Intrusive calls and spam are a familiar issue for every smartphone owner, and it is a particularly relevant issue for users of open-source devices like Android. Owners of budget models like the Xiaomi Redmi 7A often face calls from advertising agencies, collectors or scammers, which is not just annoying, but also distracts from important matters, forcing them to constantly check the screen.
Fortunately, the MIUI shell that you have installed on your device has powerful traffic filtering tools, you don't have to download heavy third-party programs to solve this problem, and the built-in functionality allows you to effectively manage your contact list and automatically cut off unwanted calls, saving battery power and your nerves.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available locking options, including both standard system settings and additional options that are often hidden from the eyes of the average user, and learn how to create blacklists, customize quiet hours, and use smart filters for maximum comfort.
Standard lock settings in MIUI
The first step to calming down is to use the built-in features of the system. The MIUI shell is based on Android, but has its own interface for managing calls. To get to the desired section, you need to open the Phone or Contacts app and find the settings menu, usually hidden under a three-dot or gear button.
Inside the settings menu, you're interested in a section that might be called "Blocking" or "Antispam," and that's where the basic controls for incoming traffic are, and the system allows you to flexibly adjust the rules: you can block all hidden numbers, or only those that aren't in your address book, and that's the basic level of protection that everyone needs to have.
It’s important to note that the functionality may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. However, the logic of the work remains the same for the entire Xiaomi ecosystem. If you don’t find the right item right away, try upgrading the Security app or the system itself to the latest available version.
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Before making changes to your lock settings, make sure you have access to an alternative communication channel so that important people can reach you in an emergency.
Use of the Security App
The central element of access and filtering rights management in Redmi smartphones is the system application Security, which has a green icon with a shield and is pre-installed in the factory, and inside this application is the Antispam section, which works in conjunction with the phone book and the call log.
When you go to Antispam, you'll see a list of already blocked numbers and control buttons, and you can turn on "Block Unknown Numbers" mode, and when you activate this feature, all calls from numbers that aren't in your contacts will automatically be reset, and the caller will hear a beep or a message about employment, and you will not even see the notification on the screen.
This section also includes Quiet Mode, which allows you to set time slots when the phone won't ring or vibrate, which is especially useful at night or during meetings, and you can choose whether you'll have your favorite contacts excluded or ignored them completely.
☑️ Setting up Antispam
Setting up black and white lists
To fine-tune it, you need to understand the difference between blacklists and whitelists. A blacklist is a list of numbers that are not allowed to enter. A whitelist is a list of trusted contacts that are allowed to do everything, even if strict filters are enabled.
To add a number to the blacklist manually, open a call log, click on the desired number and select the "Block" option, which will no longer be accessible by standard methods, and if you want to create an exception, such as allowing family-only calls, add their numbers to the whitelist in the anti-spam settings.
There is also the option of importing numbers from SMS or call history, which is convenient if you are attacked by a spammer from different SIM cards, you can quickly note all its manifestations and send it to the ban in one action, and the MIUI system also knows how to automatically update the spam databases if you give permission.
⚠️ Warning: When enabling hard locking of all unknown numbers, make sure couriers, taxis or doctors have your alternate number or are contacted, otherwise you may miss an important call.
Blocking Hidden Numbers and International Codes
Calls from hidden numbers and from abroad deserve special attention. Scammers often use Caller ID masking technology to identify their number as “Unknown” or “Hidden”. In the locking settings of the Xiaomi Redmi 7A, there is a separate switchboard to prohibit such calls.
Also, if you don't plan to communicate with subscribers from other countries, it's wise to block international codes, which will reduce the likelihood of receiving calls from telemarketers using international communication, and you can set lock rules by prefix or country in the Security app.
Some users prefer to completely disable the number definition for hidden contacts, but this can lead to the fact that you will not even see a missed call.It is better to set up an automatic reset. In this case, the call simply will not pass, and your phone will not waste resources on processing the incoming signal.
Third-party applications for spam protection
When embedded tools are not enough, third-party solutions come to the rescue, and app stores offer a variety of options, such as Truecaller, GetContact, or Yandex, and these programs use crowdsourcing, which is a database that is created by users themselves.
The main advantage of these apps is that they have a huge database of known spam numbers, and when you get a call, the app checks the number in its cloud database, and if it's labeled "Adverts" or "Fraudsters," it blocks the call or displays a warning on the screen, and it works more efficiently than static lists.
However, there are downsides to this method: Third-party applications require extensive permissions to access contacts and calls, which can raise privacy questions, and consume more power and RAM, which can be palpable for the Redmi 7A with its modest specs.
| Locking method | Efficiency | Impact on the battery | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI's built-in antispam | Medium | Low. | Low. |
| Blacklist (manually) | High (for specific numbers) | Absent. | Low. |
| Annexes (Truecaller et al.) | Very high. | Medium/High | Medium |
| Operator's services | Tall. | Absent. | Low. |
Mobile operator services
Remember that your mobile operator also provides spam protection services: MTS, Beeline, MegaFon and Tele2 have special services (often paid or shareware) that filter traffic at the network level.
The advantage of carrier services is that the call is blocked before it even reaches your smartphone, which means that the Redmi 7A phone won't even vibrate or waste charge processing the incoming connection, which is ideal for saving power.
To connect such services, it is usually enough to send USSD-Check the current offers on your provider's website, as conditions may change. Often basic spam protection is provided free of charge as part of the tariff.
What to do if you block an important number?
Frequently asked questions
Can I block a call if it is already on screen?
Will the caller see that it is blocked?
Does the lock affect the ability to receive SMS from this number?
Are lock settings reset when flashing the phone?
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The combination of built-in MIUI tools and mobile operator services gives the maximum effect, completely cutting off spam at different levels of the network and device.
To sum up, the Xiaomi Redmi 7A has all the tools you need to make your experience comfortable. Competently configuring the built-in anti-spam and understanding the principles of blacklisting will allow you to forget about intrusive advertising. Don't neglect to regularly update databases and check your privacy settings.