Xiaomi’s modern smartphones receive dozens of messages every day, and not all of them are desirable. Intrusive advertising, mailings from banks with loan offers or outright spam can turn the use of the gadget into torture. Fortunately, the shell of MIUI and HyperOS has powerful built-in filtering tools that allow you to effectively combat information noise without installing third-party programs.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for blocking unwanted messages, how to set up an automatic blacklist, use smart keyword filters, and block senders at the carrier level, and this knowledge will help you regain control over notifications and improve the digital hygiene of your device.
Before we get to specific actions, it is important to understand the principle of the security system. Unlike simple phones of the past, Xiaomi analyzes not only the sender number, but also the content of the text, which allows you to block even those mailings that come from short service numbers, if they contain certain trigger phrases.
Use of the built-in Security application
The main security tool in the Xiaomi ecosystem is the system application Security, which is where all the call and message filtering settings are concentrated, and you need to run this component through a shortcut on your desktop or in the Tools folder to get started.
Once you start the app, find the partition that is responsible for blocking. In different versions of the firmware, it can be called Antispam, Blacklist or Lock. The interface may vary slightly, but the logic of the work remains the same for all models, whether it is a budget Redmi or flagship Xiaomi 14.
⚠️ Note: When the lock function is first activated, the system may request permission to access contacts and call logs.
Inside the lock menu, you'll see switches for different types of lock, where you can block messages from hidden numbers, from contacts that aren't in your phone book, or manually add specific numbers to the stop list, which is a basic layer of protection that cuts off the most obvious spam.
☑️ Setup of basic protection
Setting up filters for keywords
One of the most effective features is keyword filtering. Spam mailers often use certain text patterns, such as "winning," "credit," "card," or "promotion." Once you set up the filter, you automatically hide any messages containing these triggers.
To set up, go to the blocker menu and find the keyword filter or the keyword settings, and you need to enter words that will automatically block the text. The system is not case sensitive, so the word "credit" and "credit" will be perceived the same.
It is important not to overdo the number of keywords. If you add a word that is too common, you risk missing important notifications from services or delivery services. For example, blocking the word "code" can hide confirmation codes from banks or messengers.
List of popular words to block
It's recommended to keep your keyword list gradually. First, add the 3-5 most annoying terms that are most common in spam, and look at the result. If spam continues, add new markers to the list.
Blocking specific numbers and contacts
If you're concerned about a particular sender, the easiest way to blacklist their number is to completely isolate them, so you don't get any calls or messages from them, and you can do that in a number of ways.
The first way is through the message log, open the dialog with unwanted contact, click on the three dots in the upper right corner (or the sender's name), and select "Block" and the number will automatically go to the blacklist of the system.
The second way is to manually add through the Security app, go to lock settings, select Blacklist, and click the add button (usually a plus or add button), and you can enter the number manually or select it from your call history.
- 📱 Open the Messages app and find spam.
- ⛔ Click on the sender profile or chat settings menu.
- 🚫 Select the option "Block" or "Add to the blacklist".
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
It's worth noting that blocked messages don't disappear without a trace, but they are stored in a special "Blocked" section, where you can look at any time if you're waiting for a code from a particular sender and suspect that it may have been filtered incorrectly.
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Check the “Blocked” Messages folder periodically to make sure that important notifications from shipping services or banks do not get there.
Do Not Disturb and Hiding Numbers
In situations where you want complete silence, but you don't want to block everyone, you can use the "Do Not Disturb" mode with special settings. In MIUI, this mode has flexible settings for SMS.
Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Don’t disturb. You can set your schedule or turn on the mode manually. However, to make it work for SMS, you need to go to deeper settings through the Security → Do Not Disturb app.
In this menu, you can only allow notifications from selected contacts, and all other SMS will come silently (no sound) or not appear on the lock screen.This is not a complete lockdown, but an effective way to hide information noise at night or during meetings.
There's also a feature to hide numbers that aren't saved in contacts, and if you turn on this option, all messages from unknown numbers will automatically be sent to the spam folder, a radical but very effective method for people who only want calls from friends.
Comparison of blocking methods in MIUI
Different methods have different degrees of effectiveness and impact on the smartphone, and to make it easier for you to choose the right strategy, we have prepared a comparative table of the main ways to protect against SMS in Xiaomi phones.
| Method | Efficiency | Difficulty setting up | Risk of missing important SMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacklist of numbers | Low (only known numbers) | Low. | Absent. |
| Keyword filtering | Tall. | Medium | Medium. |
| Blocking of unknowns | Maximum | Low. | High-pitched |
| Operator services | High (network level) | Medium | Low. |
As you can see from the table, combining methods is the best thing, using only a blacklist is ineffective against changing mailing numbers, and completely blocking unknowns can isolate you from couriers.
The best strategy is to use a keyword filter in conjunction with manually blocking highly aggressive numbers, which strikes a balance between the purity of Inbox and the availability of important services.
Services of telecom operators as an additional barrier
Not only can you fight spam on the phone, but you can also fight it on the operator side, with major Russian and foreign operators offering antispam services that filter traffic before it reaches your Xiaomi.
The service can be paid or free (for example, "number detector" with lock function). USSD-This is especially true for voice spam, but many services are able to cut and SMS mailings.
The advantage of operator filters is that they don’t consume smartphone battery and don’t require additional apps to be installed, but they may have a delay in updating spam databases compared to Xiaomi’s cloud databases.
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The combination of the built-in MIUI filter and operator services creates a double barrier, cutting off up to 99% of unwanted content.