Constant calls from advertising agencies, scammers or simply intrusive subscribers can turn a smartphone into a source of constant stress. Owners of Xiaomi devices often face the need to quickly limit the number of people who can reach them. Blocking unknown numbers is not just a convenience, but an important element of digital hygiene and personal data security.
MIUI offers built-in traffic filtering tools that work even without installing additional software. However, to achieve maximum efficiency, you need to properly configure the built-in blocker or use the services of a cellular operator. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to isolate yourself from unwanted communication.
Sometimes the problem is not with the phone settings, but with the operator's signaling, and the hidden number can be filtered through standard filters if the network-side Anti-Determinator service is not activated, so a comprehensive approach that includes settings for the gadget itself and the data plan will give the best result.
Use of the built-in MIUI blocker
The MIUI shell interface contains a powerful security module that is often underrated by users. To activate protection, you need to open the standard Phone app and go to call settings, and this is where the functionality that allows you to screen out calls from hidden numbers and from blacklist hides.
The algorithm may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same: you need to find the "Block" or "Antispam" option. Inside this menu, you should activate a switch that prevents you from connecting to subscribers who hide your ID, and this action will instantly apply to all incoming users.
It's worth noting that the system allows you to create exceptions, you can add important contacts to a whitelist to guarantee that you'll receive messages from them even when hard filtering is enabled, especially for those who are waiting for calls from couriers or delivery services, which sometimes use corporate numbers with a hidden identifier.
It's important to understand the difference between a full lockdown and a blacklist, in the first case, the caller will hear a "busy" or a beep, after which the connection will be interrupted, in the second case, the call may pass, but you will not hear the call, and the caller will be placed on the missed list if the system is not configured to completely ignore.
Set up a blacklist and filters
To fine-tune incoming traffic filtering, Xiaomi has an extended blacklist that allows you to block not only specific numbers, but entire groups of subscribers, such as anyone not in your phone book, a radical but effective method of fighting spam.
To activate Contact Only, you need to go to the lock menu and select the appropriate option. Once you turn on this feature, all calls from numbers that are not in the address book will automatically be rejected. Spam calls will cease to bother, but you may miss an important call from a new client or doctor.
The blocked number list is managed via the same interface, you can manually enter unwanted contacts or use call history to quickly add troublemakers to the ban. The system also offers automatic updates to spam databases if the appropriate option is enabled in the cloud services.
☑️ Checking the lock settings
⚠️ Note: When you turn on the "Only from Contacts" mode, be sure to check that the numbers of emergency services and important organizations are not lost in the general mass.
The flexibility of MIUI allows you to combine different security techniques, so you can simultaneously block hidden numbers and specific ranges of numbers that are often used by robotic callers, and this creates a multi-level barrier to unwanted traffic.
Blocking through codes of telecom operators
If the built-in smartphone means don't seem reliable enough, you can always turn to the mobile operator's tools. The largest Russian providers provide services to block anonymous calls at the network level, which means that the call will not reach your device at all.
To activate the service, it is usually enough to send USSD-For example, MTS has a service called the Black List, Beeline has a Black List, MegaFon has a Black List, and MegaFon has a Black List. Tele2 — «Despite the same names, the functionality and codes may differ.
Below is a table with the main commands for activating hidden number locks from popular operators.Please note that some services may be paid or have a trial period.
| Operator. | Name of service | Activation command | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | Blacklist | *111*442# | Paid (there are tariffs) |
| Beeline | Blacklist | *110*771# | Paid/Free |
| MegaFon | Blacklist | *116*0# | Paid. |
| Tele2 | Blacklist | *155# | Paid. |
Network filters have their advantages: they work whether your phone is on, in access area or discharged, and network locking takes the load off the smartphone processor, because call processing takes place on the operator side.
Third-party applications for spam protection
When regular funds are scarce, specialized applications from Google Play come to the rescue, with the leaders in this niche being GetContact, Truecaller and Yandex.Directory, which use crowdsourcing, a database created by users themselves, which allows you to identify new spammer numbers faster than the official blacklists.
Installing such an application requires broad permissions to access contacts and call logs, which are necessary for the caller ID to work properly, and once installed, the locking application will analyze each incoming call and verify the number with the cloud database of known scammers and advertising agencies.
You can set up strict rules in these software settings, such as resetting all calls that other users have labeled as "Spam" or "Advertising," and some apps can even automatically send advertisers messages asking them to delete a number from the database.
⚠️ Note: By using third-party number detectors, you agree to share your contact details with a shared database.Be prepared that your acquaintances may see your phone numbers in these apps with your names on them.
An important aspect is the impact of these applications on the autonomy of the device: constant monitoring of incoming traffic and synchronization with the server can increase battery consumption, but for most modern Xiaomi models with capacious batteries, this is not a critical issue.
Do Not Disturb as a Temporary Solution
If you want temporary silence, such as during a meeting or a sleep, the best solution is Do Not Disturb. Unlike full lockdown, this mode allows you to flexibly configure exceptions, you can only allow calls to selected contacts or re-calls from one number within minutes.
You can activate this mode through the notification curtain or in the audio settings. In the "Do Not Disturb" section, you should find the "Calls" item and select the "Favorites Only" or "Nobody" option, which ensures that unknown numbers do not interrupt your peace, the sound is turned off, and the screen does not light up.
A convenient feature is scheduling. You can set the automatic activation of the "Do Not Disturb" mode on a schedule, for example, from 23:00 to 07:00 the phone will ignore all incoming, except for emergencies specified by the system.
This method is good for its versatility: it does not require blacklisting and is easily disabled with a single touch. Xiaomi users also have a feature called Pocket Mode, which prevents random responses, but in the context of blocking incoming ones, it is better to rely on software filters.
Solving problems with the number determinant
Sometimes users are faced with a situation when after updating the firmware or changing SIM-The number definition stops working and all calls are marked as "Unknown", which may be due to a bug in the phone application or a malfunction in the operator's network.
The first thing you need to do is clear the cache of the phone book app. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone. From the menu that opens, select “Clean” and then “Clear Cache.” This action is safe and will not delete your contacts, but will reset temporary files that may have been corrupted.
If the problem persists, check the call display settings. In some cases, switching the network type helps. Try switching temporarily from the phone to the phone. 4G/LTE on 3G Or vice versa, to see if the behavior of the determinant changes, and you also need to make sure that the settings are in place. SIM-card not activated by the service of hiding the number for sending, as this sometimes conflicts with incoming identification.
⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations, the number is still not determined, there may be a problem on the operator's side. SIM-card to another slot or other phone for diagnosis.
In extreme cases, if the built-in Phone app from Google or MIUI does not work correctly, you can install an alternative dialer from the Play Market. However, on Xiaomi smartphones this can lead to the loss of some features, such as recording a conversation or integration with the Mi Cloud, so this method should be resorted to only if the standard solution is completely inoperable.