How to permanently block unknown numbers on Xiaomi: the full guide 2026

Spam calls and messages from unknown numbers have become a disaster for smartphone owners. According to Kaspersky, in 2023, one in three Android users faced fraudulent calls every month, and Xiaomi owners are especially vulnerable because of the brand’s popularity in countries with high levels of phone spam. If your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 are flooded with calls from suspicious numbers, this article will help solve the problem forever without installing questionable apps.

Unlike the iPhone, where number locking is implemented through iCloud, Xiaomi smartphones offer several layers of protection, from an integrated blacklist to integration with Google Messages and third-party services like Truecaller. We will analyze all methods, from basic to advanced, including hidden MIUI settings that are not written in the official instructions. Importantly, some methods require permission to change the system settings, so check the version of your firmware in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version in advance.

1.Integrated blacklist in MIUI: step-by-step setup

The most reliable way to block is to use native MIUI functionality, which works on all Xiaomi models, from Redmi 9 to Xiaomi 14 flagships, the main advantage: it does not require the Internet and does not transfer your contacts to third parties.

To add a number to the blacklist:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the section "Block numbers" (on some firmware - Spam and lock).
4. Click Add to the blacklist and select a number from the magazine or enter manually.

To block all unknown numbers:

• 🔹 In the same menu, activate the option to Block Unknown Numbers.
• 🔹 Enable Spam Filtering (using Xiaomi and Google database).
• 🔹 For models with MIUI 14+ Block by Keywords (e.g., “credit”, “winning").

Is spam filtering activated?

Have the latest spam numbers been added?

Is the Unknowns Blocked Included?

Updated base MIUI (In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system)?-->

The method limitation: the built-in blacklist does not block SMS from unknown numbers, but you need to use separate settings in the Messages app (more on this below). Some scammers also use spoofing when the call is supposedly from your own number, which requires more radical measures.

2. Blocking SMS from unknown senders

If you are flooded with spam messages with loan offers or "wins," one blacklist on your phone is not enough. MIUI has separate filtering settings:

Instructions for MIUI 13/14:

1. Open Messages → Three Points → Settings.
2. Choose Spam and Block.
3. Activate: 📱 Blocking messages from unknowns 📱 Spam filtering (using Google’s cloud base) 📱 Delete blocked messages after 30 days (optional)

Block the sender

On POCO models (e.g., POCO F5), the path may be different: Messages → Settings → Block and filter. If you don’t have an option, update the Messages app via Google Play.

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To check if messages are being blocked correctly, send yourself a message. SMS from another phone in the format of "Testing" [random_numbers]". If the message does not arrive, the filter works.

Important: SMS filtering in MIUI is not perfect, for example, it does not block messages from banks or services (even if they come from short numbers), and you will have to use third-party applications to protect your SMS.

3.Apps to block: Truecaller vs Should I Answer?

Xiaomi’s built-in tools can handle 60-70% of spam, but 100% protection requires specialized applications.

How to set up Truecaller on Xiaomi:

1. Download from Google Play and resolve all requests (contacts, calls, SMS).
2. In the application settings, activate: 🛡️ Blocking spam 📞 Replacement of the standard “Telephone” application" 🔍 Show the name of the caller (to identify fraudsters)

Blacklist.

Should I Answer? is suitable for those who do not want to share contacts. The app analyzes incoming calls on a local database and blocks them to the first horn, saving time.

Truecaller

Should I Answer?

MIUI built-in facilities

Other appendix

I don't use anything.-->

4. Hidden MIUI settings: Keyword blocking

Few people know, but MIUI 12+ has a feature to block calls and SMS for keywords, which helps to weed out even those numbers that are constantly changing, but use the same message templates (for example, “your card is blocked”).

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone and messages, tap each in turn.
3. Select Permissions → Additional settings → Spam filter.
4. In the Keywords section add phrases: 💳 "credit, loan, debt" 🎁 "Winning, prize, lottery" 🚨 "lockdown, fraud, police" 📱 "SIM card, operator, tariff"

Lock it automatically

This method is particularly effective against SMS-For example, if you add a keyword called “SberBank” (accurate to the register!), all messages with that word will be sent to spam, even if the sender number changes.

Warning: If you add too general words (such as "hello"), you may lose important messages. Before setting up, check if these words are used by your real contacts.

5. Operator-level locking: USSD-teams and services

If the spam comes from your carrier's numbers (like MTS or Beeline), you can block them at the network level, and this works even if they call from fake numbers.

USSD-teams for popular operators:

To block international numbers (e.g. +375, +380), contact the operator via chat or call support. Some operators (e.g. MTS) allow you to block entire country codes through your personal account.

⚠️ Attention: the lock at the operator level can be charged for a fee (for example, Beeline service "Antispam" costs 3).₽/Please specify the conditions before activation!

6 Radical methods: disabling incoming calls and Dual SIM-chips

If you are attacked by hundreds of calls a day (for example, after a data breach), standard methods may not help.

Method 1: Temporary shutdown of incoming calls

• 📵 Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
• 📵 Choose yours. SIM-map → Incoming calls → Decline everything.
• 📵 To unlock specific numbers, add them to the exceptions.

Method 2: Use of the second SIM-map

If you have Xiaomi with Dual SIM support (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro+), you can:

1. Move the main number to the second SIM.
2. Leave the first SIM without a number (or with a temporary virtual one).
3. In the call settings, select Default: SIM2.

Spammers will call an inactive SIM, and important calls will be on a second.

Method 3: Resetting the communication module settings

If the locks stopped working after the MIUI update, reset the network settings:

Settings → SIM-cards and mobile networks → Resetting mobile network settings

This will remove all the stored locks, but return the factory filtration parameters.

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Disabling incoming calls is a last resort, and before using it, check to see if you block important notifications (for example, from a bank or delivery service).

7. How to unlock the number if you are wrong

If you accidentally blacklist an important number (such as an employer or relative), you can restore it in several ways:

Method 1: Through the call log

1. Open the phone. → Journal.
2. Find the blocked number (it will be marked with an icon) 🚫).
3. Put it on him. → Unlock.

Method 2: Through lock settings

1. Go to Phone → Settings → Lock numbers.
2. In the list of blocked, find the number and swipe left (or click on the basket).

Method 3: For SMS-blocking

1. Open the messages. → spamming.
2. Find a message from the blocked number → Unblock the sender.

If the number doesn’t appear in magazines but you know it by heart, add it to your contacts – this will automatically unlock it in most versions of MIUI.

8.Additional measures: protection against fraudsters

Locking down numbers is only part of the solution, so you can be completely safe from phone fraud.

• 🛡️ Install Google Play Protection (includes phishing app checks).
• 🔐 Enable two-factor authentication for Google Account and banking applications.
• 📱 Set up the lock screen with PIN-code (at least 6 characters).
• 🚨 Sign up for your bank’s newsletters about new scam schemes.
• 📵 Do not publish your number in open sources (social networks, forums).

For owners of Xiaomi with MIUI 14, the function Private mode is available:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Private Mode.
2. Activate Hide notifications on the lock screen.
3. Enable Screenshots Ban in Apps (for banking applications).

⚠️ Note: if you are a victim of fraudsters (for example, transferred money at their request), immediately: 1. Block the card through a mobile bank. 2. Report to the police (through public services or in person). 3. Check your phone for viruses with Malwarebytes – some spam calls may be part of a device-infecting attack.

FAQ: Frequent questions