Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to restrict access to unwanted subscribers. The blacklist (or “Stop List”) is a standard feature of the MIUI system, which allows you to block incoming calls and SMS from specific numbers. However, finding this section in the settings menu can be difficult, as the location of items varies from firmware version to version.
In this article, we will discuss in detail where the blacklist on Xiaomi is, how to use it correctly and what are the nuances of this feature on different versions of the operating system. You will learn not only to block spam, but also to configure smart filtering rules so that your smartphone only calls when it really needs to.
Understanding how the system handles locked numbers will help you avoid situations where you miss important calls because of incorrectly configured filters.
Location through the "Security" app
The main way to manage locks on Xiaomi devices is through the system application Security. This is where all the security tools, including antivirus and memory cleaning, are assembled. Open the green icon with a shield on your desktop or in the application menu.
Once you run the app, you'll need to scroll down or find the Anti-spam section. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be simply called "Block" or have a shield icon with a crossed-out arrow, and it contains the entire database of locked numbers and lock logs.
Inside the Antispam section, you'll see two main subsections: Blacklist and Lock Log, the first one listing the numbers that are not allowed access, and the second one listing the history of all communication attempts that have been interrupted by the system, a handy tool for analyzing who is trying to reach you.
⚠️ Note: If you clear the Security app data through your Android settings, your blacklist may be deleted.Do not perform a complete data reset of this system component without first uploading the numbers.
Lock settings can also be accessed by clicking on the menu button (three dots or gear) in the upper right corner of the screen inside the Security app, which often hides additional settings such as settings. SMS-Filters and rules for unknown numbers.
What to do if the Security app is removed or hidden?
Can I recover deleted SMS from the blacklist?
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Management through call log and contacts
There's a faster way to blacklist a number without going into the deep settings menu. If you get an unwanted call, you can block the caller directly from the call log, which takes just a few seconds and is effective against intrusive spam.
To do this, open the standard Phone app (green handset) and go to the Journal tab. Find the number in the list, click on it to reveal details, and select Lock or the icon with the crossed circle. The system will automatically add this contact to the lock database.
You can do the same thing through the Contacts app, find the name of the subscriber in the phone book, open the contact card, and at the bottom of the screen (or in the three-dot menu) select the lock option, which is especially useful when you need to block a friend whose number is stored in memory.
- 📞 Direct Lock: Click on the log number and select “Block” to instantly add to the stop list.
- 📝 Through Contact Card: Open the saved number and use the Action Menu to restrict access.
- 🔍 Search by history: Use the search bar in the Phone app to quickly find old calls from spammers.
Importantly, when blocked through a call log, the system may also suggest that you send a complaint about the number to the Xiaomi or Google database, which helps improve protection for all users by flagging the number as spam or fraud.
⚠️ Note: When blocking a contact through the Contacts menu, make sure you select the right number if the contact has more than one).
Configure smart filters and lock rules
Xiaomi’s blacklisting functionality goes beyond manually blocking specific numbers, offering powerful tools to automatically filter incoming traffic, allowing you to screen out entire categories of calls, such as from hidden numbers or international carriers.
To activate these features, go back to the Security → Antispam app and click on the gear icon (Settings). Here you will find switches for different scenarios. For example, you can turn on the option to Lock Hidden Numbers, and any call without a detector will be automatically reset.
The function of blocking by keywords in the SMS. You can add words like "loan," "win" or "promotional," and messages containing this text will go into the spam folder without disturbing you with an audible notification.
You can set time slots in the rule settings, such as turning on Do Not Disturb mode for all calls except your favorite contacts at night, through a separate profile or audio settings that integrate with the logic of the blacklist.
How to add a keyword to block SMS?
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☑️ Checking the anti-spam settings
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Use of third-party applications for calls
The standard “calling” from Xiaomi (MIUI Dialer) is based on the Google engine, but in some regions (for example, in Russia and CIS countries) the Yandex version or the own development of MIUI is used. The blacklist interface may differ slightly, but the logic remains the same.
If standard features aren’t enough, you can install a third-party app like Truecaller, Call Blocker, or Getcontact, which has its own, often more extensive spam databases that are updated in real time by users around the world.
When you install such an application, the system will request permission to access calls and contacts. Once you grant permissions, the new blacklist will become active., the presence of two active blockers (system and third-party) can sometimes cause conflicts when the call is reset twice or not displayed in the log.
- 📲 Truecaller: Market leader, has a huge base of determinants and effective lock.
- 🛡️ Call Blocker: Simple app with flexible lock schedule settings.
- 📞 Getcontact: Popular for tagging, but requires careful data privacy.
Using third-party solutions is especially important if the Xiaomi number detector system does not recognize local spammer numbers. However, remember that third-party apps can consume more battery power, since they are constantly active in the background.
⚠️ Note: By installing third-party number detectors, you often consent to the transfer of your phone book to the developer's servers.
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Periodically check the Spam folder in your messages, and sometimes confirmation codes from banks or services get there if a blocked keyword is accidentally in the text.
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Comparison of locking methods on different versions of MIUI
The interface and layout of the blacklist controls can vary significantly depending on the version of the MIUI shell and regional firmware (Global, China, EEA).
On older versions (MIUI 10-11), settings often hid deeper in the Security menu. In newer versions (MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS), developers are trying to take the basic locking features to more prominent places or integrate them directly into the call interface.
| MIUI version/Type | Location of settings | Features of blocking |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 10-11 (Global) | Security → Antispam → Settings | Basic lock by number |
| MIUI 12-13 | Phone. → Settings → Lockdown | Advanced SMS and Call Filters |
| MIUI 14 / HyperOS | Phone → Three points → Settings → Blocking | Integration with AI, a smart spam filter |
| Chinese firmware | Security → Antithor/Antispam | Aggressive lockdown, dependency on Tencent base |
On Chinese firmware versions, the blacklist is often tied to local carrier databases (Tencent, 360 Security), so it may be less effective for users from other countries without additional customization.
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Why do menus look different on different phones?
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Frequent problems and their solution
Users sometimes experience a situation where the number added to the blacklist continues to call or arrive as a missed number, which may be due to the peculiarities of the operator’s network or the settings of the smartphone itself.
One of the common reasons is the format of the number recording: If you lock the number in the format +7 999... and the caller uses 8 999... or 7999..., the system may not recognize a match.
The problem may also be access rights, and if a Security or Phone application is restricted in the background to save energy, it may not be able to process the incoming call and reset it, and you need to check the battery settings for system call applications.
In rare cases, a full reset of call settings helps. You can use the code in the dial menu (for example, ##4636## to log into the engineering menu, although the functionality there is limited to testing), but the safer way is to clear the cache of the Phone application through Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone → Clear the cache.
⚠️ Note: Do not use network reset codes (#72786## and the like) unless you are sure they will work. APN Internet and mobile internet will stop working.
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The main and most reliable way to manage a blacklist on Xiaomi is through the system application “Security” (the Antispam section), since it works at the system level and does not depend on third-party launchers.
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