Xiaomi’s smartphones are famous for their functionality and flexible MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, but sometimes users have to face intrusive calls from spammers or unwanted contacts from former acquaintances. The question of how to effectively isolate themselves from such digital noise is becoming especially relevant for owners of budget and flagship models of the company. Fortunately, the Android system, on which Redmi and Poco devices are based, provides powerful built-in tools to filter incoming calls.
Locking a number isn't just about removing a contact from a phone book, it's about creating a rule that forcibly interrupts the connection before the phone starts ringing or vibrating. Unlike simple "deflect" buttons, blacklisting works at the system services level, which ensures silence even when the screen is off. Understanding how this protection works will help you forget about night calls from collectors or advertising robots forever.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to limit communication, from standard system tools to third-party solutions. You will learn how to set up automatic screening of unknown subscribers and what nuances the blocker has in different versions of the firmware. On devices with global firmware, the lock menu can be in the Antispam section, while in Chinese versions it is often integrated directly into the call settings. Follow the instructions below to regain control over personal space.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The most effective and quickest way to restrict access to unwanted subscribers is to use the system application Security, which is preinstalled on every Xiaomi device. This tool was developed by the company's engineers specifically to optimize the operation of the system and protect against malware, including spam calls. Inside the application is a powerful module Antispam, which manages all lock lists.
To get started, you need to open the application with the green shield icon on your desktop or in the Tools folder. After you start, scan the device (you can skip this) and find the Antispam section at the bottom of the screen. This is where all the filtering settings are concentrated. By clicking on the gear icon in the upper right corner, you will be taken to the rule management menu, where you can add a specific number manually or import it from contacts.
⚠️ Note: When you blacklist a number through the Security app, make sure you do not block important service numbers such as delivery or courier services if you expect them to call.
The settings interface allows you to flexibly control the behavior of the system when a prohibited call arrives. You can choose whether the caller will hear the beeps or immediately receive the "busy" signal. SMS-This is especially useful if you're flooded with marketing messages from the same short number.
☑️ Checking the lock settings
Blocking through the standard application "Phone"
An alternative method that is often more convenient for one-off actions is to use the Phone interface, which is ideal when you need to urgently lock the number that just received a call and it remains in the call history. You don't need to search for separate settings menus, all actions are performed in two taps.
Open the call log and find the number you want in or out of the list. Click on it to open the detailed contact card. In the menu that opens, you should find the "Enter" item (usually indicated by three dots) and select the "Block" option, the system will instantly add this number to the database of prohibited, and repeated attempts of communication will be stopped automatically.
If you have a subscriber saved in your phone book, the process is a little different, so you have to open the Contacts app, find the person you want, and go to the edit menu or the optional menu, and there's also a lock feature that applies restrictions to all the numbers that are tied to that contact, which is convenient if the person has multiple numbers.
It is worth noting that some versions of the MIUI shell may have slightly different operating logic depending on regional anchorages, for example, the European versions (EU ROM) use a standard call from Google, where the lock menu is located in the Settings → Locked numbers section. whereas in global versions with the MIUI Dialer shell, the path can lead through Settings → Antispam.
Automatic locking of unknown and hidden numbers
One of the most annoying problems in today’s communications world is calling from hidden numbers or unknown identifiers. Fraudsters and unscrupulous marketers often hide their ID to bypass conventional filters. Fortunately, Xiaomi allows you to set up a “hard” mode that cuts off any unidentifiable calls.
To activate this feature, go back to the Antispam menu inside the Security app. Go to the settings and find Lock Unknown Numbers. By activating this switch, you will block all calls that do not have a digital display. The phone will simply not respond to them, keeping your nervous system at rest.
- 📞 Hidden number: calls are blocked where the subscriber used the number hiding function (CLI).
- ❓ Unknown number: numbers that are not specified by the operator or are not formatted are blocked (for example, simply the word "Unknown").
- 🌍 International: you can set up a separate lock of all numbers that are not related to your region, which saves from foreign spam.
