Where on Xiaomi are stored locked numbers: full guide on MIUI

Have you accidentally blocked an important number on Xiaomi, or suspect that someone from contacts has been blacklisted without your knowledge?Unlike iPhone or "pure" Android, MIUI firmware hides locked numbers in not obvious places. Even power users sometimes spend hours searching for that list - especially after upgrading to MIUI 14 or HyperOS, where the interface has changed again.

In this article, we will not only show you all the possible paths to locked numbers (including hidden system folders), but also explain why contacts can disappear from the blacklist after resetting settings or transferring to a new phone. MIUI 13, which causes the lock to be triggered with a delay of up to 24 hours.

The official way: where to look for a blacklist in MIUI

The easiest way is through the phone’s standard menu, but even here Xiaomi likes to “hide” settings depending on the firmware version, for example, in MIUI 12 the item was called “Blocking”, and in MIUI 14 it was renamed “Spam and Lock”.

The instructions are relevant for all models: from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Swipe on the three dots in the upper right corner (or swipe left on some models).
3. Select Spam and Block (in older versions – Block or Blacklist).
4. Go to the Blocked Numbers tab.

Here you will see the full list of blocked contacts, as well as the history of their incoming contacts (if the option is “Logular Locked”). Please note: numbers blocked via Messaging (SMS) or WhatsApp will not appear here – they must be checked separately.

Hidden folders: where MIUI stores lock data at the system level

If the official method didn’t work (for example, after resetting or transferring data), you will have to dig deeper.

1. Android database is the system file blockednumber.db in the folder /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/.
2. Backup copy MIUI — file blocked_numbers.xml file /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ (if automatic reservation is enabled).

To access these files, you will need:

• 🔧 Root rights (or ADB-system-reader).
• 📱 File Manager with root support (e.g. Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
• 💾 Backup of data (in case of error).

⚠️ Note: editing system files without root can result in the loss of all contacts. If you are not sure about your actions, use alternative methods (see next section).

Alternative methods: how to find locked numbers without root

Don't want to risk system files? Here are 3 workable ways that don't require superuser rights:

1. via Google Contacts (if sync is enabled)

MIUI sometimes duplicates blocked numbers in Google Account.

1. Open contacts.google.com on your computer.
2. On the left menu, select More → Export.
3. Download the file in Google CSV format and open it via Excel.
4. Sort the Phone 1 - Value column and look for numbers marked Blocked.

2. through the application "Security" (MIUI Security)

In some versions of the firmware, locked numbers are duplicated in the protection module:

• 🛡️ Open "Security" (shield icon).
• 🔍 Go to privacy. → Number locking.
• 📋 Check the tabs Phone and Messages.

3. Through the call log (hidden function)

MIUI 13/14 has undocumented filtering capabilities.

1. Open the phone» → «Journal».
2. Slip on the filter icon (funnel in the upper right corner).
3. Select Show blocked (the item may be called Hidden Calls).

Check out the "Phone → Spam and Lock"

Check Google Contacts for “Blocked” Labels

Look at "Security." → Privacy"

Export the call log to CSV and search for hidden records

Try to restore from backup MIUI-->

Why blocked numbers disappear: 5 reasons and solutions

Xiaomi users often face a situation where the blacklist suddenly becomes empty, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

⚠️ Note: If you are using duality SIM-cards, the lock can be triggered selectively, for example, the number is blocked for SIM 1, but available for SIM 2. Check the settings for each card separately in the Spam and Lock menu → Additionally.

How to export and import a blacklist to the new Xiaomi

When you buy a new Xiaomi phone (like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+) or after a hard reset, moving locked numbers becomes a non-trivial task.

Exports (from old phone):

1. Install App Cloner or Titanium Backup (requires root).
2. Create a backup of the com.android.contacts app.
3. Copy the blockednumber.db file to your computer (see the hidden folder section).

Import (on the new phone):

• 📲 If you have root: replace blockednumber.db in the new system.
• 🔄 No root: Restore backup via Mi Mover (only if the models are identical).
• ☁️ Alternative: manually add numbers to the blacklist through Spam and Block.

💡

If you don’t have root but have access to an old phone, export the call log to the CSV, filter out the locked numbers and import them as new contacts marked “BLOCKED” in the name.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Working with a blacklist on Xiaomi is fraught with pitfalls. Here's what you can't do, and why:

• 🚫 Block numbers through third-party apps (like Truecaller): they create a separate list that is not synchronized with the MIUI. When you remove the application, the block will be removed.
• 🚫 Use the Network Settings Reset feature: This can delete the lock data if it is linked to SIM-map.
• 🚫 Edit blockednumber.db in text editor: file in SQLite format, and its damage will lead to the collapse of the application Contacts».

⚠️ Note: if you block a number via WhatsApp or Telegram, it does not affect standard calls and SMS. To completely block, you need to add a number to the blacklist both in the messenger and in the MIUI.

💡

The only reliable way to transfer locked numbers between Xiaomi phones is to back up via Mi Account with the phone’s contacts and settings synchronized enabled.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions