How to block all unknown numbers on Xiaomi

Constant spammer calls, intrusive service offers, and fraudulent attempts to contact you through unknown numbers make your smartphone a source of stress. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices are particularly affected by this, as their numbers often end up in advertisers’ databases. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS shell offers powerful built-in call filtering tools that work more efficiently than many third-party programs.

In this article, we will discuss how to set up automatic locking of all numbers that are not in your phone book, learn how to use a system blocker, configure Do Not Disturb mode and apply additional security measures, which will allow you to forget about calls with a region code "+7 800" or hidden numbers, keeping communication only with real contacts.

There are several layers of protection, from soft filtering to rigidly ignoring all incoming subscribers outside the contact list. The method depends on whether you are waiting for important calls from couriers or doctors who are not in the notebook.

Use of the built-in MIUI blocker

The first and most reliable way is to activate the deep configuration of the system application “Security”. Unlike standard Android settings, the interface Xiaomi allows you to penetrate the logic of telephony at a low level. First, open the application Security (green icon with lightning), which is preinstalled on all devices of the brand.

Inside the menu, find the Antispam or Block section, and that's where the main levers of incoming traffic are located, and you need to go to the settings (usually the gear in the corner) and find the item associated with the lock by list or rules, and the system will suggest creating a rule that will apply to all calls.

The key is to choose the type of lock you want to activate the Block Unknown Numbers option, and in some firmware versions, this might be called "Block Calls from No Contact Numbers." Once you turn on this feature, the phone will automatically drop calls if the caller's number doesn't match any entry in your phone book.

⚠️ Warning: By including a hard lock on unknowns, you risk missing an important call from a courier, taxi or health care provider if their number is not stored with you in advance.Be prepared to periodically check your missed call log.

For more flexible management, you can use an exception list, such as adding delivery service or work number codes to a whitelist, even if they are not saved as contacts, which will allow you to screen out 99% of spam, leaving the communication channel open to critical services.

The “Do Not Disturb” Regime as a Radical Measure

If built-in anti-spam for some reason fails or you are in a situation where absolute silence is required, Do Not Disturb mode comes to the rescue. Unlike a simple silent mode, it can programmatically reject calls, preventing the phone from even vibrating or lighting up the screen.

To set this mode to block unknowns, go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb. Here you are interested in Calls or Allow Calls. By default, the system can allow calls to everyone, but you must change this behavior to From Contacts Only or Favorites.

When Contacts Only is activated, any incoming call from a number that is not in the phone's memory will be automatically deflected by the system, the caller will hear the "busy" signal, and no notifications will appear on your screen, ideal for weekends or periods of high concentration.

It is important to remember the difference between a software deviation and a physical network lock. Do not disturb mode is a software filter of the Xiaomi device itself. If the phone is turned off or is in an unavailable zone, this method will not work, since the device must be active to process the incoming signal.

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Set up the automatic Do Not Disturb mode on schedule to block spam at night, remembering to turn it on manually during the day.

Blocking through the application “Phone”

The standard MIUI and HyperOS shell calling app also has its own filtering settings that can duplicate or supplement the system blocker. Open the Phone app (green handset) and tap the three dots in the upper right corner to enter the settings menu.

Find the Inbound Lock or Anti-Spam section, and you'll often find a "Hidden Number Lock" switch, which will instantly stop people from calling their No Caller ID, which is a frequent scammer.

This menu can also include a Keyword Block or Region Code Block feature, which, while it doesn't block all unknown numbers, allows you to cut out entire spam categories, for example, you can block all numbers starting with a particular prefix if you notice a spike in calls from it.

The settings interface may vary depending on the Android version and type of dialer (Google Phone or MIUI Dialer). If you use a standard typer from Google, the path may look like Settings → Spam and lock. The logic remains the same: looking for filtering options based on the contact list.

Comparison of locking methods on Xiaomi

The best method depends on your needs and smartphone model. Below is a table that will help you compare the effectiveness of different ways to weed out unwanted subscribers on Xiaomi and Redmi devices.

As the table shows, the system blocker is the middle ground: it's flexible enough not to miss an emergency call (if the number is saved), but strict enough to remove ads.

Using third-party apps adds functionality, but requires more battery life and access to your data. For most users, embedded MIUI is enough. The key is to configure the rules correctly so that they work automatically.

Third-party applications for enhanced protection

If you don't think the regular funds are flexible enough, Google Play offers a variety of alternatives: apps like Truecaller, GetContact, or Call Blocker use crowdsourcing databases, they tag numbers that other users have complained about, and they can block them automatically.

Installing such software requires extensive permissions, including access to contacts and a call log, which is necessary for the database to work, but from a privacy perspective is a trade-off, but the effectiveness of such programs in combating mobile spam is often higher than that of system filters.

Once you install the locking app, you will need to give it default permissions to handle calls. In the App settings → Application Management → Phone → By default, select the installed application. Now it will intercept the incoming call before the system processes it.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party number detectors, your contacts may be uploaded to the developer’s servers. read the privacy policy carefully before installing such applications.

Some antiviruses, such as Kaspersky or Dr.Web, also have antispam modules. If you already have an antivirus installed on Xiaomi, check its settings - you may not need a separate application to block it, which will save battery power.

Solving the blockage problems

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the settings are applied, but the calls still pass. Often the reason lies in a conflict of settings or the presence of exceptions that you have forgotten about, check whether the spammer number has been added to Favorites or Whitelist inside the phone application.

Another common problem is resetting after updating the HyperOS or MIUI firmware. After a major system update, it is recommended to recheck the Antispam partition and make sure the Unknown Lock Switch is active.

It’s also worth checking for updates to the Security and Phone app itself through GetApps or Play Market. Spammer databases and detection algorithms are updated regularly, and the old version of the software may not be aware of new block circumvention schemes.

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Regular check of lock settings after system updates is the key to stable protection from unsolicited calls.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)