Where in Xiaomi is the blacklist: detailed instructions with pictures

You try to block a harassing subscriber, but you can't find out where Xiaomi keeps the blacklist? Or suddenly you find that an important contact has disappeared from the phone book - and you suspect that it got locked? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, especially after the MIUI update. The fact that the blacklist location has changed in different versions of the firmware, and in recent updates it has been hidden under several layers of the menu.

In this article, we will not only show you the exact paths to blacklist in current versions of MIUI 12-14, but also explain why some contacts can automatically get blocked (spoiler: built-in spam filter is to blame). You will also learn how to restore randomly blocked numbers and why the blacklist can be “reset” with it after resetting. If you are a Xiaomi user with experience, check yourself in our survey below.

1.The standard path to blacklist in MIUI 14 (2026)

In the latest version of MIUI 14 (and partly in MIUI 13), the developers have made it easier to access the lock contacts, but hidden it in an obscure place. Here is the current route for most models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and later):

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Swipe on the three dots in the upper right corner (or swipe left on some models).
3. Select the Settings item → Number locking.
4. The system may request confirmation by fingerprint or PIN-code.

If you have a MIUI 12 or older version, the path will be different.

• 📱 For MIUI 12: Telephone → Contacts → Settings (⚙) → Lockdown
• 🔄 For MIUI 11 and below: Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Number locking

Important: on some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T), the “Block” item may be called “Blacklist” or “Spam”. If you do not find it, search for the settings (the magnifier in the top menu) and enter the “Block” request.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The blacklist is gone, check the Security section in the basic settings. In some regional firmware (e.g. India), the lock is placed there.

2. Alternative ways to find a blacklist

Not everyone knows, but Xiaomi has a blacklist duplicated in several places. If the standard path didn't work, try these options:

Method 1: Through "Security"

• 🔒 Go to Settings. → Security → Number locking.
• 📋 All blocked contacts are displayed here, including those that were added automatically (spam).
• ⚙️ In the same section, you can configure filtering. SMS («Message filter»).

Method 2: Through the Messages app

If you are more interested in blocking SMS than calling:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Switch to three points → Settings → Lock and filter.
3. You can add numbers manually or enable automatic spam filtering.

Method 3: Through Search by Settings

The universal method for any version of MIUI:

1. Open the Settings.
2. In the top row of the search, type in “blacklist” or “block.”
3. The system will show all the relevant sections.

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If you block numbers often, add a “Block” label to the home screen. To do this, hold your finger in the free space of the screen → “Widgets” → find “Phone” or “Security” and drag the desired item.

3.Why are contacts missing from the blacklist?

Many users experience a situation where previously blocked numbers suddenly disappear from the blacklist.

A critical feature of MIUI 14 is that if you blacklist a number through the Phone app and then block it in Messages, the system may perceive it as a duplicate and delete one of the entries. Always lock the number in only one place!

⚠️ Attention: On models POCO X3 redmi 9 with custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) the blacklist can be stored in a file /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db. You can’t change it manually without root rights!

4.How to export and import a blacklist

If you plan to reset your smartphone or update your firmware, keep the locked numbers or they will disappear.

Exports via Mi Cloud

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Make sure that the synchronization of “Contacts” and “Settings” is enabled».
• ✅ Locked numbers will be saved in the cloud and regenerated after resetting.

Manual export (for advanced)

If you don’t trust the cloud, use this method:

Download Contacts Backup from Play Market

Export all contacts to the VCF file

Open the file on your PC and find the numbers marked “BLOCKED”

Save them separately in a text file

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For import after discharge:

1. Restore contacts from the backup.
2. Open the blacklist and manually add saved numbers.

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Synchronization via Mi Cloud is the only official way to keep the blacklist. Third-party applications (such as Truecaller) do not guarantee the safety of locked numbers after a reset.

5. Hidden blacklist features in Xiaomi

Few people know, but MIUI has more than just blocking calls, and here are some hidden features that you can use:

• 📵 Blocking by Keywords: In Settings → Communications → Spam filter can be added words (e.g., “credit”, “winning”), and SMS They will be automatically blocked.
• 🕒 Temporary lock: In some regional firmware (e.g. Europe), you can set the lock time (e.g. 22:00 to 8:00).
• 📞 Unknown number lock: Included in phone settings → Lockdown → Block unknown numbers, be careful: important calls may be missing!
• 🔍 Log of blocked: Into Security → Number locking → You can see who tried to call you.

On MIUI models for Russia (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite), there is an option called “Geolocation Lock” that automatically blocks numbers from other countries (useful against fraudsters) to enable:

Settings → Security → Locking numbers → Additional → Filter of international calls

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When working with the blacklist, Xiaomi users often make the same mistakes.

• ❌ Blocking through third-party apps: Apps like Truecaller or GetContact create their own blacklist that doesn’t sync with the system.
• ❌ Ignoring backups: 60% of users don’t keep a blacklist before resetting, causing them to lose all locks.
• ❌ Duplicate locks: If you add a number to both Phone and Messages, the system can delete one of the records as a duplicate.
• ❌ Mi Cloud sync disable: Without it, the blacklist will not recover after flashing.

To avoid problems:

1. Use only the built-in MIUI tools to lock.
2. Periodically check the section “Logon Lock” for false positives.
3. Before any firmware manipulation, export the blacklist (see section 4).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi smartphones with Android One (e.g. Mi) A3) Blacklist managed through standard Android settings: Settings → Google → Account management → People and communication → Blocked numbers.

7. blacklist on other Xiaomi devices (smart watches, routers)

Besides smartphones, there are blacklists in other Xiaomi tech, and here's how they work:

Smart watches (Mi Band, Xiaomi Watch)

• 📱 The blacklist is configured via the Mi Fitness or Zepp app.
• 🔕 Path: Device profile → Notifications → Locking down calls.
• ⚠️ On the clock, you can block only incoming notifications, but not the calls themselves.

Routers (Xiaomi Router, Mi Wi-Fi)

In Xiaomi routers, the black list is used to block devices on the Internet. MAC-address:

Mi Wi-Fi Application → Devices → Select Device → Block

You can also block access to certain websites:

Mi Wi-Fi → Network → Access Management → Blacklist URL

Televisions (Mi TV)

In Mi TV, the blacklist is used to block ads in apps:

• 📺 Go to Settings. → Accounts and security → Confidentiality → Blocking ads.
• 🔍 You can add domains to block here (e.g. adservice.google.com).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions