Modern smartphones based on Xiaomi i Redmi equipped with powerful protection tools against unwanted telephone spam, but often these functions are hidden deep in the menu or disabled by default. Users are faced with an influx of calls from debt collectors, marketers and scammers, which significantly reduces productivity and increases stress levels. Fortunately, the shell MIUI and the new HyperOS provide built-in filtering mechanisms that do not require the installation of third-party software.
In this article we will look in detail at how to configure blacklist, activate Do Not Disturb mode and use hidden service codes for maximum protection. You will learn how to distinguish system settings from carrier functions and which parameters are critical for complete silence on the handset. The instructions are relevant for most models, from budget series to flagship series. dialer functionality. The pre-installed application Redmi Note to flagship Xiaomi 14.
Standard blacklist settings in the Phone app
The fastest way to protect yourself from annoying callers is to use the built-in dialer functionality. Pre-installed application "Phone" from Xiaomi (or Google Phone on global versions) has a flexible system of blocking rules. To access them, you need to open the dialer application and go to the settings menu, hidden behind the three dots in the corner of the screen.
In the section Settings → Blocking you will find the "Black List" switch. Activating this feature puts all added contacts into ignore mode. The system automatically drops the incoming call, and the subscriber hears short beeps or a busy message. It is important to note that in the same menu you can configure blocking rules for hidden numbers or contacts not included in your address book.
⚠️ Attention: When you enable strict blocking of “All unknown numbers" you may miss an important call from a courier or doctor who is calling from a work phone that is not saved in contacts. Use this option with caution.
Adding a specific number to the stop list is done directly from the call log. Tap and hold your finger on an unwanted call entry, then select the ban icon (often looks like a circle with a line). The system will prompt you to select the type of blocking: only calls, only SMS or a complete ban on communication. This allows you to flexibly manage the flow of information without losing the ability to receive text messages from certain senders.
Activating Do Not Disturb mode for complete silence
Mode Do Not Disturb (Do Not Disturb) is a more radical, but effective tool that allows you to completely turn off sound and vibration for incoming calls. Unlike the blacklist, this mode works according to a schedule or is activated manually through the notification shade. It is ideal for night time or important meetings when no interruptions are allowed.
For fine-tuning, go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb. Here you can create a schedule, for example, from 23:00 to 07:00, so that the phone automatically switches to silent mode at night. Pay special attention to the “Allow calls” section. By default, the value “From everyone” may be there, which defeats the purpose. Change the setting to “Only from contacts” or “Only from favorites” so that calls from unfamiliar numbers are guaranteed not to wake you up.
One of the useful features MIUI is the ability to make repeated calls. If the same number rings twice within three minutes, the phone will ring. The logic of the system assumes that an urgent call cannot be random or spam. Disable this function in the menu "Repeated calls"if you want absolute silence, even in emergencies, from new subscribers.
Create a separate "Sleep" profile in the "Do Not Disturb" settings, where calls are allowed only from the "Family" contact group. This will ensure security without the risk of missing a critical event.
Use built-in antivirus and filtering MIUI
Ecosystem Xiaomi includes a powerful Security application that combines the functions of an antivirus, cleaner and spam filter. This tool uses cloud databases to identify fraudulent numbers. To activate protection, open the application “Security”, find the “Antispam” section and go to settings.
Two main types of filters are available in the antispam menu: “Blacklist” and “Smart blocking”. Smart blocking automatically detects numbers flagged by other users as spam, advertising or scams. You can choose the level of filtering aggressiveness: block only confirmed spam or all numbers marked “Advertising”. Here you can also enable blocking of calls from hidden numbers (No Caller ID).
| Filtering type | What blocks | Recommended status |
|---|---|---|
| Black list | Specific numbers added manually | Always active |
| Blocking hidden | Calls without number identification | Active (if you don't expect anonymous calls) |
| SMS spam | Advertising messages with keywords | Active, checking keywords |
| International | Calls from other countries | Active if there are no foreign connections |
Regularly update antispam databases. In the “Security” application settings, find the “Update databases” item and perform synchronization. Current databases contain millions of scammer numbers that are current at the moment, which increases the effectiveness of protection. Without regular updating, the filter may miss new deception schemes.
☑️ Setting up ideal protection
Blocking through service codes and hidden menus
For advanced users, it is possible to manage forwarding and blocking through engineering USSD codes. These commands are sent directly to the operator's server, so they work even when the smartphone is turned off or there is no SIM card in a specific slot (if configured at the network level). However, the interface and available codes may vary depending on your mobile operator.
