How to ban incoming calls from unknown numbers on Xiaomi smartphone: all ways

Why Calls From Unknown Numbers Are Dangerous and How to Stop Them

Hidden numbers, which appear in the magazine as “Unknown”, “Private” or “Hidden Number”, have become a real scourge for owners of Xiaomi smartphones. According to the FAS Communications Commission, in 2023 the share of fraudulent calls with swapped numbers increased by 42%, and 68% of such calls come from hidden identities.

Owners of Xiaomi devices based on MIUI 12-14 have several tools to block such calls, from built-in firmware functions to third-party applications and carrier services. However, many users do not know that the standard menu “Blacklist” in MIUI does not block calls from hidden numbers by default – this requires a separate setup. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including little-known firmware chips and nuances for different models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra).

Method 1: Built-in lock in MIUI (without applications)

MIUI has a hidden feature for filtering calls that many users miss, to activate the blocking of unknown numbers:

Open the phone application (pipe icon).
Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
Go to the Blocking Numbers section (or the Blacklist in older versions).
Activate the Block Unknown Numbers slider (in MIUI 14, this option may be called Spam Filter).
Confirm the action by pressing OK in the dialog box.

Important: On some models (e.g. POCO X3 Pro), this menu item is hidden to unlock it:

Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode) → Return to “More” → Developer Mode → Enable “Show Hidden Settings”

Is the "Block Unknown Numbers" mode activated in the phone settings |

Is the update verified? MIUI Up to the latest version (some chips only work with the MIUI 13+)|

Are your settings synced with your Xiaomi account (for recovery after reset)|

Is the call from a hidden number tested (you can ask a friend to call with the AON disabled)

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This method works at the system level and does not require an Internet connection, but it has a limitation: it blocks all calls with hidden numbers, including legitimate ones (for example, from taxi services or doctors).

Method 2: Use of the Security application

The Security (Shield Icon) application in MIUI contains an advanced spam protection module that can analyze incoming calls using a database of fraudulent numbers to configure it:

Open Security → go to the Antispam tab.
Slip on the settings (cog in the upper corner).
Turn on the options: 🔍 Blocking fraudulent calls 📞 Filtering Unknown Numbers 🔔 Display notifications about blocked calls (optional)

Antispam

Update now.

The advantage of this method is intelligent filtering, which compares incoming numbers to Xiaomi’s cloud base, which is updated daily, for example, if a fraudster uses a swapping bank number, the app recognizes this by its signatures and blocks the call.

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After the update MIUI The Antispam function has disappeared – reset the Security settings via Settings → Annexes → Application management → Security → Warehouse → Clear the data. It'll bring back the hidden options.

Method 3: Blocking through a communications operator

Russian operators (Beeline, MegaFon, MTS, Tele2) offer free services to block spam calls, and unlike phone settings, these services operate at the network level and filter calls before they reach your Xiaomi.

Operator.	Service	Activation command	Features
MTS	"Spam protection."	111789#	Blocks 95% of fraudulent calls, but can skip gray numbers (e.g. call centers)
Beeline	"Antispam"	110789#	There's a whitelist for important contacts, even without the Internet.
MegaFon	"Spam filter."	105456#	Integrated with the system "MegaFon ID". You can configure through your personal account
Tele2.	"Protection against fraudsters"	2251#	The most aggressive filtering, but sometimes blocks legitimate calls (e.g. from courier services)

To activate the service:

Dial it. USSD-command from the table and click "Call».
Confirm the connection in a response SMS (usually within 1-2 minutes).
Restart your phone (recommended for modem level changes).

Installation and configuration (as an example of Truecaller):

Download the app from Google Play (or AppGallery for devices without Google services).
At the first start, allow access to Contacts, Call Log and SMS (necessary for algorithms to work).
Go to Settings → Block → Blocking Rules.
Activate options: 🚫 Block hidden numbers 🕵️ Blocking rooms with suspicious reputation 📊 Use a cloud database

Update

How to remove Truecaller without a trace?

To completely delete Truecaller and its data: 1. Open Settings → Applications → Truecaller. 2. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache. 3. Delete the app in the standard way. 4. Go to Settings → Google → Accounts and delete the Truecaller account binding. 5. To completely clean, tick the Delete Call Data in the Deinstallation dialog box.

Important: Third-party applications consume an extra battery and may conflict with MIUI Optimization. If the phone starts to brake after installation, add the app to the exceptions:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management → Select the App → Without Limitations

Method 5: Manually Adding Numbers to a Blacklist

If you need to block a specific hidden number (for example, after a fraudulent call), you can add it manually.

Open the call log and find an entry marked “Unknown” or “Private”.
Tape on the tape. → Choose Add to the Blacklist (or Block).
V MIUI 14 will be an additional window with a choice: 🔄 Block only this number (if it is displayed) 🚫 Block all hidden numbers (analogue of Method 1)

Confirm the action.

To manage the blacklist:

Settings → Applications → Phone → Blocking numbers

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Manual locking only works for numbers that have called you at least once. For proactive protection, use a combination of Methods 1-3.

Some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T) have a bug: after the MIUI update, the blacklist is reset. To avoid this, enable sync with your Xiaomi account:

Settings → Xiaomi Account → Synchronization → Enable Contacts and Call Log

Problems and Solutions: What to Do When a Lock is Not Working

Even after setting up all the filters, some users are still seeing spam calls, and let’s look at the typical causes and ways to address them:

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
Calls from hidden numbers are blocked despite	Conflict between the built-in MIUI lock and the operator application	Disable one of the services (for example, leave only Truecaller or only operator filter)
After the MIUI update, the settings reset	Firmware bug (often found in beta versions)	Return to stable version of MIUI via Settings → System Update → Three Points → Select Service Pack
No important calls (e.g. from a bank)	Too aggressive filtering settings	Add bank numbers to the whitelist in the Security app or Truecaller
Notifications of blocked calls are not shown	Disabled alerts for system applications	Check: Settings → Notifications → System applications → Phone → Enable all alerts

If none of these methods work, check to see if the phone has a double-app for calls (like Google Phone or Dual Apps), which can intercept calls before MIUI handles them.

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Find all apps with phone access (Permissions → Phone).
Keep only the standard phone app from Xiaomi active.

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If you use two of them SIM-maps, set the lock separately for each slot. MIUI The filters are only applicable to the main SIM default.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking unknown numbers on Xiaomi

Can I block unknown numbers on Xiaomi without the Internet?

Yes, built-in locking in MIUI (Method 1) and carrier services (Method 3) work without a network connection, but updating the database of spam numbers in the Security or Truecaller application will require the Internet.

Why did the bank stop sending SMS messages after the lock?

You may have activated a filter that is too aggressive in Truecaller or the Security app. Add short bank numbers (e.g., 900 for Sberbank) to the whitelist: Open Truecaller → Settings → Block → Whitelist. Add numbers manually or import from contacts. Also check if your carrier is blocking SMS (e.g., Tele2 has an option called SMS Spam Protection).

How to unlock a number if it was added to the blacklist by mistake?

To remove the number from lock: Go to Settings → Apps → Phone → Lock numbers. Find the number in the list and swipe it left (or tap it on the basket). Confirm deletion. If the number was hidden (displayed as "Unknown"), delete the rule for blocking all unknown calls (Method 1).

Will the fraudster know that his number is blocked?

No, when locked at the MIUI or operator level, the caller will hear either long beeps or the message "Subscriber temporarily unavailable." The system does not send notifications about blocking. Except for some applications (for example, Hiya) that can play a thin signal is occupied instead of the standard one.

Do these methods work on POCO, Redmi, and Black Shark?

Yes, all of the above methods are relevant for all devices based on MIUI, including: 📱 POCO (series F, X, M) 📱 Redmi (Note, K, A) 🎮 Black Shark (Gaming Smartphones) 📱 Xiaomi (Mi series, CC, Mix) Exception — devices on MIUI For the global market (e.g. Xiaomi 11 Lite) NE), where the Antispam section may not be available in the Security app, in which case use Truecaller or operator settings.

If your question isn't covered in the FAQ, check the firmware's relevance. MIUI 14 adds new filtering options that aren't available in older versions. Update through Settings → Software Update or manually through Xiaomi's official website.