How to block messages from Xiaomi: all ways

Today’s Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones receive hundreds of notifications every day, but not all of them are welcome. Intrusive advertising, spam from banking organizations, or messages from unpleasant contacts can be seriously annoying and distracting from important matters. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the newer HyperOS offer powerful built-in tools to filter incoming traffic without having to install third-party software.

In this article, we will detail how to effectively block messages on your device, learn how to create personal blacklists, configure smart filters to cut off advertising SMS and hide the content of notifications from prying eyes, which will allow you to regain control of your gadget and significantly improve digital hygiene.

The setup process does not require a deep technical knowledge, but it is important to know where exactly the right switches are hiding in the Android system. We will look at various scenarios, from locking one particular number to mass protection from unknown senders. The built-in antivirus Mi Security already contains all the necessary modules to protect against spam.

Use of the built-in Security application

The main tool for managing locks in Xiaomi smartphones is the system application Security. This is where all the key settings for filtering calls and messages are concentrated. To get started, you need to open this application, which usually has a green icon with a shield, and find the Antispam section.

After you go to the anti-spam menu, the system will suggest you set your lock settings, so you can choose which actions to do with the locked numbers: reset a call, do not not notify a message, or completely ignore incoming data. It is important to note that the settings may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI.

Inside the Antispam menu, you'll find some important tabs, such as "Blacklist" and "Settings." The settings section often activates Quiet mode by default, which simply hides notifications but doesn't delete messages. To completely block, you need to select the appropriate item in the rule configuration.

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Check the Locked folder in the Messages app regularly to make sure that important confirmation codes from banks or delivery services don’t get there.

Xiaomi’s system approach allows you to manage every aspect of communication flexibly, so you can set different rules for different contact groups or create exceptions for selected numbers so that their messages always reach you, even if you have a strict filtering mode.

How to Add a Number to a Blacklist Manually

The easiest way to get rid of an intrusive person is to blacklist their number, which can be done directly from a call log or a correspondence history, which takes only a few seconds, open a Messages app or Phone, find an unwanted contact, and click on it.

In the contact details menu that opens or at the top of the screen (often under three dots), select the option to Block or Blacklist.The system will immediately apply the rule, and from that point on, any attempts to contact you from that number will be interrupted at the device level.

There is also an alternative way through the messaging app settings: Go to the menu (three dots in the corner), select Settings, then go to Lock, and here you will see a list of all the locked numbers and add a new one, where you can manually enter the subscriber's numerical code.

• 📱 Open your history of correspondence with unwanted contact.
• 🛑 Click on three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
• 🚫 Select "Block" or "Add to spam".
• ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

Once you do this, the user will no longer be able to text or call you, and all of their attempts will be recorded in the lock log, but will not disturb you with beeps or vibrations.

Configure smart filters and lock rules

Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face massive emails from advertising agencies. Manual blocking of each new number is impossible, so MIUI developers have implemented smart filters that allow you to block messages by keyword or from unknown senders.

To activate this feature, go to Security → Antispam → Settings (cogs) → Blacklist. You can turn on the option “Block messages from unknown numbers.” This is especially useful when spam comes from short service numbers that are constantly changing.

⚠️ Attention: Activating keyword filtering can lead to blocking important messages if they accidentally encounter a prohibited word (for example, "share" in an SMS from a bank.

Another powerful tool is content filtering, and you can set certain trigger words like "winning," "credit," or "casino." If an incoming message contains at least one of these words, it will automatically go to the spam folder, bypassing the main inbox.

Remember that filtering algorithms work locally on the device, which ensures the confidentiality of your data. The system analyzes the text of the message only when it arrives and does not send the content to servers for verification.

Blocking messages from unknown numbers

One of the most effective protections is to completely block messages from numbers that are not in your phone book, which is ideal for those who only want to receive information from friends, colleagues and official services.

To turn on this mode, you need to go to the SMS filtering settings. The path usually looks like this: Messages → Settings → Lock → Unknown Filter. By activating the switch, you will prevent the delivery of any messages from numbers not saved in contacts.

It's important to understand the difference between "unknown" and "hidden" numbers, because the filter responds to the absence of an entry in the address book, and if a fraudster signs up in your contacts under the name "Store", the lock will not work, so you should periodically review the contact list.

If you are waiting for an important message from a courier or a doctor who can write from an unfamiliar number, it is better to temporarily turn off the filter so as not to miss critical information.

Hiding the contents of notifications on the lock screen

Sometimes the problem is not the fact that the message is received, but the fact that the text is visible to everyone around it, the content hiding feature allows you to display only the sender's name or just a "New message" notification, hiding the text itself before unlocking the device.

To set this option, go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification format. Select Hide Content or Show Icon Only. This is especially true for messages from instant messengers and banking applications.

You can also adjust the behavior of the lock screen. In the lock screen section, there is an option "Show notifications." If you turn it off, the phone will not light up at all when new emails or SMS arrive until you pick it up and unlock it.

By combining these settings, you can achieve the highest level of privacy, and even if the phone is in the hands of a stranger, they can't read your personal communications without going through biometrics or entering a password.

Working with the folder of blocked messages

All blocked messages are not permanently deleted, but are moved to a special folder Locked, which is done deliberately so that the user can check at any time if something important has been hit by a mistake of filtering algorithms.

You can find this folder in the Messages app, usually at the bottom of the chat list or in the lock settings menu, and inside it you can store the history of all filtered SMS and MMS with the time and sender.

If you find an important message in this folder, it can be easily restored, just open the dialog, click three dots and select Restore or Not Spam, and then the message will return to the main inbox, and the sender number will be removed from the blacklist.

It is recommended to periodically clean this folder, as the accumulation of thousands of spam messages can take up precious space in the memory of the device, albeit in small amounts.

Third-party applications for extended filtering

Xiaomi’s built-in tools are usually enough for most users, but sometimes more advanced functionality is required, in which case you can turn to time-tested apps from the Google Play Store, such as Truecaller or Should I Answer?.

These apps use huge databases that are updated by a community of users around the world, and they can identify spam calls and messages even from new numbers that haven't yet been blacklisted on your phone's local lists.

However, privacy is important to remember: When installing a third-party blocker, you often give it access to your phone book and call history.

• 🔍 Truecaller is the leader in spam number database, but requires a lot of permissions.
• 🛡️ Should I Answer? is a more private, open source version of the code.
• 📉 Calls Blacklist is a simple and easy app for basic locking.

Using third-party software makes sense if the built-in MIUI filter lets too much debris through, and otherwise it’s better to rely on system solutions that are more integrated into the operating system and consume less battery power.