Are you tired of intrusive calls from unknown numbers or want to block contact forever? Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones have a built-in blacklist that allows you to automatically weed out unwanted calls and SMS. But where exactly to look for it? The answer depends on the version of MIUI and the phone model - the interface can be different even on devices of the same brand.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can access the blacklist, including hidden settings and alternative methods for older firmware versions, how to add a number to the lock, how to check who’s already on the list, and what to do if Suddenly’s feature disappeared after the update, and also reveal a secret code to quickly access call settings on any Xiaomi.
1. Standard method: through the application "Phone"
The most obvious way is to go to the standard Phone app (the handset icon on the home screen), where the blacklist is hidden in the settings menu, but its location has changed in different versions of MIUI. On modern smartphones (2022-2026 release) the instructions are:
Open the Phone app → tap three dots in the top right → select Settings → go to Lock numbers or Spam and lock. In some firmware, the path may look like Settings → Additional → Lock calls.
- 📱 MIUI 14 (Android 13/14): The path is shortened, and you can see the "Block" item in the main settings menu of the phone.
- 🔄 MIUI 12–13 (Android 10–12): You need to first go to Spam and Lock, and then select the Blacklist tab.
- ⚠️ Older versions (MIUI 11 and below): The function may be called Locked Numbers and hidden in Settings → System Applications → Phone.
If you have a POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13, you probably have a MIUI 14 and the path will be as short as possible, but owners of Redmi 9A or POCO X3 NFC will have to dig into the menu longer - there are often two-step lock system (separate for calls and SMS).
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If you do not find the item "Block", try to enter in the search for the phone settings request "blacklist" - the system will tell you where it is hidden.
2. Alternative method: through the "Settings" of the system
Not everyone knows, but the blacklist is duplicated in the basic settings of the smartphone, which is convenient if you don't want to run the Phone app or it won't open for some reason.
- Open the settings (cog on the main screen).
- Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
- In the list of system applications, find the Phone (or Contacts) and tap it.
- Choose Number Blocking or Spam.
This path works on all versions of MIUI, but in MIUI 14 it has become less obvious - instead of "App Management" there can be a permission point, followed by AutoRun and lock.
Why can the blacklist disappear from the settings?
On Xiaomi 12T and later, the blacklist is sometimes hidden in Settings → Memory → Cleanup → Spam and Lock. This is not obvious, but logical: the system considers blocked numbers to be “junk” data.
3 Quick access via USSD- code
Few people know, but Xiaomi smartphones have a secret code that immediately opens the number lock menu, which is especially useful if you can’t find the item manually or you have custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.EU).
Enter the following combination in the Phone application:
##4636##Then the engineering menu will open. Select Phone Information → scroll down to the Call Lock section. Here you will see all the locked numbers and you can add new ones.
⚠️ Warning: On some models (e.g., the Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 13.0.6), this code may not work.
- ✅ Powers Xiaomi Mi 11, POCO F3, Redmi 10 and most devices from 2020-2023.
- ❌ Does not work on: Smartphones with custom firmware (like LineageOS) or Chinese versions MIUI without rooting.
4. How to add a number to the blacklist: step-by-step instructions
There are a number to the lock, and we'll look at each of them.
Method 1: From the call log
- Open the Phone app and go to the Journal tab.
- Find the right number and tap it.
- In the window that opens, select Block (or the Banning Sign icon).
- Confirm the action.
Method 2: Manually through a blacklist
- Open the blacklist in any of the ways described above.
- Click Add a number (or the + icon).
- Enter the number manually or select from the contacts.
- Specify what to block: Calls, SMS, or both.
Method 3: From the message
If you receive an SMS from an unwanted sender, open the message → click on the three dots in the top corner → select Block.
The number is entered without errors (especially important for international formats).
The correct type of lock (calls/SMS/both) is selected
The number does not belong to the bank or support service (sometimes scammers disguise themselves as them).
A copy of the conversation or SMS (in case of unlocking) is saved
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On Xiaomi 13 Pro and other flagships there is an additional option – blocking keywords in SMS. For example, you can automatically send spam all messages with the words “win”, “credit” or “gift”. This feature is hidden in Settings → Spam and blocking → Message filter.
5. How to view the list of blocked numbers
To see which numbers have already been added to the blacklist, follow the following steps:
- Open the blacklist (by any of the methods described).
- A list of all blocked contacts and numbers will be opened before you.
- To see the details, tap on any number.
On this menu you can:
- 📋 View the history of the locks (how many times the number tried to call).
- 🔄 Unlock the number (swipe left or delete button).
- 📤 Export the list (on some firmware available via Settings → System → Backup).
On the POCO X5 Pro and Redmi K60, there is a separate tab on the Block Log, where you can see how many times blocked numbers have tried to contact you, which is convenient if you want to track spammer activity.
| Model phone | The Road to the Blacklist | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14, 13 Ultra | Phone. → Settings → Lockdown | There is a filter by type of lock (calls /SMS) |
| Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 | Settings → Applications → Phone → Blocking | Two-level menu, sometimes PIN- code confirmation is required |
| Redmi 10A, POCO M4 | Phone → Spam and blocking → Blacklist | No separation of calls and SMS – the lock is complex |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite | USSD-code ##4636## | For viewing only, adding numbers is not available |
6.The problems with the blacklist and their solutions
Sometimes the blacklist doesn't work properly, the numbers aren't blocked, the list is empty, or the function disappears, and we'll look at the typical problems and how to fix them.
Problem 1: Numbers are not blocked
If blocked contacts keep calling, check:
- 🔄 Firmware update: There was an error in MIUI 12.5 that caused the lock to reset after the reboot. Update to the latest version.
- 📵 Settings SIM-Cards: At some rates, operators block spam filtering services. Check the mobile operator's personal account.
- 🔧 Application permissions: Go to Settings → Apps → Phone → Permissions and make sure all call and contact related switches are enabled.
Problem 2: The blacklist disappeared after the update
After major updates (e.g. from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), the menu may change.
- 🔍 Use the Settings search (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen) and type "lock."
- 📲 Install a third-party application to block (e.g. Truecaller or Blacklist).
- 🔄 Reset the phone app settings (but that will remove the entire blacklist!).
⚠️ Warning: On smartphones with MIUI for Russia (e.g., Redmi 12C), the blacklist may be called "A List of Unwanted Numbers" and hidden in Settings → Wireless Networks → Additional. This is a feature of localized firmware.
Problem 3: You can't add a number manually
If the Add Number button is inactive:
- Check if the child or guest mode is on.
- Make sure that the phone does not have a password to lock numbers (sometimes it is asked for the first addition).
- Reboot your phone – sometimes it helps with interface glitches.
Xiaomi (13/14/12 series)
Redmi (Note 12/11/10)
POCO (F5/X5/M5)
Other Xiaomi (specify in the comments)
Not Xiaomi.-->
7. Hidden blacklisting features on Xiaomi
Few people know, but in Xiaomi smartphones, the blacklist can do more than block calls. Here are some hidden features:
- 📊 Block statistics: On Xiaomi 13T and later, you can see how many times a blocked number has tried to reach, useful for tracking annoying spammers.
- 🔕 Mask lock: In some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), you can lock all numbers with a specific prefix (e.g. +375 for Belarus or +92 for Pakistan).
- 📱 Sync with Mi Account: If you are logged in to a Xiaomi account, the blacklist can be synced between devices, for example, locked numbers with the Redmi Note 11 will automatically appear on the Xiaomi Pad 6.
- 🔊 Silent mode for blocked: On MIUI 14 you can configure that blocked calls are not just reset, but sent to voice mail (if supported by the operator).
On the POCO F4 GT and other gaming smartphones, there is a separate Lock While Play setting that automatically blacklists all incoming calls (except for selected contacts) while you play, which is convenient for streamers or eSports matches.
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The blacklist on Xiaomi can block not only calls, but also SMS, and hide notifications from blocked contacts in other messengers (if they are tied to a phone number).
8.Alternative applications for number locking
If you don't like the standard blacklist, you can use third-party apps that offer advanced features like:
- 🌍 Global Spamer Bases (Automatically Blocking Known Fraudsters)
- 📈 Call analytics (which numbers were called most often)
- 🔄 Backup the block list to the cloud.
Top.-3 apps:
- Truecaller: The most popular, but it requires registration. There is a Russian-language spammer database.
- Blacklist: Simple, no ads, with the ability to block keywords in SMS.
- Calls Blacklist: Supports locking on schedule (e.g. at night).
⚠️ Warning: Some applications (e.g. Truecaller) may conflict with the standard blacklist MIUI. If numbers are no longer blocked after installation, disable duplicate features in the phone settings.
On Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 and other flagships, third-party applications may not work due to MIUI restrictions on access to the call log, in which case you will have to use standard tools or give the application super-user rights (root), which is not secure.