Spam calls and intrusive offers have become a scourge of the digital age, especially for users of popular Chinese smartphones. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face a situation where the phone is torn apart by calls from unknown subscribers or advertising agencies. This is not just annoying, but also distracting from important things, interferes with work and leisure. Fortunately, the MIUI operating system and the new HyperOS have powerful built-in tools to filter incoming traffic.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to limit communication, you will learn how to add a specific contact to the blacklist, how to set up automatic locking of hidden numbers and what subtleties there are in the operation of system filters.
Before we get to the step-by-step instructions, it's worth noting that the methods may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the basic algorithm of actions remains the same for all current models. We'll look at both the standard system tools and the capabilities of the Security application, which is a key element of the manufacturer's ecosystem.
Use of the built-in Security application
The central element of protecting your smartphone is the system application Security, which is where the main functions of antivirus, memory cleaning and, importantly for our topic, call blocker are concentrated. This tool was developed by Xiaomi specifically for integration with the system shell, which provides a deeper and more reliable work compared to third-party counterparts.
To get started, you need to run the app and find the partition responsible for managing calls. The interface may vary, but the logic remains the same: the system proposes to create a list of exceptions where unwanted contacts will fall. Once you add a number to this list, calls from it will be automatically reset, and sent SMS will be deleted or hidden from the user's eyes.
☑️ Setting up a blacklist
It's important to understand that the security app's functionality allows you not only to block individual numbers, but also to create complex rules, for example, you can set the filter to respond to certain keywords in messages or calls with codes of certain regions, which gives you flexibility in managing incoming information flow.
⚠️ Note: When activating hard filters, make sure you do not block important bank or delivery service numbers that may be calling from different short numbers.
Blocking through a standard call
The fastest way to restrict access for a particular subscriber is to use the call history in the standard Phone app, which is ideal when you need to urgently lock the number that just called. You don't have to search for complex settings menus, just make a few taps across the screen.
Open the call log and find the number you want in the list. Click on it or the information icon next to it (usually the letter "i" in a circle or an arrow). In the contact details menu that opens, you will see the option to Lock. Activation of this switch will instantly blacklist the number in the system.
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Use the SMS-only lock feature if you want to receive messages from your contact but don’t want to hear their voice.
It's worth noting that in the newer versions of the HyperOS shell, the call interface has become even more intuitive. Contact management options are now grouped logically, and the likelihood of an error is minimized. If you accidentally block the wrong person, you unlock the same way through the same menu.
You can also customize the contact menu to make sure that calls from certain people go without sound, even if they are not blocked completely, and it's a useful feature for colleagues or relatives who you don't want to be denied communication, but prefer not to be distracted by their calls during working hours.
Setup of automatic spam weeding
Manually locking each spammer is a thankless and time-consuming task, and it is much more efficient to set up automatic filters that will cut off entire categories of unwanted calls, and it allows you to block calls from hidden numbers, as well as from subscribers not stored in your phone book.
To activate these features, go to lock settings and select the mode of operation. You can choose the option "Block all unknown numbers", which radically solves the problem of spam, but can create difficulties with couriers or new acquaintances. The softer mode is to block only those who are marked by other users as spam.
| Type of filter | Description of action | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Hidden number. | Blocks calls where the subscriber has hidden his ID | For maximum protection from anonymous |
| Not contacts. | Only numbers from the phone book are missing. | For the "Do Not Disturb" regime or the elderly |
| Labeled spam | Uses a cloud-based complaint database | Basic protection for all users |
| Keywords | Blocks SMS with certain text | To filter advertising in messages |
| Prefixes | Blocks numbers that start with certain numbers | To screen out specific operators or regions |
Using a cloud database allows Xiaomi to update its fraud lists in real time, with thousands of users tagging numbers, and this information is instantly available to all devices, creating a powerful collective shield that even the most persistent caller robots can’t break.
Communications and SMS-spam
Call blocking is only half the battle: Often spam comes in the form of text messages with credit offers or links to suspicious sites. The standard Messages app also has a built-in filter that needs to be activated separately from call settings.
In the Message Settings menu, find the Antispam or Message Filter section, and you can enable intelligent filtering that analyzes the content of incoming SMS. The system automatically determines the advertising nature of the text and hides such messages in a separate Spam folder without disturbing you with an audible notification.
How to recover a deleted message?
Keyword blocking is also available, and you can add words like “credit,” “winning,” “share,” or the names of specific banks to the list of prohibited words, and any message containing these words will be automatically rejected, especially during periods of active marketing campaigns.
Remember to check your spam folder periodically, sometimes important notifications from services that use automatic mailings can get there, and regular checks can help you adjust your filter settings and add important senders to the whitelist.
Third-party applications for enhanced protection
Despite the power of MIUI, some users prefer third-party solutions, and apps like Truecaller and GetContact have huge databases, often more relevant than system ones, that allow you to identify the caller before you pick up the phone, showing the name or organization.
But installing these apps has its nuances: They require extensive access to your contacts and call history, which can raise questions about data privacy, and they can consume more battery and RAM than native system tools.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party number detectors, carefully review the permissions. SMS-confirmation codes, unless this is directly necessary for the application to work.
If you do decide to use third-party software, set it up so that it does not conflict with the system call. Ideally, the system blocker should work at the network or driver level, and the third-party application should only work as a reference for determining the name. In the Security settings, you can choose the priority application for handling calls.
Frequent problems and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the lock is not working or behaves unpredictable, for example, a blocked number continues to dial, or, conversely, the system blocks everyone, most often the reason lies in the update of the system or malfunctions in the antivirus database.
The first thing to do in case of a failure is to update your antivirus and filter databases. Go to the Security app, click on settings and select "Update virus databases" or "Update filters." It's also worth checking if the "Do Not Disturb" mode is on, which may have its own rules for ignoring calls.
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If standard methods do not help, try restarting your smartphone in safe mode to eliminate the impact of third-party applications on the work of the call.
In rare cases, the problem may be on the carrier's side. Some locking services may conflict with the system settings of the phone. If nothing helps, it makes sense to contact the operator or reset the network settings, which often solves the software glitches of the communication module.
Remember that smartphone-level software locking does not guarantee 100% protection if the caller uses spoofing technology, in which case it is most effective to write a statement to law enforcement, although this is a longer process.