Blocking unfamiliar numbers on Xiaomi Redmi: the full guide 2026

Calls from unfamiliar numbers, SMS-Spam and intrusive advertising messages have become a real problem for smartphone owners. Xiaomi Redmi offers several built-in tools to combat this, but many users are unaware of all the features or are using them inefficiently. In this article, we will analyze all available methods of blocking – from standard functions. MIUI Up to hidden settings and third-party solutions.

Redmi's feature is that it integrated spam protection at the firmware level, but after the MIUI 13/14 updates, some menu items were changed and operators added their own filters, and we took all these nuances into account and compiled current instructions for 2026, including bypassing restrictions for numbers with a changed caller ID.

If you are tired of intrusive call centers or fraudulent schemes ("your relative in trouble", "bank lock"), this article will help you set up protection in 5 minutes. ADB and call log analysis.

We warn you right away that no method is 100% secure, because spammers are constantly adapting, but the combination of 2-3 methods in this article will reduce the number of unwanted calls by 80-90%.

1. Standard blacklist in MIUI: step-by-step setting

The easiest way is to use the built-in blacklist in the Phone app, which works on all Redmi models (from Redmi 9A to Redmi Note 13 Pro+) and does not require root permissions.

Open the Phone app → click on the three dots in the top right → select Settings → go to Lock numbers. Here you will see three tabs:

📞 Blocked numbers – manual addition of contacts
🚫 Spam – automatic filtering based on Xiaomi
⚙️ Settings - fine-tuning the rules

To manually lock, click Add and select a number from a log or enter it manually. The system supports a +79*** mask to lock all numbers with a specific prefix. Importantly, after adding the number will automatically enter the Blocked Contacts list in the Contacts app.

The Spam tab uses Xiaomi’s cloud base, which is updated daily, and you can turn on the option to block likely spam, which will analyze incoming calls using machine learning algorithms, but sometimes it makes a mistake by blocking legitimate numbers (for example, from delivery services).

Open App Phone is open

The tab "Blocking numbers" has been activated

Added problem numbers manually

The option “Block likely spam” is enabled (optional)-->

⚠️ Warning: If he keeps calling after blocking the number, check the sync settings in the Xiaomi Account → Cloud. Sometimes resetting the app cache Phone (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Phone. → Warehouse → Clearing the cache) solves the problem.

2. Spam filtering through settings SIM-map

Many operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) provide their own spam blocking services, they work at the network level and can intercept calls before they reach your Redmi.

Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choose yours. SIM-map → You can find Spam filter or Spam protection, like MTS has Spam Shield, MegaFon has Antispam".

📶 Advantages: works even when the phone is turned off, blocks SMS-spam
⚠️ Disadvantages: Fees may be charged (usually) 3-5 ₽/The day does not block international numbers.
🔄 Nuance: After activation, you need to restart the phone

For Tele2 and Iota, the setting is carried out through USSD-team:

*111*777# – activate antispam (Tele2)


*105*789# - Check the filter status (Yota)

Operator filters are better combined with built-in tools MIUI, Because they cover different types of spam, for example, Xiaomi is good at blocking robbrae, and the operator is good at it — SMS-mailing.

MTS

Beeline

MegaFon

Tele2.

Yota/The Other-->

3. Blocking through the application "Security" (Security)

The Security (Shield Icon) app in MIUI has advanced spam protection tools, which are pre-installed on all Redmis, but many users ignore it.

Open Security → Call Lock. There are three layers of protection available here:

Basic - locking on the black list (duplicates the function from the Phone application)

2. Advanced - analysis of incoming calls based on fraudulent numbers

3. Aggressive – locking all numbers not stored in contacts

For maximum protection, select Advanced Mode and activate the options:

- Block suspicious numbers

Filtering messages from mass mailing services

- Show notifications about blocked calls (to see who tried to reach)

Lockdown mode	What's blocking	Risk of false positives
Basic	Only the blacklist numbers.	Low.
Advanced.	Spam, fraudulent numbers, robe calls	Medium (may block delivery)
Aggressive.	All numbers except contacts	High (blocks taxi services, pharmacies)

Critical feature: In Aggressive mode, even emergency numbers (112, 102, etc.) are blocked if they are not stored in your phone book.

4. Third-party applications to block spam

If MIUI is not enough, you can install specialized applications, and we tested 5 popular solutions and selected the best ones for Redmi:

🛡️ Truecaller is the largest spam number database (300 million records), but requires registration and access to contacts. Supports database auto-update and keyword blocking SMS.
🔍 Hiya, a lightweight app (only 10MB), blocks calls to the first beep. There is a reverse number search function to identify spammers.
📵 Should I Answer? — uses crowdsourcing data, shows the rating of the number before the answer.

To install, go to Google Play and type in the name of the app. After installation, provide permissions to read call logs and send SMS (necessary to block messages).

Important: Do not install applications from third-party sources (APK-files - they may contain malicious code. Use only the official Google Play or Mi App Store.

How to check the application for security?

Before installing, check: 1. Google Play Ranking (should be ≥4.2) 2. Number of installations (minimum 100,000) 3. Date of last update (not older than 3 months) 4. Feedback for spam or virus complaints 5. Permissions (should not be accessed geolocation or camera without reason)

One of the key benefits of third-party apps is cross-platform, for example, if you lock a Truecaller number on Redmi, it will automatically lock on your tablet or second phone.

