Why a blocked number is ringing on Xiaomi: technical reasons and how to fix it

You've added a number to your Xiaomi blacklist, but it keeps getting calls? It's a common problem that MIUI smartphone owners face, from budget Redmi Notes to flagship Mi 13s. Most of the time, it's not user errors, but operating system features, firmware bugs, or scammers.

In this article, we’ll look at 7 key reasons why locked numbers circumvent Xiaomi’s restrictions, from crashes in the contact database to attackers using VoIP technologies and swapping caller ID. You’ll also find step-by-step instructions for diagnosing the problem and fixing it, including hidden MIUI settings that are not documented in official manuals.

We’ll focus on the differences between the models: why the Poco X3 lock works differently than the Mi 11 Lite, and how firmware updates affect blacklist functionality. If you’re tired of intrusive calls, read on.

MIUI bugs: why the system ignores the blacklist

The main reason for the lock break on Xiaomi is software errors in MIUI. Even in the latest versions (for example, MIUI 14 based on Android 13), there are failures associated with synchronizing the blacklist between the system modules.

• 🔄 Conflict between Phone and Messages: blocking in one application does not apply to another.
• 📱 Resetting the cache of the "Contacts" application: after data clearing (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Clear cache) blacklist may be reset.
• 🔄 Update of firmware: after upgrade MIUI The lock settings are sometimes reset to factory.

Critical vulnerability: in versions MIUI 12.5–13.0 was a bug where numbers added to the blacklist through Settings were added → Number locking was not blocked in the Google Phone app (if it is installed by default). A3 POCO F3 pure-android.

How to check if the firmware is to blame:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and write down the build number.
2. Check if the latest updates are installed in Settings → System Update.
3. If the version is older than MIUI 14.0.5, upgrade - in new builds, some bugs have been fixed.

2. VoIP and caller ID swapping: how scammers bypass lock

If the blocked number continues to call, but the log appears as Unknown or with another prefix (e.g, +79xxxxxx instead 89xxxxxx), Probably one of the techniques used is:

• 📞 VoIP calls: Scammers call via WhatsApp, Viber or specialized services (such as Zadarma) that mask a real number.
• 🔄 Spoofing caller ID: Substitution of the caller ID (the number is displayed as random or belonging to the bank/support service).
• 📡 SIM-Boxes: Mass calls through equipment that simulates different numbers.

On Xiaomi, such calls often pass the blacklist because the system only blocks exact matches of numbers. For example, if you blocked +79123456789 and the call is from 89123456789 or +79123456780 (with the last digit changed), the lock will not work.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often use numbers that are visually similar to official numbers (e.g., official numbers, +74951234567 instead of real +74951234560.Always check incoming calls through Google search – many of these numbers are already flagged as fraudulent on forums (e.g., inbound calls, 4PDA or Mi Community).

How to defend yourself:

Add to the blacklist all the variations of the number (with +7, 8, 9, etc.)

Install a spam filtering app (such as Truecaller or GetContact)

Turn off VoIP calls in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Calling over Wi-Fi (if not used)

Enable the function "Spam filtering" in the standard "Phone" application" (⋮ → Settings → Spam filtering)

-->

3. Sync errors with Google Contacts

If you use Google Contacts to back up, the blacklist may not sync correctly.

• 🔄 Numbers blocked on the phone are not displayed in the web version of Google Contacts.
• 📱 After resetting or changing the device, the blacklist is not restored.
• ⚠️ In some cases, synchronization duplicates numbers and lock applies to only one copy.

How to check the synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google → Contact Sync and make sure the option is enabled.
2. Go to contacts.google.com, find the contact with the number that is blocked and check if it is marked as “Blocked” (the icon). 🚫).
3. If the number is not blocked in the web version, add it manually and wait for sync (can take up to 24 hours).

Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 9A or Poco M3) have a bug: when you turn off sync with Google, the blacklist is completely cleared. Solution: Before you turn off sync, export the blacklist to the.vcf file via the Contacts app.

💡

To avoid losing the blacklist, export it manually regularly: open Contacts" → "⋮" → "Contact management" → "Imports/Exports" → "Export to file".

4. Difference between a lock in "Phone" and "Messages"

In MIUI, the blacklist in the Phone and Messages apps works independently.

• 📞 If you block a number in your phone, it can still send SMS.
• 💬 If you are blocked in the Messages, calls from this number will take place.

How to check:

1. Open the phone application → ⋮ → Settings → Number locking.
2. Open the Messages app → ⋮ → Settings → Blocking and filtration.
3. Compare the lists – if the number is only in one of them, add it to the other.

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for Xiaomi Mi 10T) has a hidden Unified Lock feature to activate it:

Enter the phone code in the app: ##4636##


Go to "Phone Information" → "Battery Settings" → "Other Settings"




Find the option "Sync Lock" and turn it on.

5.Dual-SIM and eSIM problems

If your Xiaomi supports two of your SIM-cards or eSIM (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Poco) F5), The lock may not work properly because of:

• 📶 Different operators: the number is blocked for one SIM, but available to another.
• 🔄 Conflict of priorities: if one SIM used for data and another for calls, the lock can apply only to the "main" SIM.
• 📱 herSIM-specific bugs: in MIUI 13-14: There is an error where the blacklist does not apply to eSIM calls.

How to set up a lock for both SIMs:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Locking down calls.
2. Choose. SIM-The card you want to set up the lock for (if the option is available).
3. Add the number to the blacklist for each SIM separately.

⚠️ Note: On models with Hybrid Dual SIM (For example, the Redmi Note 11 is used in the second SIM In a microSD slot, the blacklist can be reset after the reboot. Solution: discard the microSD or use an adapter for the second nano-SIM.

6.The effect of third-party applications on blocking

Calling apps (e.g. Truecaller, WhatsApp, Skype) or SEOs (e.g. Clean Master) can interfere with the standard blacklist.

• 📱 Conflict of Rights: Third-party app intercepts call before lock is triggered MIUI.
• 🔄 Autocleaning cache: SEOs remove blacklist data.
• 🛠️ Modified Firmware: on customized ROM (For example, Pixel Experience or LineageOS, Xiaomi’s standard lock may not work.

How to diagnose:

1. Run your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → Safe Mode) If the lock is triggered, it is the fault of third-party software.
2. Check the application rights in Settings → Applications → Permissions → Phone.
3. Turn off battery optimization for the Phone app (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All Apps → Phone → No Limits).

If you use Truecaller:

• Open the app. → ⋮ → Settings → Lockdown.
• Make sure the option "Block numbers from the blacklist" is enabled.
• Turn off Truecaller Recommendations if you do not want the app to add numbers to the lock itself.

7. Hardware limitations and model errors

On some Xiaomi models, the locking problems are related to hardware or specific firmware errors:

If your model is not on the list but the problem persists, try:

1. Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
2. Update Google Play Services (sometimes blocking bugs are linked to Google services).
3. Install an alternative call app (like Google Phone) and set up a lock on it.

💡

On models with a MediaTek processor (such as the Redmi Note 11 on the Helio G96), the lock may not work due to errors in the IMS Service module. Solution: upgrade to the latest version of the firmware or roll back to a stable global build.

FAQ: Frequent questions about locking numbers on Xiaomi