How to block incoming calls from unfamiliar numbers on Xiaomi Poco X3

The problem of intrusive calls from advertising agents, scammers and just unwanted subscribers is familiar to every smartphone owner. This issue is especially relevant for users of Xiaomi and Poco, whose devices are popular in the masses and often become targets for auto calls. Tired of constantly interrupting important things or resting because of the horn on the screen? The solution lies in the competent configuration of the built-in functions of the MIUI or HyperOS system.

Owners of the Poco X3 (both NFC and Pro versions) have powerful tools to filter traffic out of the box. You don’t need to install third-party apps right away that can overload RAM or request unnecessary permissions. The system blocker works at the core level of the shell and is able to effectively cut off unwanted calls before they make sound.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods of spam isolation, we will look at the standard phone settings, the features of the Security app, as well as hidden Google features, and the correct configuration of these parameters will allow you to forget about calls from unknown numbers forever.

Use of the built-in blacklist in the Phone app

The easiest and fastest way to limit your social circle is to activate the built-in filter in the standard dial. In the MIUI shell on which the Poco X3 system is based, this functionality is implemented in a deep enough way to create flexible rules. To get into the settings menu, you need to open the Phone application (green handset) and click on three dots in the upper right corner of the screen.

In the drop-down menu, select Settings, and then find the Lock section. This is where the key switches are hidden. You need to activate the Blacklist option and go to setting the rules. The system will offer several filtering options, including blocking hidden numbers and all unknown contacts.

For maximum protection, it is recommended to turn on a mode that blocks calls from numbers that are not in your phone book.This is a radical method, but it guarantees 100% protection against spammers using new SIM cards. However, be careful: you can miss an important call from a courier or doctor if you do not save their number in advance.

And you can also see the silent unknowns feature on this menu, and when you activate it, the phone will pick up the call, but it won't make a call, it won't turn on the vibration, you'll just see the missed call in the log, which is the perfect trade-off between accessibility and peace of mind.

💡

Use Quiet Unknown Numbers instead of a full lock if you are waiting for an important call from a delivery service or taxi whose number you have not yet saved.

Setting up the Security and Antispam app

The central permission management node in Xiaomi and Poco smartphones is the security system application (green shield), which is integrated deeper than conventional programs, and has access to system call logs. Launch the application and find the Antispam section. Here are all the SMS filtering and voice calls settings.

Inside the Antispam section, click on the gear icon in the upper right corner, and you will see the expanded lock settings menu. Notice the Blacklist option. When you click on it, you will see the list of already blocked numbers and the Add button, and you can manually enter the specific numbers that bother you the most.

Keyword Blocking is a feature that is particularly noteworthy, although it is more commonly used for SMS, in some firmware versions it also affects the detection of spam through the database, and you can enable an update to the antivirus databases so that the phone automatically recognizes the numbers of known fraudulent call centers.

It is important to check the lock log regularly in this application, sometimes legitimate calls (e.g. from banks or government agencies) fall into the trap, and periodic audits of blocked calls will help you adjust your filtering settings and not lose important information.

Blocking of hidden numbers and unknown subscribers

A separate category of irritants are calls where the number detector does not transmit data (hidden number). On Poco X3, blocking such calls is done using the same settings as a regular blacklist, but requires a separate switch. In the Lock menu, find the option "Block hidden numbers" and activate it.

This feature is especially useful for combating automated call systems, which often hide their ID. However, it is worth remembering that some organizations (such as banks or clinics) may use number-hiding technologies to protect the privacy of their employees.

If you want to block all numbers that are not in your notebook, use the "Block All Unknown Numbers" feature, which, unlike hidden numbers, refers to any numbers that are not saved in contacts, which creates a "white list" effect: only people you know personally can call.

To activate this feature, go to Settings → Lock → Locking Rules. There you will find the “Block Calls from Unknown Numbers” switch. Once turned on, the phone will automatically reset any incoming ones if the caller’s name does not match any contact in the device’s memory.

⚠️ Warning: Enabling locking all unknown numbers may cause you to miss a call from a new customer, employer or emergency service.Use this mode only during periods when you need absolute silence.

Using Google Assistant to Filter Calls

Poco X3 owners have access to Google’s ecosystem, which offers an advanced tool called Google Assistant (formerly known as Google Duplex) that uses artificial intelligence to analyze incoming calls.It can automatically detect spam and even answer calls for you if you’re busy.

To set up this feature, open Google's Phone app (it's the default on global firmware versions). Click three dots in the corner and select Settings. Find the "Number Define and Spam" section. Here you need to activate the "Filter Spam Calls" slider.

In fact, turn on the Automatic Response option, and when the phone detects a potentially dangerous or commercial call, the Assistant will answer it and ask, "Who's calling and what's the question?" You'll see the real-time transcription of the conversation on the screen, and you'll be able to decide whether to pick up the phone.

This technology is particularly effective against robotic callers, and artificial intelligence recognizes their voices and tags them in Google's global database, protecting millions of other users, and requires a stable Internet connection to function.

Third-party applications for spam protection

If Xiaomi's built-in tools aren't enough, the market offers powerful alternatives, with GetContact, NumBuster, and Truecaller leading the way, running on a crowdsourcing principle, where users tag numbers as spam, forming a huge database.

Installing such an app on Poco X3 requires a careful approach to permissions. To work properly, the program needs access to your contacts and call log, which allows it to check the incoming number against the database and show the name of the caller (for example, Taxi Comfort or Obsessive Services), even if the number is not in your book.

Once installed, applications are usually integrated into the system dial, and you'll see the app icon next to the call button, and in the application settings, you need to enable "Spam Lock" and allow it to run in the background so that the MIUI system doesn't "kill" the process to save battery.

But there are two sides to the coin: By sharing your contacts with the cloud of these services, you potentially violate the privacy of your acquaintances, and advertising inside the free versions can be intrusive.

Do Not Disturb as a Temporary Solution

Sometimes you don't need a permanent lock, you need a temporary silence. For those cases, the Poco X3 has a Do Not Disturb mode. It can be activated through the notification curtain or in the Sound and Vibration settings. Unlike the blacklist, this mode doesn't reset a call, it just drowns out the phone.

The flexible setting of this mode allows you to create exceptions. You can set the phone to keep it silent for everyone except your favorite contacts (like family). To do this, go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb → Exceptions.

You can set a schedule here, for example, the phone will automatically go quiet from 23:00 to 7:00, which will help you to improve sleep hygiene and not wake up from nighttime spam, and you can adjust the response to repeated calls: if the same number rings twice in 3 minutes, the phone will ring (in case of an emergency).

Using Do Not Disturb mode in conjunction with the function "Silent unknowns" gives the maximum effect. The phone will lie silent, and you will see all the important calls on the screen when you pick it up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

The integrated use of built-in blacklist, Google filters and Do Not Disturb mode creates a robust shield that cuts off 99% of unwanted noise on your Poco X3.