How to permanently ban calls from unknown numbers on Xiaomi: from standard settings to hidden chips

Hidden numbers, spam calls and fraudulent “bank” subscribers have become a real scourge of modern smartphones. Xiaomi owners (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines) often face the question: how to effectively block these intrusive calls without missing important connections? The problem is compounded by the fact that standard locking functions in MIUI do not always work perfectly, and scammers constantly adapt, masking numbers as “unknown” or “classified”.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways, from built-in MIUI tools to third-party apps and carrier services, how to set up a Blacklist, use Security features, activate blocking via Google Phone, and which apps will help weed out 99% of spam. We will focus on the hidden MIUI 14/15 settings, which the manufacturer does not advertise, but which radically reduce the number of unwanted calls. If you are tired of daily “paling” from unknown numbers, this guide is for you.

1. Standard lock through the MIUI blacklist

The most obvious, but often underrated, way is to use the built-in MIUI Blacklist, a feature available on all Xiaomi models from the Redmi Note 4 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the main advantage of which is that it does not require the installation of third-party applications and works at the system level.

To add a number to the blacklist:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Go to the Recent section and find the number you want to block.
3. Click on the number → select Block.
4. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

For mass blocking of unknown numbers:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Phone. → Number locking.
• 🔍 Activate the option to Block Unknown Numbers (in some versions) MIUI It is hidden - see the next section).
• 📝 Manually add numbers or ranges (e.g, +7900* to block all 900 numbers).

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If your version of MIUI does not have the option to “Block Unknown Numbers”, update the Phone app via Google Play – in the latest versions the feature is returned.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not block numbers with a changed caller ID (For example, "Bank of Russia" or "Sberbank»).
• ❌ In some regions, operators ignore system locks (especially in Tele2 and Iota).
• ❌ The blacklist is not synchronized with the Mi Account account – when you reset your phone, all settings fly off.

2. Hidden MIUI settings: how to enable blocking of unknown calls

In MIUI 12-15, Xiaomi developers have hidden some of the locking features behind “secret” codes and deep settings, such as the option to Lock Hidden Numbers may not be on the menu, but it can be activated via an engineering menu or ADB.

Method 1: Using ##4636## (Test Menu):

1. Enter the code in the Phone app (as if dialing a number).
2. Go to the phone information section.
3. Scroll down to the Network Settings block.
4. Find the option Block Unknown Calls (also called Reject Anonymous Calls) and activate it.

Method 2: Through ADB (for advanced users):

adb shell settings put global block_unknown_callers 1

This command forcibly activates blocking all calls from hidden numbers (Private Number or Unknown).

Important: these methods may conflict with some carrier services (e.g., MTS Antispam) If important calls stop coming after activation, disable the function and use alternative methods from the following sections.

3.Security app from Xiaomi: anti-spam and fraud blocking

MIUI has a built-in Security (Shield Icon) app that not only scans viruses, but also blocks spam calls, and it works on the basis of Xiaomi’s database, which is updated daily and contains information about fraudulent numbers.

How to set up:

1. Open the Security app.
2. Go to Antispam (or Spam Protection in newer versions).
3. Activate the switch to block spam calls.
4. In the Settings section, select the level of protection: 🛡️ Standard – only blocks confirmed fraudulent numbers. 🛡️🛡️ Hard – blocks all suspicious calls (including hidden and international calls). 🛡️🛡️🛡️ Aggressive – blocks all numbers not entered in contacts (risk of missing an important call!).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ The database is updated automatically (unlike a manual blacklist).
• ✅ It works even if the number is not hidden, but is marked as fraudulent (for example, "Your account is blocked»).
• ✅ You can add numbers to a whitelist (for example, for taxi or delivery services).

Standard.|Hard.|Aggressive.|I don't use anti-spam.|Other-->

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ In some regions (for example, Belarus, Kazakhstan) the database of fraudsters is updated less often.
• ⚠️ Can block legitimate calls from banks or support services (if they use a caller swap) ID).

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Xiaomi’s Security app blocks up to 80% of spam calls, but for 100% protection, it is recommended to combine it with third-party anti-spam services (see Section 5).

