The modern rhythm of life dictates its rules, and one of the main irritants is intrusive calls from spammers, scammers or just unpleasant interlocutors. Owners of Xiaomi smartphones, working on the basis of the shells MIUI or the new HyperOS, often face the need to quickly isolate a particular contact. Finding the right function can take time, as the menu layout periodically changes with the release of new versions of the firmware.
In this article, we will take a closer look at where the blacklist is on Xiaomi’s phone and how to use it for maximum efficiency. You will learn not only about standard lock methods through system settings, but also about hidden features that will help you forget about phone terrorism. Understanding the logic of MIUI Security will be the key to calming your digital space.
Before we get to specific menu paths, it’s worth noting that the functionality may vary slightly depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, China, EEA). However, the basic principles have remained unchanged for many years. Call filtering is built deep into the system, allowing you to block numbers even without installing third-party software.
Navigating the system requires care, especially if you are used to the interface of “pure” Android. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, many security tools are brought to a separate application, which can be confusing at first. Below we will look at all possible ways to access the desired settings.
Access through the Security app
The most reliable and versatile way to find lock settings is to use the built-in system application, which is pre-installed on all smartphones of the brand and has a characteristic green icon with lightning or shield, and this is where all the tools for protecting the device from malware and unwanted outside interference are concentrated.
To get started, run the Security app from the home screen or from the Tools folder. In the menu that opens, you scroll down to the Tools block. There you will find the Antispam** item that filters incoming connections, and you click on it and you will be taken to the Lock Control Center.
☑️ Checking the anti-spam settings
The Antispam interface may seem overloaded, but it contains all the necessary controls, so you can not only add numbers manually, but also set up automatic filters, for example, the system allows you to block all hidden numbers or calls with codes of other countries, which is especially important during the period of activity of telephone scammers.
⚠️ Warning: When you turn on aggressive filters, make sure you don’t block important service numbers, such as from a bank or courier service that may be calling from unknown city numbers.
Blocking through call log and contacts
Often, you have to lock a number right after a call without going into the complicated settings menus, and Xiaomi has designed this scenario by making it available right from the call history, which is the fastest method that saves users time at a critical moment.
To use this method, open the standard Phone app (green handset). Find the number you have received the unwanted call from in your recent call list. Click on the arrow to the right of the number or the information icon (i) to reveal the detailed contact menu. In the option list that appears, select Lock or Blacklist.
- 📞 Instantly locks the last incoming call with one touch.
- 📝 Add a contact to blacklist directly from the address book.
- 🔍 Access to the history of blocking through the menu (Details).
The alternative is through the Contacts app, find the subscriber's name on the list, open their card, and click on the three dots in the corner of the screen (action menu). The drop-down list will have a lock option, and once confirmed, the number will automatically be blacklisted, and you will no longer receive notifications from them.
What will the blocked subscriber see?
Filtering and Auto Response Rules
The blacklisting functionality of Xiaomi phones goes beyond simply blocking specific numbers, allowing you to create complex rules that work automatically, and is especially useful for those who want to be completely spam-free without manually checking every call.
The Antispam menu that was mentioned in the first section has a Settings tab, and you can activate the "Block All Unknown Numbers" mode, in which case the phone will only let calls that are in your address book, and everyone else will be cut off at the network or system level.
There's also a Smart Antispam feature that uses a cloud database to (recognize) advertising and fraudulent numbers, and if a number is labeled spam in the database, the system will automatically prompt it to be blocked or reset without you, one of the most effective security mechanisms in modern versions of MIUI.
| Type of rule | Description of action | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Blacklist | Blocking specific numbers from the list | Used for specific individuals |
| Blocking hidden | Rejection of calls without number determination | Enable when large amounts of spam |
| Blocking foreign | Banning codes from other countries | It is important if there are no foreign contacts. |
| Keyword Blocking | Selecting SMS with a certain text | Useful for filtering advertising in SMS |
Communications and SMS-spam
The blacklist in Xiaomi smartphones works not only for voice calls, but also for text messages. SMS filtering mechanism is integrated into the same application “Security” and allows you to clear inbox from advertising mailings and phishing links.
When a message comes from an unknown sender, the system may mark it as potentially dangerous. If you go to Antispam -> SMS, you will see a list of blocked messages. Here you can add new numbers to the stop list or delete them from there. (it is worth noting) filters can be configured by keywords, such as "credit", "win" or "share".
To add a number via SMS, open the spammer dialog. Click on the avatar or name at the top of the screen to go to the contact information. In the action menu, select lock. After that, all subsequent messages from that sender will silently be deleted or moved to the spam folder without disturbing you with notifications.
⚠️ Note: Do not follow links from blocked SMS-They may contain scripts to steal data or viruses that bypass the protection of the blacklist.
Third-party applications and synchronization
While MIUI is powerful, some users prefer to use third-party solutions to make contact management more flexible, and applications like Truecaller or GetContact can sync with the system blacklist to complement it with their databases.
When you install this application, the system will request permission to manage calls and access contacts. Once you grant permissions, third-party software will be able to automatically enter numbers marked as spam on the blacklist, but it is worth remembering that this requires you to transfer your contact data to third-party servers.
If you decide to use a third-party app, make sure that in the phone's settings (Settings -> Apps -> Application Management -> Permissions), it has call blocking rights. Without that, Xiaomi's system blocker can conflict with the new app and calls will pass.
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Use Do Not Disturb mode for temporary silence if you can’t completely lock the number, but you need to focus.
Frequent problems and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the number added to the blacklist continues to be dialed, this can occur for several reasons related to the peculiarities of the Android operating system or firmware errors.
One common reason is duplicate contact, and if the number is stored in two different records (like Google and the phone's memory), locking one record may not affect the second one, check the address book and make sure the number is unique, and the problem may be the failure of the Phone app.
To solve the problem, try clearing the cache of the Security and Phone app. Go to Settings -> Apps -> All apps, find the app you want, and select Clear the cache. If that doesn't work, reboot the device. In rare cases, deleting and re-addition of the number to the stop list helps.
- 🔄 Rebooting a smartphone often solves temporary software failures.
- 🗑️ Cleaning the cache of system applications restores their correct operation.
- 📞 Check if the number is set as “Favorites”, which may bypass the lock.
⚠️ Note: If you are using a corporate SIM-A card or a virtual PBX, a lock at the phone level may not work, because the call goes through the operator's server.
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The system blacklist in Xiaomi is a powerful tool, but it requires proper setup and periodic checks of lists to work efficiently.