The most useful code for complete isolation is the command to disable all incoming calls. Enter **21*number#where "number" is the phone number to which the call will be forwarded (for example, voicemail or a non-existent number). To cancel this action, use the code ##21#. There is also a code *33*0000# to block all outgoing calls, but for incoming calls, forwarding settings when busy or unavailable are more often used.
⚠️ Attention: Using service codes may result in charges according to your operator's rates for forwarding. Before activation, check the cost of the service in your personal account or with the support service.
Another method is to activate the “Caller ID” service or special tariff options from the operator (for example, “Black List” from MTS, Beeline, Megafon or Tele2). These services are often paid, but they filter traffic on the network side without loading your processor. Such services are usually managed through the operator's application or USSD commands, which can be found on the provider's official website. Xiaomi. Such services are usually managed through the operator’s application or USSD commands, which can be found on the provider’s official website.
What to do if the codes do not work?
If USSD codes return a connection error or “code is invalid,” this means that your telecom operator does not support this command or it has been changed. In this case, the only solution is to configure the blocking directly in the smartphone menu or connect a paid service through the operator’s call center.
Third-party applications for advanced filtering
If the built-in tools MIUI are not enough, the store Google Play offers many specialized determinants and blockers. The market leaders are applications like Truecaller, Yandex.Phone or Kaspersky Who Calls. They have huge databases of numbers formed by a community of users, which allows them to identify even the latest numbers of spammers.
When installing such applications, you must grant them permissions to access contacts and call logs. This is a mandatory requirement for the correct operation of the caller ID and automatic reset function. After installation, go to the settings of the application itself and enable the “Block spam” option. B Android 13 and newer, you can set a third-party application as the default phone, which will provide maximum control over the incoming stream.
However, using third-party software has its drawbacks. Such applications often require constant access to the Internet to check databases, which increases traffic consumption and battery power. In addition, transferring your call data to third party servers may raise privacy concerns among users. Weigh all the pros and cons before installing.
Third-party applications are more effective than built-in filters in recognizing new scammer numbers, but require more system resources and access to personal data.
The nuances of blocking in different versions of Android and MIUI
The interface and availability of functions may differ significantly depending on the firmware version. In older versions MIUI 12 or 13 the blacklist settings were located directly in the Phone application. In new versions, especially those based Android 14 i HyperOS, Google has tightened security policies, and some functions could move to the system menu Settings → Applications → Phone.
On global firmware versions (Global ROM), where a pre-installed dialer from Google, the operating algorithm differs from the Chinese version with a proprietary dialer MIUI. Google Phone relies more on machine learning and Google base, while MIUI Dialer uses local bases and more aggressive manual settings. Users of global versions may need to install additional modules or change the region to activate full antispam functionality.
It is also worth considering that Android security updates may reset some permissions for blocking applications. If you notice that spam has started to come through again, check your access rights in the Settings → Privacy protection → Special access → Access to notifications or similar menu. Make sure that the selected blocker has all the necessary checkboxes.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface may change with each firmware update. If you do not find the described item, use the search in the settings by entering “blocking” or “spam.”
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will the subscriber know that he is blocked?
When calling from a blocked number, the subscriber usually hears long beeps, as if the phone does not answer, or short busy beeps. The exact message depends on your carrier and the type of blocking (phone-side or network-side). Direct notification of blocking is not sent.
Is it possible to block an entire range of numbers?
Using standard means Xiaomi you cannot block ranges (masks) of numbers, only specific numbers. Blocking by mask (for example, all numbers starting with 8800) requires third-party applications with the function of blocking by regular expressions.
Where do calls from the blacklist go?
Blocked calls are not displayed in the regular call log. They are saved in a special section “Black List” or “Blocked” inside the “Phone” or “Security” application, where you can view the history of dialing attempts.
How to unblock a number if I added it by mistake?
Go to call settings, select “Black List”. Find the desired number in the list, click on it and select “Delete” or turn off the blocking switch next to the contact.
Does blocking work if the phone is turned off?
No. Smartphone-level locking only works when the device is turned on. If the phone is turned off or out of network coverage, the call will be forwarded to voicemail or the subscriber will hear an unavailable message, but the smartphone itself will not actively reject the call.