How to allow incoming calls only from the phone book on Xiaomi smartphones

Why Xiaomi Call Filtering Is a Necessity

Spam calls and fraudulent numbers have become an epidemic: according to Kaspersky, in 2023, one in three smartphone users in Russia received at least one phishing call a week. Xiaomi owners on MIUI have the unique ability to customize incoming calls so that the phone accepts connections only from contacts from the phone book – this radically reduces the number of unwanted calls. However, standard system settings are often hidden in the depths of the menu, and their logic is not always intuitive.

In this article, we’ll look at all the filtering options available, from basic MIUI features to hidden Android options that even work on custom firmware. You’ll learn how to set exceptions for important numbers (like banks or delivery services), why some calls still pass through the filter, and how to get around operator restrictions. And why the Contact Only setting on a standard Xiaomi phone often doesn’t work without additional security actions.

Important: instructions are current for MIUI 12–14 (including global and Chinese versions) and Android 11–14. If you have older firmware, some menu items may differ - check the version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

Method 1: Standard filtering through the application "Phone"

The most obvious method is to use the built-in settings of the Phone app (the handset icon), which is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 11. However, it has a caveat: the filter works only for numbers not saved in contacts, but does not block spam calls with swapped numbers (so-called spoofing).

To activate the filtration:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Choose Call Blocking and Filtering.
4. Activate the Filter Unknown Numbers switch.
5. Enable Contact Only (some versions of MIUI call it Contact Only).

After that, all calls from numbers not saved in the phone book will be automatically rejected.

⚠️ Note: If you have activated the service "Number Definition" from the operator (for example, MTS Identifier or Beeline Protection), it may conflict with the settings. MIUI. In this case, spam calls will pass through the filter, and to correct this, turn off the operator's service in your personal account or through the user account. USSD-command, for example, *111*765# for Beeline).

Service "Determination of number" from the operator is disabled

Enabled "Contacts Only" mode in the phone settings

Updated the application "Phone" to the latest version

Exemptions in the blacklist have been verified-->

Method 2: Configure with Security (for MIUI 13-14)

In the newer versions of MIUI, some of the call filtering features are moved to the Security app (the shield icon), which is more reliable than the standard method, since it blocks calls at the system level, not only in the phone application interface, and is suitable for Xiaomi 13/13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and other Android 13/14 devices.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Security (or find the Security icon in the app menu).
2. Go to the Call Block section (in some firmware it is called Spam Protection).
3. Activate the option to block unknown numbers.
4. Enable calls from contacts only.
5. In the Exclusions section, add numbers that must pass the filter even without being saved to the contacts (e.g. 112, 911, or bank number).

The advantage of this method is the integration with the database of spam numbers Xiaomi, which is updated automatically.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a double SIM, Filtering settings can be reset when you switch cards. To avoid this, reboot your phone after setting up and check that options are saved for both. SIM in the Security section → Locking down calls → Settings SIM.

For POCO and Redmi users on global firmware, an additional step may be required:

Method 3: Using a blacklist for flexible filtering

If you need to not only block unknown numbers, but also allow calls from certain categories (such as family or colleagues), you can combine the Contacts Only filter with a blacklist, which is suitable for users who want more accurate customization.

How to set up:

1. Open Phone → Settings → Lock and filter calls.
2. Select the Blacklist.
3. Add to the list all numbers that should be blocked even if they are in contacts (for example, former colleagues or advertising services).
4. Return to the basic filtering settings and activate only contacts.

Calls will only be made from contacts that:

• 📞 Save in the phone book and
• 🚫 Not blacklisted.

For convenience, you can create contact groups (for example, "Family", "Work") and allow calls only from them.

1. Open Contacts. → Groups.
2. Create a new group (e.g., "Important").
3. Add the right contacts to it.
4. In the filtering settings, select Allow calls from groups only and specify the group you have created.

Standard Contacts Only filter | Blacklist with exceptions | Security app | Third-party apps (e.g. Truecaller) | Not filtering calls-->

Method 4: Third-Party Applications for Extended Filtering

If the built-in MIUI tools don't suit you, you can use third-party apps that offer additional features such as:

• 🌍 Global spam number databases (relevant for travel)
• 📊 Incoming call statistics
• 🔍 Recognition of fraudulent numbers by templates
• 📱 Synchronize the blacklist between devices

Top.-3 apps:

To configure filtering through Truecaller (the most popular solution):

1. Install the application and complete the registration.
2. In the settings (⚙ → Blocking) Enable the option to Lock Hidden Numbers.
3. Activate only contacts in the Call Filter section.
4. In the exceptions add emergency numbers.

⚠️ Attention: Third-party call filtering applications require permission to access the call log and contacts. MIUI This can cause conflict with the built-in battery optimization. To avoid crashes, add the app to the auto-clean exceptions: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.

Problems and solutions: why the filter does not work

Even after setting up properly, some users are still faced with spam calls, and here are the most common reasons and ways to address them:

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Filtering functions are disabled on some beta firmware. Update the system in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Contact sync: If contacts are only stored in a Google account, not locally, the filter may not recognize them. → Settings → Accounts.
• 🛠️ Rights of the annex: after updating MIUI Sometimes, you reset your phone and security permissions. → Annexes → Permits and check access to calls.

💡

If after all the manipulations spam calls continue to arrive, try to temporarily disable VoLTE (voice via voice). 4G) customized SIM-Some scammers are using vulnerabilities in the VoLTE protocol to bypass filters.

Additional measures: how to reduce the amount of spam

Call filtering is only part of the solution, and to minimize spam, follow these guidelines:

1. Do not publish a number in the public domain: Delete the number from the ad sites (Avito, Yula) after sale. Use virtual numbers to register with the services.

Set up. SMS-filter

In Messages → Settings → Spam protection, enable SMS filtering. This will reduce the number of phishing messages that often precede spam calls.

Check the mailing list subscriptions

Send SMS with the word STOP to short numbers (for example, 1234 for MTS) from which advertising messages come. The full list of commands can be found on your operator's website.

Use the second number.

If your phone supports dual SIM, get a second card specifically for check-in and public contact, and leave the primary number for personal contact only.

Xiaomi users with MIUI 14 have a Private Mode feature that allows you to hide the real number when outgoing calls.

Settings → SIM-cards and mobile networks → Additional → Private mode

💡

The combination of the Contacts Only filter + blacklist + third-party app (like Truecaller) gives maximum protection against spam, but even then, scammers can bypass the lock by swapping numbers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi call filtering