How to find and set up a blacklist on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro

A modern smartphone like the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is becoming a hub for digital communication, but with useful calls, unwanted contacts often come. Spam, intrusive advertising or calls from collectors can seriously disturb the peace of the device owner. Fortunately, the built-in MIUI shell provides powerful tools to filter incoming calls without installing third-party programs.

Many users get lost in the variety of menus trying to find the lock function. In this article, we will discuss in detail where exactly the blacklist in the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro phone is and how to use it correctly. We will look not only at standard methods of adding numbers, but also at hidden filtering capabilities that will help you fully control who can reach you.

You will learn about the intricacies of working with contacts in HyperOS and older versions of the shell, as well as how to avoid common errors in setting up. Proper organization of prohibitions will save battery power and nerve cells, eliminating the constant call of advertising robots.

Location of the lock function in a standard application

The main way to manage unwanted subscribers is through the standard Phone app, and that's where all the basic call tools are concentrated, and to access the settings, you have to open the call app and click on the menu button, which is usually represented by three dots or stripes in the upper right corner of the screen.

In the drop-down list, select Settings, and inside this section, you can hide the "Block" or "Antispam" subsection, depending on the version of your MIUI firmware, and that's where you can manually add numbers or activate automatic filters.

The interface may vary slightly depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, EEA or CN), but the logic remains the same: the system offers flexible settings that allow you to block not only specific contacts, but also entire groups, such as hidden numbers or international calls.

It is important to note that some features may require an internet connection to update spam number databases. If you don't see the lock point right away, check if it's hidden in the app's advanced settings.

Step-by-step instructions for adding a number to the blacklist

The process of putting a particular subscriber on the Redmi 8 Pro list is as simple as possible for developers, and there are several ways to do this, and the choice of method depends on whether the call has already been received or you enter the number preventively from the notebook.

If you've already received a call, the easiest way to open a call log is to find the number on the list, click on it and hold your finger until the context menu appears. In the action list that appears, select the option "Add to blacklist", and then the system will automatically disable any calls and SMS from that subscriber.

The second option involves manually adding through settings: Go to the lock menu, click the Add button (often marked with a plus) and enter the number manually or select it from contacts, a method that is convenient if you want to block a number that has not yet called you.

Once you do this, the number gets locked, and now when you try to call, the caller will hear a beep or a message about the busyness, while your device will not have a sound or a notification about the missed.

⚠️ Note: When you add a number to the blacklist, you also block receipt SMS-Make sure that this is exactly what you need to avoid missing out on important information.

Set up automatic lock and filters

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro owners can take advantage of advanced filtering features that do not require manual entry of each number.

The Antispam or Block menu often has the Lock Rules section, where you can activate the Hidden Numbers Block switch, especially for those who are often confronted with anonymous spam, and the option to block all numbers that are not in your phone book is also available.

Special attention should be paid to the keyword blocking function, which means that you can set certain phrases that, if you have them in your SMS or contact name, will automatically hide them, and it is a powerful tool for fighting advertising.

In some versions of MIUI, a smart lock requires activation of a security service that can request Internet access to reconcile databases.

Using the Security App for Management

In the Xiaomi ecosystem, the central node for managing permissions and restrictions is the pre-installed Security app (green shield icon), which is where the global blacklist settings are located, which duplicate and extend the capabilities of the phonebook.

When you open the app, look for the Antispam section, which shows the statistics of blocked calls and messages, and clicking on the settings (cogs) in this section, you will be taken to the full blacklist management menu, where you can configure notifications, for example, allow the system to silently block calls without displaying notifications, or, conversely, save the blocking history.

The Security app also allows you to import and export number lists, which is useful when switching to a new phone or when resetting after a reset, and it works consistently and does not consume battery power in the background.

And you can also see "Quarantine," where in some versions of the firmware, blocked SMS is not removed immediately, but quarantined, where it can be retrieved if needed, and this prevents the accidental loss of important confirmation codes.

💡

Check the Quarantine or Blocked SMS folder regularly in the Security app, and sometimes important messages from banks or delivery services may be sent there if their numbers have been mistakenly labeled as spam.

Comparison of locking methods on different versions of MIUI

The interface and location of controls can vary depending on the version of the Xiaomi operating system installed. Understanding these differences helps you navigate the menu faster.

As you can see from the table, with the release of new versions of firmware, the functionality becomes deeper and more automated. Owners of Redmi 8 Pro, who have upgraded to the latest versions of Android, have more advanced algorithms for determining spam.

However, the basic principle remains the same: all settings are grouped around the Phone or Security app. If you can’t find the option in one place, be sure to check the other, as newer updates often change the navigation logic.

It is worth considering that on global versions of firmware (Global ROM), some features of the Chinese version may be missing or renamed, for example, the function “Ad Blocking” can be put into a separate menu or integrated into the browser.

💡

The location of the blacklist settings depends on the version of MIUI, but is always in the bundle of applications “Phone” or “Security”.

Solving the Problems of Blocking Calls

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the number added to the blacklist continues to be dialed, or vice versa, the necessary contacts are blocked, most often the problem lies in the access rights or specific settings of the operator.

The first thing to check is if you have updates for the Phone and Security app through the GetApps store or Google Play. Outdated versions may not work properly. Also make sure the app has call management permission and access to contacts.

Another common problem is the operator's Anti-Number Service, which means that if the caller uses this service, their number may not be transmitted to the phone, and locking by number will not work, in which case only a general blocking of hidden numbers helps.

If the number is locked but SMS is coming, check the message filtering settings separately. In MIUI, call lock and SMS are sometimes set independently. Make sure the switch is active for both types of communication.

⚠️ Note: If you use third-party calling apps (like Google or Truecaller), Xiaomi's system blacklist may be ignored.

In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Phone app helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone → Clear the cache. This will not delete your contacts, but update temporary system files.

Additional features and hidden functions

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is not limited to simple locking, you can find the option “Favorites Only” in the call settings menu. When activated, the phone will only accept calls from contacts added to the “Favorites” list, ignoring everyone else.

This is the perfect mode for situations where you need complete calm, but you are waiting for an important call from loved ones, you can activate it quickly through the control panel or in the Do Not Disturb mode settings.

You can also create a lock schedule, so you can set your phone up so that you have more stringent rules for filtering incoming calls at night or during business hours.

Keep in mind that you can keep a whitelist, adding a number to a whitelist ensures that contact is never blocked, even if it accidentally ends up in spam databases or shared filters.

Using these tools, the Redmi 8 Pro is a smart filter that lets only really important information through, leaving digital noise behind.