Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is still one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, despite the release of new models. Owners of this device often face the need to block unwanted calls or messages, but not everyone knows exactly where the blacklist is stored in the firmware MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to access blocked contacts, including hidden settings and nuances of different versions of the shell.
Complicating the problem, MIUI has undergone significant changes since 2017 (when Redmi Note 4 was released), depending on the firmware version — MIUI 8, MIUI 9 or later — the path to the blacklist may differ, and after resetting or updating the system, many users lose access to previously blocked numbers, we will tell you how to avoid this problem and where to look for backup locks.
What is a blacklist on Xiaomi and how does it work?
The blacklist (or blocked contacts list) on Xiaomi smartphones is a system tool that automatically filters incoming calls and SMS from selected numbers. Unlike third-party applications (like Truecaller), it works at the operating system level, which ensures:
- 🔒 100% blocking – calls don’t even go through “Do Not Disturb” mode»;
- 📵 Charge savings – no background processes like those of third-party blockers;
- 🔄 Sync with Mi Account (with option enabled).
On the Redmi Note 4, the blacklist is integrated into the standard Contacts app, but access to it can be hidden depending on the regional firmware. For example, in global versions of MIUI, the path to lock settings is different from China ROM. It is also important to consider that after upgrading to MIUI 10+, the menu is moved to the Security section.
⚠️ Note: If you use Redmi Note 4 with custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the system blacklist may not be available.
Where is the blacklist in the standard MIUI firmware
In most cases, the path to the blacklist depends on the version of MIUI. Below is the current route for the Redmi Note 4 on different versions of the shell:
| MIUI version | The Road to the Blacklist | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 8 | Contacts → Menus (⋮) → Blacklist | In some regional versions, the item is called Blocked. |
| MIUI 9/10 | Settings → All settings → Blocking numbers | You may need to confirm your Mi Account password. |
| MIUI 11/12 | Security → Blacklist or Contacts → Settings → Blocking | The Chinese route may be different. |
If you do not find these items, check:
- 🔍 Regional firmware - in China ROM The blacklist is often hidden in security;
- 📱 Contacts version – update it through Play Market;
- 🔄 Sync with Mi Account – sometimes the list is hidden when the cloud is disabled.
How to Add a Blacklist to Redmi Note 4
Adding a contact to the lock takes less than a minute. Here's a step-by-step guide for standard firmware:
- Open the Contacts app (the icon with a man on a green background).
- Find the contact you want in the list or enter the number manually through search.
- Tap the contact, then press. ⋮ → Block (or Block).
- Confirm the action by selecting the option to block calls and messages.
Alternative method (through settings):
- Go to Settings → All settings → Lock numbers.
- Click Add (+) and select the contact from the list or enter the number manually.
- Save the changes.
Make sure the number is entered correctly (with country code)
Check if the contact has been blocked before.
- Turn off sync with Mi Account if you don’t want to duplicate.-->
If you want to block unknown numbers (spam), activate the option to Block unknown numbers in the same menu, which automatically filters all incoming from hidden identifiers (Private Number or Unknown).
⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 4 with MIUI 8 when blocking through the Messaging application, the number is added only to the lock list SMS, To block completely, use the method through Contacts.
How to view and manage blocked numbers
To view the current blacklist:
- Open Settings → All settings → Lock numbers.
- At the top of the screen, you will see a list of all the contacts that have been blocked.
- To remove, tap the number and select Unblock.
If the list is empty but you are sure you have blocked numbers before, check:
- 🔄 Sync with Mi Account – it’s possible that the list is stored in the cloud;
- 📱 Cache of the Contacts app – clear it in Settings → Annexes;
- 🔍 Hidden system files – sometimes locks are saved in the system /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db (root).
How to restore the blacklist after resetting settings?
What to do if the blacklist doesn’t work
Sometimes the Redmi Note 4 number locking fails, and here are the typical reasons and solutions:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Calls from blocked numbers are going through | Failure of the application Contacts | Clear the cache and application data in Settings → Apps |
| The lock list is empty after the update | Incompatibility of MIUI versions | Restore backup through Mi Cloud |
| You can't add a number manually. | Restrictions of regional firmware | Install a global version of MIUI via Fastboot |
If the problem persists, try alternative blocking methods:
- 📱 Third-party apps – Truecaller, Blacklist (require additional permissions);
- 📞 Telecom operator – many providers (for example, MTS, Beeline) offer the service “Black List»;
- 🔧 Editing system files – for experienced root-access users (change) contacts2.db).
💡
If you use two of them SIM-The card, the lock can only work for the main card (SIM To block the number on both cards, add it to the blacklist twice - separately for each card. SIM.
How to export and import a blacklist
Redmi Note 4 doesn’t have a built-in lock export feature, but there are workarounds:
Method 1: Through MIUI backup
- Go to Settings → Additional → Backup.
- Select Local Backup and tick Contacts.
- Save the file to a memory card or to the cloud.
- After system recovery, re-import the backup.
Method 2: Manual (root required)
For experienced users:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
- Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/.
- Copy the contacts2.db file on your PC.
- After flashing, return the file back.
⚠️ Attention: Manual file editing contacts2.db This can cause you to lose all contacts if the database structure is broken. TWRP.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When working with the blacklist on Redmi Note 4, users often make the following mistakes:
- 🚫 Locking through SMS-App – This only blocks messages, but not calls;
- 🔄 Disabling sync with Mi Account – after reset, the list will be lost;
- 📱 Using third-party blockers without permissions – they may conflict with the system blacklist;
- 🔧 Editing system files without backup – the risk of losing all contacts.
To avoid problems:
- 🔒 Check the lock list regularly – sometimes the numbers are duplicated;
- 📤 Export contacts before updating MIUI;
- 🔄 Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud (even if you don’t use the cloud).
💡
On Redmi Note 4 with MIUI 8-12, the blacklist is tied to the Contacts app. If you delete its data, all locks will reset!