How to make a photo of a contact on the call screen on Xiaomi smartphone: all ways

When you get a call from a loved one or colleague, seeing a picture of them on a Xiaomi smartphone screen is not just convenient, it's also emotionally pleasing. However, many users find that instead of the expected image, a standard icon or an empty avatar is displayed. Why is this happening? The fact is that MIUI (the Xiaomi branded shell) has its own nuances of synchronizing contacts and media files, especially if you use multiple accounts or messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram.

In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to add photos to contacts so that they’re guaranteed to be displayed on the incoming call screen, learn how to do this through standard MIUI settings, Google Contacts, and solve typical problems, from cropping photos to conflicts between different contact sources, and pay special attention to Redmi and POCO models, where the algorithm may differ.

If you've tried to assign a photo but it never showed up on the screen, don't be quick to blame the smartphone. 80 percent of the time, the problem is that the contact is not properly linked to your account or the display settings, and then you'll find step-by-step instructions based on the latest versions of MIUI 14 and Android 13/14.

1. Method 1: Add photos through standard “Contacts” Xiaomi

The most obvious method is to edit the contact directly in the Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette), but there are pitfalls: if the contact is synced with a Google or Mi Account, the changes may not be saved or displayed on the call screen.

To avoid problems, follow this algorithm:

1. Open the Contacts app on your Xiaomi.
2. Find the right contact and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, click Edit (pencil icon).
4. Slip on an empty mug with a camera icon next to the name.
5. Select the source of the photo: Gallery, Camera or Download.
6. Cut the image in a circle (the system will automatically tell you the optimal boundaries).
7. Save the changes with the Ready button.

⚠️ Warning: If the photo doesn't show up on the call screen after saving it, check which account the contact is linked to. In the editing menu, scroll down to the Account block. If it shows Google or Mi Account, try method 2 or 3.

Contact is linked to local phone memory (not the cloud)|Photo has a resolution of at least 300×300 pixels |Photo display is enabled in call settings |No duplicate contacts with the same number-->

On the POCO X5 and Redmi Note 12, after upgrading to MIUI 14, the option to Show photos of contacts on a locked screen was introduced.

1. Go to Settings → Lock the screen.
2. Select Additional Settings.
3. Turn on the Switch Show notifications on the lock screen.
4. Make sure in Settings → Applications → Contacts → Notifications allowed to display photos.

2. Method 2: Synchronize with Google Contacts

If you use a Google Account to back up your contacts, photos may not show up due to a conflict between local and cloud data.

Step 1: Open Google Contacts in your browser on your computer or phone. Find the right contact and click on the camera icon next to your name. Upload a photo (optimum size: 500×500 pixels).

Step 2. On your Xiaomi smartphone, update your contacts:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google Account.
3. Activate the synchronization of Contacts (if it is disabled).
4. Press Sync now.

⚠️ Note: If the photo still doesn't appear after synchronization, check if the contact is duplicated. In the Contacts app, click on the three dots in the upper right corner. → Contact management → Connect contacts. The system automatically finds duplicates and suggests that they be combined.

Only local contacts on the phone|Google Account|Mi Account (Xiaomi)|Synchronization with SIM-card|I don't know.-->

Method 3: Use of the Phone Application (for MIUI 13/14)

In the latest versions of MIUI, the Phone app (the pipe icon) has been given separate settings to display contacts, to assign a photo through it:

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the Contacts tab (bottom of the screen).
3. Find the right contact and hold it with your finger for 2 seconds.
4. In the menu that appears, select Edit.
5. Slip the camera icon next to the name and upload the photo.
6. Save the changes.

Important: Photos added through the Phone app take precedence over those uploaded through Google Contacts or the standard Contacts app.This is due to the MIUI architecture, where the Phone app manages calls directly.

If after these actions the photo is still not displayed, check the display settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone and select Permissions.
3. Make sure that Warehouse permissions and Contacts are included.

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If the contact photo is blurred, try uploading an image with a resolution of at least 1000×1000 pixels. MIUI automatically compresses thumbnails, but high quality source will help avoid artifacts.

4. Problem Solving: Why the photo doesn't show up on the call screen

Even if you add a photo correctly, it may not show up for a few reasons, so let's look at the most common ones and how to eliminate them.

The problem with duplicate contacts is particularly noteworthy, for example, if the same number is stored in both Google Contacts and in the phone's memory, MIUI may randomly select the version without the photo.

1. Open Contacts → Three Points → Contact Management → Connect Contacts.
2. The system will show all takes. Press Combine for each.
3. After combining, check if the photo is still there (sometimes it is reset – then add it again).

5. Photo optimization for the call screen: formats and sizes

Not all images are suitable for displaying on the screen of an incoming call. MIUI automatically crops and compresses the photo, but if the source does not meet the requirements, the result may be disappointing.

Optimal parameters of the photo:

• 📏 Permission: minimum 500×500 pixels, optimally — 1000×1000.
• 🔄 Format: square (aspect ratio 1:1). The rectangular photos will be cropped in the center.
• 🎨 Background: monochromatic or with minimal parts around the edges (they can be cut off).
• 📌 File format: JPEG or PNG (transparently).

If you want to make your picture as clear as possible, use pre-cut tools, such as:

1. Open the photo at the Gallery.
2. Click Edit → Pruning.
3. Select the 1:1 format (square).
4. Focus your face or main object.
5. Save a copy and use it for contact.

⚠️ Attention: Avoid using HEIC-Xiaomi doesn't always handle files correctly. If the photo is in that format, convert it to the photo. JPEG through any online application (for example, HEIC to JPG).

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Photos with a resolution of less than 300×300 pixels will be automatically enlarged by the system, which will lead to blurring. Always check the quality of the source before downloading.

6. Features for Redmi and POCO models

Redmi and POCO smartphones often have modified versions of MIUI, where some features may work differently. For example, the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ defaults to disable the display of photos on the lock screen due to performance optimization.

What to do at Redmi/POCO:

1. Check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone. For versions 13.0.6 and later, the general instructions apply (see Method 1-3).

Some devices (e.g., the POCO M5) have a bug: Contact photos don't show up if Charge Saving is enabled.

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select the charge saving mode → Settings.
3. Add the phone app to the list of exceptions.

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On POCO with custom firmware (such as POCO Launcher), sometimes resetting the Contacts app helps. Go to Settings → Apps → Contacts → Storage → Reset settings.

7.Alternative methods: Truecaller and third-party applications

If the standard methods didn't work, you can use third-party solutions, and the most popular one is the Truecaller app, which not only identifies numbers, but also allows you to assign photos to contacts with priority over system contacts.

How to set up Truecaller:

⚠️ Warning: Truecaller replaces the standard call app, which can lead to conflicts with the phone MIUI. If system functions (such as recording conversations) stop working after installation, return to the standard Phone application.

Other useful applications:

• 📞 Contacts+: Allows you to assign photos and sync them to the cloud.
• 🖼️ Sync.ME: Automatically adds photos from social media (VK, Facebook).
• 🔍 ExDialer: Alternative Call with Advanced Display Settings.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)