Blocking incoming calls from unfamiliar numbers on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all ways

Spam calls and intrusive marketers have become a real problem for smartphone owners. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, despite its functionality, is not immune to the flood of unwanted incoming calls from unknown numbers. If you are tired of constant interruptions and want to regain control of your phone, this article will help you understand all the available methods of locking.

Unlike Xiaomi’s new MIUI 14+ models, where call filtering is integrated more deeply, the Redmi Note 8 Pro (released in 2019) requires a more careful approach, including firmware version, regional settings, and even installed apps. We’ll look at both standard MIUI tools and third-party solutions, from built-in blacklisting to advanced anti-spam services.

The peculiarity of this model is the presence of duality SIM-If you use both SIMs, you have to configure the protection for each separately, and it is worth remembering that some methods can conflict with the work of messengers (for example, WhatsApp or Viber) if they use the same. SIM call-in.

Standard locking devices in MIUI

The MIUI firmware on the Redmi Note 8 Pro offers several built-in tools to filter incoming calls, and its main advantage is that there is no need to install additional software, which saves memory space and does not burden the system, but the functionality of these tools is limited compared to specialized applications.

Main methods:

• 📱 Blacklist – manually adding numbers to the lock via phone settings. Suitable for well-known spammers, but useless against dynamically changing numbers.
• 🔍 Unknown Number Filter: Automatically sifting out calls from numbers not saved in contacts. MIUI.
• 📞 Settings SIM-Cards – a separate configuration for each SIM (relevant to dual models) allows flexible control of locking at the operator level.

Important: MIUI 11-12 (current for the Redmi Note 8 Pro) may have different settings depending on the regional firmware, for example, in the global version (MIUI Global), the path to the blacklist is one, and in the Chinese version (MIUI China) - the other. We will look at both options.

Step-by-step: how to add a number to the blacklist

The easiest and most reliable way to block a specific number is to blacklist it, which works on all versions of MIUI and does not require an Internet connection.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open the phone application (icon with a handset).
2. Go to the Journal tab (watch icon in the bottom menu).
3. Find an unwanted number in the list and click on it.
4. In the window that opens, select Block (or Blacklist in some versions).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

For manually adding a number that is not in the journal:

1. Run Settings (⚙️).
2. Go to the section "Block numbers" (the path may be different: see the table below).
3. Click Add (+) and enter the number manually.
4. Save the changes.

⚠️ Attention: Blacklist to MIUI If you exceed it, the system will automatically delete old records. If you need to block thousands of numbers (for example, for business), consider specialized applications.

Filtering of unknown and hidden numbers

If you get caught calling from numbers that aren't in your phone book, you can turn on filtering unknown subscribers, which blocks all incoming calls except those stored in contacts, is convenient for spam control, but can miss important calls (for example, from delivery services or banks).

How to activate:

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to Lock numbers (or Phone Settings → Lock in some versions).
3. Activate the switch to Lock Unknown Numbers.
4. In the exclusion list, add numbers that must pass despite the filter (e.g., 112 or work number).

For hidden numbers (where Unknown or Private Number is displayed instead of numbers):

• 🔒 Enable the option to Lock Hidden Numbers in the same menu.
• 📵 Note that some banks and government agencies may call from hidden numbers – add them to the exceptions in advance.
• 🛡️ On some firmware, this function only works for SIM-cards of certain operators (for example, MTS or Beeline in Russia).

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Before activating the Unknown Numbers filter, check if your contacts have any important organizations (hospitals, schools, taxi services) and use the Mi Cloud or Google Account backup to ensure that your contacts do not lose data when you crash.

Using apps to block spam

The built-in MIUI tools don’t always work with modern spam methods that use dynamic numbers or ID swaps, and third-party apps can help in these cases, offering advanced features such as spammer databases, call behavior analysis, cloud synchronization, and even automated fraud detection.

Top.-3 apps for Redmi Note 8 Pro:

• 🛡️ Truecaller is the most popular solution with a database of billions of numbers, detecting spam, fraudsters and even showing the name of the caller, if it is in public sources.
• 🔍 Hiya is a Truecaller alternative with less battery consumption. MIUI It supports the Russian-language interface, and the free version has a limit on the number of locks per month.
• 📵 Should I Answer? is a minimalist, open-source application that allows you to manually label numbers as spam and share that information with other users.

How to install and configure (as an example of Truecaller):

1. Download the app from Google Play (don’t use APKs from third-party sources – it’s dangerous!).
2. Open Truecaller and register (via Google Account).
3. Allow access to contacts and call logs (required for correct operation).
4. In settings, enable options: Block spam → Included Notify about spam → Included Update database → Automatically
5. Return to the main menu and activate Spam Protection (the shield icon in the top corner).

⚠️ Note: Apps like Truecaller consume additional battery and traffic due to background database synchronization. 8 Pro with his battery 4500 This can reduce the battery life of 5-10%. Turn off auto-refresh base if you notice a quick discharge.

Setup of lock through the operator

Many mobile operators provide their own spam filtering services, which are network-based, so they block calls before they reach your phone, with the advantage of saving battery life (no need to keep an app active) and high efficiency against mass mailings.

How to connect (on the example of Russian operators):

Features of operator lock:

• 📡 It works even if the phone is off or is out of coverage (locking occurs on the operator’s side).
• 🔄 Some services require periodic renewal (e.g. once a month).
• 📞 It may conflict with the built-in lock. MIUI. If the calls continue to pass, disable one of the methods.

Problems and Solutions: Why the Lockdown Doesn't Work

Sometimes even after you set up the phone, the calls keep coming in, and it could be due to firmware, application conflicts, or operator errors, and let's look at typical scenarios and how to solve them.

Problem 1: The blacklist numbers still ring.

• 🔄 Check if the settings have reset after the update MIUI. Updates often reset user configurations.
• 📱 Make sure that the lock is applied to the correct SIM-map (on dual models it is easy to confuse).
• 🛠️ Reinstall updates for the Phone app via Google Play (if you use Google Phone instead of the standard one).

Problem 2: Unknown number filters do not block calls.

• 📋 Check if you've added a number to an exception. Sometimes systems automatically unlock frequently dialed numbers.
• 🔧 In some versions MIUI You need to additionally enable the blocking of incoming settings SIM-maps (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Settings SIM → Locking incoming).
• 📡 If you use VoLTE or ViLTE, disable these features – they can bypass standard locking.

Problem 3: The side of the app (like Truecaller) doesn't block calls.

• 🔒 Check the permissions of the application in Settings → Annexes → Permit management. Make sure phone, contact and SMS.
• 📵 In battery settings (Settings) → Battery and performance → Battery Consumption Management) Add the app to the list with no restrictions.
• 🔄 Update the spammer database manually in the app settings.

💡

If none of the methods help, try resetting the network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings: This will delete all stored Wi-Fi networks and mobile internet settings, but often resolves lockdown issues.

Additional protection measures: disabling notifications and redirecting calls

If the lock doesn't work, or you want to get rid of intrusive calls completely, you can go further and set up call redirects or disable missed notifications, which are radical but effective in cases where other methods don't work.

Disable notifications about missed calls:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notifications about missed calls.
2. Turn off the switch for the Phone app.
3. For individual SIM-The card setting can be duplicated – check both.

Redirecting calls to voice mail:

• 📞 Use it. USSD-Operator command: *21* Voice mail number# → Challenge #21# → Challenge (for cancellation)
• 🔄 The setting is only valid for incoming calls. SMS unaffected.
• 💰 Some operators have paid redirects (for example, 3-5 RUB/min, please specify the rates.

Create a whitelist (allow calls only from selected numbers):

• 📱 In Truecaller or Hiya, activate Only the Favourites.
• 🔒 V MIUI This functionality is missing, but you can emulate it through the setting Do not disturb (Settings) → Sound and vibration → Don't disturb. → Allow exceptions → Challenges from: Selected Contacts).
• ⚠️ In this mode, you will not be available even for emergency services, if their numbers are not added to your favorites.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking calls on Redmi Note 8 Pro