How to permanently block hidden numbers on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Hidden number calls are one of the most annoying issues for Xiaomi smartphone owners.Spammers, scammers and pesky marketers often use the number-hiding feature to get around standard blacklists. If you're tired of the constant "Unknown Subscriber" on your Redmi, POCO or Mi screen, this article will help fix the problem once and for all.

Unlike regular numbers, hidden subscribers (Private Number, Unknown, Hidden Number) do not display the caller ID, which makes it difficult to block them through standard means. However, MIUI has hidden features, and third-party applications offer advanced tools to filter such calls. We will look at all available methods, from built-in settings to professional anti-spam solutions.

It is important to understand that a complete lock of hidden numbers can lead to missing important calls (for example, from banks or delivery services), so we will also tell you how to set up a whitelist of exceptions. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 and work on models from Xiaomi Mi 10 to Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.

Why Standard Locking Doesn't Work with Hidden Numbers

The main problem with hidden numbers is their technical implementation: When a subscriber hides his or her number, the carrier sends a special signal to your phone called CLIR (Calling Line Identification Restriction), which masks the caller’s ID. The standard blacklist in MIUI works by comparing the incoming number with the blocked records — and if the number is simply not there, there is nothing to compare.

Moreover, some spammer services use caller ID swapping, where a random combination of numbers or even the name of a well-known company (e.g. Sberbank or Russian Post) is displayed on the screen, which is called spoofing – and even advanced anti-spam systems of operators can not cope with it.

• 📞 CLIR is a standard number concealment function that can be activated by any subscriber via an operator.
• 🎭 Spoofing is a fake caller ID, where scammers disguise themselves as legitimate organizations.
• 📵 VoIP calls – Spam via messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) or SIP- telephony that bypass mobile locking

That's why effective protection requires a combination of several methods, from operator settings to specialized applications, and then we'll go through each method in detail, starting with the simplest ones.

Method 1: Blocking through MIUI settings (built-in tools)

Modern versions of MIUI (starting with the 12th) have a hidden number filtering feature built in, but it's hidden in the back of the menu to activate it:

1. Open the phone application (tube icon)
2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner → Settings
3. Select Number Lock → Locking Settings
4. Activate the switch to Lock Hidden Numbers
5. For additional protection, turn on the Spam Filter (using the Xiaomi database)

This method works at the system level and does not require the installation of additional applications, but it has limitations:

• ⚠️ Does not block calls with fake caller ID (spoofing)
• ⚠️ May miss VoIP calls from messengers
• ⚠️ Does not work on some carriers (e.g. Tele2 sometimes ignores this setting)

Is Hidden Numbers Blocked in MIUI Enabled?

Is the spam filter activated?

Is the firmware updated to the latest version?

Have the operator settings been checked (see method 2)-->

If after activation of this function calls from hidden numbers continue to arrive, proceed to the next method - set up lock at the operator level.

Method 2: Locking through the operator (USSD- command)

All Russian operators provide the ability to block hidden numbers through the USSD- command or personal account, this method works at the network level, so it is effective even against some types of spoofing.

After sending the USSD- command, you will receive a SMS with confirmation of activation of the service.

⚠️ Warning: Operator-level locks may cause important calls from taxi services, courier services or banks to be missed. Check before activating if these organizations use hidden numbers to communicate with customers.

If you are not sure if the service is working, you can test it by asking a friend to call you from a hidden number (by activating CLIR via *31# before dialing your number).

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Before activating the lock through the operator, save important contacts to the phone book - some services (for example, Yandex.Food) can call from hidden numbers.

Method 3: Specialized applications for blocking spam

If MIUI and the operator's built-in tools are failing, it's time to turn to third-party applications that use cloud-based spammer databases and advanced call analysis algorithms.

Top.-3 applications for Xiaomi 2026 year:

• 🛡️ Truecaller, the largest spammer database (over 500 million users), recognizes even fake numbers.
• 🔍 GetContact — specializes in Russian spam, shows real names of subscribers. Minus: sometimes misidentifies spammers.
• 📱 SberCall is the official application of Sberbank with a free lock of hidden numbers.

Installation and configuration (as an example of Truecaller):

1. Download the app from Google Play
2. Register through your phone number or Google account
3. Provide access to contacts and call log
4. In settings, turn on: Hidden Numbers Blocking Spam Filtering Show spammer names

Blacklist

Important: Truecaller may conflict with the built-in Phone app in MIUI. If standard features (such as recording conversations) stop working after installation, try disabling duplicate permissions for Truecaller in Android settings.

Method 4: Use Google Phone features (for firmware without MIUI)

If your Xiaomi runs on a “pure” Android (like the POCO F1 with custom firmware or the Xiaomi A3 from the Android One series), you can use the standard Google Phone app, which has more flexible lock settings.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install Google Phone from Play Market (unless installed by default)
2. Make it the default app for calls: Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps → Phone Choose Google Phone
3. Open Google Phone, tap three points → Settings → Spam and calls
4. Enable: Spam and Fraud Filter Show the caller ID Block hidden numbers (under "More")

Advantages of this method:

• 🔄 Google's Cloud Spammer Base Updates in Real Time
• 📊 Statistical of blocked calls with the ability to unlock mistakenly filtered
• 🔗 Integration with other Google services (e.g., you can block spam calls directly from Gmail)

⚠️ Warning: On some Xiaomi models (especially with MediaTek processors), Google Phone may not work as smoothly as it might have microphone problems while making calls.

Method 5: Manually Add Hidden Numbers to a Blacklist

If you receive the same hidden numbers (such as from a particular spammer), you can manually block them through a call log, which works even for numbers with a fake caller ID.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone application and go to the Journal tab
2. Find a hidden number (marked as “Unknown” or “Private Number”)
3. Tap on the record → select Block or Add to the blacklist
4. Confirm action. Some versions of MIUI will require you to specify the reason for the blocking.

For mass lockdown:

• Press the record with the hidden number in the journal
• Choose other similar calls (they will be illuminated)
• Slip on the lock icon in the top panel

Limitations of this method:

• ❌ You need to lock every new hidden number manually.
• ❌ Does not work for calls that do not make it to the log (for example, if you reset the call before answering)
• ❌ Occupied numbers can change the caller ID and the lock will stop working.

Method 6: Advanced solutions (for tech-savvy users)

If all of these methods fail, you can use more sophisticated tools, which require root rights or special knowledge, but give you 100% hidden number lock.

Method 1: Using the Xposed Framework (requires root)

XPrivacyLua allows you to block system calls associated with the processing of incoming calls.

1. Install Magisk and Xposed Framework


2. Download the XPrivacyLua module from the repository




3.In the module settings, find the "Telephony" section




4.Add a rule to block calls with an empty caller ID




5. Reset the device

Method 2: Set up Firewall via ADB

Without root rights, you can restrict access to the network for spam applications:

adb shell pm block com.android.incallui .InCallService

Method 3: Custom firmware with modified phone stack

Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience have alternative phone service implementations where you can flexibly configure call filtering, such as the Pixel Experience, which has a built-in spam filter from Google that works more efficiently than standard MIUI.

⚠️ Warning: Using root methods and custom firmware can lead to loss of warranty on your Xiaomi, as well as problems with the operation of banking applications (due to security requirements). Before experimenting, make a full backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

What to do if nothing helps: alternative approaches

If you’ve tried all the methods, but calls from hidden numbers keep bothering you, consider the following options:

• 📲 Changing a phone number is a radical but effective solution, and operators offer this service for free 1 time a year.
• 🛡️ Connect paid anti-spam services from operators (e.g., 3₽/day Spam Protection from MTS).
• 📵 Use the second number only for important contacts (via services like Dingtone or Google Voice).
• 🔕 Do Not Disturb mode with contact-only call resolution (setting in Settings → Sound and Vibration → Do Not Disturb).

It's also worth checking if your number has been accessed by spammers.

1. Call the short number 050 (for MTS/Beeline/Megaphone) or 611 (Tele2)
2. Tell the operator that you want to check if paid services are connected to your number.
3. Order the details of calls over the past month – often suspicious connections are visible in it

If it turns out that your number is used to send spam (this happens when data leaks), immediately contact the operator’s support team to block fraudulent activities.

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The combination of methods gives the best result: use simultaneously lock in MIUI, operator setup and one of the anti-spam applications (for example, Truecaller).

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking hidden numbers on Xiaomi