How to add a number to the blacklist on Xiaomi: detailed instructions for MIUI 14 and 15

Spam calls, intrusive SMS messages from banks or unwanted contacts can seriously mess up the mood. Fortunately, Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer a built-in blacklist (ES) feature that blocks not only calls but also messages from selected numbers. However, many users are faced with the problem of where exactly this option is hidden in the latest versions of the firmware, and why some numbers continue to “break through” through the lock?

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to add emergency situations to Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices (including models from 2023-2026), explain the nuances of the function on MIUI 14/15, and also reveal the secrets of how to block not only individual numbers, but also entire ranges (for example, fraudulent “bank” numbers).

1. Method 1: Adding to emergency situations through the application "Phone"

The fastest method is to use the standard Phone app (the handset icon on the home screen), which works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the MIUI version, but the interface may differ slightly on older models (for example, the Redmi Note 8 vs Xiaomi 14).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Phone app and go to the Log tab (watch icon at the bottom of the screen).
• 🔍 Find the number you want to block in the list and click on it.
• ⚙️ In the contact window that opens, tap three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Add to the blacklist.
• ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

Once the phone number is locked for calls and SMS, if the contact is saved in the phone book, it will not disappear from the phone book, but all attempts to communicate with it will be automatically ignored.

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To check if you have added a number to an emergency, go to Settings → Apps → Phone → Blacklist. It shows the full list of blocked contacts.

2. Method 2: Through MIUI settings (to block SMS and calls)

If you need to block a number that hasn’t called yet (e.g., you’ve received spam)-SMS), Or you prefer centralized emergency management, use system settings. MIUI 14/15 It works on all current models, including Xiaomi. 13T, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select the Apps.
3. In the list of applications, find and tap on the phone.
4. Go to the Blacklist section (on some models it may be called Number Lock).
5. Click Add a number and enter it manually or select from contacts.

The advantage of this method is the ability to massively add numbers (for example, if you downloaded a list of spam numbers from the Internet), and you can configure the blocking of unknown numbers here, a useful option for those who receive many calls from hidden identifiers.

Method 3: Blocking through the Messages app (SMS only)

If you get spam messages but no calls from that number, you can block it directly in the Message app, which doesn't add a number to the general emergency (calls from it will still pass), but completely stops the delivery of the SMS.

How to do this:

• 💬 Open the Messages app and find a dialog with unwanted contact.
• 📌 Click on the avatar or sender name at the top of the screen.
• 🚫 In the contact profile that opens, select Block (or Blacklist).
• ✅ Confirm the action.

Important: Locking through Messages is not synchronized with the emergency of the Phone application. If you want to block the number completely, use the first or second method.

4.How do you check if the lock is working?

Many users complain that after adding to the emergency, calls and SMS continue to flow, most often due to one of three reasons:

1. Chinese firmware (CN ROM) is used, and emergency functions may be limited.

To test the lock:

1. Ask your friend to call you from a locked number.
2. Check the call log – if the number is added to the emergency room correctly, the call will not show up (even as a missed one).
3. For SMS: Send a test message – it shouldn’t appear in the Inbox or Spam folder.

Make sure the number is added to the emergency through Settings → Phone.|Check for no duplicate contacts|Test the lock from another phone|Update your firmware to the latest version (if the lock doesn’t work)|Check the regional settings (on the CN ROM The emergency may not work)-->

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the right addition to the emergency, some numbers continue to "break through." Let's look at typical scenarios and ways to eliminate them.

A special case: if you use Dual Apps, an emergency may not sync between the main and cloned Phone applications, in which case add the emergency number in both instances.

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On Chinese firmware (CN ROM), the emergency function is often limited or absent, and if you bought a phone in China or use unofficial firmware, the lock may not work, the solution is flashing on MIUI Global or using third-party apps.

6. Third-party applications for extended locking

The built-in MIUI tools don’t always deal with aggressive spam or fraudulent calls, and in such cases, specialized applications will help:

• 🛡️ Truecaller detects spam numbers in real time and blocks them automatically.
• 📵 Hiya, a Truecaller alternative with lower battery consumption, supports lock-in by region.
• 🔒 Blacklist Plus – allows you to create mask lock rules (for example, all numbers with a code) +375).
• 📊 SMS Blocker – Focuses on spam filtering-SMS Possibility of export/import lists.

Warning: Some anti-spam apps require access to a call log and SMS, which can affect privacy. Check permissions in Settings → Apps → Permissions before installing.

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If you use Truecaller, disable the option “Show notifications about blocked calls” in its settings, which will eliminate unnecessary pop-ups, but calls will still be blocked.

7. How to unlock the number or remove from the emergency

If you accidentally blacklist a number or change your mind about blocking a contact, it's easy to get it back.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Blacklist.
2. Find the number in the list and swipe it left (or click on the basket). 🗑️).
3. Confirm the removal in the pop-up window.

If the number was blocked through the Messages application, you can unlock it there:

1. Open Messages and go to Spam (or Blocked).
2. Find a dialog with a contact and click on three dots (⋮) top-corner.
3. Choose Unlock.

Note: after deleting from the emergency, all missed calls and SMS from this number are not restored. If you are interested in the correspondence history, back up the messages before blocking (for example, through Settings → System and Device → Backup).

8 Additional security settings

In addition to the blacklist, MIUI has other tools to protect against spam:

• 🔕 Unknown number blocking: automatically cuts off calls from hidden or unidentified identifiers. → Phone. → Blocking of unknowns.
• 📂 Spam filter in SMS: Redirects suspicious messages to the Spam folder. Activates to Settings → Communications → Spam filter.
• 🛡️ Protection against fraud: in some regions (e.g. India, China) MIUI automatically blocks numbers marked as fraudulent by carriers. Check if this option is available in Settings → Memory and SIM-map → Protection against fraud.

For maximum protection, it is recommended to combine the built-in MIUI tools with third-party applications (for example, Truecaller + blocking unknowns in the settings), this will reduce the risk of missing an important call, but at the same time cut off up to 90% of spam.

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Set up blocked call notifications in Settings → Notifications → Phone to help you track which numbers have tried to reach you without missing important calls (e.g., from delivery services).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the blacklist on Xiaomi