How to permanently block messages on Xiaomi Redmi 12: from spam to annoying contacts

Spam messages, promotional emails and intrusive contacts can turn using the Xiaomi Redmi 12 into a nightmare. According to Kaspersky statistics for 2026, smartphone users receive an average of up to 12 unwanted SMS per week, from bank scammers to aggressive marketers. Fortunately, MIUI firmware (even in the base version for Redmi 12) offers several tools to combat this problem.

In this article, we will look at all the ways to block messages, from built-in functions to third-party applications.

• 🔍 Set up a spam filter in the standard Messages app
• 📵 Add a number to the blacklist permanently (including hidden contacts)
• 🛡️ Use Google Messages for Advanced Protection
• ⚙️ Disable notifications from specific senders without blocking
• 📱 Apply radical measures to completely isolate spam

Important: The methods work on Redmi 12 with MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese versions). If you have other firmware, check the relevance of menu items.

1. Built-in spam filter in MIUI: how to enable and configure

The easiest way to start fighting spam is to activate the built-in protection in the Messages app, which analyzes incoming SMS from the Xiaomi Cloud database and automatically sends suspicious messages to the Spam folder.

To turn on the filter:

1. Open the Messages app (the envelope icon on the home screen).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select the Spam Filter.
4. Activate the switch to Enable the spam filter.
5. In the section Filtration rules mark ticks: 📌 Filtering messages from unknown senders 📌 Blocking messages with suspicious links 📌 Ignore messages with keywords (you can add your own, for example, "winning", "credit", "gift")

Note that the filter only works for SMS, not for notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.) and it does not block messages completely – they are simply hidden in a separate folder that can be checked manually.

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If after activation of the filter spam continues to arrive, update the database Xiaomi. for this go to Settings → About phone → System update and check for updates for the security component.

2.The blacklist: how to lock a number permanently

If the spam filter doesn’t work with a specific sender (such as an annoying collector or ex-friend), blacklist it, which will block all messages and calls from that number.

Instructions for Redmi 12:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Find the dialog with the right contact and tap on his name/number at the top of the screen.
3. In the menu that opens, select Block (Blocking Sign icon).
4. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

Has the number been added to the blacklist?|Have messages gone missing from that contact?|Are notifications of blocked calls disabled?|Have you checked your synchronization settings with Xiaomi Cloud?-->

An important caveat: if the number is hidden (shown as "Unknown" or "Private Number"), the standard blacklist will not work.

⚠️ Note: Use third-party apps (section 5) to block hidden numbers or contact your carrier to activate the Hidden Call Ban service. Redmi 12 does not have a built-in feature to block all hidden SMS.

3.Google Messages: An Alternative Way to Block

If Xiaomi’s standard Messages app doesn’t suit you, install Google Messages – it offers more flexible filtering settings and integration with Google Play Protect services.

How to set up a lock in Google Messages:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and allow access to SMS.
3. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → Message settings.
4. Choose Spam and Block.
5. Activate the option to Enable Spam Protection.
6. To block a specific number, open a dialog with it → three dots → Details → Block and report spam.

The benefits of Google Messages are:

• 🌍 It works on the basis of a global database of spammers from Google.
• 🔄 Synchronizes locks between devices (if you use one account).
• 📊 Provides statistics on blocked messages.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires a permanent Internet connection to update the spam database.
• ⚠️ Does not block SMS from the operator (services, mailings).

4. Disable notifications without blocking messages

Sometimes you have to stop notifications from a particular sender, but you have to keep the ability to read their messages manually, for example, if it's an important but overactive chat.

How to do this:

1. Open the dialogue with the desired contact in the Messages app.
2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner → Details.
3. Turn off the Notification switch.
4. You can also select the Sound. → No sound.

For instant messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, etc.), the process is similar:

• 📱 Open the chat room. → contact name → Notifications → Shut down.
• 🔕 Telegram also allows you to use the function No Sound for a certain period (from 1 hour to "forever").

Important: Disabling notifications does not block the messages themselves – they will still come and appear in the application. If you want to completely stop receiving SMS, use the methods in sections 2 or 5.

5. Radical methods: operator-level locking and third-party applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don’t help, use one of these methods:

For the installation of Truecaller:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Register (a telephone number will be required).
3. In the settings, activate Spam Blocking and Number Definition.
4. Add problem numbers to the blacklist manually (via call history or SMS).

⚠️ Note: When using Truecaller, your phone number and contacts may be uploaded to the service cloud.If privacy is critical, opt out or use a temporary number.

Problems and Solutions: What to Do If the Locking Fails

Sometimes even after you add a number to the blacklist, the messages keep coming in, and let's look at the typical causes and ways to address them:

Problem 1: Messages from the operator are not blocked.

Solution: Operator mailings (balance sheet, stocks) are not blocked at the phone level, and to get rid of them:

• 📞 Call the operator and ask to disable the promotional mailings (the service is usually free).
• 📧 Send SMS with the text of the STOP to the short mailing number (specified in the message).

Problem 2: The lock is reset after the MIUI update.

Solution: This is a bug in some firmware versions, so you don't lose your settings.

• 🔄 Before updating, back up the blacklist: Settings → Memory. → Backup → Communications.
• 📲 After the update, check the list of blocked numbers and restore it if necessary.

Problem 3: Spoofing (spoofing) messages are coming.

Solution: Fraudsters often fake numbers to get around the blacklist.

• 🛡️ Use Truecaller or Hiya – they will recognize fake numbers from templates.
• 📵 Turn off SMS display in notifications on the lock screen: Settings → Notifications → Lock screen → Hide the contents.

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If none of these methods work, consider changing your phone number, a radical step, but sometimes the only way to get rid of scammers or collectors.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking messages on Xiaomi Redmi 12