Locked contacts on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 may disappear from the main list, but they are not permanently deleted – they are simply hidden by the system. Most often, users face this problem after updating MIUI, resetting settings or accidentally clicking on the lock function. Unlike other smartphones, where locked numbers fall into a separate folder, on Redmi Note 8 they can “hide” in non-obvious partitions.
In this article, we’ll look at all the official and covert methods of finding such contacts, from standard MIUI tools to working with backups. Importantly, some methods require you to connect to Mi Account, so make sure you remember the information from the account. If the contact was blocked through third-party messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), you will have to look for it in the settings of these applications, too, we will discuss this below.
Before you start searching, check if contacts are showing up in another account (e.g. Google Contacts instead of Mi Contacts). To do this, open the Contacts app, tap three dots in the top right corner, and select Contact Management → Display Contacts from. Make sure all available sources are enabled.
If you have recently updated your firmware, you may have a sync failure, in which case a forced contact update will help: go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Sync and enable a slider opposite Contact. Wait for the process to be completed (may take up to 5 minutes).
1. Search through the standard "Contacts" application
The easiest way is to use the built-in filtering function in the Contacts app. On the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 12-14, the algorithm is as follows:
- Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background).
- Slip on three vertical points in the upper right corner.
- Select Contact Management.
- Scroll down and click on the Blocked Contacts.
If this section is missing, then the contacts were blocked not through the system application, but through third-party services (for example, Truecaller or a telecom operator), in which case move to the next method.
Important: In some versions of MIUI, blocked contacts may appear in the Spam or Unwanted section. Check these tabs in the same Contact Management menu.
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If the list of blocked contacts is empty, but you are sure that you have blocked numbers, try resetting the filters. At the top of the screen with contacts, click on the funnel icon (🔍) and select "All contacts".
Verification through MIUI settings (method for firmware 12-14)
On the Redmi Note 8, locked numbers can be stored not only in the Contacts app, but also in the system security settings, which works even if the contact was blocked through a call or SMS.
- 📱 Open your phone settings (cog icon).
- 🔒 Go to the Appendix section → Permits → Locking down calls.
- 📞 This will show all the numbers locked through the system tools.
- 🔄 If the list is empty, check the Block History tab (not available on all firmware).
On MIUI firmware 11 and below, this section may be called “Blacklist” and is located along the Settings path → Lock and Protection → Blacklist. If you don’t find this item, upgrade your phone to the latest version of MIUI via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
Note that only numbers locked through system tools are displayed here. If you have used third-party apps (like Call Blocker), look for locks in their settings.
Recovery via Mi Cloud (if contacts are synchronized)
If your Redmi Note 8 has Mi Account sync enabled, the blocked contacts could have been saved to the cloud, a method that works even if you reset your phone to factory settings.
- 🌐 Open your browser on your computer or phone and go to i.mi.com.
- 🔑 Sign in to your Mi Account (the same as on your phone).
- 📱 Select the Contacts tab in the top menu.
- 🔍 On the right side of the screen, click on the filter icon (🔍) and select Show blocked.
If there are no contacts in the cloud, check if the sync on your phone is enabled:
Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Synchronization → Contacts (include)After activating sync, wait 10-15 minutes and update the i.mi.com page. If contacts never show up, try the following method.
What to do if I don’t remember my Mi Account password?
6. Verification through a communications operator or third-party applications
If the contact was blocked not through the phone, but through the operator’s services (for example, the “Black List” from MTS, Beeline or MegaFon), it will not be found in the settings of Redmi Note 8.
- 📞 Call your operator’s hotline to see if the blacklist on your number is active.
- 💻 Go to the personal account on the operator's website (section "Services" or "Security").
- 📱 Use it. USSD-team: *111*777# — for Beeline *111*0880# — for MTS *105*777# — for Megaphone
If you have used third-party call blockers (such as Truecaller, Call Blocker, or Hiya), check their settings:
- Open the app.
- Go to the Blocking or Spam section.
- Find the History or Blacklist tab.
⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Truecaller) only store locked numbers for 30 days. If more time has passed, the data can be deleted permanently.
Comparison of methods of searching for blocked contacts
| Method | Where to find | Is a Mi Account Required? | Restore remote contacts | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard annex “Contacts” | Contact management → Blocked. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐Easy |
| MIUI settings | Applications → Permissions → Blocking calls | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐Medium |
| Mi Cloud | i.mi.com → Contacts | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (if there was a synchronization) | ⭐⭐Medium |
| Google Contacts | contacts.google.com | ❌ No (you need a Google account) | ✅ Yes (through restoration) | ⭐⭐Medium |
| Backup copy | Settings → Backup | ✅ Yes, for the cloud) | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐Hard |
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The most reliable way is to check through Mi Cloud or Google Contacts if sync has been enabled. Local methods (MIUI settings, Contacts app) show only current locks, but do not restore deleted data.