Constant calls from intrusive advertisers, bank collectors or just unwanted interlocutors can unbalance any smartphone owner. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices running on the Android operating system with the shell MIUI or the new HyperOS, often look for a way to effectively limit access to such callers. Fortunately, the built-in functionality of the system offers powerful tools to filter incoming calls without the need to install third-party software.
The locking procedure can vary significantly depending on the firmware version and the region for which the gadget is released. Standard methods allow you not only to drop calls, but also completely hide the fact that a subscriber has been sent a “busy” signal. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to enter numbers in Blacklist, from the simplest actions through the phone book to fine-tuning system filters.
Understanding these mechanisms will help you create a robust shield against noise, and we'll look at the nuances of contact, hidden numbers, and specific operator codes that can be useful in different situations, and fine-tuning these parameters will give you back control of your personal space and relieve stress.
Using a built-in phone book to quickly lock
The fastest and most obvious way to restrict access to a particular person is to use the lock function directly from the contact list interface, which is ideal when the number is already stored in the device memory or in the Google account. You don't have to search for complex settings menus, just perform a few simple touches of the screen to activate the protection.
Open the standard Contacts or Phone app and find the entry you want in the list. Click on the subscriber name to reveal the detailed card with the information. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell, at the bottom of the screen or in the upper right corner (via the three-dot menu), you will see the Lock option or the crossed-out circle icon.
Once confirmed, the system will automatically move the number to a special list of ignored recipients, and any subsequent attempts to contact you will be interrupted automatically, and the caller will hear short beeps or a message about the occupation of the line, depending on your operator's settings.
- 📞 Open the Contacts app and select the number you want from the list of saved records.
- 🚫 Find the “Block” button in the action menu (often hidden under three dots).
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window to blacklist the number.
- 🔄 If necessary, unlock the subscriber, repeat the path and select "Unblock».
⚠️ Note: Once blocked, you will not receive notifications of missed calls from that subscriber, so it is important to be confident in your decision.
Importantly, this method works locally on the device. If you change your phone or reset to factory settings without first syncing blacklist, the list of blocked can be cleared. For consistency of settings, it is recommended to use sync via Mi Cloud or Xiaomi account.
Blocking Unknown and Hidden Numbers through Call Settings
Often annoying is not the specific acquaintances, but the unknown numbers from which answering robots or scammers call. The MIUI shell allows you to configure filtering at a higher level, cutting off entire categories of callers, this is especially true for those who do not wait for calls from indefinite digital identities.
To activate this feature, go to the settings of the Phone app itself. Click on the gear icon or three dots in the corner of the screen, then select Antispam or Lock, which opens up access to advanced security settings where you can activate Block Unknown Numbers.
This feature requires caution. If you're waiting for an important call from a courier, doctor or bank employee from a city number who is undecided in the database, you can skip it.The system will ruthlessly drop any calls not saved in your phone book or recent call history.
This is also where the hidden number lock option is often available, and these are calls where the caller specifically hides their ID and the phone screen displays "Hidden Number" or "Anonymous," and enabling this option ensures that the phone won't even vibrate when the call is made.
- 🛡️ Go to the settings of the application “Phone” through the menu or gear.
- 📵 Select the “Antispam” or “Call Block” section».
- 🙅♂️ Activate the “Block Unknown Numbers” switch for maximum protection.
- 🔒 Enable the option to “Block Hidden Numbers” if you do not accept anonymous calls.
It’s worth remembering that settings may be slightly different in global and Chinese firmware versions. In some regions, anti-spam features may be limited by local laws or Google policies, so the interface may look different, but the logic remains the same.
Set up a blacklist through the Security app
The central security management node in Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is the Security system app, which is where the most flexible blacklist management tools are found, allowing you to create complex filtering rules and view your lock history.
Launch an app with a green shield icon and find the Antispam section. Unlike the quick settings on the phone, here you can manually add numbers, whole ranges, or even block calls for keywords in SMS. It's a powerful harvester that users often underestimate.
Inside the Blacklist menu, you'll see an add-on button (usually a plus-plus) and click on it and ask you to choose a source from contacts, call history or manual input, and manual input is convenient because it allows you to enter numbers with country codes and masks, which is useful when blocking international spammers.
☑️ Checking the Antispam settings
Special attention should be paid to the blacklist schedule, and some versions of the software offer a Do Not Disturb feature that integrates with anti-spam, so you can set the rules so that all calls are blocked at night, except those marked as "Favorites".
⚠️ Note: When you add numbers manually, carefully check the country and city code so you don’t accidentally block yourself or important service numbers.
This section also stores a log of blocked events, so you can see who tried to call you or text you at any time, even if the phone was silent, which helps you track the activity of fraudsters and, if necessary, pass information to law enforcement agencies.
Blocking directly from call and message history
The most common scenario is when the call comes in when you're busy, or when an SMS comes in with an advertisement, at which point it's most convenient to block the sender directly from the notification or the log without going into the deep settings menus, and the Android and MIUI algorithms provide for this scenario.
If you receive an incoming call that you have dropped or missed, look for it in the call log. Often, a ban icon or action menu appears next to the number or name (right or long press), and clicking on it instantly adds the subscriber to the ignorant list.
Similarly, the messaging system works. When you open a dialog with an intrusive advertiser, click three dots in the corner or an information icon. The menu that opens will be "Block," and then the new messages from that sender will come to a separate spam folder without disturbing you with the sound.
| Action. | Where to find out. | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Locking from the log | Long click on the number on the call list | Instant inbound ban |
| SMS lock | Dialogue menu (three dots) -> Block | Moving to a spam folder |
| Deletion and block | Message settings -> Spam filter | Cleaning and protection right away |
| Complaint to operator | Through the operator's application or website | Network-level locking |
Using call history is particularly effective against those who call from multiple numbers but stay in your recent history. You can analyze the missed list of the day and "clean" it of all unwanted contacts in one fell swoop.
Use of operator codes and services to protect
In some cases, the built-in functions of the smartphone are not enough, especially if the calls come from swapping numbers (spoofing), which are constantly changing, and here the services of the carriers themselves can come to the rescue, which block calls at the network level, even before the signal reaches your Xiaomi.
Most major operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2 There are services like Blacklist or Antispam, which can be paid or free (like Number Defineer). USSD-commands that are universal for all phones, including buttons.
For example, adding a number can look like a set of codes like *111*number# (the specific code depends on the operator), which allows you to create a double barrier: the operator filter and the phone filter.
The advantage of network locking is that it doesn't consume your smartphone's battery to process the incoming signal, it doesn't take up the processor, it just doesn't pass, and you don't even see a notification of an attempted communication, which is ideal for combating aggressive autocalls.
- 📱 Find out. USSD-Your operator code for connecting the service "Blacklist».
- 🔢 Use commands to add numbers (usually the format *code*number#).
- 💰 Check the service's pricing, many operators charge a monthly fee.
- 🌐 Activate the service through the operator’s personal application for ease of management.
Keep in mind that operator services may have restrictions on the number of locked numbers (usually up to 100-300 numbers).This is more than enough for home use, but it is better to combine methods to protect against massive attacks.
Third-party applications and additional MIUI capabilities
The regular funds are usually enough for 95% of users, but if you encounter sophisticated spam, specialized applications will come to the rescue: Truecaller, Kaspersky Who Calls and GetContact are the market leaders, and they use cloud databases updated by millions of users in real time.
Installing such an app on Redmi requires careful permission settings. Android and MIUI are very strict about accessing calls. You will need to manually allow the app to access your phone, contacts, and critically, install it as the default app for handling calls or give permission to pop-ups.
The main strength of these programs is their database, and if a number is used by a fraudster in another city, your phone will already know about it and block the call automatically, but it's worth remembering privacy: when you install these applications, you often agree to transfer your phone book to the developer's servers.
Also, newer versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14/15 have built-in integration with spam databases (e.g. from Pinduoduo in Chinese or local partners in global ones). Check your anti-spam settings - you may not need to install anything, just turn on the cloud base in your settings.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party apps may conflict with Xiaomi's system call, causing delays in the incoming call interface.Test carefully.
The choice between built-in tools and third-party applications is a balance between privacy and efficiency. For most users, it is enough to competently configure the built-in Antispam in the Security application without overloading the system with unnecessary software.