Where is the blacklist on Xiaomi phone: the complete guide to MIUI

Do you get annoying calls from unfamiliar numbers or want to block a former colleague's contact? Xiaomi's MIUI-based smartphones have a built-in blacklist, but its location depends on the firmware version and the phone model. Some users lose hours searching for this feature because developers periodically bring it to the menu or rename it.

In this article, you will find the latest ways to access the blacklist on all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices (including the 2023-2026 models), as well as instructions for adding numbers, deleting and syncing with the cloud. We will break down the nuances for different versions of MIUI โ€“ from 12 to 14 โ€“ and explain why sometimes blocked contacts keep calling you.

Where to look for a blacklist: 3 main ways

Depending on the MIUI version and phone model, the path to the blacklist may vary, and here are three proven ways to find it on your device:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Using the Phone app: Open the standard call app โ†’ three-point (โ‹ฎ) top-right โ†’ Select Settings โ†’ Number locking.
  • โš™๏ธ Through System Settings: Go to Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management โ†’ Phone. โ†’ Permits โ†’ Number locking.
  • ๐Ÿ” Search by Settings: Pull down the notification panel โ†’ Enter in the search bar "blacklist" or "blocking" โ†’ The system will show you a direct link.

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), the path may be shorter: Settings โ†’ Lock and Protection โ†’ Lock numbers. If you do not find an item on the menu, update the firmware - in older versions of MIUI 11 and below, the interface is different.

๐Ÿ“Š What Xiaomi model do you use?
Redmi Note 11/12
POCO X5/F5
Xiaomi 12/13/14
Another model

How to add a number to the blacklist: Step-by-step instructions

There are several ways to add a contact or number to the lock, and consider the most common method that works on all versions of MIUI:

  1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
  2. Go to the magazine tab (the icon of the clock at the bottom of the screen).
  3. Find the number in the call history and tap it.
  4. In the window that opens, select Block (or the Banning Sign icon) โŒ).
  5. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

To add the number manually (unless he has called you before):

  1. Go to the phone settings โ†’ Lock numbers.
  2. Add a number (the "+" icon).
  3. Enter the number in the international format (for example, +79123456789) or select from the contacts.
  4. Please specify the reason for the lock (optional) and save.

The number is entered in the correct format (with country code)

Contact not added to the exceptions (see section below)

Synchronization with Mi Account (if necessary)

Operator settings are checked (some block) SMS separately)-->

Important: If you block a contact from a list, both calls and SMS are automatically blocked. To separate these features, use third-party apps (such as Truecaller).

Why blocked numbers still ring: 5 reasons

Many Xiaomi users are faced with a situation where blocked numbers continue to pass, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

Reason.How to fix it
Number hidden (definition "Unknown")Enable the lock of hidden numbers in Settings โ†’ Block โ†’ More
Sync with Mi Cloud disabledGo to Settings โ†’ Mi Account โ†’ Synchronization and turn on โ€œNumber Lockโ€
Operator blocks MIUI functionsCall in support of the operator and request the activation of the service "Antispam"
The firmware is outdated.Update MIUI to the latest version in Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ System Update
Phone app droppedReinstall updates for the app in Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ Phone โ†’ Three points โ†’ Remove updates

Critical feature of MIUI 14: In this version, the default number lock works only for calls. To block and SMS, you need to separately activate the option in Phone Settings โ†’ Messages โ†’ Block spam.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the blocked number still passes, try adding it to the blacklist through the Messages app โ€“ sometimes this works even when the lock on the Phone does not work.

How to Manage a Blacklist: Editing and Exclusions

The blacklist in Xiaomi allows you not only to block, but also to flexibly configure exceptions, for example, you can allow calls from a blocked contact at a certain time or if he writes from another number.

To edit the list:

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Lock numbers.
  2. Slip on the number you want to change.
  3. Choose: ๐Ÿ“ž Unblock โ€“ Remove the number from the list. โฐ Time exceptions โ€“ allow calls at specified hours. ๐Ÿ”„ Sync โ€“ Update data in Mi Cloud.

To create exceptions:

  1. In the same lock menu, select Settings โ†’ Exceptions.
  2. Add numbers that are allowed to call even if they are blacklisted (such as taxi or delivery services).
  3. Set up a schedule for temporary unlocking.
What to do if the "number lock" item disappears?
On some firmware (especially custom) the item may disappear. In this case: 1. Check the firmware region - for China, the lock is often disabled. 2. Install the global version of MIUI through Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ MIUI version (tap 7 times on the logo). 3. Use alternative applications, such as Call Blocker or Should I Answer?.

Synchronize blacklisting with Mi Account and other devices

One of the useful features of MIUI is synchronizing locked numbers between devices through your Mi Account, which means that if you add a number to the blacklist on the Xiaomi 13T, it will automatically be blocked on your Redmi Pad (provided you are logged in to the same account).

To enable synchronization:

  1. Open the Settings. โ†’ Mi Account.
  2. Select Data Synchronization.
  3. Activate the slider opposite the Lock numbers.
  4. Confirm the action if necessary.

Please note:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Sync only works if this option is enabled on both devices.
  • โณ Updating the list can take up to 5 minutes.
  • ๐ŸŒ If you log out of Mi Account, all locks will be saved locally, but will not sync.

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Synchronization of the blacklist through Mi Account works only between Xiaomi devices on the Internet. MIUI. On other brands (even the same ones) SIM-(b) the lock will not be applied.

Blacklist on different Xiaomi models: features

The interface and location of the blacklist may vary depending on the model and version of MIUI, and here are the key features for popular devices:

Model/SeriesMIUI versionThe Road to the BlacklistFeatures
Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra14Settings โ†’ Lock and Protection โ†’ Locking numbersSupport for blocking keywords in SMS
Redmi Note 12/1113โ€“14Phone. โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Settings โ†’ LockdownNo synchronization with Mi Cloud in Chinese firmware
POCO F5/X514 (POCO Launcher)Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Phone โ†’ BlockingAdditional option of blocking by geolocation
Xiaomi 12T/12S13Settings โ†’ Memory and SIM-map โ†’ LockdownSupport for locking on regular expressions (for example, all numbers with 9XX code)

On devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite), the blacklist is integrated with the Spam Protection service, which automatically blocks known fraudulent numbers.

  1. Go to Settings. โ†’ Lockdown and protection.
  2. Activate the Slide Protection against Spam.
  3. Select the level of protection: Basic (only obvious spam) or Hard (block suspicious numbers).

Alternative ways to block: when a standard blacklist is not enough

If the built-in MIUI features don't suit you, you can use third-party solutions that offer advanced features such as:

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Call statistics (how many times a blocked number called).
  • ๐ŸŒ Global spam databases (blocking according to community data).
  • ๐Ÿ”• Quiet mode for unknowns (calls pass, but without sound).

Top.-3 Applications to block on Xiaomi:

  1. Truecaller โ€“ defines spam numbers on a database of 300 million records, supports the Russian-language interface.
  2. Should I Answer? โ€“ blocks numbers based on user feedback, works offline.
  3. Call Blocker allows you to create lock rules by mask (for example, all numbers with the code 8-800).

To install one of these applications:

  1. Open the Google Play Market.
  2. Enter the name of the application in the search.
  3. Click Set and provide the necessary permissions (access to calls and SMS).
  4. Launch the application and follow the setup instructions.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before installing third-party blockers, check their reputation on forums (such as 4PDA).Some apps may collect data about your contacts.

โš ๏ธ Attention: On phones with MIUI China ROM (Chinese firmware) many locking features are disabled due to local law, and to unlock them, you need to reflash the device to the global version, which can cancel the warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the blacklist in Xiaomi

Can I restore the blacklist after resetting my phone?
Yes, if you had Mi Account sync enabled, then log in to the same account and the locked numbers will be restored automatically, and if sync was disabled, the list will be lost.
How to block a number, not a number, but an entire operator (for example, all numbers with the code 9XX)?
The standard MIUI blacklist doesnโ€™t have this feature. Use third-party apps like Call Blocker, where you can set rules by mask (e.g. +79** to lock all Russian numbers).
Why did the MIUI update disappear?
This is a famous mistake when switching from MIUI 12 to MIUI 13/14. Try: Update the Phone app in the Play Market. Clear the app cache in Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ Phone โ†’ Memory โ†’ Clear the cache. Restore the list from the Mi Cloud backup.
Can I block the number so that he doesnโ€™t know?
In MIUI, the lock is quiet: the blocked subscriber will hear long horns or a voice message saying "Subscriber temporarily unavailable" but will not know that his number is on the blacklist, except if he calls from another phone and hears that your number is busy.
How to export a blacklist to transfer to another phone?
There are no standard export vehicles in MIUI, but you can: Enable sync with Mi Account and log in on a new phone; use apps like Super Backup & Restore to back up SMS and calls (they will also keep locks); take screenshots of the list and manually transfer numbers.