How to blacklist Xiaomi: blocking calls and SMS

Spam calls and intrusive SMSes from marketers, scammers or ex-acquaintances can turn smartphone use into a nightmare.On Xiaomi shell devices MIUI There are built-in blacklist functionality, but many users don't know how to use it properly — or even know it exists. In this article, we'll look at all the ways to block unwanted contacts, from standard settings to third-party applications with advanced features.

It is important to understand that the blacklist on Xiaomi works not only for calls, but also for messages – and the settings may vary depending on the version. MIUI (12, 13, 14 or 15) and phone models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 vs. POCO X5 We will look at universal methods that are relevant for most devices, and also reveal nuances that are not written in the official instructions.

Standard blacklist in MIUI: where it is located and how it works

Most Xiaomi smartphones have blacklisted functionality built into the Phone app and Messages, but the path to settings may be different, depending on the firmware version. MIUI 14 lock menu hidden deeper than in the MIUI 12, where it was available in two clicks.

To open the blacklist through a standard call:

• 📱 Open the phone application (pipe icon).
• 🔍 Press three points (⋮) top-right → Select Settings.
• 🚫 Go to the section Block numbers or Blacklist (name may vary).
• ➕ Here you will see a list of already blocked numbers and a button to add new ones.

In some versions MIUI (for example POCO F5) The way looks different: The phone → Contacts → Settings (⚙) → Lock. If you can't find the partition, search by settings (swipe down on the home screen). → type "blacklist").

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If you're in your version MIUI There is no built-in blacklist in the call, check for the system application Security (shield icon). Often the number lock is moved there to the section Protection against spam.

How to add a number to the blacklist: Step-by-step instructions

You can add a contact to the lock in a number of ways, directly from the call log, through settings, or even during an incoming call, and let's look at each option in detail.

Method 1: Through the call log

This is the fastest method if you need to block a number after a missed call or text message:

1. Open the Phone application → go to the Journal tab.
2. Find the number you want to block and click on it.
3. In the contact card, tap on three points (⋮) → Choose Block or Add to the Blacklist.
4. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

Method 2: Through the Blacklist Settings

If you want to block the number in advance (for example, from memory or from a message):

• 📵 Go to the phone. → Settings → Number locking.
• 🔢 Click Add a number and enter it manually (with country code, for example, +79123456789).
• 📌 Alternatively, you can select a contact from the phone book by clicking on the book icon next to the input field.

Method 3: During an incoming call

If you are being called from an unwanted number right now, you can activate the lock without interrupting the call:

• 📞 During the call, click on the Reject button (red tube).
• 🚫 In the menu that appears, select Block the number.
• ✅ Confirm the addition to the blacklist.

SMS blocking: separate settings for messages

Many Xiaomi users are faced with a problem: the number is blocked for calls, but SMS continues to come. MIUI Call and message locking is set separately, so you have to ban both:

1. Open the Messages app (the envelope icon).

2.Push three dots (⋮) → Settings → Blocking and filtering (or spam protection).

3. Turn on the Spam Filter switch and add numbers manually or select from the list of those blocked in the call.

Please note: in some versions MIUI (For example, on Xiaomi. 13T) SMS blocking only works for numbers already added to the blacklist of calls. If messages continue to arrive, check the sync settings between applications.

Advanced settings: filtering spam and unknown numbers

V MIUI There are hidden features for automatic spam blocking that many users don't include, and these settings help filter out not only specific numbers, but also entire categories of calls (e.g. from banks or marketing companies).

To activate extended filtration:

1. Go to the phone. → Settings → Number locking → Spam settings.
2. Turn on the options: 📵 Block unknown numbers (cut off calls from hidden numbers). 🚨 Warn of possible spam (shows a notification for suspicious calls). 📊 Filter by category (blocks numbers from Xiaomi spammer database).

Set up exceptions for important contacts (such as banks or delivery services).

Important: Category filtering only works when connected to the internet, as Xiaomi checks numbers against its cloud-based spam database. If you have mobile data or Wi-Fi disabled, locking will only work for numbers added manually.

