Constant calls from spammers, scammers and intrusive advertising agents have become a real scourge for smartphone users. If you are the owner of a brand device Xiaomi, you have probably encountered a situation where the phone is ringing with calls from unknown numbers. Fortunately, the operating system Android and the proprietary MIUI shell, and now HyperOS, provide powerful tools to solve this problem. You do not have to install third-party applications, since the basic functionality is often more than enough to protect your peace of mind.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods, ranging from simple built-in settings to advanced filters in antiviruses. We'll show you how to configure blacklist so that it filters out only unwanted calls, while not missing important calls from couriers or delivery service employees who may call from landline or mobile numbers not saved in your contact book.
Using the built-in settings of the Phone application
The easiest and fastest way to protect yourself from noise is to use a standard application Google Phone or a proprietary dialer MIUIwhich are preinstalled on most models. Depending on the firmware version and region, the interface may differ slightly, but the operating logic remains the same. You need to go into the application itself to make calls and find the settings menu, which is usually hidden behind three dots in the upper right corner of the screen.
After entering the menu, select the item responsible for blocking. In modern versions of the system, this section is often called Blocked numbers or Call blocking. This is where the main switch is hidden, allowing you to activate the “Silence” mode for everyone who is not in your contacts. Activating this feature redirects all incoming calls from unknown numbers directly to the answering machine or simply drops them without sound or vibration.
⚠️ Attention: Enabling complete blocking of unknown numbers may cause you to miss an important call from courier, taxi or doctor, if their number is not saved in your phone book in advance. Use this function with caution during periods of waiting for important deliveries.
It is worth noting that operation algorithms anti-spam may vary. Some versions of the software allow you to set exceptions, such as allowing calls from numbers you recently dialed yourself, even if they are not saved in your contacts. This is a convenient feature that prevents a situation where you cannot receive a call back from the organization you just contacted.
If you are expecting an important call from an unknown number, temporarily disable the blocking function or add the expected number to your contacts in advance, giving it a name, for example "Delivery".
Setting up an advanced filter in MIUI and HyperOS
Smartphone users Xiaomi, Redmi i Poco have a unique advantage in the form of a deeply integrated security system. Unlike “pure” Android, here call filtering is carried out in a separate powerful application, which is updated through cloud databases. To get to this section, you need to open the application Security (green icon with lightning) and find the item Antispam. This tool works at the system level and intercepts calls before they even make your phone ring.
Inside the antispam menu you will find a switch Unknown numbers filter. Its activation launches a mechanism for checking incoming calls against a global database of spam numbers and local rules. The system can automatically determine the type of number: advertising, fraud, telemarketing or simply an unknown subscriber. You can flexibly configure the reaction to each type: full block, silent ringing or silent notification.
The function of blocking hidden numbers deserves special attention. Many scammers use special services to replace or hide their subscriber ID. In the filtering settings, be sure to find the item Block hidden numbers and activate it. This action will close the loophole through which the most aggressive spammers often penetrate, trying to bypass regular blacklists.
☑️ Setting up the ideal antispam
It is important to regularly update the antispam databases. In the same menu there is usually an update button or an auto-update setting. The latest databases contain millions of new numbers that have been marked as spam by other users in recent days. Without an up-to-date database, the effectiveness of filtering is reduced, and old methods of bypassing blocking may work against you.
Blocking through the contact list and blacklist
If automatic filters seem too aggressive to you or, conversely, let in unnecessary things, you can use manual control. The method of adding to a blacklist by mask or range of numbers is not available in all firmware, but the basic function of blocking specific numbers works everywhere. After an unwanted caller calls you, you can go to the call history, click on the information icon next to the number and select the option Block.
For mass blocking or fine-tuning, it is better to use the section Blacklist in the phone settings. Here you can manually enter numbers that bother you. The advantage of this method is complete control: you decide who gets disgraced. However, it has a significant drawback - manual labor. Spammers often change numbers using pools of thousands of digits, so entering them one at a time can be a tedious task.
| Blocking type | Efficiency | Configuration difficulty | Risk of being missed call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic filter (MIUI) | High | Low | Medium |
| Blocking all unknowns | Maximum | Very Low | High |
| Manual blacklist | Low | High | None |
| Third-party applications | Average | Average | Average |
Some users practice creating a special contact with the name "Spam" or "Block", in which enter dozens of numbers separated by commas in the number field. Although this method was popular on older versions of Android, it is unstable on modern systems and can lead to Google account synchronization errors. It is better to use standard blocking tools designed specifically for these purposes.
Use of third-party applications and services
When the built-in tools are not enough, specialized applications from the store come to the rescue. Google Play. The leaders in this niche are solutions such as Truecaller, Kaspersky Who Calls or Yandex.Phone. These applications have huge databases generated by millions of users around the world. They don’t just block the number, but also show the name of the caller, even if it is not saved with you, based on reviews from other people.
Installation of such software requires extensive permissions, including access to contacts and call logs. This is necessary for the identification algorithms to work. After installation, you will need to go to the settings of the application itself and enable the automatic blocking feature. Often these apps offer flexible settings, for example, blocking only those numbers that are flagged as “Fraud” or “Robot”, skipping regular advertising.
⚠️ Attention: By installing third-party caller ID, you agree to the developer's privacy policy. In some cases, your contacts may be uploaded to the application's servers to improve the overall database. Carefully study the terms of use before installation.
An alternative to heavy applications can be lighter utilities that work solely as filters without downloading huge databases to the device. They request up-to-date information about the number at the time of the call via the Internet. This saves smartphone memory, but requires a stable connection to the network to make a real-time blocking decision.
Why do some applications not block calls on Android 14?
New versions of Android have tightened the rules for access to telephony. If an app is not set as the default app for calls or has not been given special permission in the system's privacy settings, the system may ignore its commands to drop calls. You need to manually check the permissions in the Settings -> Applications menu.
Operator anti-spam services
Don't forget that your mobile operator is also interested in your security and offers its own solutions. Large Russian operators, such as MTS, Beeline, MegaFon i Tele2, have introduced Antispam services. These services work on the network side, that is, the spam call is blocked even before the signal reaches your smartphone Xiaomi. This means that the phone will not even vibrate, and the battery will save charge.
Connecting such services is usually carried out through the operator’s personal application, a USSD command or a call to the support service. Many have a free basic plan that blocks clearly fraudulent numbers, and a paid subscription for advanced ad protection. The advantage of the operator is that he sees the entire picture of calls on his network and can block entire ranges of numbers used by call centers.
However, there are also nuances. Carrier filters can sometimes be too strict and block calls from social services or government agencies that use automated dialing systems. In addition, advanced functions often require the installation of a special application from the operator, which will duplicate the functionality already available on your smartphone.
A combined approach gives the best result: enable the operator's basic filter for network-level protection and use Xiaomi's built-in antispam to locally filter remaining calls.
Log analysis and management exceptions
After setting up blocking, it is important to periodically check the blocked call log. In the application Security or in the phone settings there is a section where all dialing attempts that were rejected by the system are saved. This allows you to control the operation of the filters: suddenly you missed a call from an important client or relative who called from a new number. Regularly viewing this log will help you adjust the settings.
If you find the desired number in the block list, you can easily add it to White list. Whitelisted contacts have priority and will pass through any filters, even if the system considers them spam. This is critically important for doctors, teachers or work contacts who may use corporate numbers that often end up in spam databases due to mass calls.
It is also worth paying attention to the statistics. Modern security systems show graphs and figures: how many calls were blocked per week, what type of spam predominates. This information is useful in understanding how effective your current security strategy is. If the number of blocks has increased sharply, perhaps your number is included in some active database for calling, and it is worth temporarily tightening the filters.
Is it possible to block calls from unknown numbers completely without skipping?
Technically, you can enable the “Block all unknown” mode, but this does not guarantee 100% protection against missing important calls. Couriers, taxi drivers and emergency services often call from numbers you don’t have. Complete isolation is possible, but it also isolates you from useful connection. It is better to use smart filtering based on spam databases.
Why were the blocking settings reset after a firmware update?
When major system updates (for example, moving from MIUI 13 to 14 or to HyperOS), privacy and security settings are sometimes reset to factory values for security purposes. It is recommended that immediately after the update, check the Antispam section and re-activate the necessary switches.
Will the subscriber know that I have blocked him?
The subscriber will not receive a direct notification about the blocking. For him, the call will look like a regular beep, which will either be interrupted or go to answering machine. However, if you constantly call from different numbers and they all drop instantly, an experienced spammer can guess that there is a block.
How to unblock a number if I accidentally added it to the blacklist?
Go to the Phone application, click on the three dots, select "Blocked numbers". Find the desired contact in the list, click on the cross or delete icon next to it. The number will be removed from the black list and will be able to reach you again.
Does blocking work if the phone is turned off or in airplane mode?
No, the built-in blocking on a smartphone only works when the device is turned on and connected to the network. If the phone is turned off, calls are processed by the telecom operator. To block when turned off, you must use the services of an operator or forward to a special blocking number.