How to block SMS on Xiaomi: the full guide 2026

Spam messages, carrier ads and fraudulent SMS have become a real scourge of modern smartphones. Owners of Xiaomi devices based on MIUI often face the question: how to effectively block unwanted SMS without removing important notifications? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways, from built-in system functions to third-party applications.

MIUI features flexible security settings that allow you to filter messages before they even get into the main chat, but many users are not even aware of the existence of these tools, we will show how to configure lock on Redmi, POCO and flagship Xiaomi 13/14 models, as well as reveal the nuances of working with blacklist, operator filters and specialized anti-spam applications.

It's important to understand that simply deleting messages doesn't solve the problem. Fraudsters and spam bots are constantly changing numbers, and operators continue to send intrusive ads. Our job is to set up the system so that it automatically sifts out garbage, keeping only important notifications from banks, services and acquaintances.

1. Built-in SMS blocking in MIUI: step-by-step instructions

The most reliable way is to use standard MIUI tools, which do not require any additional software installation and work on all modern Xiaomi devices (starting with MIUI 12).

1. Open the Messages app (the envelope icon on the home screen).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings → Spam and Lock.
3. Activate the SMS Filter switch – this will enable automatic checking of incoming SMS.
4. For manual lock, go to the Blacklist and add numbers manually or from your message history.

MIUI uses a database of spam numbers that is updated through the Xiaomi cloud, which means that even new fraudster numbers can be blocked automatically if they are already blacklisted by other users, but this method has a limitation: it does not always recognize ads from legitimate companies (for example, mailings from telecom operators).

Are important contacts added in exceptions? | Updated firmware to latest version of MIUI? | Backup of messages | Checked filter on test number-->

Tip: If you stop receiving important SMS messages (e.g. from a bank) after activating the filter, add the sender number to the White List. Go to Settings → Spam and Lock → White List and enter the number manually or select from contacts.

2. blocking SMS from a specific number: 3 ways

When spam comes from the same number, it's easiest to block it directly, and in MIUI, you can do this in a number of ways.

• 📱 From chat: Open a dialogue with an unwanted number → Click on the three dots in the top corner → select Block.
• 🔍 Through History: In the Messages app, hold your finger on the message → Click Block the sender.
• ⚙️ Through Settings: Go to Settings → Spam and blocking → Blacklist. → Add a number.

Once blocked, messages from this number will automatically move to the Spam folder (it is hidden by default). To see it, pull down the screen in the main window of the Messages app and select Show Spam folder.

Important: the number lock in MIUI is valid only on SMS. To block calls, you need to configure individual parameters in the Settings → Number Lock section.

3. How to disable advertising SMS from the operator (MTS, Beeline, Tele2, MegaFon)

Telecom operators often send ads to even those who did not consent to it, and MIUI has a tool to combat such messages, a keyword filter, and here's how to set it up:

1. Open Settings → Spam and Block → Keyword Filter.
2. Add phrases that are often found in advertising SMS (for example, “promotion”, “discount”, “gift certificate”).
3. Set the action for such messages: Move to spam or Delete.

To completely disable advertising from the operator, we also recommend:

• 📞 Call support and ask to disable all mailings (free service).
• 🌐 Go to the personal account on the operator's website and deactivate the option "Advertising messages" in the profile settings.
• 📱 Send SMS with the text STOP to a short mailing number (usually specified in the message itself).

Warning: Some operators ignore requests to disable ads, citing “mandatory notifications” in which case you can only filter messages through your smartphone settings.

4. Third-party applications for blocking SMS: TOP-3 solutions

If the built-in MIUI tools aren't enough, you can install specialized anti-spam apps that offer advanced features such as:

• 🔍 Recognition of fraudulent links in messages.
• 📊 Spam activity statistics by number.
• 🌍 Global spammer databases (updated in real time).

The best apps for Xiaomi in 2026:

Before installing third-party apps, check their permissions. Some anti-spam services request access to SMS, Call Log and Contacts. If you are embarrassed, use only the built-in MIUI tools.

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Before installing a new SMS application, back up your messages via Settings → Backup in the standard Messages app.

5. Locking configuration via MI Security (Security)

The MI Security app (or "Security" in Russian firmware) contains additional spam protection tools to activate them:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to Block or Protect against Spam (name depends on the version of MIUI).
3. Enable the option Block Messages and set the level of protection: Low – blocks only obvious spam, medium – filters ads and suspicious messages, high – maximum protection (can block legitimate SMS).

In the same section, you can set up automatic spam removal after a certain period of time (for example, 30 days), which is useful if you do not want to manually clean the spam folder.

Attention: ⚠️ On some firmware MIUI for the Chinese market (China) ROM) The "Security" section may not be available, in which case use the global firmware version or third-party applications.

6. How to block SMS with bank scammers

Phishing messages on behalf of banks are one of the most dangerous categories of spam, and scammers often disguise themselves as Sberbank, Tinkoff or VTB, sending links to fake sites to protect themselves:

• 🏦 Add official bank numbers to the whitelist (you can find them on official websites).
• 🔗 Never follow a link from an SMS, even if the message looks legitimate.
• 📵 Block numbers with suspicious prefixes (e.g, +7900, +7903, +7906 – often used by fraudsters).

If you receive a message asking for a password or confirmation code:

⚠️ Note: No bank requests confidential data (PIN codes, passwords, CVV) SMS messages are 100% fraud, block the number immediately and report it to the bank's support team.

For additional protection, install your bank’s official app and activate push notifications instead of SMS, which will reduce the risk of interception of the confirmation code.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting up the lock, Xiaomi users sometimes face difficulties.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the Messages app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find “Messages” and click Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. ⚠️ Warning: This will delete all message history! pre-backup through Settings → Backup.

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The most reliable way to protect is a combination of built-in MIUI lock and a white list of trusted numbers.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions