How to permanently block the phone number on Xiaomi Mi 8: all the ways

Pesky calls from spammers, collectors or ex-friends can make a smartphone a source of stress. Owners of Xiaomi Mi 8 (and other devices on MIUI) face this problem especially often – standard locking methods do not always work due to the features of the firmware. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to permanently lock a number on the Mi 8, including hidden MIUI functions, third-party applications and operator services.

It is important to understand that the effectiveness of the method depends on the version of MIUI (on Mi 8 versions are 12-14) and the installed Android (9-13). For example, MIUI 14 introduced a feature called Blacklist 2.0, which automatically filters spam calls. In older versions you will have to use workarounds. We tested all methods on the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE and the standard model - the results are summarized in the comparison table below.

If you tried to block a number through the standard menu, but the calls continue, do not rush to blame the phone. Maybe the caller uses a number swap (spoofing) or calls come through messengers (WhatsApp, Viber), in such cases, additional measures will be required, which will be discussed in the last section.

1. Standard lock through MIUI settings

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Blacklist feature, which works on all versions of MIUI, but has limitations: it only blocks calls, and SMS can pass. Here's how to do this:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Go to the section "Block numbers" (or "Black list" in MIUI 12+).
4. Click Add a number and enter the number manually or select from the log.
5. Activate the Block Unknown Numbers Switch if you want to cut off all spammers.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 11 and below, the lock is reset after resetting the settings or updating the firmware. To avoid this, export the blacklist to the file:

Settings → Block numbers → Export / Import → Save to Mi Cloud

If there is no Blacklist option, your Mi 8 has custom firmware installed (like LineageOS), in which case use the methods in Section 3 or 4.

2. Lock through the call log (quick method)

You want to go through the settings? You can lock the number right from the call log -- it takes less than 10 seconds.

1. Open the phone application and find the desired number in the magazine.
2. Slip to the number → in the window that opens, select Block (banning sign icon).
3. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

This method is convenient for one-time spammers, but has the disadvantage that if the number is saved in contacts, it will have to be deleted first, and locking through a log does not work for hidden numbers (where instead of numbers, “Unknown” or “Private”).

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If the log lock doesn’t work, try adding a number to the contacts with the name “Spam” first, and then blocking it through the contact menu.

3. Use of the application "Security" (Security)

Xiaomi’s branded Security app includes advanced tools to block not only calls, but also SMS. This is especially useful if you are flooded with spam messages.

Open the Security app (shield icon)

Go to the Blocking or Blacklist section

Add a number manually or select from the suggested (MIUI analyzes spam calls)

Activate the option to Block Messages

Save the changes

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Newer versions of MIUI (13+) have introduced the Security feature, Fraud Protection, which automatically blocks numbers that other users have flagged as fraudulent, to enable it:

Security → Protection from fraud → Enable automatic locking

⚠️ Attention: Fraud Protection can block legitimate calls (e.g. from banks or delivery services). Before activating, check the list of blocked numbers in the Lock Log section.

4. Third-party applications for blocking

If the built-in MIUI tools fail, third-party apps will come to the rescue. We tested 7 popular blockers on the Xiaomi Mi 8 - the best results showed:

• 📱 Truecaller – blocks spam calls and identifies unknown numbers (there is a Russian version.
• 🔒 Blacklist Plus – supports blocking by keywords in the SMS (For example, "credit", "winning").
• 🛡️ Hiya – specializes in fraudulent calls, integrates with the MIUI conflictless.
• 📞 Call Blocker – simple interface, works without the Internet (suitable for regions with poor coverage).

To install the application:

1. Download it from Google Play (avoid APK from unknown sources!).
2. Start and grant permissions to access calls/SMS.
3. Add numbers to the blacklist manually or import from the magazine.
4. In the settings, enable the option to Block Hidden Numbers (if any).

Important: On the Xiaomi Mi 8 with MIUI 12+, some blockers may conflict with the built-in Fraud Protection feature.

5. Operator-level locking

If all software methods are powerless (for example, a number with a changed ID rings), the last resort is blocking through a mobile operator, each provider has its own mechanism:

• 📶 MTS: Send. SMS with the text Block XXXXXXX (where X is the number) to number 111.
• 📶 Beeline: Dial it up *110*777# And follow the instructions on the voice menu. 5100.
• 📶 MegaFon: You can block the number through USSD-command *130# or in the application "MegaFon-Personal Cabinet".
• 📶 Tele2: Send. SMS with the text Block XXXXXXX at number 707.

⚠️ Note: Operator lock is only valid on your provider’s network. If you use a virtual operator (such as Tinkoff Mobile or SberMobil), contact support – they may have other commands.

The advantage of this method is that the lock works even if:

• You've reset your phone.
• You changed. SIM-The card (but left with the same operator).
• The call is made via VoIP (for example, WhatsApp Call).

6. Blocking in messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram)

Spam calls often come not through the cellular network, but through messengers, in which case locking at the phone level will not help - you need to configure each service separately.

WhatsApp:

1. Open a chat with unwanted contact.
2. Slip on three points in the top menu → More → Block.
3. Confirm the blocking and tick to Report Spam (optional).

Viber:

1. Find the contact on the chat list.
2. Click on the name → Information → Block this user.

Telegram:

1. Open the user profile.
2. Slip on three dots in the top corner → Block the user.

Unlike standard lock, in instant messengers, the blocked contact will not see your online status and will not be able to send a message, but it can create a new account or write from a different number, in which case you will have to block again.

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Blocking in messengers does not affect calls over the cellular network. For full protection, use a combination of methods: standard MIUI lock + lock in each messenger.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after the number is blocked, the calls can continue, and here are the typical reasons and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (new firmware fixes lock bugs).
• 🛠️ Reset your phone settings to factory (pre-save data!).
• 📡 Check if the caller is using the SIM-Boxing (a device for mass mailing of calls), in this case, only changing your number will help.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions