How to permanently block a contact with Xiaomi Redmi: all ways

Spam calls, annoying messages from strangers or the need to limit communication with certain people - these are the problems faced by every smartphone user. MIUI It offers several built-in ways to block contacts, but not all of them are obvious to beginners. Unlike the iPhone or “pure” Android, there are nuances here: from hidden settings to the features of working with the Internet. SIM-map.

In this article, you will find 5 proven methods of blocking numbers - from basic to advanced, including locking through the Phone app, Security settings, as well as little-known features like the "Blacklist" for the Internet. SMS. We will discuss how to block a contact without notifying it (the number will not know that it was added to the blacklist), what is the difference between a lock at the level of the security system. SIM-System card, and what to do if you update it MIUI missing old settings.

We'll focus on the Redmi Note 12/11/10 series, Redmi 9/10/A and flagships like the Redmi K50, where the interface may be different. All the instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/13/12.5 and later (including global and Chinese firmware). If you use custom firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS, some features may be missing, we'll talk about that too.

1. Locking through the application "Phone" (the fastest way)

The standard phone app in Xiaomi Redmi allows you to block a number in 3 clicks - without going into deep settings. SMS, But there is a limitation: the lock is only at the device level, not at the device level. SIM-map.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
• 🔍 Find the contact you need in the list of recent calls or through a search (loop at the top).
• ⚙️ Press the contact. → Choose Block (Blocking Sign).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

Once locked, the number will automatically be added to the blacklist, which can be viewed in the app settings. Importantly, if the contact is saved in the phone book, its name will remain visible in the call log, but next to the lock icon will appear (🚫).

The number disappeared from the list of frequent contacts|The call log shows an icon. 🚫|SMS This number does not come from (check the folder "Spam")|The lock is valid for both. SIM-cards (if two of them)

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⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Note 8 Pro or Redmi) 9C) After blocking through the application "Phone" the number can continue to send SMS to the Spam folder, not to be completely ignored. To avoid this, use the method in the following section.

2. Lock through the "Security" settings (reliable method)

If you need to completely cut off calls, messages, and even notifications (including WhatsApp-like messengers), use the built-in Blacklist feature in your security settings, which works on all versions of MIUI and is guaranteed to block contact at the system level.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings. → Go to the Appendix section → Security (on some firmware paths, there may be Settings) → PapaSSWORD & SECURITY).
2. Select the Blacklist (or Blocklist in English).
3. Click Add to Blacklist → select Contacts or enter the number manually.
4. Put the boxes in front of you: 📞 Block calls 💬 Block messages 🔔 Block notifications (optional)

Save the changes.

The advantage of this method is that locking works even after resetting the phone to factory settings, if you do not format internal memory, and you can configure exceptions here, for example, allow calls from a locked number in emergency cases (allow emergency calls).

Using the Phone app | Through the Security settings |Through the operator |Third-party apps |Do not block numbers

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3. Blocking through USSD-operator codes (for SIM-map)

If you want to block the number at the level SIM-Not the phone, but the cards. USSD-This method is useful if you change your smartphone frequently or use Redmi as a second device, and locking will work even on another device with the same device. SIM.

Instructions for popular operators:

• 📶 MTS: Dial it up *111*121# → Choose the Black List → add a number.
• 📶 Beeline: Dial it up *110*789# → Follow the instructions of the voice menu.
• 📶 MegaFon: Dial *130# → Number locking → enter.
• 📶 Television2: Dial it *220*1# → Choose Block the number.

⚠️ Attention: Operators have restrictions on the number of blocked numbers (usually 10-20). USSD It does not apply to messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) and does not always work for international numbers. To remove a number from the operator's blacklist, use commands:

• *111*121*0# (MTS)
• *110*789*0# (Beeline)

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If USSD-codes do not work, check balance – some operators block access to services with a negative balance or zero account.

4.Block spam and unknown numbers automatically

MIUI has a built-in spam protection feature that automatically blocks suspicious calls and messages, and it works from Xiaomi’s database and reports from other users to enable it:

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Security → Protection against spam.
2. Activate the switch to block spam calls.
3. In the section Blocking Settings, select: 📵 Block all unknown numbers (risk of missing an important call!) 🔍 Block numbers from Xiaomi blacklist (recommended) 📊 Show notifications about blocked calls (to see who called)

This feature is especially useful for Redmi owners in Russia and CIS countries, where spam calls from banks and scammers are common, but it can mistakenly block legitimate numbers (for example, from delivery services) to add a number to the whitelist:

1. Go to Spam Protection. → Whitelist.
2. Add numbers that you should always call from.

5. Blocking in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

System lock on Xiaomi Redmi does not apply to messengers – you need to configure the lock in each application separately.

WhatsApp:

• 💬 Open a chat with contact → press three points (⋮) → More. → Block it.
• ⚠️ After blocking, you will not see the status of the contact, and your messages will be marked with one tick (not delivered).

Telegram:

• 🔍 Find contact in the chat list → press on the name → three-point (⋮) → Block the user.
• 📌 In Telegram, the lock only applies to the account, not the phone number (if the user registers a new account, he will be able to write you again).

Viber:

• 📱 Open the chat room. → tap on the contact avatar → Information → Block it.
• 🔔 In Viber, a blocked contact won’t see you’re online, but will be able to call you (calls will be automatically reset).

⚠️ Note: If you block the contact in the messenger, but not at the system level (MIUI), It will still be able to call you over the normal telephone network.

6 Advanced Methods: ADB Blocking and Root Access

For advanced users who want to deeply customize locking (like locking numbers on a mask or exporting a blacklist), advanced techniques are available. They require technical skills and can violate warranty.

Method 1: Through ADB (without root)

With Android Debug Bridge, you can add a number to the system blacklist:

adb shell content insert --uri content://call_log/calls --bind number:s:79123456789 --bind type:i:5

Where 79123456789 is a locked number and type:i:5 is a record type (5 means "locked call").

Method 2: Root and edit system files

If you have root access, you can manually edit the blacklist file:

1. Install Root Explorer or Solid Explorer with superuser rights.
2. Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db.
3. Open the database and find the blacklist table.
4. Add the number in +79123456789 format.

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Using ADB or root methods can cause phone malfunctions if you make a mistake in commands, and we recommend backing up the data before experimenting.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Problem 1: After the lock, the number still rings.

Solution: Check if the contact is added to the operator's whitelist or in Spam Protection settings. Also make sure that the lock is applied to everyone. SIM-cards (if there are two of them).

Problem 2: I can't find the "Black List" section in the settings.

Solution: On some firmware (e.g. MIUI for Europe), this section is called Blocklist or hidden in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Permissions → Blacklist.

Problem 3: The lock is reset after the MIUI update.

Solution: Upgrade your phone to the latest version of MIUI via Settings → About Phone → System Update. If the problem persists, export the blacklist manually (via Settings → Security → Blacklist → Export) and import after the upgrade.

Problem 4: A blocked contact sees that I am online on WhatsApp.

Solution: Blocking in MIUI does not affect instant messengers. Block contact separately on WhatsApp (see section 5).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions