How to permanently block spam calls on Xiaomi: from standard tools to secret MIUI chips

Spam calls on Xiaomi have become a modern scourge, from intrusive loan offers to fraudulent schemes with “card blocking”. According to Truecaller, in 2023, every smartphone user in Russia received an average of 12 spam calls a month – and this figure is only growing. Fortunately, MIUI offers a whole arsenal of tools to combat unwanted subscribers, which are not known by everyone.

In this article, we will analyze not only the standard methods of blocking through the Blacklist, but also little-known functions such as prefix filtering, integration with Google Contacts, and also consider third-party solutions for those who need maximum protection from spam with real-world number analysis. We will pay special attention to the Redmi Note 12 models, POCO X5 Xiaomi 13T, Where the blocking algorithms are different from the older versions MIUI.

1. Standard blacklist in MIUI: how to add a number manually

The easiest way to block spam calls on Xiaomi is to use the built-in Blacklist, which is available on all devices with MIUI 10 and later, including the Redmi 10C and POCO M5, the main advantage of the method is that it does not require the installation of additional applications and works even without the Internet.

To add a number to the blacklist:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Go to the Recent section and find a spam call.
3. Click on the number → select Block (or Blacklist in older versions).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Alternative path: Settings → Applications → Phone → Blacklist. You can manage all locked numbers here, and also enable the option to Block Unknown numbers (caution: this will block all calls from unsaved numbers!).

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If the spammer is calling from different numbers but with the same prefix (e.g. +7 9xx 123-xx-xx), add a number mask to the blacklist: +79xxxxxx123. MIUI supports partial matching!

2. Automatically block spam via Google Contacts

Few people know that Xiaomi is closely integrated with Google services, and this can be used to fight spam. If you have your contacts synced to your Google Account, the system automatically filters numbers marked as spam by other users. Here's how to configure this:

Step 1. Open Settings → Google Accounts → Contact Sync and make sure the option is active.

Step 2. Return to the Phone app, click on the three dots in the top right corner → Settings → Spam and Lock.

Step 3. Turn on the switches:

• 🔍 Spam filter (using Google database)
• 📞 Show a spam warning (number will be highlighted in red)
• 🚫 Automatically block spam (the most radical option)

Important: this function only works when connected to the Internet. The spam number database is updated daily, but sometimes the "fresh" scammers slip, in which case add the number to the blacklist manually (see section 1).

Secret MIUI function: filtering by prefix and region

MIUI 13 and later (installed on Xiaomi 12/13 series, Redmi Note 11/12) has a hidden option to filter calls by geographic prefixes, which is useful if spam comes from specific regions (for example, +7 999 - Moscow, +7 812 - St. Petersburg).

To activate the filter:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Phone → Additional settings.
2. Find the number filter by region (some firmware called prefix lock).
3. Add prefixes via comma, such as +7999, +7926, +7495.
4. Select Action: Block or Redirect to Voicemail.

Warning: Be careful about blocking entire regions, so you can miss important calls from couriers or banks, and it is better to combine this method with manual blocking of especially intrusive numbers.

4 Third-party apps: Truecaller vs Should I Answer?

If the built-in MIUI tools aren't enough, specialized applications come to the rescue, and we tested two of the most popular services on the POCO X4 Pro and Redmi K50, and here are the results:

Our choice: Should I Answer? is better suited for Xiaomi, as it does not conflict with the built-in Phone application and has more flexible lock settings. Truecaller is useful if you need an expanded database of spam numbers and identification of unknown subscribers.

Installation:

• 📥 Download the app from Google Play.
• 🔧 Give permission to access calls and contacts.
• 🛡️ In the application settings, enable Autoblock and Show Spam Notifications.

Give all permissions in Settings → Applications | Enable autolock in the app settings |Add exceptions for important numbers | Turn off notifications for "neutral" calls-->

5. Block spam through the operator

Many operators offer their own spam protection services that work at the network level, which means that the call is blocked even before it reaches your Xiaomi. 3-5 rupees.

How to connect:

• 📱 MTS: send SMS with the text of the PROTECTION to the number 111 or connect in your personal account.
• 🟢 MegaFon: USSD-team *130*1# or the section "Spam Protection" in the application.
• 🔴 Beeline: Send Stop Spam to 5166.
• 🟡 Tele2: connect the option “Antispam” in your personal account.

The advantage of this method is that locking works even if the phone is turned off or in flight mode, but carriers' spam databases are updated more slowly than Truecaller or Google.

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Operators only block calls, not SMS. Combine with apps like Should I Answer? for full protection.

6.Resetting phone settings: a last resort against spam

If spam calls don’t stop even after all the above methods, it’s possible that your number has been leaked to the fraudsters’ databases, in which case the radical solution would be to change the number or completely reset your phone settings (if the spam is virus-related).

Warning: Reset will delete all data from the device!

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Select MIUI Backup and save the data to the cloud or computer.
3. For reset: Settings → Additional → Resetting settings.

⚠️ Warning: If spam calls continue after reset, check your phone for viruses with Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.Some spyware can steal your contacts and sell them to spammers.

7.Additional measures: how to reduce the amount of spam in the future

To minimize the risk of getting into the databases of spammers, follow these rules:

• 🔐 Do not publish your number in the public domain (social networks, forums, ads).
• 📝 When registering on the sites, use virtual numbers (for example, via SMS-Activate).
• 🛒 In online stores, refuse to SMS-mailing-out.
• 🔄 Check regularly (every 3 months) to see if your number is leaked to open databases via Have I Been Pwned.

If you've already been a victim of spam, try unsubscribe from emails. Sometimes it works: press 1 during the call (many robots offer this option to remove from the database). However, beware - scammers can use this trick to confirm that the number is "live".

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Create a separate “junk” number for the second SIM-- a card (e.g. via Tinkoff Mobile or SberMobile) and use it for registration.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking spam on Xiaomi