Xiaomi’s modern smartphone is a powerful communications hub that connects us to the world 24 hours a day. However, sometimes the flow of calls becomes intrusive: spam, advertising or just unwanted communication requires immediate intervention. Users often look for a way to turn off incoming calls to get the desired silence or focus on work. The shell of MIUI and HyperOS hides a lot of tools for communication management, which many people do not even know.
In this article, we’ll look at all the blocking methods available, from simple “Do Not Disturb” settings to radical measures like call forwarding. You’ll learn to configure Blacklist, use smart spam filters, and create exceptional contact lists. The right phone configuration will allow you to have full control over who can reach you when, while still maintaining the ability to communicate with you.
It's important to understand that there are many ways to do this, like drop calls from certain numbers, or you can make your phone completely unavailable, depending on your ultimate goal: fight advertising or complete digital detox for a few hours. Below are the proven algorithms for current firmware versions.
Use of Do Not Disturb Mode for Temporary Silence
The fastest way to cut off incoming calls is to activate Do Not Disturb mode, which Xiaomi has a very flexible way of not just drowning out the sound, but actually stopping the phone from calling, and when it is activated, the screen doesn't light up and the vibration doesn't work, which creates the illusion of a device being turned off for the caller, although the call can come in.
To activate, you just need to lower the notification curtain and click on the moon icon. However, to deep tune you need to go to the Settings → Sound and Vibration → Don't Disturb. Here you can set a schedule, for example, from 23:00 to 07:00, so that the phone automatically goes into silence mode at night. This is especially useful so that the morning spam calls do not wake you up.
The key is setting exceptions. Even in silence mode, you can allow calls from favorite contacts or re-calls (if the same number rings a second time within 3 minutes, the call will pass), which ensures that you do not miss a really important message from loved ones while the rest of the world is blocked.
- 🌙 Full lock: the phone does not make sounds and does not vibrate when incoming.
- ⏰ Automation: the possibility of schedule of the mode.
- 📞 Favorites: Ability to skip calls from the "Favorites" list».
- 🔁 Repeat Call: Missing a call if the number is repeated for a short time.
It's worth noting that in newer versions of MIUI, the Do Not Disturb algorithm has become smarter, and it can analyze user behavior and suggest turning on silence when you're in a movie or meeting, if it's activated in smart assistance settings, which eliminates the need for manual adjustments every time.
Setting up a blacklist and blocking spam
If your goal is not to be completely unavailable, but to filter out unwanted subscribers, then a built-in Blacklist is the best solution. In Xiaomi smartphones, it is integrated directly into the Security app and the Phone app, making it as user-friendly as possible. The lock is at the system level, so that the caller will hear horns or resets, but your phone will be silent.
To add a number to the blacklist, open the Security app (green icon with a shield) and select Blacklist, where you can manually enter a number, select it from your call or contact history, and even more, the system offers smart rules: for example, block all hidden numbers or numbers that start with certain codes, which is effective against telemarketing.
☑️ Setting up spam filtering
The Antivirus feature inside call settings, which often updates spam databases, is particularly noteworthy: if you turn on this option, the phone will automatically detect and tag advertising calls, and when you set them up hard, immediately reset them, saving time and nerves, eliminating the need to manually clog the database of numbers.
⚠️ Note: When adding a number to the blacklist, note that the subscriber will not receive a notification of the lock, but can understand this by the nature of the beeps. In some cases (depending on the operator), the call may be immediately reset.
For advanced users, the keyword blocking feature in SMS is available, which also helps fight mailings. By combining blacklist numbers and message filters, you create a powerful barrier to information noise. All blocked communication attempts are stored in the log, so you can always check who tried to reach you.
Radical Method: Redirecting All Calls
When you want absolute silence, and no call should even try to get to the device, you use call redirection, which works at the cellular network level, not the smartphone itself, and you can redirect all the incoming voicemail, to another number, or to a non-existent number, which will effectively make your phone inaccessible to callers.
You can set this up through the phone's standard menu. Open the Phone app, click three dots in the corner or the menu button, and select Settings» → «Call accounts” (or SIM-map) → «Additional settings» → «Redirect. Here you need to select the option "Always forward" and enter the target number.
*#61# - Checking for redirects during class
*#62# - Checking for forwarding when unavailable
*#67# - Checking for forwarding without a response
#21# – Checking for unconditional forwarding (always)Use of the USSD-For example, the code **21* number# will turn on the redirect to the specified number, and the code #21# will turn it off. Be careful when entering numbers, as an error can lead to the redirection of calls to another number.
- 🔄 Silence: The phone doesn’t ring or vibrate at all.
- 🌐 Networkless: This method works even if the phone is turned off (depends on the operator).
- 💰 Charging: incoming is usually free, but check with the operator.
- ⚙️ Flexibility: You can only configure redirects when you are in class or unavailable.
This is ideal for situations where you need to focus on an important task or in situations where the phone must be silent, for example, in the theater or in negotiations.
Comparison of Call Blocking Methods
The right method depends on your specific situation. To help you decide, we have prepared a comparative table of the main ways to disable calls on Xiaomi. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, which are worth considering before setting up.
| Method | Impact on the battery | Difficulty setting up | Effectiveness against spam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do Not Disturb mode | Low. | Low. | Medium (missing the chosen) |
| Blacklist (Blacklist) | Minimum | Medium | High (when manually adjusted) |
| Call forwarding | Missing (network) | Medium | Maximum (100% block) |
| Air mode | High (savings) | Low. | Maximum (no network) |
As you can see from the table, Do Not Disturb mode is the most convenient for daily use, as it does not require complex manipulations and is easily turned off. Redirection is a "heavy artillery" where you need to guarantee that you exclude any interruptions. The blacklist is good for spot work with specific troublemakers.
And you also have to remember that air mode, which completely shuts down the communication modules, which is an extreme measure, but it ensures that no one gets through, but in this case, you'll be left without the Internet if you don't turn on the Wi-Fi separately. For most users, the combination of "Do Not Disturb" + "Blacklist" is the optimal balance.
Blocking through third-party apps and services
The built-in MIUI is often not enough for advanced users who want more detailed control, and third-party apps from Google Play, such as Call Blocker, Truecaller or Should I Answer?, come to the rescue. These programs have huge spam numbers databases that are updated in real time by the community of users.
Installing such an app gives you access to cloud databases. When you get a call, the number is checked in the cloud, and if it is flagged as spam or fraud, the call is automatically reset, which is especially true for new fraud numbers that are not yet in the local Xiaomi database.
Risks of using third-party applications
In addition, many antiviruses (Kaspersky, Dr.Web, ESET) have antispam modules that run deeper than standard system tools, they can block calls using a number mask or region, for example, you can ban all calls from a certain city code if you are constantly called from there.
⚠️ Attention: Installing number-detection apps can cause your contacts to be uploaded to the developer servers. Use only proven applications with a good reputation.
When setting up a third-party blocker, it is important to prioritize correctly. If you have a built-in blacklist and a third-party app running at the same time, conflicts may arise and the phone will ring instead of being silent, and it is recommended to disable one of the locking systems to avoid double-work.
Frequent Questions and Problem Solving (FAQ)
Even following the instructions, users can encounter the nuances of the Android and MIUI system. Below are the answers to the most popular questions that will help to troubleshoot and understand the intricacies of blocking.
Why does the phone keep ringing even though the Do Not Disturb mode is on?
Can I lock all the hidden numbers permanently?
Will the caller see that I blocked it?
How fast can I turn off all locks if I am waiting for an important call?
💡
The combination of built-in MIUI tools and competent redirecting settings allows you to create perfect protection against unwanted calls without losing important communication.
In conclusion, incoming call management is a skill that greatly enhances smartphone comfort. Xiaomi provides all the tools you need to do this, and using them correctly will allow you to enjoy silence when you need it. Regularly check your blacklist settings and update your spam databases to keep your protection up to date.