4.Google Phone: an alternative application for calls with extended lock

If Xiaomi’s standard Phone app doesn’t suit you, you can install the official Google Phone app (available on Google Play), which has more flexible lock settings and is integrated with Google’s services to identify spam.

The advantages of Google Phone:

• 🔍 Automatic identification of spam calls (suspicious call or spam»).
• 📵 Ability to block all unknown numbers with one tap.
• 🌐 Synchronize the blacklist with a Google account (when resetting your phone, the settings will remain).
• 📊 Statistics of blocked calls with the frequency of attempts.

How to set up:

1. Install Google Phone from the Play Market.
2. Make it the default app for calls (Settings → Apps → Default → Phone).
3. Open Google Phone → ⋮ (three-point) → Settings → Spam and calls.
4. Activate options: 🔄 Filter spam calls 🚫 Blocking Unknown Numbers 📋 Show the caller ID (to display the names of organizations).

Important: Google Phone may conflict with some MIUI features, such as recording conversations. If recording options are lost after installation, go back to the standard Phone app.

Delete the cache of the standard "Phone" app | Download Google Phone from the official store |Assign Google Phone to the default application | Check the sync settings with your Google account-->

5. Third-party anti-spam apps: top-3 solution

If the built-in tools of MIUI and Google fail, third-party apps come to the rescue, and we tested dozens of anti-spam services and selected the three most effective for Xiaomi:

Selection recommendations:

• 🏆 For most users: Truecaller (maximum base, convenience).
• 🌍 For travel abroad: Whoscall (recognizes Asian and European numbers well).
• 🛠️ For advanced users: Spam Call Blocker (flexible settings, but requires manual setup).

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Before installing an anti-spam app, check its compatibility with your version of MIUI. For example, on Xiaomi 13T Pro with MIUI 14 Truecaller may conflict with the system application "Security".

How to configure Truecaller for maximum protection:

1. Install the app and allow access to contacts (required!).
2. In the settings, activate: 🔍 Call identification 🚫 Auto-blocking spam 📵 Block hidden numbers

Blacklist.

+7495

⚠️ Note: Some anti-spam apps (like Truecaller) may transfer your contacts to their servers to improve the database. If critical, use Spam Call Blocker or set up Google Phone.

6. Operator Services: How to Block Spam at Level SIM-map

If the software methods do not help, you can connect anti-spam directly from the mobile operator. All major Russian providers (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) offer free or paid services to block fraudulent calls.

Comparison of operator services:

Advantages of operator services:

• ✅ Locking works even if the phone is off or in flight mode.
• ✅ Numbers are filtered at the network level without loading the smartphone.
• ✅ No need to install additional applications.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Fraudster database updates slower than Truecaller.
• ❌ Some operators (for example, MegaFon) charge for the service.
• ❌ Can block legitimate calls from banks or delivery services.

⚠️ Note: If you use a virtual operator (e.g. Tinkoff Mobile or SberMobil), anti-spam services may not be available, in which case combine software methods (sections 1-5) with manual number locking.

7 Radical measures: number change and two-factor authentication

If spam calls have become unbearable and all of the above methods do not help, radical steps remain:

• 🔄 Changing your phone number is a last resort, but sometimes the only one, and operators allow you to keep your old number in the archive for 3-6 months so that important contacts can update their data.
• 🔒 Connecting a Hidden Number service – your number will be displayed as Private or Unknown to other subscribers, which will reduce the number of back spam calls, but may cause suspicions among banks and support services.
• 📱 Use the second number, for example, through Google Voice or virtual SIM (You leave the main number only for loved ones, and the second one for check-in and public contacts.

How to change the number of the operator:

1. Visit the passport communication salon.
2. Complete the application for a change of number (usually free, but may be charged a fee of 50–200)₽).
3. Activate a new one. SIM-Map and transfer contacts via Mi Account or Google.
4. Update the number in important services (banks, social networks, instant messengers).

Warning: After changing the number, you will have to reconfigure all services associated with the old number (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, SberBank Online), make a list of such services in advance to avoid losing access.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking calls on Xiaomi