5. Advanced methods: ADB and system settings

For users willing to dive into the technical details, there are ways to lock through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and edit system files, which require enabling Developer Mode and connecting the phone to a PC.

To activate the Developer Mode on Redmi:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone

2.Click 7 times on the MIUI version

3. Return to the main settings – a new section For developers will appear

Now connect the phone to the PC, open the command line and type in:

adb shell settings put global block_unknown_callers 1

This command involves locking all unknown numbers at the system level to cancel:

adb shell settings put global block_unknown_callers 0

To block specific numbers through ADB, use:

adb shell content insert --uri content://call_log/calls --bind number:s:"+79123456789" --bind type:i:3

Where +79123456789 is the lockable number, and type:i:3 is the "outgoing call" type of recording (required for the correct operation of the filter).

💡

Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. Errors in commands can cause the system to crash.

⚠️ Attention: Methods with ADB It may disrupt Google services on some firmware MIUI. After applying the commands, check the health of Google Play Services in Settings → Annexes → Application management.

6. Call log analysis and automatic locking

For those who receive dozens of spam calls a day, it’s helpful to set up automatic log analysis.The Call Blocker app (available on Google Play) can:

Download lists of spam numbers from open sources

- Block geolocation calls (e.g. all numbers from Nigeria)

- Keep statistics of spam activity

Algorithm of settings:

1. Install Call Blocker and give access to magazines

2. Go to Settings → Automatic Rules

3. Activate the options:

Block numbers with prefixes +234, +27, +92 (popular among scammers)

Block calls shorter than 1 second (robcalls)

Ignore repeated calls from one number (more often 3 times a day)

For manual analysis, export the call log:

1. Open the phone. → Journal → ⋮ → Exports

2. Select the.csv format and send the file to the PC

3. Open in Excel and sort by the Duration column - most spam calls last 0-2 seconds

Professional advice: If you notice spam calls coming at the same time (e.g. 9 to 11 a.m.), set Do Not Disturb Mode for this time. Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Do Not Disturb → Schedule.

7.What to do if the spammer bypasses the lock

Fraudsters often use caller ID swaps when they call from different numbers, disguised as banks or government agencies, in which case standard locking methods do not help.

🔄 Use dynamic locking: Applications like Truecaller can block not specific numbers, but entire ranges (for example, all numbers with a code). +7 499 XXX-XX-XX).
📡 Disable the caller transmission ID: B Settings → SIM-map → Additional settings → Select Hide number, but it doesn't block calls, it makes it harder for spammers to collect data.
🛡️ Activate two-factor verification: C Settings → Xiaomi account → Security Enable Confirmation by SMS blacklist.

If you get annoyed by call centers with loan offers, try the following trick:

1. Pick up the phone and say, "Put me on the 152-FZ stop list."

2. Write down the date and time of the conversation

3.If the calls continue, file a complaint with Roskomnadzor (section "Data Subjects Rights Protection")

Expert observation: After mass number blocking, spammers often switch to SMS-To close this loophole, in the Messages app, go to Settings → Spam filter and activate the option to Block messages from unknown senders.

Frequently asked questions

Can I block all international numbers on Redmi?

Yes, for this in the Security app go to Call Lock → Blocking rules and add a rule for prefixes +1, +44, +91 etc. Alternatively, it can be used ADB-Adb shell content insert --uri content://call_log/calls --bind number:s:"+1%" --bind type:i:3 Please note: this will block all foreign calls, including legitimate ones (e.g. from foreign banks or support services).

Why do blocked numbers still ring?

The reasons may be: The number uses spoofing (caller ID swap) — it rings from a new number every time. The blacklist sync failure with the Xiaomi cloud — try to log out and log in again to your Mi Account. Operator spam filter conflicts with the built-in one — disable one of the services. Solution: use the combination of operator filter + Truecaller + manual lock in MIUI.

How to block SMS-spam on Xiaomi Redmi?

To block SMS, go to Messages → Click on spam message → Details → Block. To block all messages with certain words (for example, “winning”, “credit”), use: SMS Blocker application from Google Play Built-in function in Security (Blocking messages → Keywords) For corporate mailings (banks, stores), it is better to use official unsubscribe services – usually in SMS there is an instruction like “To unsubscribe, send STOP to 1234”.

Will the lock be in airplane mode or without internet?

The built-in MIUI (blacklist, number lock) works without the Internet, because filtering is at the phone level. However: Cloud spam databases (Xiaomi, Truecaller) require a connection to the network. Operator filters (MTS, Beeline) do not work in airplane mode. When you reset your phone to factory settings, the blacklist is not stored (you need to make a backup).

Can I find out who called from the locked number?

Yes, for this: Open Phone → Log → Locked – it stores all blocked calls. Use reverse search services: Numspy or Caller. Truecaller has a number ID feature that shows the owner's name even for blocked contacts. If the number is hidden (Unknown or Private), it is impossible to determine its origin – spammers use special services to hide the caller ID.

💡

The combination of the built-in MIUI blacklist + operator filter + Truecaller blocks up to 95% of spam calls. For the remaining 5% (number swapping, international spam), use dynamic rules and log analysis.