How to set up Xiaomi so that only contacts from the phone book are called

Are you tired of intrusive calls from unknown numbers, spam and scammers? MIUI They offer built-in tools that limit incoming calls to those customers that are saved in your phone book, a feature that not only saves time, but also protects against potential threats from phone fraud to intrusive advertising.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of filtering calls on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO, including settings of the standard application "Phone", security features MIUI, You'll learn how to configure your system so that all incoming calls, except for saved contacts, are automatically blocked or sent to voicemail without disturbing you again.

Important: Some features may differ depending on the version MIUI (for example, MIUI 12/13/14) We'll show you the features for the popular lines -- Xiaomi. 11/12/13, Redmi Note 10/11/12 and POCO F/X.

Why You Should Limit Calls to Contacts

According to research, up to 40 percent of incoming calls to mobile phones in 2026 are spam, fraudulent schemes or automated robots, and here are the key reasons to set up filtering:

• 🛡️ Protection from fraud: Most phone scams start with cold calling, blocking unknown numbers reduces the risk of falling victim to phishing or social engineering.
• 🕒 Time saving: no need to spend seconds checking every number you don’t know – the system will do it for you.
• 📵 Reducing stress: calls from collectors, operators or marketers disrupt concentration».
• 🔋 Lean battery: each incoming call activates the communication module, which consumes charge. Reducing the number of calls prolongs battery life.

Xiaomi devices have several levels of protection:

As the practice shows, the combination of built-in tools MIUI And third-party services have the best results. We'll go through each method in detail.

Method 1: Configure the filter in the standard application "Phone"

The easiest and fastest way to limit incoming calls is to use the built-in features of the Phone app, which works on all Xiaomi devices with the help of the phone. MIUI 10 and newer, including Redmi Note 11 Pro, Xiaomi 12T and POCO F4.

Step instructions:

1. Open the Phone app** (the phone icon on the home screen).
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner (⋮) and select Settings.
3. Go to Lock and Identify (or Lock numbers in older versions).
4. Activate the switch to Lock Unknown Numbers.
5. Additionally, enable the option to filter spam if available.

Once activated, all calls from numbers not saved in contacts will be automatically rejected, the subscriber will hear short beeps, and a notification about the blocked call will appear on your screen (if notifications are enabled).

The switch "Block Unknown Numbers" is activated

Spam filter enabled (if any)

Exclusions for important numbers (banks, delivery services) are checked

Updated the application "Phone" to the latest version-->

⚠️ Note: some system numbers (e.g. from banks or delivery services) may not pass through the filter.

If you need to temporarily turn off filtering (for example, while waiting for an important call from a new number), you will need to:

1. Go to Settings. → Lockdown and identification.
2. Disable the option to block unknown numbers.
3. After the conversation is over, return the setting to its original state.

Method 2: Use of the Security application

Security is a powerful tool.** MIUI, It offers advanced security features, including call blocking, preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones, allowing you to create whitelists (permitted numbers) and blacklists (blocked ones).

How to set up:

1. Open the Security app** (Shield icon).
2. Go to Block or Protect against Spam (the name may be different).
3. Select Call Lock.
4. Activate the option to block unknown numbers.
5. In the Exclusions section, add numbers that must pass despite the filter (e.g. 112, 911, bank numbers).

The advantage of this is flexibility. You can:

• 📋 Create individual rules for different number types (e.g., block all numbers with a code) +375).
• 🔄 Set up a lock schedule (e.g., turn on the filter only at night).
• 📊 View the log of blocked calls and, if necessary, unlock the number.

For models with MIUI 14 (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi) K60 Pro) the Smart Lock feature appeared in the Security app, which analyzes subscriber behavior and automatically adds suspicious numbers to the blacklist.

💡

If you don't make an important call after you set up the filter, check the spam folder in the call log, and sometimes legitimate numbers get mistakenly in the log because of aggressive algorithms. MIUI.

Method 3: Third-party applications to block calls

If the built-in tools MIUI It's not enough, you can use third-party solutions:

• 📞 Truecaller: defines spam numbers from a user database, supports the Russian-language interface. SMS.
• 🛡️ Hiya: specializes in blocking fraudulent calls, integrates with Android system settings.
• 🔒 Call Blocker: a lightweight application with a minimalist interface, allows you to create rules for blocking numbers by masks.

How to configure Truecaller for filtering:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Register (you can use Google or Facebook).
3. In Settings, Enable: Spam Block Filter Unknown Numbers Spam Notice (optional)

Whitelist

⚠️ Warning: Third-party apps may conflict with built-in lock MIUI. If calls stop coming even from allowed contacts, check the priority of blocking in Android settings (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Locking down calls).

For users who value privacy, the alternative is Simple Call Blocker, an open source solution that does not require registration or send data to servers.

Method 4: Configuring through a communications operator

Many mobile operators offer spam-filtering services, such as:

• 📡 MTS: Antispam service (free for subscribers) activated via USSD-team *111*789# or in a private office.
• 📡 Beeline: “Spam Protection” option (included in the “My Beeline” app»).
• 📡 MegaFon: Spam filter service (available in the "Services" section of your personal account).
• 📡 Tele2: “Protection against fraudsters” (activated on 611).

Generally, operator filters operate at the network level and block calls before they reach your smartphone, which reduces battery load, but can conflict with built-in settings. MIUI.

To enable filtration from the operator:

1. Check the name of the service on the official website of your operator.
2. Activate it through: USSD-command, for example, *111*789# for MTS), personal account on the site, mobile application of the operator.

Check the filter by calling from an unknown number (for example, via messenger).

Please note: Operator services may be paid or limited (e.g., no more than 100 numbers per month).

Additional settings for advanced users

If you want to customize your call filtering as much as possible, consider the following options:

1. Automation through MacroDroid

MacroDroid allows you to create automatic rules (macros) to block calls.

• Block all calls from 23:00 to 8:00, except contacts from the Family group.
• Reject calls from numbers starting on +7999 (Typical spam numbers).
• Send. SMS-response to a blocked call (e.g., “I only accept calls from saved contacts»).

Example of macros for blocking unknown numbers:

Trigger: Incoming call → The number is not in contacts


Action: Reject the call → without notice




Restriction: Time from 00:00 to 23:59 (round the clock)

2.Use of Tasker (for experienced)

Tasker is an advanced automation tool that requires customization skills, and it can:

• Create a whitelist based on contact groups (e.g., Work, Friends).
• Set up notifications of missed calls from blocked numbers to a separate log.
• Integrate the blocking with other services (e.g., send spam calls to Google Sheets).

Example profile for Tasker:

Profile: Incoming Call (Event → Phone → Phone Ringing)


Condition: %CALLER ~R!C:Contacts (Not in Contacts)




Task:




1. Reject the call (Phone → End Call)




2. Write the number to a file (File → Write File, path: /sdcard/BlockedCalls.log)

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect Tasker or MacroDroid settings can result in blocking all incoming calls, including emergency calls.

3. editing system files (only for rooted devices)

On smartphones with unlocked bootloader and root rights, you can manually edit files responsible for blocking calls.

• File. /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db contains contact data.
• File. /data/data/com.miui.securitycenter/shared_prefs/block_settings.xml stores the lock settings MIUI.

For editing:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
2. Create a backup of the files.
3. Edit the lock settings (knowledge required) SQL or XML).

💡

Editing system files without a backup can result in contact loss or phone inoperability, a method only recommended for advanced users.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When setting up call filtering, Xiaomi users may face the following difficulties:

If after all the manipulations the problem persists, try:

1. Reset the settings of the phone application (Settings) → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Reset).
2. Clear the cache of the Security app.
3. Check if your device has work profiles (e.g., through Digital Wellbeing) that may affect calls.

For Xiaomi models with HyperOS (new shell, which replaced the new model) MIUI In 2026, the path to settings may be different. For example, in Xiaomi 14, the lock option is moved to Settings. → Privacy → Locking down calls.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions