How to permanently block a number on Xiaomi: from spam to scammers

Tired of receiving calls from intrusive sellers, scammers or ex-friends? Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer several built-in ways to block unwanted numbers, from a standard blacklist to hidden anti-spam features, but many users are unaware of half of those capabilities.

In this article, you will find 5 proven methods of blocking numbers – from basic to advanced, including instructions for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14).We will also discuss how to get around carrier restrictions, why some numbers continue to call even after blocking, and which third-party applications actually work on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO.

Spoiler: MIUI 14 has a feature that automatically locks suspicious numbers based on Xiaomi's database - but it doesn't work in all regions.Read on to find out how to activate it.

1. Standard lock through the "Black List" in MIUI

The most obvious way is to blacklist a number through the standard Phone app, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the model (from Redmi Note 8 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra) and the MIUI version.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the phone application (pipe icon)
• 🔍 Find an unwanted number in the magazine and tap it.
• ⚫️ In the upper right corner, press three dots. → Lock the room.
• ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window

If the number is not in the journal, you can add it manually:

1. Start the phone → Three points → Settings → Lock numbers
2. Select Add Manually and enter the number (e.g. +79123456789)
3. Specify the type of lock: Calls, Messages or both

⚠️ Attention: In some firmware MIUI For global versions (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G Global) the blacklist may be reset after the system update. To avoid this, back up through Settings → Memory. → Backup.

2. Blocking through the application "Security" (Security)

The Security (Shield Icon) app in MIUI offers advanced security features, including spam-blocking, a method that is more effective than the standard blacklist, as it uses Xiaomi’s database to identify fraudulent numbers.

Instructions:

• 🛡️ Open the Security app (if not, download from Google Play)
• 🔍 Go to the section "Call Lock" or "Antispam" (name depends on version)
• 📵 Turn on the switch to Lock suspicious numbers
• ➕ To add a number manually, click Add to the blacklist and select a contact or enter a number.

💡 Useful advice: If you have a version MIUI No Antispam, update the Security app via Google Play.Sometimes Xiaomi hides this feature for certain regions, but after the update it appears.

3.Use of third-party applications to block

If the built-in MIUI tools don’t work (for example, a spammer uses different numbers), you should pay attention to third-party applications.

• 🔒 Truecaller – detects spam numbers in real time, blocks SMS It even works for Redmi. 9A with 2GB of RAM.
• 🛡️ Hiya – specializes in fraudulent calls, integrates with the system phone.
• 📵 Should I Answer? – Blocks numbers based on user ratings (effectively against call centers).
• 🤖 Call Blocker is a simple blocker with the ability to create whitelists.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (like Truecaller) require access to contacts and call logs. MIUI 13+ This can cause a conflict with system anti-spam. To avoid problems, disable the built-in lock in Settings. → Annexes → Phone. → Number locking.

📌 Important: POCO F3 and other models with MIUI for POCO Some blockers may not work because of the limitations of the shell, in which case it will help. ADB-team to unlock additional permissions:

adb shell pm grant com.truecaller.android android.permission.READ_CALL_LOG


adb shell pm grant com.truecaller.android android.permission.WRITE_CALL_LOG

4. Blocking through the operator

If the number continues to ring even after the phone is blocked, the problem may be at the operator level. Most Russian and foreign operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) provide spam blocking services.

How to connect:

🔹 Nuance: Operator-Blocked only works for incoming calls. SMS WhatsApp and Viber will remain available, and some operators limit the number of blocked numbers (for example, MegaFon - up to 10 numbers at a time).

⚠️ Note: If you use a virtual operator (Tinkoff Mobile, Yota, SberMobile), the lock service may not be available, in which case only locking at the phone level or third-party applications will help.

5. Hidden MIUI features to combat spam

Xiaomi adds hidden features to MIUI that it doesn’t mention in the official instructions, and here are two of the most useful ways to block intrusive calls:

1. Do not disturb mode with exceptions

This method allows you to block all calls except for selected contacts, which is suitable if you are flooded with spammers, but you do not want to miss an important call.

• 🔕 Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration → Don't disturb.
• 🔄 Enable mode and select Only selected
• ✅ Add the necessary contacts to the exceptions

2. Keyword Call Filtering (available in MIUI 14 for China)

The Chinese version of the firmware has a feature to block calls by keywords in the identifier (e.g., "bank", "credit", "police"), to activate it:

1. Install Xiaomi.EU ROM (unofficial firmware)
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Call filter
3. Add keywords (for example, Sberbank, VTB)

💡

If you have Redmi with global firmware, you can try activating hidden filter mode through the engineering menu. To do this, type in the Phone application code ##4636## and select Phone Information → Menu → Spam filter. Be careful - the wrong settings can reset the network!

6.What to do if the lock is not working?

Sometimes blocked numbers keep ringing, and here are the main reasons and solutions:

🔧 Technical lifehack: If your Xiaomi has custom firmware installed (like LineageOS), standard locking methods may not work.In this case, a Magisk module called CallBlocker, which blocks numbers at the Android core level, will help.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note) 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) after the number is locked, the incoming call for all contacts may disappear. MIUI 13.0.4-13.0.6. The solution is to upgrade to the latest version or roll back to the latest version. MIUI 12.5.

💡

The most reliable way to block is a combination of built-in blacklist + third-party app (like Truecaller) + lock through the operator. This covers 99% of spam calls.

FAQ: Frequent questions about locking numbers on Xiaomi