How to unlock contacts in Xiaomi phone: a step-by-step guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer advanced tools to filter unwanted calls, but sometimes these features work too aggressively. Users often face a situation where an important subscriber can not reach, and you do not even see a missed call in the log. This can be due to the โ€œblacklistโ€ settings, MIUI Security antivirus or random blocking of contact in the system application โ€œPhoneโ€.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible blocking scenarios and how to fix them. You will learn where to look for hidden numbers, how to turn off an automatic spam filter and what to do if the problem lies in the hidden number. SIM-Unlocking contacts is a simple process, but requires attention to the details of the shell interface. MIUI Weโ€™ll look at both standard methods through settings and hidden menu paths that are often overlooked.

Restoring access to calls from specific people is not just a convenience, but a matter of security and speed. Sometimes the system flags a legitimate business number as spam, or you accidentally add a contact to the stop list when you try to quickly end a conversation. Whatever the reason, here are proven algorithms of actions that will help you regain full control of the incoming communication on your device.

Checking the blacklist in the phone application

The most common reason for not dialing is that the activated blacklist inside the standard caller is embedded deep in the MIUI shell and is managed through the call settings menu. To access the blocked list, you need to open the Phone app, click three dots in the corner of the screen and select Settings. Next, look for the Lock or Antispam section, where all the numbers that are not allowed to enter are stored.

Inside this menu, you'll see a list of all blocked subscribers, where you can manually delete a specific number by clicking on it and selecting the appropriate unlock option. It's important to note that some versions of the firmware have a separate tab for blocking SMS and for voice calls, so you need to check both categories. Deletion from the blacklist is instant, and the subscriber can call immediately after you've manipulated it.

If you don't find the right number in the explicit list, you should pay attention to the locking rules settings. The system can automatically cut off calls from hidden numbers or subscribers from other regions. To do this, you need to check the "Block Unknown Numbers" and "Block Hidden Numbers" switches in the same "Block Unknown Numbers" menu, disabling these functions often solves the problem when couriers or employees of organizations that hide their ID call.

โš ๏ธ Warning: After cleaning the blacklist, it is recommended to restart the device so that the changes are guaranteed to be applied at the network services level by the operating system.

It's also worth mentioning the Quiet Mode feature for unknown numbers, which can create the illusion of locking. In this case, the call is not displayed on the screen but remains in the missed log. Check the incoming call notification settings to make sure the sound is not forced off for all contacts not saved in your phone book.

Antivirus and protection settings MIUI Security

The second layer of protection that users often ignore is the built-in MIUI Security antivirus, which has its own traffic filtering engine and can block contacts regardless of your phone settings. To check this setting, look for a green zipper icon on your desktop (Security) and launch the application. From the tool menu, select the "Block" or "Antispam" section.

Here, settings can duplicate system ones, but often take priority. In the Blacklist section, check if you have added the desired contact. In addition, MIUI Security has more flexible lock settings by keywords in SMS or by number type (for example, paid subscriptions). The message and call filter is low, so disabling it may require confirmation of access rights.

Special attention should be paid to updating spam databases. Antivirus regularly downloads phone lists of scammers and telemarketers. If your contact accidentally hits such a database (which happens with office or delivery numbers), the system will block it automatically. In the antivirus settings, you can disable Cloud Base or add a number to exceptions (white list) to prevent future blocking.

๐Ÿ“Š Where do you find the most blocked number?
In the appendix Phone
MIUI Security
In the settings SIM-map
I don't know where to look.

For advanced users, there's a manual rule mode available. You can create a rule that only allows calls from the phone book, but that's an extreme measure. In most cases, just clear the exception list in the antivirus. Remember, after updating the firmware, the antivirus settings can reset to factory ones, so it's worth checking again.

Unlocking through settings SIM-map

The third level of locking is on the operatorโ€™s side or in the settings of the operator itself. SIM-Some carriers offer network-level Anti-Definition or Blacklist services, in which case no settings on Xiaomi phone will help until you turn off the service through the operator's app or USSD-Check the connected services in your mobile operator's personal account.

There is also a blockage of the very SIM-map PIN-If the phone asks for it. PUK-code after several failed attempts to enter PIN, The network is completely blocked, in which case the contacts cannot be unlocked until access is restored. SIM. Enter. PUK-code (indicated on the plastic card where the SIM was, or in your personal account) and ask for a new one PIN.

In the phone settings along the way Settings โ†’ SIM-Maps and mobile networks can be found limiting outbound calls, which are sometimes confused with blocking inboxes. Make sure that the Fixed Number Dial feature is not activated if this option is supported by yours. SIM-If you're locked, the phone will receive calls, but it won't let you make them anywhere other than the authorized numbers, which can give you the false impression of a malfunction.

