How to permanently block unknown numbers on Xiaomi: from blacklist to anti-spam

Spam calls and messages from scammers have become a real scourge of our time: according to Kaspersky, in 2023, one in three smartphone users in Russia faced phishing calls at least once a week. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO have a unique advantage – built-in MIUI tools to combat unwanted contacts work more effectively than on naked Android.

In this article, we will examine not only standard methods like blacklisting, but also hidden firmware features, third-party AI applications, and lock nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14). Particular attention will be paid to the new Fraud Protection feature in MIUI 14+, which automatically filters suspicious numbers at the system level – it is often missed even by experienced users. If you are tired of intrusive “bank security services” or “technical support assistants”, read on.

1. Standard lock through the "Black List" in MIUI

The most obvious, but not always effective, way is to blacklist numbers through the standard Phone app, a method that works on all Xiaomi models, from the Redmi Note 4 (2017) to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. You will have to manually add each number, and spam centers often use one-time virtual rooms. SIM-map.

To block the number:

• 📱 Open the phone application (pipe icon)
• 🔍 Go to the Call Log and find an unwanted number.
• ⚙️ Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Lock the room.
• ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window

For mass lockdown:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Blacklist
2. Click Add and select numbers from a journal or contacts
3. Activate the option to Block Unknown Numbers (not available on all firmware)

Is a number added to the call log?

Is the Unknown Block option activated?

Has the phone app been updated to the latest version?

Have you checked your sync settings with Mi Account?

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⚠️ Note: Some firmware (especially global versions) MIUI 12.5) The blacklisted block does not work for SMS. For full protection, you will have to use separate settings in the Messages application.

2. hidden function "Fraud Protection" in MIUI 14+

MIUI 14 and later (including HyperOS) has a revolutionary feature called Fraud Protection, which uses Xiaomi’s database to automatically identify suspicious numbers, which works at the system level and blocks calls before they even get to the log, a feature that is disabled by default in European and global firmware due to legal restrictions.

How to activate:

1. Go to Settings. → PapaSSWORD & SECURITY → Protection against fraud
2. Turn on the switch Check incoming calls
3. Select the level of protection: Basic (only obvious spam) or Advanced (aggressive filtering)
4. Activate the option to block suspicious numbers automatically

An important nuance: this feature only works when you have an active Internet connection, because the number check is done through Xiaomi cloud servers, and if you use your smartphone in In-plane mode or with data turned off, the protection will not work.

MIUI 14/HyperOS

MIUI 12.5-13

Stock Android (POCO X3 Pro, etc.)

Custom firmware (LineageOS, etc.)

I don't know.-->

3. Blocking spam in the application "Messages"

Fraudsters often use SMS to distribute phishing links or messages like “Your account is blocked, call back....” The standard Messages app from Xiaomi has a separate filtering mechanism that works regardless of the blacklist of calls.

Instructions for setting:

• 📩 Open the Messages app
• 🔧 Press three points. → Settings → Spam filter
• 🔄 Enable the option to filter spam messages
• 📋 Add key words to block (e.g., “call back”, “bank”, “win” or “bank")

For advanced users, settings are available through ADB:

adb shell settings put global spam_mode 1

This command includes an aggressive filtering mode that blocks messages even from unfamiliar numbers if they contain suspicious phrases.

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Create a separate folder in the Messages app for important notifications (e.g. from banks) and add it to spam filter exceptions so you don’t miss critical SMS.

4. Third-party applications to block spam

If the built-in tools MIUI Not enough, you can use specialized applications. 10 Popular anti-spam solutions and selected the top-3 Xiaomi:

For installation:

1. Download the app from Google Play or Mi App Store
2. Provide permissions to access calls and SMS
3. In the application settings, activate Autoblocking
4. Add numbers to the whitelist (relatives, banks, delivery services)

⚠️ Note: Apps like Truecaller may conflict with built-in protection MIUI. If after installation, the standard lock functions stop working, disable duplicate options in the phone settings.

5. Blocking through the operator

Many mobile operators provide their own spam protection services, such as MTS has Fraud Protection, Beeline has Antispam, MegaFon has Spam Filter, and these services work at the network level and block calls before they even reach your smartphone.

How to connect (in the example of MTS):

• 📱 Send. SMS with the text of the PROTECTION number 111
• 🌐 Or connect through a personal account on the operator's website
• 🔄 Restart your phone to apply the settings

Advantages of operator lock:

• 🛡️ It works even when the phone is turned off (filtering at the level) SIM)
• 🔄 Updated database of fraudsters (operators cooperate with the Ministry of Internal Affairs)
• 📱 Does not load the smartphone processor

Disadvantages:

• 💰 Often paid service (from 30 to 100 rubles per month)
• 📡 Can block legitimate calls (for example, from new customers if you are a freelancer)
• 🔧 No flexible settings (you can not add a number to the exceptions)

Radical methods: blocking all unknown numbers

If you are flooded with spam calls (for example, after posting an ad on Avito), you can temporarily block all incoming numbers from unknown numbers, this method is suitable for emergency cases, but not for permanent use - you risk missing important calls.

Instructions for MIUI 13/14:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Incoming calls
2. Activate the option to Block Unknown Numbers
3. In the Exclusions section, add the numbers that must pass (family, work)

For more flexible configurations through ADB:

adb shell settings put global block_unknown_callers 1


adb shell settings put global block_private_callers 1

To unlock all numbers:

adb shell settings put global block_unknown_callers 0

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F3) This feature may conflict with Google Phone services. If all inboxes are missing after activation, reset the Phone app settings to Settings. → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Drop it.

7 Additional protection measures: from two-factor authorization to virtual numbers

If spam calls are linked to your primary number leaking, consider alternative protection methods:

• 🔐 Two-factor authentication: Link important accounts (banks, social networks) to Google Authenticator or Mi Security, not to your account. SMS
• 📞 Virtual numbers: Use services such as SMS-Activate or SMS-Activate to register on websites 5sim
• 🛡️ Separate SIM For ads: Buy a cheap one SIM-card (for example, Tele2 for 100 rubles) specifically for placement on bulletin boards
• 🔄 Regular change of number: Operators allow you to change the number for free 1 time 3-6 months

For business users, Xiaomi offers Mi Work, a corporate profile with a separate space for business contacts, and all personal numbers will be automatically hidden from business correspondence.

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The combination of built-in MIUI tools (blacklist + fraud protection) and operator lock provides 95% of spam protection. Third-party applications are only needed for specific cases (for example, mass mailings on the database).

FAQ: Frequent questions about locking numbers on Xiaomi