How to permanently block SMS from unwanted subscribers on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Spam mailings, fraudulent messages and intrusive SMS advertising have become a real scourge for smartphone owners. This problem is especially acute for Xiaomi users, where standard blocking tools often work ineffectively. According to Kaspersky Lab, in 2023 year, one in three Russians faced SMS- fraud, and 18% lost money due to phishing messages.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the ways you can block SMS on Xiaomi, from built-in features MIUI to third-party apps and carrier services, and learn how to permanently get rid of spam, protect your data, and even get back money if you’ve already fallen into the bait of scammers. We will pay special attention to the hidden settings MIUI 14/15, which are not mentioned in the official documentation, but which dramatically improve the filtering of messages.

Why Xiaomi’s standard SMS locking doesn’t work

Many users complain that after adding a number to the blacklist, messages continue to arrive, the reason lies in the MIUI architecture: the system blocks only incoming notifications, but the SMS itself is stored in the device's memory and can be read through the Messages application.

• 🔄 Spoofing – when one message comes from different virtual numbers
• 📶 SMS- Operator gateways that bypass standard filters MIUI
• 🤖 Bot networks that send messages from foreign SIM cards (especially from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia)
• 📊 Mass mailings via services like SMS.ru or TurboSMS that masquerade as service notifications

Another problem is synchronizing spam through the Mi Cloud, where if you previously blocked a number on one Xiaomi device and then logged in to the same account on another phone, the blacklist may not be correctly transferred, a bug that is not officially recognized by the company, but is confirmed by users on the 4PDA and Mi Community forums.

⚠️ Warning: On smartphones POCO and Redmi with Global ROM firmware, the SMS lock function may not be available at all! This is due to Google's restrictions for some regions. Check the firmware version in Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI.

Method 1: Blacklist in the standard "Messages" appendix

The most obvious, but often ineffective, method, however, is worth trying first, and the instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-15:

1. Open the Messages app (the envelope icon).
2. Find a spam message and make a long click on it.
3. In the top menu, tap on three dots (⋮) → "Block."
4. Confirm the action by selecting "Block the number" (not "Delete!").

For manually adding a number to the blacklist:

1. Go to Message Settings → Spam and Block → Blacklist.
2. Click Add Number and enter it manually (e.g. +79991234567).
3. Activate the option “Block messages from unknown” (but be careful – this will block all SMS from unsaved contacts!).

Application "Messages" | Selected spam contact | Number added to blacklist | Option "Block Unknown" (optional) | Spam folder checked after 24 hours-->

An important nuance: the lock only works for future messages, all previous SMS from this number will remain in the memory of the phone.

1. Go back to the main list of messages.
2. Select all messages from the blocked number (long press → ticks).
3. Click on the Remove basket icon.

⚠️ Warning: On some models (e.g., Xiaomi 12T Pro) after locking the number, your correspondence history with it may disappear. First save important messages to Settings → Archive!

Method 2: Filtering Spam with Google Messages

If the standard Messages app on your Xiaomi doesn’t work, try the official solution from Google.

• 🔍 AI Spam Filtering Based on Google Database
• 🌍 Global blacklists (blocks numbers marked by other users)
• 📊 Spam statistics with the possibility of complaining about scammers

How to set up:

1. Install Google Messages from the Play Market.
2. Make it the default app: Settings → Apps → Default → Messages.
3. Open the application, tap on the profile avatar → “Spam and protection settings”.
4. Activate: 🔄 "Spam filter" (automatic sorting) 🛡️ "Spam and fraud protection" (link check) 📵 "Block spam" (complete blocking of suspicious SMS)

Google Messages can also recognize SMS from banks and services (like confirmation codes) and categorize them as a separate category. This is convenient but requires access to your messages — weigh the privacy risks.

Standard “Messages"|Google Messages|Truecaller|Other|I don't know.-->

Method 3: Truecaller – Spam Blocking and Fraud Identification

Truecaller is one of the most effective anti-spam solutions, but with reservations.The app uses a crowdsourced database of 300 million users to identify scammers.

• 🕵️‍♂️ Recognizes virtual numbers and SMS- gateways
• 📞 Not only does SMS block calls, but it also blocks calls.
• 🌐 Operates in 200+ countries (including Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine)

Cons:

• 🔓 Requires access to contacts, SMS and call log
• 💰 There are premium features (e.g., call recording)
• 📡 Transfers data to servers in Sweden (privacy issues)

Instructions for setting:

1. Install Truecaller and register (you can use Google account).
2. Provide access to SMS and contacts (without this, the lock will not work!).
3. Go to Settings → Lock → SMS-spam.
4. Activate: 🚫 "Block Spam" 🔍 "Tag as Spam" (for manual moderation) 📵 "Block Hidden Numbers"

"Blacklist."

For maximum protection, set up automatic spam database updates:

1. Go to Settings → About the program → Update database.
2. Set the frequency of updates: “Daily”.
3. Turn on "Update in the background".

For maximum effect, combine operator locking with other methods, such as:

1. Put the antispam on the operator.
2. Set up Google Messages or Truecaller.
3. Add extra annoying numbers to the blacklist manually.

💡

If you frequently receive spam from foreign numbers (e.g. +994, +996, +62), contact the operator and request that all incoming SMS from specific countries be blocked.

Method 5: Lock SMS through the SIM- card settings (hidden function MIUI)

Few people know, but the MIUI has a hidden SMS lock function at the SIM- level of the card, which works independently of the Messages app and blocks messages before they even enter the phone's memory.

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Tap on "Additional Settings" (or "SIM- Card Settings" on the new versions of MIUI).
4. Find the item "Block Messages" or "SMS filter" (name depends on the firmware).
5. Activate the option and add numbers manually or import from the blacklist.

This method has several advantages:

• 🔒 Locking works even if the phone is turned off (messages are filtered out by the operator).
• 📵 No phone memory is wasted on spam storage.
• 🔄 Compatible with any SMS- application (including third-party applications).

However, there are also disadvantages:

• 🔧 The feature is not available on all Xiaomi models (it is not available, for example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with Global ROM).
• 📶 Does not block SMS from virtual numbers (VoIP).
• 🔄 The list of blocked numbers is reset when the SIM- card is changed.

💡

Hidden locking at the SIM- level is the most reliable way, since spam is cut off before it gets to the phone, but it only works for physical SIM- cards and does not support eSIM.

What to do if spam continues to arrive

If none of these methods worked, you may be dealing with a targeted spam attack or leaking your number to scammers' databases.

1. Complain to the number: 📞 In Truecaller: open the message → “Complain” → specify the reason. 🌐 On the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia (section “Receiving fraud reports”). 🏦 If spam is on behalf of the bank, write in support of the bank (for example, 900 for Sberbank).

Change the phone number:

An extreme measure, but sometimes necessary, operators offer a change of number for free or for a nominal fee (50-200 ₽).

• 🔄 Move all important SMS codes, passwords to a safe location.
• 📋 Update your bank, social media and services number.
• 🔒 Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) via Google Authenticator or Authy, so you don't depend on SMS.
• Check for viruses: Some Trojans (like FakeBank or SmsThief) steal SMS and send spam on your behalf.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking SMS on Xiaomi