How to make a collage from a photo on Xiaomi: 5 ways with step-by-step instructions

Creating collages on Xiaomi, Redmi or smartphones POCO — The task that users face when making stories in social networks, preparing greeting cards or simply to save vivid memories in one frame. Fortunately, the manufacturer has a few built-in tools, and the Google Play app store offers dozens of specialized programs?

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods - from the standard gallery MIUI To professional editors, compare them in convenience and functionality, and also reveal the secrets of design that will turn your collage from a set of photos into a real work. We will pay special attention to the hidden features of the Xiaomi gallery, which 80% of users do not know about, and show how to circumvent the restrictions of free versions of third-party applications.

Method 1: Standard Gallery MIUI — fast collage without installing applications

The most obvious and affordable way is to use the built-in gallery. MIUI. The collage-making function is not very deep, but many users are unaware of its existence, and the main advantage of the method is that you don't have to download or register anything.

To get started:

• 📱 Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
• 🖼️ Select a folder with photos or go to the tab Albums.
• ✅ Check boxes from 2 to 9 photos (maximum number for collage in the MIUI).
• 🔧 Click on the icon More (three dots in the upper right corner) → Collage.

The system will then offer to select one of 5 preset templates:

• 🟦 Grid - the classic location of the photo in squares (2×2, 3×3 etc.).
• 🔳 Vertical/Horizontal – for Instagram or TikTok stories.
• 🌀 Round - unusual format with cropping in a circle.
• 🖼️ Free – manual photo placement (not available on all models).

Photos of the same resolution are selected|Disabled mode "Saving traffic" in the settings|Free at least 500 MB of memory|Photos not in format HEIC (may not be supported)-->

After choosing a template, you can:

• 🔄 Change the photo with drag and drop.
• ✂️ Cut each image separately (double touch on the photo).
• 🎨 Add a filter to the entire collage (magic icon).
• 🖌️ Draw or add text (button Edit).

⚠️ Note: On smartphones Xiaomi with version MIUI 12 and below, the collage function may not be available. In this case, update the firmware or use alternative methods from this article.

Method 2: Google’s Photos app is an alternative for owners of old Xiaomi

If your smartphone is working on MIUI 11 or lower, or you’re missing templates in the standard gallery, try the Google Photos app. It’s preinstalled on many Xiaomi models, and if not, it’s easy to install from the Play Market.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Google Photos and log in to your Google account (required!).
2. Click on the profile avatar → Photo settings → Enable Backup (optional, but useful).
3. Pick a photo, click. + → Collage.
4. The system automatically generates 3-5 layouts. Choose your favorite.

The advantages of Google Photos over a standard gallery:

• 🌐 Cloud Storage – The collage will be saved to your account and available on any device.
• 🎭 More templates – including dynamic collages with animation.
• 🔍 Automatic Improvement – AI Will Tweak Colors and Contrast.

⚠️ Note: Collages created in Google Photos are saved in resolution until 2048×2048 If you want to print or high quality, use other methods.

Standard gallery MIUI|Google Photo|Part of the annex (indicate in the comments)|I don't make collages.-->

Method 3: Collage Maker App – Professional Patterns and Effects

For those who need custom templates, photo-switch effects, or the ability to add music, Collage Maker, a third-party app from InShot, is free, but with ads that can be turned off for 199. ₽ monthly.

How to work in Collage Maker:

• 📲 Install the app from the Play Market (weight) ~50MB).
• 🖼️ Select photos from the gallery or make new ones right in the app.
• 🎨 Choose a template: Classic is a grid with adjustable indentations. Freestyle is an arbitrary placement of photos. Slideshow is a collage with music and transitions.
• 🎬 Add effects: Shadow between the photo, gradient background, stickers and GIF-animation.

Features of Collage Maker, which are not in standard tools:

• 📏 Accurate setting of indentations between photos (from 0 to 50 pixels).
• 🎵 Add music from the library or microphone recordings.
• 🖌️ Brushes and masks for artistic processing.
• 📤 Exports to 4K (available in the paid version).

Method 4: Canva – for design collages with text and graphics

If you need a collage not just as a set of photos, but as a full-fledged design project (for example, a greeting card, a cover for a photo). VK Or a presentation, look at Canva. It's available in both browser and Android, and it's perfect for text, fonts and graphics.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Canva from the Play Market or open the web version on canva.com.
2. Register (you can use Google or Facebook).
3. Click Create Design. → Select format: Instagram post (1080×1080). Instagram Story (1080×1920). Cover VK (1590×400).

Photo Photo

Download.

• Grids (Elements tab) → Grids).
• Backgrounds (gradients, textures, monochromatic).
• Text (100)+ fonts, including Cyrillic).

The advantages of Canva for collages on Xiaomi:

• 📌 Social media templates – no need to adjust the dimensions manually.
• 🎨 Professional filters – effects like Photoshop.
• 🤝 Collaboration – you can invite friends to edit.

⚠️ Attention: The free version of Canva restricts access to premium templates and fonts. To get around this, download the fonts separately (for example, from the Google Fonts site) and upload them to the project via Download → Fonts.

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If you need to make a collage for printing (such as a poster or photobook), in Canva, select the A4 or A3 format with a resolution of 300 dpi. To do this, when creating a design, click Size and enter the parameters manually.

Method 5: PicsArt for Creative Collages with Effects and Masks

PicsArt is not just a collage editor, it's a full-fledged creative studio, and you can combine photos, you can add double exposure, masks, dispersion effects, and even create a double exposure. GIF-animation.

How to make a collage in PicsArt:

• 📱 Install the app and sign up (you can skip registration, but some features will be blocked).
• 🖼️ On the main screen, click the collage → Choose a photo.
• 🎭 Choose a template: Freestyle is free placement. Grid is classic. Frames are unusual shapes (heart, cloud, etc.).
• 🎨 Apply effects: Double exposure: superimposing two photos on top of each other; Masks are cropping along the contour (e.g. leaving only the silhouette); Effects are glamour, vintage, neon, etc.

Unique PicsArt chips:

• 👥 Community – You can publish your work and be inspired by others.
• 🎭 Animation – a collage can be turned into a short video.
• 🖌️ Brushes with effects - drawing with light, smoke, sequins.

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If you want a collage with effects (double exposure, neon lines, animation), PicsArt is the best choice. For printed materials or professional design, Canva is the best option. MIUI or Google Photos.

Secrets of design: how to make a collage stylish and harmonious

Even with the best app, a collage can look chaotic if you don't follow the simple rules of composition. Here are 7 professional tips that will turn your collage into a masterpiece:

1. Uniform color scheme

If you take photos in different lighting conditions, use filters or color correction to bring them to the same style. Canva or PicsArt has a Color Palette tool to help you pick up the shades.

Rule of thirds

Place key elements (faces, objects) at the intersection of grid lines. In most applications, the grid can be enabled in the template settings.

Retreats and alignment

Make sure the distance between the photos is the same. Collage Maker manually adjusts this (Padding option).

4. Contrast accents

Add one bright photo or element (e.g. red text on a black and white background) to get your attention.

5.The text as part of the composition

If you add labels, use no more than 2-3 fonts. Canva has a pair of Montserrats. + Playfair Display – They are perfectly combined.

Backgrounds and textures

Instead of a plain white background, try:

• 🌌 Gradient (for example, from dark blue to purple).
• 📄 Texture of paper or fabric.
• 🖼️ Blurry Background (PicsArt has a Blurry Background effect).

7. Preservation of proportions

If the collage is for Instagram, use a 1:1 or 4:5 aspect ratio. TikTok is 9:16. In Canva, these formats are available by default.

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To make your collage look professional, use the even/odd rule: if you have a lot of photos, choose an even number (4, 6, 8), if you have a small number, an odd number (3, 5), which creates a visual balance.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when creating collages. TOP-5 Failures and How to Correct Them:

1. too small a photo.

If you have more than 9 images in your collage, they become indistinct, so you can either use no more than 6-8 photos or choose a template with one large image and several small ones.

2. Different style of photo

Black and white images next to bright color are disharmonious. Solution: bring all photos to the same style using filters (in Google Photos or Google Photos). VSCO).

3. Overloading of elements

Stickers, text, frames and effects simultaneously make the collage visually heavy, so you can choose one accent (like just text or just frames).

4. Low resolution

When you save the collage, some applications compress the image. Solution: In the export settings, choose Maximum Quality or Original.

5. An uncomfortable order of the photo

If a collage tells a story (like a trip), arrange the photo in chronological order. Solution: number the photo before uploading or use a Timeline template in Canva.

⚠️ Note: If you are creating a collage for printing (for example, photo books), make sure that the final image has a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Otherwise, when printing, the photos will be blurred. DPI You can use file properties or Photoshop Express.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Canva Pro

• Choose the format PNG downloadable.

In the standard gallery. MIUI function is missing.