Third-party applications to block: when standard tools are not enough

If Xiaomi’s built-in blacklist fails (e.g., doesn’t block SMS or skip spam), you can install specialized apps that offer advanced features like:

• 🌍 Global spammer databases (millions of numbers).
• 📊 Call statistics and automatic categorization (banks, delivery, fraudsters).
• 🔄 Synchronize the blacklist between devices.
• 📵 Blocking keywords in SMS (for example, “you won a prize").

The most popular applications for Xiaomi:

• 📞 Truecaller – identifies spammers on a database with 300 million numbers, supports Russian.
• 🚫 Call Blocker – lightweight blocker with manual addition of numbers and support for regular expressions (for example, blocking all numbers with a prefix) +375).
• 💬 SMS Blocker – specializes in filtering messages by keywords and numbers.
• 🛡️ Kaspersky Who Calls – a blocker from Kaspersky Lab with antivirus integration.

Before installing third-party apps, check their permissions. For example, Truecaller requests access to contacts, call history and SMS — this can be critical for privacy. Alternatively, use open-source applications like Simple Call Blocker (available in F-Droid).

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Third-party blockers are more effective than the standard blacklist MIUI, but require more rights and may collect data about your contacts. Always check the privacy policy before installing.

⚠️ Note: Some locking apps (such as Truecaller) may conflict with the built-in caller MIUI. If standard features (such as a number detector) stop working after installation, try disabling duplicate permissions in Android settings (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Phone).

What to do if the blacklist doesn’t work: common problems and solutions

Sometimes, locking numbers on Xiaomi fails: calls pass, texts arrive, or the number disappears from the list after a reboot. Here are the typical reasons and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Calls from a blocked number pass

Possible causes:

• The number is added to the SMS lock, but not to the calls (or vice versa).
• Allow repeated calls in spam settings (it misses a second call from one number within 3 minutes)
• Number uses Caller substitution ID (spoofing), and the real number is different from the one displayed.

Solution: check the settings in the phone → Lock and disable all exceptions. If spoofing is the problem, use apps like Truecaller that recognize fake numbers.

Problem 2: The blacklist is reset after the update MIUI

After major firmware updates (e.g., with MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) the list of blocked numbers may be reset by resetting the settings of the Phone application to avoid data loss:

• Before updating, export a list of blocked numbers (if your version is available). MIUI export).
• Use third-party blockers that store data in the cloud (like Truecaller).
• After updating manually add the numbers again.

Problem 3: Not blocked by SMS

If messages continue to arrive:

• Make sure that the number is added to the lock in both the Phone and Messages.
• Check if spam filtering is disabled in the Messages app settings.
• Update the Messages app to the latest version via Google Play.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) SMS blocking works only for numbers in international format (c) + If you add the number as 9123456789, try to specify it as +79123456789.

How to Manage a Blacklist: Exports, Imports and Synchronization

If you change your smartphone or want to transfer the list of locked numbers to another Xiaomi device, you can use the export / import functions. MIUI There is no option, but there are ways around:

Method 1: Manual Transfer via Google Contacts

1. Create a separate group in Google Contacts (e.g., “Blacklist”).

2. Add to it all the numbers you want to block.

3. On the new device, set up a lock for this group via Phone → Settings → Lockdown → Contacts.

Method 2: Export through third-party applications

Applications like Call Blocker or Blacklist allow you to export a list of locked numbers to a.csv or.txt file.

1. In the old app, export the list (usually the option is in the settings).
2. Copy the file to a new device (e.g., via Google Drive).
3. Import it to the blocker on your new smartphone.

Method 3: Sync through Xiaomi account

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the blacklist syncs with your Mi Account to enable this feature:

1. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Synchronization.

2. Make sure that the synchronization for Phone and Contacts is enabled.

3. Upon logging into the same account on the new device, the list of blocked numbers will be restored automatically.

If sync is not working, make sure that both devices have the latest version installed. MIUI Backup to the cloud is enabled.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the blacklist on Xiaomi