Where is the blacklist on Xiaomi phone: a complete guide to blocking calls and SMS

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones regularly face the need to block intrusive calls from spammers, collectors or unwanted contacts. However, finding the blacklist menu in MIUI firmware is not always easy – its location has changed depending on the version of the shell, and in some models the function is hidden behind several levels of settings. This article will help you understand where the blacklist on Xiaomi in 2026, how to add a number there, and what to do if the lock does not work.

We analyzed all the current versions of MIUI (12 to 15), took into account the specifics of different regions (global, Chinese, European firmware), and collected unique data on hidden locking functions that are not in the official documentation. For example, you will learn how to lock numbers through #4636## (engineering menu) or why some contacts keep calling even after being added to the blacklist.

1.Where to look for a blacklist in MIUI: 3 official ways

Depending on the firmware version, the path to the lock menu may vary, and here are the current routes for MIUI 14/15 (2023-2026):

• 📱 Using the Phone app: Open the app → three-point (⋮) → Select Settings → Number locking.
• ⚙️ Through System Settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Number locking.
• 🔒 Through "Security": In some regional firmware, the path is as follows: Settings → Passwords & security → Number locking.

If you have MIUI 12 or older, the menu may be called "Blocked Numbers" or "Spam." On Chinese firmware (China ROM), the feature is often hidden in Settings → Additional → Call Lock.

Important! On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13T Pro or POCO F5), the blacklist is integrated into the Mi Security app. If the standard methods don't work, check out this app - there may be a separate Call Blocking section there.

2. How to add a number to the blacklist: step-by-step instructions

There are several ways to add a contact to the lock, and let's look at each in detail:

Method 1: Through the call log

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the Journal (or History) tab.
3. Find the desired number, tap it and hold it for 2 seconds.
4. In the menu that appears, select Block (or Add to the blacklist).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Block this number.

Method 2: Through lock settings

Find the "Blocking Numbers" menu (see section 1)|Tap on "+" or "Add a number" |Enter a number manually or select from contacts |Indicate the type of lock (calls, SMS or both) |Save changes-->

If you want to block a number that is not in the call log, use manual input. In the lock menu (Settings → Lock numbers), click on the + icon in the upper right corner, then select:

• 📞 Add from contacts – if the number is saved in the phone book.
• 🖋️ Enter manually - for arbitrary numbers (for example, spam).
• 📋 Import – for bulk download of numbers from the file (not available on all models).

Tip: To block all numbers from unknown identifiers (such as hidden or "Private Number"), enable the option to Lock hidden numbers in the lock menu.

3.Why the lock doesn't work: 5 common reasons

Sometimes even after you add a number to the blacklist, the calls keep coming in, and here are the main reasons and ways to fix them:

If the problem persists, check to see if third-party call apps (such as Truecaller or Google Phone) are installed on the phone, which may conflict with the system locking MIUI.

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To check which app handles calls, go to Settings → Apps → Default → Call App. If it's not a standard Mi Phone, return it.

4. Hidden blacklist features: what MIUI can do

Besides basic locking, MIUI offers a few hidden features that few people know about:

• 🔍 Keyword Filtering: You can block SMS messages containing certain phrases (e.g., "you won", "credit"). → Number locking → SMS filter.
• 📊 Blocked Calls log: View the history of blockings over the past 30 days.
• 🔄 Auto-update spam list: MIUI can automatically add numbers from Xiaomi spam database (does not work in all regions). → Number locking → Update of spam list.
• 📱 Prefixed lock: For example, you can block all numbers starting with +375 (Belarus) or +92 (Pakistan).

Attention! Auto-update spam listing can lead to false positives. If an important number is blocked, check the Auto-Block tab in the lock menu and delete it from there.

5 Third-party applications to lock: when MIUI fails

If embedded tools MIUI You don't like it, you can use third-party solutions.-3 tested applications:

1. Truecaller – blocks spam calls based on crowdsourcing databases. 🔹 Free version: Basic locking. 🔹 Premium: Extended filters and no advertising.
2. Blacklist Plus – allows you to create lock rules by time (for example, block all calls from 23:00 to 8:00). 🔹 Supports geolocation locking (if the number is from another region). 🔹 There is a function of the "white list" - to skip only selected numbers.

Should I Answer?

• 🔹 It works offline (does not require internet).
• 🔹 Shows the number rating before answering the call.

Method 3: Through the lock file (for advanced)

The blacklist is stored in the system file /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db. To extract it:

adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db

This will require root rights and knowledge of working with ADB. Without experience is not recommended!

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If there is no backup and the number is not saved in the log, you can't restore it from the blacklist, in which case you just have to wait for the caller to call again to block it again.

7. Features of the blacklist on different Xiaomi models

The functionality of the lock may vary depending on the phone model and the MIUI version.

On Chinese firmware (China ROM), the blacklist often lacks some features due to local laws, such as the impossibility of blocking emergency numbers or government agencies.

Attention, on models with duals SIM-cards (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) blacklist is valid separately for each SIM. If you want to block a number on both cards, add it to the blacklist twice - for each card. SIM separately.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the blacklist on Xiaomi