How to permanently block calls from hidden numbers on Xiaomi: the full guide 2026

Calls from unknown and hidden numbers have become a real scourge for Xiaomi smartphone owners. Fraudsters, spammers and intrusive marketers are actively using the number-hiding feature to bypass standard blacklists. If you are tired of the constant “unknown subscribers” on the screen of your Redmi or POCO – this article will help once and for all to solve the problem.

Unlike the iPhone, where hidden number locking is implemented at the operating system level, MIUI requires a comprehensive approach. We will look at all the available methods, from built-in features to professional applications that work on even the latest versions of firmware. It is important to understand that some methods can conflict with each other, so we will discuss their compatibility and effectiveness.

We’ll focus on the hidden MIUI settings that aren’t written in the official documentation, but that allow you to block up to 95% of unwanted calls, and for Android 13+ devices, we’ve prepared a separate section, taking into account the latest changes in Google’s call handling policy.

Why the standard lock doesn’t work on Xiaomi

Many users are faced with the paradox of a blacklist filled and calls from hidden numbers continue to flow, because MIUI does not block numbers with a swapped CallerID (technically called hidden numbers), which are the main reasons for the ineffectiveness of standard methods:

• 📱 Android Restrictions: At the operating system level, blocking hidden numbers is considered an “aggressive filtering” that Google only allows certified carriers to use.
• 🔄 Dynamic Number Change: Spamers use VoIP technology, where a number is generated randomly with each call, making blacklists useless
• 📞 CallerID substitution: Technically, the call comes from a real number, but is displayed as “Unknown” or “Hidden Number” – the system does not see what to block
• 📡 Operator restrictions: Some mobile operators (especially virtual ones) do not transmit caller information to the network.

Interesting fact: in China (the birthplace of Xiaomi), the problem of hidden numbers is solved at the legislative level - all operators are required to transfer the real number of the caller, which is why Chinese MIUI firmware has additional locking tools that are not available in global versions.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-The cards, the lock settings can be reset when you switch between them. MIUI 14, which has not yet been corrected.

Method 1: Built-in MIUI settings (without applications)

To start with, the simplest method that works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later is that it doesn’t require any additional software, but it has limitations — it only blocks hidden numbers that were already in your call log.

Step instructions:

1. Open the phone application (tube icon)
2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner → Settings
3. Select Number Lock (some firmware may call it Blacklist)
4. Activate the switch to Lock Unknown Numbers
5. Enable the option to Lock numbers with a hidden ID (if available in your version of MIUI)

On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13, the path may be slightly different:

Phone → Log → ⚙️ Settings → Lock and Identify → Lock Hidden Numbers

⚠️ Note: Some of the scoring for POCO The option to block hidden numbers may not be available due to localization.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make a backup copy of your contacts

Make sure you have enough space (minimum 500MB)

Turn off the power saving mode for the Phone application-->

Method 2: Hidden settings of the engineering menu

Few people know, but Xiaomi has a hidden engineering menu where you can activate advanced call locking, which works on 80% of devices, but requires caution – incorrect settings can disrupt the communication module.

How to get into the engineering menu:

Call the phone in the app: ##4636##


Select "Phone Information"




Scroll down to the "Installations" section.

The following actions must be followed:

• 🔧 Find the Radio Information option (can be called Phone Information)
• 📱 Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several)
• 🔍 Scroll to the Call Settings or Network Settings section
• 🔒 Find Block Anonymous Calls or Reject Hidden Numbers
• 🔄 Restart the device after changing the settings

Important: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+), this option may be missing or blocked by the operator, in which case, trying to change it will lead to a reset of network settings.

Method 3: Applications for blocking (TOP-3 verified)

When MIUI's built-in tools fail, third-party apps come to the rescue, and we've tested dozens of programs and selected three of the most effective solutions that actually block hidden numbers on Xiaomi.

The selection criteria were:

• 📊 Efficiency of blocking (over 85% success rate)
• 🔄 Minimal impact on autonomy
• 🛡️ Lack of access to personal data
• 💰 Free functionality

Instructions for setting up Truecaller (the most effective option):

1. Install the application and complete the registration
2. In the main menu, tap on ⚙️ → Locking settings
3. Activate Block Hidden Numbers and Block Low Rating Numbers
4. In the Exclusions section, add important numbers (banks, delivery services)
5. Return to the basic settings and turn on Truecaller as the default app for calls

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For maximum efficiency, turn off the option to “Show notifications about blocked calls” in Truecaller, which will prevent annoying pop-ups, but all blocked calls will be recorded in the application log.

Method 4: Blocking through a communications operator

The most reliable, but often ignored, way is to activate the hidden number lock service directly from your mobile operator, which works at the network level, so it bypasses all the limitations of Android and MIUI.

Instructions for popular operators:

• 📶 MTS: Send. SMS with the text AON is banned for number 111.The cost is 3 rubles / day
• 📶 Beeline: Dial it up *110*789# And follow the voice instructions. 30 free-for-all
• 📶 Megaphone: AntiAon service is activated via personal account or by number 0500
• 📶 Television2: The free option "Disallowed Numbers" is included through USSD-team *220*1#
• 📶 iota/Yota: You need to write in support to activate Call Screening"

Advantages of this method:

• 🔒 The lock works even when the phone is turned off.
• 📴 Does not load the smartphone processor
• 🔄 It works on all devices, including secondary gadgets.

⚠️ Note: Some carriers (especially virtual ones like Tinkoff Mobile or SberMobil) may not have such a service. Before activating, clarify the terms of support - some operators block ALL incoming calls with hidden numbers, including important ones (for example, from banks).

Built-in MIUI settings

Third-party applications (Truecaller, etc.)

Blocking through operator

Engineering menu

I haven’t tried anything, but I’m looking for a solution now.-->

Method 5: Advanced filtering through ADB (for advanced)

For users who are ready to dive into technical details, there is a method of blocking through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to make changes to system settings that are not available through the standard interface.

Warning: Incorrect ADB commands can cause your phone to crash.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Enable debugging over USB: Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the adb folder
4. Adb shell settings put global settings block_unknown_callers 1 settings put global block_private_callers 1
5. Reset the device

To check the success, execute the command:

adb shell settings get global block_private_callers

If answer 1 is activated, the lock is activated.

Additional measures: how to reduce the number of spam calls

Even with hidden number blocking enabled, some of the spam can leak out, and these additional measures can reduce unwanted calls by 60-80%:

• 🔍 Checking for data leakage: Use Have I Been Pwned to see if your number has been leaked to spammer databases
• 📋 Registration in the "Register of prohibition": Add your number to the federal register on the website of the registry-prohibition.rf (works only for Russian operators)
• 🔄 Change of number: Last resort, but sometimes the only one that works. New numbers first 3-6 For months, they have received almost no spam.
• 🛡️ Virtual Numbers: Use services like Numo or to register on websites 2ndLine, Not to disclose the main number

Interesting life hack: if you often get calls from hidden numbers scammers, who pose as bank employees, add a special number with a name to the contacts "🚨Fraudster🚨" If you get a call from a real bank employee, the number will show up normally and the fraudster will be classified as "unknown".

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The best combination of methods is the best combination: operator lock + Truecaller + MIUI settings. This covers 98% of spam calls.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking hidden numbers