It's important to understand the difference between "unknown" and "hidden." A hidden number is a technically correct call where subscriber data is transmitted with a "do not show" flag. An unknown number is often a technical failure or a specific format for calling over Internet telephony. Filters set up to cut off both types of threats.
What to do if you are waiting for an important call from a hidden number?
Use of third-party applications for filtering
Xiaomi’s built-in tools are good, but they don’t always have up-to-date phone spam databases. Many users use specialized applications like Truecaller, GetContact or Yandex.Blocker to protect themselves, using cloud databases where users from around the world log in fraudsters and advertising agencies.
The principle of these applications is that when you call in, the system instantly checks the number against a huge online database, and if the number is labeled as "Spam," "Collectors," or "Telemarketing," the call will be automatically rejected before the phone has time to make a sound, which is much more effective than manually adding to the blacklist.
But third-party software has its own peculiarities: First, it requires broad permissions to access your contacts and call history, which raises questions about privacy for some users, and second, it can consume more battery life because it is constantly hanging in the background and analyzing traffic.
To install this solution, go to Google Play Market, enter the name of the application (for example, Truecaller) and click “Install”. After installation, you will need to provide the necessary permissions. In the settings of the Xiaomi application itself (Section of Application → Permissions → AutoRun), it is recommended to allow the blocker to work in the background so that the system does not “kill” the energy saving process.
⚠️ Note: When you install numbering apps, you agree to their privacy policy, often by transferring data from your phone book to the developer's servers. Be careful and choose only trusted services with good reputations.
Table of comparison of blocking methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right defense, we have prepared a comparative table that will help you assess the pros and cons of each method depending on your needs and level of technical literacy.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | We need the Internet. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the Security app | Low. | Average (manual list only) | No. |
| Through the call log | Very low. | Low (specific number only) | No. |
| Blocking of unknowns | Medium | High (risk of missing out on important) | No. |
| Third-party applications (Truecaller) | Tall. | Maximum (cloud base) | Yeah (for base) |
As you can see from the table, the built-in MIUI tools are enough for basic protection. They don't require additional software installation or Internet traffic. However, if you're in the zone of active attack by phone scammers, the combination of an embedded blacklist and a cloud number detector will give the best result.
Remember to check the contents of the blacklist periodically, and sometimes the contacts you need can accidentally get there, especially if you've used the quick lock function from the call log and you might have made a mistake, and cleaning the list regularly will ensure that you have seamless communication with the really important people.
Frequent problems and their solution
Despite the system's cleverness, users may encounter situations where the lock is not working properly, such as the phone continuing to ring, or all calls being blocked, most often the problem is a conflict of settings or malfunctions in the SIM card.
One of the common problems is that the caller hears the beeps, although the number is blacklisted. This is normal behavior for some carriers that don't support the default "busy" function. In the Antispam settings, you can try changing the reaction mode: instead of "busy," choose "Downline call." This will cause the phone to reset the call programmatically.
- 🔄 Resetting: If the blacklist stops working, try clearing the Phone and Contacts app cache through the app menu.
- 📱 Two. SIM-Cards: Remember that lock settings can be applied separately for each SIM card. Check if the protection is activated for the desired line.
- 🚫 Limits: Older versions of Android had a limit on the number of numbers on the blacklist (usually a limit on the number of numbers on the blacklist). 100-300), In the new HyperOS it is almost removed, but overflowing base can slow down the work.
💡
If you change your phone number, but your old contacts keep ringing, don't be too quick to block them all one at a time. SIM-card, as old callers often use automatic call-ups based on old numbers.
Also worth mentioning is the Do Not Disturb Mode (DND) feature, which is often confused by users with a blacklist. DND drowns out all sounds and vibrations, but does not necessarily block the call itself (it can be displayed on the screen), the blacklist is what interrupts the connection. Use these tools in conjunction for maximum comfort: blacklist for enemies, DND for rest time.
💡
The blacklist on Xiaomi is a flexible tool that works at the system level, not just a phone function. The correct filter setting in the Security app allows you to cut off up to 99% of unwanted noise without installing third-party software.