Where is the blacklist in the Xiaomi Redmi 5 phone: a complete guide with pictures and tips

Why Redmi 5 blacklist isn’t just about blocking calls

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2018, is still popular among users due to its balanced performance and stable performance on MIUI. However, many owners face the problem: where exactly is the blacklist feature hidden if it is not visible at first glance in the phone menu?

The Redmi 5 blacklist is not only a tool to block intrusive calls, it also filters. SMS-It blocks notifications from blocked contacts in some messengers (for example, in the standard Messages application) and can even affect the operation of third-party applications if they are integrated with system services. MIUI. But the main problem is that after updates, the menu interface often changes, and finding this feature becomes more difficult.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 3 Ways to Find a Blacklist in Different Versions MIUI on the Redmi 5
• ⚙️ How to add a number to the lock through standard settings and third-party applications
• ❓ Why blocked contacts sometimes go off the list (and how to fix it)
• 📱 The difference between the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus blacklists (yes, they are!)

Method 1: The standard path through “Phone Settings”

The most obvious method is to search through system settings. However, there are pitfalls: depending on the version of MIUI (for example, MIUI 9 vs MIUI 12), the path may differ. For Redmi 5 with original firmware, the following steps are relevant:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to Lock and Protect (or Privacy in newer versions).
3. Select the Blacklist option (sometimes called Number Blocking).
4. Click Add a number and enter the contact manually or select from the phone book.

If you have a global version of MIUI (Global ROM), instead of Lock and Protect, you can have a System & Device → Blocklist section, and in China ROM, the way is even more complicated: you have to look for the characters "" (blacklist) in the security menu.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI blacklist hidden behind the function SIM-maps and mobile networks. If you don't find it in Settings, try the path: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Call settings → Number locking.

Also, you should note that after resetting the settings to the factory blacklist is zeroed. If you made a backup through the Mi Cloud, you can restore it only with all contacts - a separate lock list is not stored.

Method 2: Using the Phone app (Fast Access)

Not everyone knows, but you can open the blacklist directly from the standard Phone app (green handset), which works on all versions of MIUI, including the older ones:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Settings → Lock numbers.
4. Here you will see a list of blocked contacts and add button.

The advantage of this method is that it does not depend on the firmware version. Even if the path has changed in the Settings of the phone, a blacklist is always available through the Phone app.

Make sure all important numbers are in contact

Take a screenshot of the current blacklist

Check if sync with Mi Cloud is enabled

Remember the path to lock settings on the current version-->

Fun fact: Redmi 5 blacklists not only for calls, but also for SMS. If you get spam from the same number, adding it to the lock will automatically stop sending messages. However, this does not apply to messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, where the lock will have to be configured separately.

Method 3: Through "Security" (for Chinese firmware)

If your Redmi 5 runs on China ROM, the blacklist can be hidden in the Security app, a method that is relevant for users who have bought a phone in China or installed Chinese firmware manually.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (Security).
2. Go to the Block tab (“” or “”).
3. Select the Black List and add numbers.

Chinese firmware has an additional feature called keyword blocking, such as the ability to ban all calls from numbers containing 900 (like bank spammers), but this tool is unstable and can block important calls, so you need to use it carefully.

Why Numbers Are Losing From The Blacklist (And How To Fix It)

Many Redmi 5 users are faced with a problem: the numbers added to the lock suddenly disappear.

The most common reason is a firmware update, because newer versions of MIUI have a different contact database structure, and the old locks may not be transferred, so to avoid this, before the update:

• 📋 Export contacts to.vcf file via Contacts → Settings → Imports/exports.
• 📸 Take screenshots of the blacklist (in case you have to enter numbers manually).
• ☁️ Check if backup is enabled in Mi Cloud (although this does not guarantee the safety of locks).

💡

If the MIUI update is empty, but you remember the locked numbers, try adding them through the Phone application → Log → long press on the number → Lock. This method often works even if the system settings are reset.

Differences between the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus

While Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus are very similar, there are nuances in their firmware that affect how the blacklist works:

• 📱 Redmi 5 (model mido): Blacklist managed via Settings → Lock and protect or app Phone. Chinese firmware may require manual number entry without the ability to choose from contacts.
• 📱 Redmi 5 Plus (vince model): Global firmware has a separate Blocklist section in call settings, and supports prefix locking (for example, all numbers with a single name «+79XX»).

Another difference is working with two people. SIM-On Redmi 5 Plus, you can set up a separate blacklist for each card. SIM, Whereas in the base model, the lock is on all cards at the same time, which is important if you're using one. SIM for work and another for personal calls.

Also on Redmi 5 Plus, some firmware features Smart Lock, which automatically blacklists numbers marked as spam by other MIUI users. However, this option is only available in Chinese builds and can block legitimate calls (for example, from banks or delivery services).

Alternative ways to block numbers

If the standard blacklist on Redmi 5 is not stable, you can use third-party solutions:

• 🔒 Truecaller: Blocks spam calls and SMS, You have a database of fraud numbers, and minus, you need constant access to your contacts and your call history.
• 📵 Blacklist Plus: allows you to create lock rules by time (e.g., at night) or by keywords in the SMS.
• 🤖 Tasker: Advanced users, you can set up a call lock from unknown numbers or on a schedule.

Warning: Some blocking applications (such as Call Blocker) conflict with the standard MIUI blacklist. If system locks stop working after installing such software, try:

1. Disable auto-update for the blocker app.
2. In the phone settings give it permission to Change system settings (if available).
3. Clear the cache of the Phone and Contacts app.

💡

Third-party locking apps can reduce Redmi 5’s autonomy because they are constantly running in the background. If you notice that the battery is going down faster, check the power consumption in Settings → Battery → Battery Use.

Also worth mentioning is operator locking: Some mobile operators (such as MTS or Beeline) offer a SIM-level blacklist, which works even if the phone is off or there is no internet, but it is usually paid and only blocks calls, not SMS.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with the blacklist on Redmi 5, users often make the following mistakes:

⚠️ Note: If you have added a number to the blacklist, but calls from it still pass, check if the phone has a third-party call app (for example, Google Phone.

• ❌ Blocking through messengers: many people think that by blocking a contact on WhatsApp, they block it for calls. This is not the case - locks in messengers and the system blacklist work independently.
• ❌ Ignoring updates: in older versions MIUI (for example, MIUI (8) the blacklist may have contained bugs. Updating the firmware often solves the problem of missing numbers.
• ❌ Incorrect number format: if you add a number without a country code (e.g. 9123456789 instead of a country code) +79123456789), the lock may not work.

Another common problem is duplicate locks, for example, if you add a number to both the system blacklist and Truecaller, it can lead to conflicts, and as a result, the call either passes or is blocked with a delay. To avoid this, use only one method of locking.

If after all the manipulations the blacklist still does not work, try resetting the settings of the Phone application:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Storage → Clear data

This method will return all call settings to factory, but will not delete history or contacts.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions