Have you accidentally blocked an important contact on a Xiaomi smartphone and now you can't find where to unlock it? Or want to check which numbers are blacklisted? Unlike standard Android, the MIUI shell hides this section in an unobvious way - its location depends on the firmware version and phone model. In this article, we will go through all possible ways to access blocked contacts, including hidden settings and alternative ways through system applications.
Complicating the problem is that Xiaomi regularly updates the MIUI interface by moving or renaming partitions. For example, in MIUI 12-14 versions, the path to the blacklist is different from MIUI 11 and earlier. In addition, on some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3), this section can be hidden deeper due to customized builds. We took into account all the nuances and prepared a universal manual that will suit most of the brand’s devices.
Why you can’t see blocked contacts in the standard menu
Many Xiaomi users are faced with the fact that once the number is blocked, it can not be found in Contacts or in the Call log, the reason lies in the MIUI architecture:
- 📱 There's no single lock control center, unlike pure Android, where the blacklist is managed through the phone's settings, in the Internet. MIUI Blocking can be done through multiple applications at the same time: Contacts, Phone, Security or even Messages.
- 🔄 Different versions MIUI = different paths, for example, in MIUI Section 14 Blacklist moved from Settings to the Phone app, and to MIUI 12 he could have been safe.
- 🛠️ Manufacturer's customization, on some models (e.g, POCO F3 or Black Shark interface may differ due to firmware from partners.
Another common reason is sync with your Mi Account. If you block a contact through the Xiaomi cloud, it may not appear in the phone’s local blacklist, which we’ll explain in detail in the cloud lock section.
Method 1: Using the Phone app (relevant to MIUI 12-14)
This is the most reliable method for modern firmware versions.
- Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
- Tap on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
- Scroll down to the Blocking Numbers or Blacklist section (the name may vary).
- Here you will see all the locked numbers. To unlock the contact, click on it and select Remove from the blacklist.
If you MIUI 14 Xiaomi 13/13 Pro or Redmi Note 12, The path might look like this: The phone. → ⋮ → Settings → Lockdown and identification → Blacklist.
Make sure the number is actually locked.|Check if the list is synced with your Mi Account.|Take a screenshot of the list in case of an error|Reboot your phone after the changes-->
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X4 Pro) The blacklist section can be hidden if you have never blocked numbers, in which case try blocking the test contact first, the section will appear automatically.
Method 2: System Settings (for MIUI 11 and older)
If you have an older firmware version or customized build (like the Xiaomi Mi A2 with Android One), try this way:
- Open the phone settings.
- Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
- Press three points (⋮) In the upper corner and select Special Accesses.
- Slip on the number lock or blacklist.
In some cases, the path may be different: Settings → System and device → Additional → Lock numbers. If there is no partition, then on your model it is controlled through the Phone application (see Method 1).
| MIUI version | The Road to the Blacklist | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 14 | Phone. → ⋮ → Settings → Lockdown and identification | On some models, the section is called Spam and Blocking. |
| MIUI 12–13 | Phone. → ⋮ → Settings → Blacklist. | May require proof of fingerprint. |
| MIUI 11 | Settings → Applications → Special accesses → Blocking numbers | Redmi 8/9 may be hidden |
| Android One (Mi A1/A2/A3) | Phone. → ⋮ → Settings → Number locking | Similar to standard Android |
Method 3: Through the Security app (for Chinese firmware)
If your Xiaomi runs on global firmware, this method is likely not to work. However, on devices with Chinese MIUI (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra for the domestic market), lock management is often brought to the Security app:
- Open the Security app (shield icon).
- Go to the Blocking or Antispam tab.
- Select the Blacklist or Blocked Numbers.
On some models (e.g. Black Shark 4), this application may be called Security Center and have a different interface. If you don't find a section, try searching by settings (the magnifying glass icon in the top corner).
What to do if the Security app is not available?
Method 4: Viewing blocked contacts through your Mi Cloud account
If you sync your contacts with your Xiaomi account, the blocked numbers can be duplicated in the cloud to verify them:
- Open your browser and go to i.mi.com (sign up under your Mi Account).
- Select Devices → Find the device (if the phone is tied).
- Go to Data Management → Contacts.
- Check the tab Blacklist or Blocked.
Note that the cloud lock may not match the local lock on your phone, and if you unlock a number in the cloud, it's not always a device lock-off, you'll have to do it separately through your MIUI settings.
⚠️ Note: If you use two-factor authentication for your Mi Account, you may need to confirm your Mi Cloud account when you sign in. SMS Make sure you have access to the linked number, otherwise it will be difficult to recover the data.
How to Unblock a Number If It Doesn't Show Up in the List
Sometimes a blocked contact may disappear from the blacklist due to a synchronization failure or system error, in which case, try the following steps:
- 🔍 Check the call log. Sometimes the locked numbers are displayed there as "Hidden Number" or "Blocked Contact.
- 📲 Use it. USSD-Team.Dial ##4636## → Phone information → Perform the Ping test. This sometimes resets the lock cache (not working on all models).
- 🔄 Reset the settings of the Phone app. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Phone. → Warehouse → Clear the data. Attention: this will delete the call history!
If nothing helps, the last option is to reset the network settings (not to be confused with a full reset of the phone!).
Settings → About phone → Resetting settings → Resetting network settings💡
Before resetting your network settings, save all important SMS and mobile Internet (APN) data, and you'll have to reset them.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When working with blocked contacts, Xiaomi users often make the following mistakes:
- 🚫 Delete the contact instead of unlocking it. If you remove the blocked contact from the phone book, it will still be blacklisted! First unlock it, then delete it.
- 🔗 Ignoring sync. If you have Google Contacts or Mi Cloud sync enabled, the lock may be duplicated. Unlock the number across all services.
- 📵 Blocking through third-party apps. If you used Truecaller, GetContact or other anti-spam apps, the blacklist can be stored in them, not in system settings.
Another common problem is blocking unknown numbers, and MIUI has an automatic spam blocking feature that can add numbers to a blacklist without you knowing it, to turn it off:
Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Locking and Identification → Auto-Blocking Spam → Disable💡
Always check both lists: System blacklist (in your phone settings) and cloud list (in Mi Cloud).