Modern smartphones of the Xiaomi brand are equipped with powerful tools to protect against spam, which often work too aggressive. Users often face a situation where important calls from couriers, banks or colleagues simply do not arrive on the device. MIUI HyperOS can automatically detect such calls as unwanted and block them without notifying the owner.
Disabling this feature is necessary to restore full control of incoming communications. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for deactivating blacklists, antither and built-in filters of the number detector, you will learn to flexibly adjust security parameters to avoid missing really important connections.
The configuration process may vary slightly depending on the operating system version and regional firmware, but the basic principles of the Security application remain the same throughout the Redmi and POCO ecosystem.
The principle of the built-in protection against spam
At the heart of the filtering system is a database of unwanted numbers and behavioral analysis algorithms. A smartphone checks an incoming call against local and cloud lists, flagging suspicious contacts. Often blocking occurs at the level of the system application Phone, which is integrated with security services.
The main tool for managing these processes is the built-in Security application, and this is where all the settings for blocking incoming calls and the security of the incoming calls are concentrated. SMS-The user can choose the degree of filtration rigor or completely disable it for certain categories of subscribers.
It's worth noting that there are different levels of locking. A blacklist contains numbers that you've added manually. A spam filter automatically rejects calls from organizations or hidden numbers based on shared databases. Understanding this difference is critical to getting the right setup.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling all filters completely can lead to more advertising calls and fraudulent communication attempts, and it is recommended not to delete the numbers of known spammers, but only to adjust the rules for automatic blocking.
Access to advanced settings often requires authorization from a Mi Account or an internet connection to update databases. Without this, some features may not be available or work properly. The system seeks to protect the user, but sometimes requires manual rule adjustments.
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The call filter on Xiaomi works at the level of the system application “Security”, not a standard call, so you need to look for settings there.
Disabling the lock through the Security app
The most reliable way to manage filters is to use a regular system application that has deep access rights and allows you to fine-tune the behavior of the phone when incoming calls. The interface can be executed in red or blue colors depending on the theme of the design.
First, you need to run the Security app with a green shield icon, and in the main menu you should find the section responsible for blocking unwanted content, and on different versions of firmware it can be called “Antispam”, “Blocking” or have an icon of a prohibiting sign.
☑️ Checking the lock settings
Inside the settings menu, you're interested in "Inbox Lock," and here are the switches for different call categories, and you can separately manage the locking of hidden numbers, international calls, or numbers that are not saved in contacts.
- 📱 Keyword Blocking – Disables calls if there are certain words in the number definition.
- 🌍 Blocking foreign numbers – useful on travel, but prevents you from receiving calls from abroad.
- 🤫 Quiet mode – does not drop the call, but the phone does not ring or vibrate.
- 📞 Blocking all unknowns is the most stringent mode, allowing only contacts from the phone book.
To allow all calls, you need to put all active switches in an inactive position, after which the system will stop automatically rejecting calls, the changes will take effect instantly, you do not need to restart the device.
Set up a blacklist and exceptions
Sometimes the problem is not global settings, but a particular number that is blacklisted, which may have happened by accident or as a result of antivirus algorithms, and checking the personal lock list is a mandatory diagnostic step.
In the same menu, Antispam or Lock, there is a tab called Blacklist, which shows all the numbers that are not allowed to access your device, and if you see a contact you want, just click on it and select the option "Delete" or "Unblock".
There's also a Whitelist or Favorite feature, which, if activated, can ignore anyone not on the database, and make sure that Allow Only Favorites is off if you want to receive calls from all subscribers.
| Type of lockdown | Where to find out. | How to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Manual blacklist | Security → Antispam → Blacklist | Swipe left → Delete |
| Hidden numbers | Blocking settings → Rules | Off. "Block the hidden." |
| Not contacts. | Blocking settings → Rules | "Blocking Unknowns" |
| Google's Definition | Phone. → Settings → spamming | Check the filters. |
It is important to distinguish between Xiaomi’s system blacklist and carrier-level lock, so if the number is not on the phone but the calls don’t pass, it may be activated by your mobile operator, in which case the smartphone settings won’t help.
Managing filters in the phone application
In addition to the security center, call settings are duplicated in the standard Phone app, which is especially true for devices with a clean interface or global firmware versions that use Google Dialer.
Open the Phone app and click on the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then look for Antispam or Number Definer and Spam, and here are the settings integrated with Google's databases.
In this menu, you can see the option "Filter spam calls." If the slider is active, the phone will automatically reject calls marked as spam by the community.
It’s also worth checking the Unknown Numbers settings. In some Android configurations, there’s a Unknown Number Filter feature that sends calls from people who aren’t in your contacts directly to voicemail or to missed history without making a sound.
⚠️ Note: After updating the Phone app via Google Play, filter settings may reset to factory values. Check this section periodically to make sure that filtering is not turned on again.
Third-party applications and software conflicts
Often users install additional number determinants such as GetContact, NumBuster or Truecaller.These apps have their own databases and lock rules that may conflict with Xiaomi's system settings.
If you have this software installed, it can intercept incoming call management, so turning off filters in the system menu will not work, so you need to go to the settings of the detector application itself and find the "Block" or "Blacklist" section there.
To check for active apps with phone rights, go to Settings → Apps → Application Management. Find suspicious programs associated with numbering and check their permissions. Often you need to disable the “Master on top of other apps” right or completely uninstall the program.
Why can third-party apps block calls?
Conflict between two active filters (system and third-party) can lead to unpredictable behavior: calls pass and block. The best solution is to use only one security tool.
Solving problems with Google’s determinant
Global firmware versions are heavily using Google Assistant and built-in determinant, which can mark calls as “Maybe spam” and even automatically respond to them if enabled, which is not always a complete lockdown, but a serious interference with the communication process.
To manage this, open your phone settings, look for the "Number Define and Spam" section, and you can turn off the "Show Caller ID and Spam" feature, and remove the "Filter Spam Calls" box if you want to see all calls.
Sometimes cleaning the cache of the Google Phone app helps. Go to Settings → Apps → Phone → Memory and click Clear Cache. This won’t delete your contacts, but will reset temporary files that may have caused a filter error.
- 🔄 Update databases – make sure Google databases are up to date, sometimes the bug lies in outdated signatures.
- 🔒 Access Rights – check if the rights of the Phone application are revoked in the section “Permissions».
- 🌐 Network settings – resetting network settings can help if the problem is with operator number determination.
If nothing works, you can try to temporarily shut down the Internet. Google's detector is online, and without the network, it can't match the number with the spam database. It's a temporary solution, but it will confirm that the problem is cloud filtering.
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If you are waiting for an important call from an unfamiliar number (such as a courier), temporarily turn on Do Not Disturb mode with the setting "Let all calls go" and this is guaranteed to turn off all filters for the duration of the conversation.