Type of lockdownWhereverHow to take it off
Blacklist (Phone)Appendix Phone โ†’ SettingsRemove the number from the list
Antispam (MIUI)Security AnnexClear the blacklist
SIM lockdownNetwork settings / OperatorEnter PUK / Call to operator
Do Not Disturb modeNotification curtainTurn off the curtain mode

It's important to distinguish between software lock and physical malfunction. If after all the manipulations, the calls don't go through, try rearranging them. SIM-card to another slot or to another phone, which will help to prevent damage to the contacts of the card or the socket of the smartphone.

Do Not Disturb Mode and Sound Profiles

Often users mistake the activated Do Not Disturb mode (DND) for blocking contacts. In this state, the phone can drop calls without a beep or simply remain silent, making it appear that the number is locked. Check the top notification curtain: if there is a crescent icon on there, the mode is active. Press it to deactivate.

Do Not Disturb (Settings โ†’ Sound and Vibration โ†’ Do Not Disturb) has subtle exception settings. You may have accidentally set a rule that prohibits calls from all but selected contacts. Check the Allow Calls from section and select From All or Contacts to unlock calls.

In addition, Xiaomi has sound profiles (Normal, Silent, Vibration) that sometimes confuse notification settings. Make sure you select the "Normal" profile and the call volume slider is not twisted to zero. In some cases, resetting the audio settings to factory values through the special features menu helps.

๐Ÿ’ก

Use the Google Assistant or Xiao AI voice assistant by saying โ€œSwitch off Do Not Disturbโ€ to quickly unlock calls if the phoneโ€™s screen isnโ€™t responding.

Pay attention to the Do Not Disturb schedule. The phone can automatically turn on call locks at night or during business hours. If you are waiting for an important call at unusual times, check your schedule settings and add an exception for repeated calls from one number.

Third-party applications and software conflicts

If you've installed third-party calls (like Truecaller, GetContact) or antiviruses (Kaspersky, Dr.Web), they can intercept call management. These applications have their own spam databases and lock algorithms that run on top of the system ones, and to unlock a contact, you go to the settings of a particular application and find the "Block" or "Blacklist" section there.

A conflict between two applications trying to manage calls can result in a complete telephony failure, in which case it is recommended to leave only one application for calls by default. Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management โ†’ Three Points โ†’ Default Applications โ†’ Phone and select a standard MIUI caller.

In rare cases, virus software or adware can block contacts. Conduct a full system check through an embedded scanner or a reliable antivirus. Removing suspicious applications, especially those that require access to contacts and calls, often solves the problem of suddenly occurring lock.

How to remove a virus from Xiaomi?
Go to Safe Mode by holding the shutdown button. If that mode is running, it's a problem in a third-party app. Remove the recently installed programs one at a time.

Resetting network and phone settings

When software methods fail, the radical but effective step is to reset your network settings, which will return APN, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi settings to factory values, but will not delete your personal data (photos, contacts), which can be done through the Settings menu โ†’ Connection and Sharing โ†’ Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth.

If that didn't work, there may have been a crash in the system contacts configuration files, in which case cleaning the cache of the Phone and Contacts app helps. Go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ All apps, find Phone, select Memory, and click Clear.

The last step is to completely reset to factory settings. Before that, make sure to back up your data to the Mi Cloud or your computer. Once reset, the phone will return to the "out of the box" state and all software locks will be guaranteed to be removed, ensuring that any software bugs that caused the problem are fixed.

โ˜‘๏ธ Checklist before resetting the phone

Done: 0 / 5

โš ๏ธ Warning: Wipe Data permanently deletes all data from the phone's internal memory. Make sure you have an up-to-date copy of important information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I unlock my phone remotely if my phone is lost?
No, you can't unlock specific numbers on a lost device remotely via the Mi Cloud service. You can only lock the phone itself or erase the data. Managing a blacklist requires physical access to the device's menu.
Why did the MIUI update disappear?
When major system updates (such as switching from MIUI 12 to 13 or HyperOS) change the menu structure, look for settings in the Security app or search for settings by entering the word โ€œBlockโ€.
Does the phone block calls when the โ€œon the planeโ€ mode is in place?
Yes, in flight mode, the radio module is disabled, and the phone cannot physically accept the call, and it's not software locking the contact, but the lack of communication with the operator's base station.
How to add a number to the whitelist on Xiaomi?
Open the call lock settings, find the Whitelist and add the number you want to use, and calls from the whitelist numbers will pass even if everyone else is blocked.