone.

Contacts

Text

Truecaller

Update

⚠️ Note: Apps like Truecaller collect data about your contacts and calls. If you are concerned, use offline modes (for example, Hiya has an option to work without the Internet), or abandon them in favor of built-in tools. MIUI.

6. Additional settings: whitelist and exceptions

A common problem when blocking unknown numbers is missing important calls (such as from couriers or doctors).

🔹 How to add a number to the exceptions:

1. Open the phone. → Settings → Number locking → Exceptions (or the White List).
2. Click Add a number and enter a contact (for example, +79991234567).
3. Alternatively: in Contacts, select the desired number → Edit → Add to exceptions.

💡

If you are waiting for a call from an unknown number (for example, from a new job), temporarily turn off the lock in the Phone. → Settings → Lock the numbers. Don't forget to turn it back on!

🔹 How to check if the lock is working:

1. Ask a friend to call you from an unknown number (not from your contacts).
2. Look at the call log: if the number is not displayed, the lock works.
3. To check for SMS, send yourself a message from another phone (not from contacts).

7.Block spam SMS on Xiaomi

Calls are not the only problem. Spam (advertising, fraudulent messages) can clog your inbox and distract. MIUI There are separate tools for filtering them.

🔧 Set-up in the annex “Messages":

1. Open the Messages (the envelope icon).
2. Tap on three points. → Settings → Spam filter.
3. Activate: 🚫 Spam filtering 🗑️ Auto-delete spam (messages will be deleted after 30 days) 🔔 Spam Notifications (to see what has been blocked)

SMS blacklist

📌 What to do if spammy SMS still comes:

• 🔄 Update the Messages app to the latest version.
• 🛡️ Install Google Messages (it has a more aggressive spam filter).
• 📵 Complain about the number to the operator: send an SMS with the STOP text to the spammer’s short number (usually indicated in the message).

8.Reset lock settings (if nothing works)

If after all the manipulations, spam calls continue to arrive, the lock settings may have gone wrong, in which case resetting to factory parameters only for the Phone module (without data loss) will help.

🔧 How to Reset Call Settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the action (this will delete the call log, but will not affect the contacts).
5. Restart your phone and set up the lock again (see Section 1).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Resetting phone may cause loss of call history.Export log before procedure:

1. Open the phone. → Journal.
2. Tap on three points. → Exports.
3. Save the file to Device Memory or Google Drive.

🔹 If the dump didn't help:

• 📲 Check if custom firmware is installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) and some builds break the standard bells.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ Contact Xiaomi Service Center if the problem is hardware (for example, a failure in the communication module).

FAQ: Frequent questions about locking numbers on Xiaomi