How to permanently silence unknown numbers on Xiaomi: from blacklist to hidden MIUI settings

Every Xiaomi owner sooner or later faces intrusive calls from scammers, spammers or just unfamiliar numbers. According to Kaspersky, in 2023, the share of fraudulent calls in the CIS increased by 42%, and MIUI is one of the most vulnerable systems for this kind of attack because of the popularity of the brand. But unlike iOS, where blocking functionality is limited, Xiaomi firmware offers several layers of protection at once – from basic tools to hidden settings for experienced users.

The problem is that standard methods (like adding a number to a blacklist) only work with known contacts. And what about unknown numbers that masquerade as banks, delivery services or even government agencies? In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to block such calls on Xiaomi in 2026, including little-known features of MIUI 14/15, third-party applications with artificial intelligence and even manual editing of system files for advanced users.

1. Standard blacklist in MIUI: restrictions and how to get around them

The most obvious way is to blacklist a number through the standard Phone app, but there are pitfalls here:

• 📱 Restriction on number of numbers: c MIUI 12-15 limit 500 In older versions (in the older versions) 100). If the system is exceeded, it starts to delete old records automatically.
• 🔄 Does not work with masked numbers: if the spammer uses a caller substitution ID (For example, it is displayed as Sberbank or Russian Post, the standard lock is powerless.
• 🔕 Not blocking. SMS: The blacklist in the phone does not apply to messages – they will have to be filtered separately.

How to add a number to the blacklist:

1. Open the phone application → tab Journal.
2. Find the number you want, click on it → select Block.
3. Confirm the action. The number will appear in the blocked list: Settings → Apps → Phone → Blacklist.

For mass-added, use importing from a.vcf file (export contacts from Excel via Google Contacts). But remember, this method will not protect against new unknown numbers - only from those already added.

⚠️ Warning: If calls continue to arrive after blocking, check your sync settings. → Google accounts → Contact synchronization must be included in the Blacklist, without which the lock will reset after the reboot.

2. Google Spam Filter: How to Enable and Why It Doesn't Always Work

With MIUI 13, Xiaomi integrated Google Call Screen, an artificial intelligence-based spam filtering system, into the firmware, analyzing incoming calls and automatically flagging suspicious numbers as "Spam" or "Fraud."

• 🌍 It does not work in all countries: officially supported by the United States, Canada, Japan, India and parts of Europe.
• 📊 Requires training: first 2-3 The system may skip spam or block legitimate calls (for example, from courier services) for weeks).
• 🔗 Depends on the Internet: without a connection to the network, the filter is turned off.

How to activate:

1. Open Phone → Three dots (menu) → Settings → Spam and lock.
2. Turn on the switches: Spam filter (uses Google database) Show spam warnings (displays a tag on the incoming call screen)

Additionally.

Block spam calls

If you don’t have an option, update the Phone app via Google Play or install it. APK-Spam filter-enabled version (e.g. com.google.android.dialer version 90)+).

3. Hidden MIUI settings: locking by prefixes and regular expressions

Few people know, but in MIUI There's a hidden tool to block numbers from templates, so you can block, for example, all numbers with a prefix. +7999 (popular among scammers) or can masks (+7495123*) The method works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Mi 11.

Instructions:

1. Enter the code ##4636## (test menu will open).
2. Go to the Usage statistics tab → Phone information.
3. Scroll down to the Call blocking section and select Add rule.
4. In the Pattern field, enter the template: To block all numbers with the code 999: ^\+7999\d* For numbers masquerading as Sberbank: ^\+7495123\d{4} To block all international calls: ^\+\d{10,15}

Keep the rule and restart the phone.

The advantage of the method is that it blocks numbers before they get into the call log, and disadvantage: if the pattern is wrong, you can block important calls (for example, from taxis).

⚠️ Note: After adding rules, check them for 24 hours. If important calls (such as from a carrier) are missing, delete the rule through the same Call blocking section!

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

If the built-in MIUI tools fail, specialized applications come to the rescue, and two market leaders, Truecaller and Should I Answer?, use crowdsourcing (data from millions of users) to identify spammers, but each has pros and cons:

How to configure Truecaller for maximum protection:

1. Install the app from Google Play (avoid APK from third-party sources – high risk of viruses).
2. When you first start, allow access to Contacts, Call Log and SMS.
3. In the settings (⚙️ → Blocking) Enable: Block spam calls Block hidden numbers Block non-contact numbers (caution!)

Premium

Should I Answer? is suitable for those who value privacy: the application does not require registration and does not upload contacts to the server. However, its database is smaller, and some numbers can pass by the filter.

🔍 Check the number of downloads (should be) 10M+)

⭐ Rating not lower than 4.2

📋 Last update is no older than 3 months

🛡️ Permits must not include access to camera or location

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5. Operator-level locking: USSD-team and personal account

If spam calls come from specific prefixes (e.g, +7926 or +7916), they can be locked at the operator, which is the only method that works even with or without the phone turned off. SIM-The procedure depends on the provider:

• 📡 MTS: send SMS with the text of the BLOC number (for example, BLOC 79991234567) on 111.
• 📡 Beeline: USSD-team *110*79991234567# (To block all international calls, send a Block INTERNATIONAL CHANGE to the 067409.
• 📡 MegaFon: Enter *130#, then select Service Management → Blacklist. Limit: 30 numbers.
• 📡 Tele2: send Block 79991234567 to 707. To unlock - DBlock 79991234567.

Please note:

• Blocking at the operator level does not apply to messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram).
• The service may be paid (for example, MTS - 3). ₽/day for each blocked number).
• The block list is reset when changing SIM-map.

To check the current blockages:

• MTS: *111*0887#
• Beeline: *110*9#
• MegaFon: *105*888#

💡

If the operator refuses to block the number, refer to the Federal law № 139-FZ on the protection of personal data (Article 9) This obliges the provider to provide the service free of charge.

6. Radical methods: disabling incoming calls and root access

If spam calls are unbearable and standard methods don't work, extreme measures remain: they are only suitable for advanced users and have side effects.

Method 1: Completely disabling incoming calls

MIUI has a Do Not Disturb feature with advanced settings:

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb.
2. Turn on mode and set exceptions: Allow calls only from Contacts or Favorites; turn off Repeat Calls (crooks often return calls); Activate Scheduled (e.g. 22:00 to 8:00).

The downside is that you miss all calls except those saved in the phone book, which is suitable for a temporary solution (e.g., while you sleep).

Method 2: Blocking through ADB (without root)

For users willing to work with ADB, there is a way to block numbers at the system level:

adb shell content insert --uri content://call_log/calls --bind number:s:"+79991234567" --bind type:i:3


adb shell content insert --uri content://call_log/blacklist --bind number:s:"+79991234567"

This command adds a number to the system blacklist, which is not reset after updates. To massively block, create a.bat file with a list of numbers.

Method 3: Root access and edit system files

If your Xiaomi has Magisk or another root manager installed, you can edit the file /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db where the locks are stored. Use SQLite Editor and add entries to the blacklist table:

INSERT INTO blacklist (number, normalized_number) VALUES ('+79991234567','+79991234567');

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to data loss or a cyclical reboot of the phone. TWRP Or Orange Backup. Please note that after the update MIUI change may be reset.

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Root methods give 100% blocking, but are deprived of warranties and can disrupt the operation of banking applications (due to SafetyNet).

FAQ: Frequent questions about locking numbers on Xiaomi