Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their functionality, but users often face intrusive spam, promotional mailings and fraudulent calls. Built-in protection mechanisms in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS allow you to effectively cut off unwanted content, but not everyone knows exactly where these settings are hidden.
There are several ways to solve the problem, from standard system functions to the use of specialized software, the choice of method depends on the version of the operating system and the personal preferences of the user. It is important to understand that simply locking a number does not always save from mailings from changing virtual identities, so a comprehensive approach to configuring the security of the device is necessary.
In this article, we will take a look at all the tools available to filter incoming SMS and MMS. You will learn how to create exception lists, configure smart filters and use third-party solutions for maximum protection. Proper setting up the phone will take only a few minutes, but will save a lot of time in the future.
Use of the built-in Security application
The main tool for managing incoming traffic in Xiaomi smartphones is the system application Security. This is where the key filtering settings that work at the deep level of the system are concentrated. To get started, you need to launch the application and find the section responsible for blocking calls and messages.
The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same: the user is given full control over who can contact him, the system allows not only to block specific numbers, but also to create whole rules for groups of contacts or anonymous senders.
The lock menu has detailed settings, so you can choose what to do with blocked messages, whether to delete them instantly or save them to a separate folder for analysis, which is especially useful if you are expecting an important message from an unknown number, but want to protect yourself from the main stream of spam.
Key features of the safety module:
- 🛡️ Automatically block known spammers based on updated databases.
- 🚫 Possibility of creating a personal black list of numbers.
- 📂 Separate folder for blocked messages so as not to lose important information.
- ⚙️ Flexible Rules for Hidden Numbers and International Codes.
⚠️ Note: Do not automatically delete all messages from unknown numbers if you are waiting for a confirmation code from a bank or delivery service that may come from a short number.
Once the functions are activated, the system will start operating in the background without requiring constant intervention. However, it is worth periodically checking the lock log to make sure that important messages were not screened out incorrectly. The accuracy of the filters can be adjusted manually by adding numbers to the whitelist.
Set up the blacklist manually
Manually adding numbers to a blacklist is the most reliable way to get rid of a particular abuser or intrusive advertiser. This method is ideal when spam comes from permanent numbers. To add a contact to a stop list, open a call or message log, find the desired number and select the blocking option.
The alternative is to set up the Messages app itself, and the settings menu usually has a "Blocked Numbers" or "Antispam" option, where you can manually enter the phone number you want to lock, and the system will offer you several options: block only calls, only SMS, or both types of communication at once.
It's important to note that when you manually lock it, it doesn't analyze the content of the messages, it just cuts off all the incoming data from the specified address, which guarantees 100% protection from the specific sender, but requires you to be active when new spammer numbers appear.
To manage the list of blocked contacts, use the following path: Settings → Messages → Locked numbers. In this menu, you can view the history of locks, delete numbers from the list or add new ones. It also provides the function of importing and exporting lists, which is convenient when changing devices.
⚠️ Attention: Locking a number does not mean the sender will receive a notification about it.The message will simply not be delivered to your device and the sender will remain in the dark.
Blocking messages by keywords
One of the most powerful features in Xiaomi’s arsenal is keyword filtering, which allows you to cut out entire categories of messages, even if they come from different numbers. The algorithm scans the text of an incoming SMS and, finding a match with a given template, moves the message to the spam folder.
To activate this feature, you need to go to the anti-spam filter settings and select Keywords. Here you can add words or phrases that are often found in advertising mailings, such as the words "promotion", "winning", "credit", "casino" or the names of popular stores.
The system allows you to add up to 10 keywords, which is enough to cover the main areas of spam, while blocking works intelligently: if a word is part of a regular sentence from a friend, the message can still be filtered, so you need to choose the words wisely.
Recommended keywords for blocking:
- 💰 Financial terms: credit, loan, card, bank.
- 🎁 Advertising triggers: promotion, discount, gift, winning.
- 🎲 Gambling: casinos, slots, bets, victory.
- 📦 Logistics and services: delivery, courier, order (if you do not wait for parcels).
Keyword use reduces information noise significantly, but it's worth remembering that scammers can use typos or replace letters with symbols to bypass filters, so relying on this method alone is not a good idea, but combining it with other security features.
Filtering of unknown and hidden numbers
Special attention should be paid to blocking messages from unknown senders, and MIUI has a feature that allows you to automatically hide or block SMS from numbers that are not in your phone book, a radical but effective method of combating mass mailings.
Activation of this option is located in the Message Settings menu, in the Unknown Number Filter section. Once enabled, all messages from new contacts will be placed in a separate Unknown Senders folder or not displayed at all in the standard dialog list, and you can check their contents at any time if you expect an important notification.
This method is especially useful for devices that are used mainly for personal calls and communication with loved ones. For business smartphones, which are often written by new customers or courier services, this setting can be inconvenient, as you have to constantly check the folder with hidden messages.
It also allows you to block messages that don't have text content, but only links or pictures, which are often used for phishing, and adding this option to the security menu adds another layer of protection against malware.
⚠️ Warning: Enabling strict filtering of unknown numbers may result in missing confirmation codes from services where you are not already registered or notifications from delivery services.
Third-party applications for spam protection
If built-in tools are not enough, third-party apps from the Google Play store come to the rescue, with Truecaller, Mr. Number and Yandex leading the way, using global databases that are updated in real time by millions of users.
The main advantage of third-party solutions is the ability to identify spam by the reputation of a room. If a lot of people complain about a room as fraudulent or advertising, the application will block it automatically, even if it is not on your personal blacklist, which is especially effective against short-term room rental services.
But installing these applications requires broad permissions, and it will have access to all of your incoming calls and messages, and the contact book, which is necessary for the algorithms to work, but from a privacy perspective, it's a trade-off, and the user has to weigh the risks.
Comparison of embedded tools and third-party applications:
| Parameter | Built-in MIUI filter | Third-party applications (Truecaller, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Database | Local and Basic Cloud | Global, crowdsourcing |
| Confidentiality | High (data on the device) | Medium (access to contacts required) |
| Effectiveness against new spam | Low (must be added manually) | High (automatic update) |
| Impact on the battery | Minimum | Average (constant work in the background) |
For maximum protection, it is recommended to use a hybrid scheme: turn on the basic protection of MIUI and install one lightweight number-defining application, configuring it only to block known spammers, without transferring your contacts to the cloud, if possible.