How to hide your phone number in your Xiaomi contacts: all ways to MIUI 12/13/14

Hiding a number in Xiaomi’s phone book is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from wanting to keep their privacy private to hiding their work contacts from prying eyes. Unlike iOS, where this feature is implemented through standard settings, MIUI offers several alternative approaches, from built-in tools to workarounds using third-party applications.

It is important to understand that in the latest versions of MIUI 14+, the direct concealment function from the contact interface was removed due to Xiaomi’s security policy and Google’s requirements for contact synchronization. However, there are workarounds, including changing the format of the number, using prefixes or creating “empty” contacts. In this article, we will analyze all current methods with the features of firmware 2023-2026.

If you're using Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13 or another model on MIUI 12/13/14, you'll find a solution for your needs here, and for those who sync contacts with Google Account, we'll take a look at the nuances of hiding numbers in the cloud separately.

Why does Xiaomi not have a Hide Number button in its contacts?

Many Xiaomi users wonder why the contact editing menu does not have the Hide Number option, which is even available in budget smartphones of other brands, and the reason lies in three key factors:

• 📱 Politics MIUI: Starting with MIUI 12, the developers removed this feature from the standard interface, citing a simplification of the design, but the real reason is a conflict with the Google Contacts sync system, where hidden numbers are displayed as empty fields.
• 🔄 Cloud Sync: If your contacts are linked to a Google Account or Mi Cloud, hiding a number on your device does not guarantee it will be hidden on other gadgets (such as a tablet or PC).
• 🛡️ Security: Xiaomi believes that number hiding can be used for fraudulent schemes (for example, changing the caller’s ID), so limits this feature.

However, there are workarounds, such as changing the format of a number so that it doesn't show up as standard, or using prefixes that MIUI perceives as service symbols, more on this in the following sections.

Method 1: Change the number format (works on all versions of MIUI)

The most reliable way to hide a number in Xiaomi contacts is to change its format so that the system does not recognize it as a phone number, just add special characters or spaces before the number.

1. Open the Contacts app and select the contact you want.
2. Click Edit (pencil icon).
3. In the phone number field, add one of the following prefixes before the numbers: 🔹 + (gap - for example, + 79123456789 🔹 #31# – Standard number hiding prefix (not working on all firmware) 🔹 **67* – an alternative option for some operators

#31#

This method works on all Xiaomi models, including Redmi 10/11/12, POCO F4/F5 and Mi 13/14. The main advantage is that you do not need to install third-party applications.

⚠️ Note: If you use the #31# prefix, make sure your carrier supports this service. Some providers (e.g. Tele2) may charge or deactivate it by default.

Method 2: Create an "empty" contact with notes

If you need to completely hide the number from prying eyes (for example, inshared contacts or when transferring the phone to another person), you can go to the trick: create a contact without a phone number, but with a note that will indicate the real number.

1. Open Contacts. → Create a new contact.
2. In the Name field, enter the name (for example, "Work Contact").
3. Leave the phone field empty.
4. Click Add field → Notes and enter there the phone number in the format: Tel: 89123456789 (Ivan Ivanov, accounting)
5. Keep in touch. Now the number will not be visible in the main list, but will remain available through notes.

This is a convenient way to store confidential numbers that should not be displayed in the general list, but it has drawbacks:

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To quickly copy a number from a note, hold your finger on the text and select "Copy." Then paste it into the Phone app to make a call.

Method 3: Use of third-party applications (Truecaller, Sync.ME)

If built-in methods don't suit you, you can use third-party contact management apps, the most popular ones are Truecaller and Sync.ME, which not only hide numbers, but also block spam, identify unknown subscribers, and synchronize contacts between devices.

Let’s look at the example of Truecaller:

1. Install Truecaller from Google Play.
2. Register and provide access to contacts.
3. Open the contact you need in Truecaller and click Edit.
4. In the number field, add the prefix #31# or replace the first digits with characters (e.g. xxx79123456789).
5. Save the changes. Now, when you call through Truecaller, the number will be hidden.

Sync.ME works in a similar way, but it also allows you to create "private" contacts that are not displayed in the standard phone book.

• 📌 Open contact at Sync.ME.
• 📌 Click Make Private (Castle Icon).
• 📌 The number will be hidden from standard applications, but will remain available inside Sync.ME.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, your contacts are uploaded to their servers. If privacy is critical, avoid synchronizing sensitive data.

Method 4: Hiding the number through settings SIM-map

If your goal is to hide your number when outgoing calls (not in the phone book), you can use the settings. SIM-This method works independently of the Xiaomi model and version. MIUI, It depends on the operator’s support.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to Call Settings → Additional settings → Caller Identifier.
4. Select Hide the number (or Hide the ID, depending on the firmware).

If you don't have this option, try manually adding the #31# prefix before the number you type.

#31#79123456789

This method hides your number only for outgoing calls, it doesn't affect the number display in the phone book.

• 📶 Not all operators support number hiding (e.g. Yota may block this feature).
• 💰 Some providers have paid service (check the rates).
• 🔄 On shifts. SIM-settings cards are reset.

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Hiding the number through settings SIM-The only way that the cards work is at the network level, not the device level, but it doesn't hide the numbers in the phone book itself.

Method 5: Root access and edit system files (for advanced ones)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can hide numbers by editing MIUI system files, which requires root rights and is only suitable for advanced users, and we'll look at it for the sake of the picture, but we don't recommend using it without a clear understanding of the consequences.

Algorithm of action:

1. Get root access on your Xiaomi (for example, through Magisk).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
3. Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
4. Make a backup of the contacts2.db file.
5. Open a database in an editor (such as SQLite Editor) and find a table. raw_contacts.
6. Manually edit the fields with phone numbers, adding service symbols (for example, |||).
7. Save the changes and restart the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can result in the loss of all contacts or the failure of the phone book. MIUI change may be reset.

This method is only suitable for Xiaomi on older versions of MIUI (up to 12th).In newer firmware, the database structure has changed, and manual editing can cause synchronization errors with Google.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When trying to hide a number in Xiaomi contacts, users often encounter typical errors, including the most common ones and ways to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔧 Version MIUI (In some regional firmware functions are limited).
• 📱 Smartphone model (on POCO Black Shark can be a nuance).
• 🔄 Sync settings (turn off automatic sync with the cloud while you edit).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions