How to block spam calls to Xiaomi: Full instructions

Daily intrusive advertising and fraudulent offers can drive any smartphone owner mad. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices face this problem no less than others, as the popular brand attracts the attention of unscrupulous marketers. Fortunately, the built-in shell of MIUI and HyperOS offers powerful tools to filter incoming connections that are often undervalued by users.

Ignoring a problem can lead to not only time loss, but also financial risks if you accidentally answer a call from a scammer. Modern algorithms allow you to automatically identify suspicious numbers and block them before the beep sounds. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of protection, from standard settings to advanced security features.

Before we get to the complex manipulations, we need to understand where this information noise comes from. Often the sources of spam change, but the methods of their work remain similar. Understanding the nature of calls will help you choose the most effective defense strategy for your particular case.

Built-in protection of MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi’s shells are equipped with its own security module, which is based on the database of antivirus Avast or AVL (depending on the region), this tool works at the deep level of the system, which allows it to intercept calls faster than third-party applications. To activate the basic protection, you do not need to download anything, just configure existing settings correctly.

To get into the control menu, open the standard Safety app (green zipper icon). At the bottom of the screen, select the Antispam tab. This is where all the key switches responsible for filtering incoming traffic are concentrated. By default, some options can be disabled for convenience, but for maximum protection they need to be activated.

Inside the menu, you'll find the Settings section, where you can detail lock rules, and it allows you to create complex scenarios, like blocking all hidden numbers or calls from subscribers who aren't saved in contacts, which is especially true if you expect calls only from people you know.

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Use the “Do Not Disturb” mode at night, configuring it so that calls are allowed only from selected contacts, and all other spam is guaranteed to be blocked.

The effectiveness of the built-in filter depends on the relevance of its databases. Periodically check for updates for the MIUI Security component through the GetApps app store or Google Play. Fresh signature databases allow the system to recognize new fraud numbers that appeared just yesterday.

Setting up a blacklist and smart filters

A blacklist is the first line of defense that every user needs to set up, and unlike simply locking a specific number, smart filters work by analyzing behavior and categories of callers, allowing you to cut off entire groups of unwanted contacts without manually adding each to the stoplist.

For fine-tuning, go to Settings → Applications → System Applications → Phone → Lock. Here you will see a list of already locked numbers and the ability to add new ones manually, but it is much more effective to use the automatic rules that the system applies to all incoming calls.

One of the most useful features is the prefix locking capability, which means that if you notice that you're being called from numbers that start with a particular combination of numbers (like +7999 or 8800), you can add a mask to the blacklist, which instantly cuts off thousands of potential calls from telemarketers.

⚠️ Be careful when blocking entire prefixes or city codes.You may accidentally block important delivery services or courier services that call from city or mobile numbers not stored in your book.

And you should also pay attention to the "Block All Unknown Numbers" feature, which when activated, the phone will ignore any call if the subscriber number is not in your phone book, which is a radical but very effective method for those who use a smartphone exclusively for personal communication.

Don’t forget the lock log. The Antispam app keeps a detailed log of all rejected calls, browse it regularly to make sure the system doesn’t block important calls (false positives are rare but possible) and to understand which types of numbers attack you most often.

Use of Google Assistant and Screen Definitions

Google has built powerful anti-spam tools into its ecosystem that work great on Xiaomi smartphones, and Call Screen allows the assistant to answer calls instead of you, translating the caller’s speech into text, a perfect way to check who is actually calling without making direct contact.

To activate, open the Google Dialer app, click three dots in the corner and select Settings. Find the Assistant section when calling and enable Spam Filter. The system will automatically flag suspicious calls in red and alert you to possible danger.

You can also activate an automatic response for known spammers, in which the phone will drop the call itself or respond with a standard phrase if it identifies the number as an advertising one, and Google's database is updated in real time on millions of devices around the world.

Importantly, some features of Google Assistant require a stable Internet connection and login to your Google account. If you use custom firmware or a region where Google services are limited, the functionality may be cut, and in such cases rely on built-in MIUI solutions.

Third-party applications for enhanced protection

While Xiaomi’s built-in tools are powerful, third-party developers offer solutions with more flexible databases and social features, with Truecaller, NumBuster and GetContact being the market leaders, using crowdsourcing, users labeling numbers as spam, creating a giant shared database.

Installing this application requires you to provide advanced access rights. You'll need to allow the application to manage calls and access contacts. Without that, it won't be able to identify the name of the caller or automatically drop the phone. Once installed, be sure to go to the settings of the application itself and enable integration with the system blocker.

However, using third-party identifiers has a downside: Transferring your contacts and calls to third-party servers can raise privacy concerns, and applications often consume more battery and RAM than native solutions.

If you choose to use third-party software, set it up so that it does not duplicate the system functions, it is better to leave the system blocker to the main one, and allow the third-party application only to identify the number and maintain statistics, this will help to avoid conflicts and double notifications.

Communications operators and paid services

Keep in mind that major carriers (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) offer their own spam protection services. They work at the network level, meaning that the call is blocked before it reaches your smartphone, which is especially useful in areas of poor reception, where the smartphone may not have time to process the lock signal.

The services are usually called "Antispam", "Spam Protection" or "Number Define" and can be free (basic version) or cost a small monthly fee for advanced functionality, USSD-command or special application.

The main advantage of network filters is that they do not consume the battery of your Xiaomi. The operator takes the load of traffic analysis on itself. However, carrier databases sometimes update more slowly than specialized applications, so some of the spam can leak.

Registration in the Unwanted Numbers Register

Russia has an official mechanism to combat intrusive advertising, a registry of unsolicited calls, and while it is primarily aimed at banning calls from robotic systems (robots), registering with it can reduce the amount of advertising noise from legitimate companies.

To include a number in the register, you need to apply through the Public Services portal or send a request to the telecom operator, the process takes up to 30 days, after which advertisers are forbidden to call you without written consent, violators face heavy fines.

Unfortunately, this method is powerless against scammers and illegal call centers that use “gray” SIM cards and other services. IP-They don't follow the law and they ignore all the registries, so this is a complement to technical protections, not a panacea.

⚠️ Note: Registration in the registry does not give an instant result. During the month you can still receive calls until the data is processed and brought to the operators.

It is also worth mentioning that some telecom companies automatically add their subscribers to such lists if they did not consent to advertising when concluding the contract.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The comprehensive approach, combining the built-in MIUI filter, Google’s detector and, if necessary, the operator’s service, provides 99% protection against unwanted calls.

To sum up, the Xiaomi owner’s arsenal for fighting spam is huge: From simple security menu settings to complex network filters, you can completely clean your phone of information noise, the main thing is not to ignore the first signs of fraudster activity and to update the databases of security systems in a timely manner.

Remember that no method is absolutely guaranteed, but the combination of the two makes life as difficult as possible for spammers and scammers. Check your smartphone settings regularly, especially after major system updates, as developers often change menu layouts or add new security features.