How to block unfamiliar numbers on Xiaomi Redmi

The play called “spam calls” is familiar to every smartphone owner, but on Xiaomi and Redmi devices this problem is especially acute due to the high popularity of the brand. The constant calls from banking robots, scammers and intrusive marketing services are not just annoying, but disrupting important business and distracting from leisure. MIUI or HyperOS provides powerful built-in tools to filter incoming calls without installing third-party software. IT-to set up an effective barrier.

In this article, we'll look at all the methods available, from basic blacklisting settings to hidden engineering codes and third-party databases. Understanding how system-level filtering works will allow you to forget about calls from unknown numbers forever. We'll look at the nuances of how different firmware versions work, since menus can vary slightly depending on the year your device is released.

Use of the built-in blacklist in the Phone app

The easiest and most reliable way to cut off unwanted calls is to use the native capabilities of the Phone app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi and Redmi. The shell developers have implemented a full-fledged anti-terrorism functionality here, which is often more effective than paid counterparts. To start working, you need to open the call application and go to the settings where the key switch is hidden.

The interface of the menu can vary, but the logic remains the same for all models: you need to find the locking point and activate the silence mode for certain categories of subscribers, which will create an invisible wall between you and the outside world, allowing only those who are really important to pass through.

• 📞 Open the Phone app (green handset) and click on the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
• ⚙️ Select Settings in the drop-down list, then find the Blocking or Antispam section».
• 🚫 Activate the Blacklist switch and select the option to “Block Unknown Numbers” or “Block Hidden Numbers».

It’s worth noting that the term “unknown numbers” can be interpreted differently in the context of Xiaomi’s settings, in some versions of firmware it means numbers that are not in your phone book, in others it means only those that are hidden by the determinant, so it’s important to read carefully the description of each option before activating so you don’t miss a call from a courier or doctor whose number you don’t already have in your contacts.

⚠️ Warning: By enabling full lock of all numbers not saved in contacts, you risk missing an important call from delivery, taxi or emergency services calling from city numbers.

Once you have set up the list, the blocked calls will not be sent to your phone, but they will be stored, and you can always check who tried to reach you in a special event log, which allows you to keep the situation under control and, if necessary, make adjustments to the filtering settings.

Setup the lock through the MIUI security menu

If standard call functionality isn't enough, MIUI offers a deeper level of control through the Security app, a system control center that combines antivirus, memory cleanup and a powerful call filter, and this is where advanced settings are found to allow you to create complex rules for incoming connections.

To access advanced features, you'll need to run a shield icon app that's installed by default on all of the brand's devices. Inside, you'll find the Antispam section, which works independently of the standard call and has its own databases and recognition algorithms, which is especially useful for combating mass mailings of robots.

• 🛡️ Run the Security app (green shield) on the home screen or in the Tools folder».
• 📞 Select the Antispam icon (usually located in the toolbox or at the bottom of the screen).
• ⚙️ Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner to go to the filtering settings.
• 📝 Select the Blacklist option and activate the switches you want, such as Block Calls from Hidden Numbers».

The same menu also includes Smart Lock, which uses cloud databases to identify spam numbers. If the system identifies an incoming call as fraudulent or advertizing, it will automatically reset it or alert you with a red screen. Regularly updating these databases is critical to effective protection.

You can set up your lock schedule so that calls from unknown numbers are blocked automatically at night or on weekends, and pass during working hours, and this flexible solution allows you to adapt your smartphone to your personal schedule.

Blocking specific numbers and adding exceptions

Sometimes you don't have to turn on heavy artillery and block everyone, and there are times when you're being pestered by a particular person or organization, and in that case, the most effective solution is to manually blacklist a particular subscriber, and you can do that right from the call history, which takes just a few seconds.

The blacklisting process on Redmi and Xiaomi is as simple as possible: you don't have to remember a number and manually enter it into your settings, just find a log entry or an incoming call and do one thing, and the system will instantly put that contact on the ignored list.

• 📂 Open the call log in the "Phone" application».
• 👆 Press and hold your finger on the number you want to lock, or tap the arrow next to it to open details.
• 🚫 In the menu that appears, select “Block” or “Add to the blacklist».

The reverse situation also requires attention: what to do if an important number accidentally gets blocked? There is a whitelist or an exception list for this, and subscribers included in this group will be able to reach you even when Do Not Disturb mode is turned on or completely block unknowns.

To add contact to exceptions, go to lock settings (via phone menu or Security app) and find "Whitelist" or "Allowed Contacts" where you can manually add numbers from the phone book or enter them manually, ensuring that calls from loved ones are always heard.

Use of hidden codes and USSD-team

Many users are unaware that carriers and smartphones themselves maintain special codes to manage forwarding and locking. USSD-request MMI-It's a hard-code layer that allows you to manage services directly through the operator's network or the phone's system menu, and it's a hard-code layer of management that works even without access to the settings menu.

But codes need to be careful. Unlike the GUI, there's no confirmation of the consequences of every action, and one extra digit can activate a paid service or redirect all your calls to someone else's number, so only use this method if you know what you're doing.

The most common codes for managing incoming call blocking (the service must be maintained by the operator):

**21* number # - forward all calls (use with caution)


#21# – Cancel all redirects




*31# - Enable the number definition (if hidden)




#31# - Hiding your number while outgoing

In addition, some Xiaomi models with MediaTek or Qualcomm processors have engineering codes to log into the hidden menu (for example, ##4636##).In this menu, you can find the “Phone Information” section, where additional lock settings are sometimes available that are not displayed in the usual interface. But remember: changing the settings in the engineering menu can lead to disruptions--modem-work.

⚠️ Warning: Never enter codes found on questionable forums without checking their destination.Some commands may reset network settings or activate your carrier's paid subscriptions.

For normal spam blocking, it is much safer to use the software methods described in the previous sections. Codes are a tool for emergencies or fine-tuning when standard methods do not work. If your phone stops catching the network after entering the code, immediately reset the network settings or cancel the command.

Third-party applications and spam number databases

Built-in tools are good, but they don't always keep up with new numbers from scammers. Third-party identifiers come to the rescue using crowdsourcing. Services like GetContact, NumBuster or Yandex.With a number detector, you can see how other people's numbers are recorded and automatically tag spam.

Installing this app on Xiaomi requires additional permissions. Android is strictly monitoring access to calls, so you have to manually allow the app to access the call log and contacts. Without this, it will not be able to identify the caller and block unwanted calls.

Comparison of popular methods of protection against spam:

The main disadvantage of third-party applications is resource consumption. Constant database checks and monitoring of incoming calls consume battery power. In addition, you share your phone book with the application servers, which can be critical for privacy-conscious people.

Frequent problems and their solution

Even after careful setup, users may find themselves in a situation where the lock is not working properly, calls pass, or, conversely, the phone is silent when waiting for an important guest, most often the problem lies in a conflict of settings or limitations of the Android system, which “kill” the background processes of the blocker.

One of the most common causes is aggressive energy saving, and MIUI is known for its tight memory management, so if a locking application (even a system one) gets caught by the system, it won't be able to intercept an incoming call, and you have to stop the system from closing that application.

• 🔋 Go to "Settings» → «Annexes» → «All applications».
• 📱 Find the Phone or Security app (depending on what you block).
• ⚡ Select “charge savings” and set the value “No restrictions».

Another problem is the double standard. SIM-If you have two SIM cards, lock settings can only apply to one of them (usually the main one). SIM-Sometimes you have to set up the rules for each of them separately.

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If the locked numbers are still ringing, try restarting your smartphone, which will restart the system telephony services and update the blocker databases.

It's also worth checking if Do Not Disturb mode is enabled, which allows the phone to reset all but a select few calls, giving the illusion of a blacklist, when in fact there's a different mechanism, and separating these features will help avoid confusion.

⚠️ Note: After major Android updates or MIUI lock settings can reset to factory. Always check blacklist status after system update.

Final recommendations on digital hygiene

Locking numbers is only part of the protection. To minimize unwanted calls, it's important to maintain digital hygiene. Don't leave your number on questionable sites, store profiles, and forums. The less your number shines in open databases, the less robots will call.

Use the second number to register. SIM-A card or virtual number for online shopping and subscriptions, keep the main number secret and let only your family and colleagues, and this will dramatically reduce digital noise.

Regularly update the spam database in the Security app. New fraud numbers appear daily, and without up-to-date data, the protection will be ineffective. Checking updates should become a habit, like checking battery charging.

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A comprehensive approach (phone settings + user alertness + third-party databases) gives a 99% guarantee of protection against spam.

Following these instructions, you will turn your Xiaomi or Redmi into an impregnable fortress.Silence on your phone is not only comfort, but also the security of your finances and personal data.Don't ignore suspicious calls and safely blacklist them.