How to permanently ban calls from unknown numbers on Xiaomi Redmi: from built-in tools to hidden MIUI settings

Calls from unknown numbers are one of the most annoying problems for Xiaomi Redmi smartphone owners. Spam, scammers, and intrusive marketers can haunt you daily, distracting you from important matters. Fortunately, MIUI offers several built-in tools to block such calls, and also supports third-party solutions. In this article, we will examine all the available methods, from basic settings to hidden firmware functions that not all users know.

Redmi's feature is that number locking works differently here than on Android's naked. MIUI, for example, has a separate blacklist for calls and SMS, as well as integrated spam protection via Mi Security. But not everyone knows that some settings are hidden in the developer menu or require activation via ##4636#. We'll show you how to use them as efficiently as possible so that you never hear the intrusive "unknown subscribers" again.

It is important to understand that no solution can be given 100% Fraudsters are constantly adapting by spoofing numbers, but a combination of several methods — built-in locking, third-party apps and operator rules — reduces the number of spam calls sent to users. 80-90%. Let’s start with the simplest and move on to advanced techniques.

1. Built-in lock through the "Phone" application

The most obvious, but often underrated, way is to use the standard Phone app in MIUI, which has two layers of protection: manual locking of specific numbers and automatic filtering of unknown subscribers. Let's look at both.

To block a specific number after a call:

1. Open the call log in the Phone app.
2. Find the number you want to block and tap it.
3. In the menu that opens, select Block (the icon with the forbidden sign).
4. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

To automatically lock all unknown numbers:

• 📱 Open the phone. → ⋮ (three-point) → Settings → Number locking.
• 🔒 Activate the switch to Lock Unknown Numbers.
• 📋 In the same menu, you can add numbers manually or import from the same menu. SMS.
• ⚙️ In the section Additional, enable spam filtering (requires an Internet connection).

Note that locking through the Phone app only works for incoming calls, and if you also need to filter SMS, you will have to configure separate rules in the Messages app or use third-party utilities.

2.Setting up spam protection in Mi Security

Mi Security (or Russian firmware security) is the central security node in MIUI, which not only scans the device for viruses, but also contains a module to block spam calls, the main advantage of which is the cloud database of spammers, which Xiaomi regularly updates.

To activate the protection:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the section “Protection against spam” (or “Call Blocking” depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Turn on the switches: 🛡️ Block spam calls 📵 Blocking Unknown Numbers 🔍 Check the numbers in the cloud (requires the Internet)

Blacklist.

The thing about Mi Security is that it can detect fake numbers (spoofing) through machine learning, for example, if a fraudster calls from a number masquerading as a bank, the system can identify this as potential spam, but it requires:

• 🌐 Continuous Internet connection (the database is updated online).
• 📱 Last version MIUI (In older applications, the functionality is limited).
• 🔄 Regular update of spammer database (checked in Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).

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If Mi Security doesn’t have a “Spam Protection” section, update the app via Google Play or manually install it from Xiaomi’s official website.

3. Hidden MIUI settings for advanced users

Not everyone knows that MIUI has hidden menus that allow you to fine-tune your call lock, which are not dokumented in the official instructions, but work on most Redmi models (from Redmi Note 7 to Redmi 12).

The first way is to use the test menu:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to Network Settings and find Call Lock.
4. Here you can activate the Blocking of all incoming IDs (does not work on all firmware).

The second way is the developer mode:

• 🔧 Activate Developer Mode: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times).
• 📱 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• 🔍 Find the Debugging Point on USB → Blocking background calls (in some versions) MIUI).
• 🔒 Enable the option to block calls without a caller ID.

Important: these settings may conflict with the standard lock in the Phone app. If incoming calls from known subscribers stop working after activating hidden options, reset your network settings to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

4.Use of third-party applications to block

If the built-in MIUI tools fail, third-party apps come to the rescue, offering advanced features such as:

• 🌍 Global spammer databases (updated in real time).
• 🤖 AI voice analysis to identify robots.
• 📊 Statistics and reports on blocked calls.
• 🔄 Automatically Adding New Spammers to the Blacklist.

Top.-3 Applications for Xiaomi Redmi:

How to configure Truecaller for maximum protection:

Install the application and register |Activate "Spam Blocking" in the settings |Enable "Determination of Unknown Numbers" |Add bank numbers to the whitelist |Deactivate notifications of missed spam calls-->

Warning: Some apps (like Truecaller) request access to contacts and call logs. If you're confused, use Hiya, which works without syncing contacts.

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The application side is more efficient than the built-in MIUI tools, but consumes more battery and requires additional permissions. The best option is a combination of Truecaller (for the spammer base) + built-in MIUI lock (for unknown numbers).

5. Locking at the operator level

Many operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) offer their own services to block spam, and their advantage is that filtering happens at the network level, so the call doesn't even reach your phone, which saves battery life and traffic.

How to connect protection to popular operators:

Please note:

⚠️ Note: operators only block known spam numbers from their database. New or fake numbers (spoofing) may slip. In addition, some operators (such as Beeline) charge for the service, so check the rates before connecting.

If you travel frequently or use two rooms, set the lock on both. SIM-- For that:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose the first one. SIM-Card and activate the lock (if available).
3. Repeat the steps for the second. SIM-map.

6. Manual lock through USSD-Teams (for experienced teams)

If you need to block the number at the level SIM-Cards (regardless of phone) can be used USSD-This method does not work for all operators, but can be useful in emergency cases (for example, if the phone is stolen and the spammer continues to call your number).

Instructions for popular operators:

• 📞 MTS: Dial *111*121#, Follow the voice instructions to add a number to the blacklist.
• 📱 Beeline: send SMS with the text of the Block number phone on 3662 (for example: Block 89123456789).
• 🌐 MegaFon: dial *130#, select "Blacklist" and add a number.
• 🔄 Tele2: send SMS with the text of the Block number phone at 2252.

⚠️ Attention: USSD-If the spammer calls from another operator or via VoIP (WhatsApp, Viber), the call will pass. In addition, some operators limit the number of numbers in the blacklist (usually, the number of numbers in the blacklist) 10-20).

To remove the number from the blacklist:

• 📞 MTS: *111*122#.
• 📱 Beeline: SMS with the text of the number number number number phone at 3662.
• 🌐 MegaFon: *130# → "Remove from the blacklist".

7 Extreme measures: number change or two-factor authentication

If spam calls have become unbearable and no methods are working, radical solutions remain:

1. Change of phone number: most operators allow you to change the number for free or for a nominal fee (50-200 rubles), you can choose a new number in your personal account or from the operator. Minus: you will have to give a new number to all contacts and re-assign accounts (banks, social networks).

2.Using a virtual number: Services like Google Voice (available via VPN) or Dingtone allow you to get a second number to register on sites, the main number will remain hidden from spammers.

3. Two-factor authentication (2FA) through apps. Instead of SMS to confirm logins, use Google Authenticator or Authy. This does not block calls, but reduces the risk of a number leaking when hacking accounts.

⚠️ Please check before changing the number if important services (bank cards, e-wallets, government portals like Public Services) are linked to it.

If you decide to change the number, follow this checklist:

Download the archive SMS with important codes (through settings) → Google → Backup)|Reset 2FA in banks and social networks to a new number|Inform the number of relatives and colleagues|Check the link to public services, SNILS, tax|Update the number in the delivery profiles (Ozon, Wildberries, Yandex.Food)-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking calls on Xiaomi Redmi