How to combine two photos into one on a Xiaomi phone: a step-by-step guide

Introduction: Why combine photos on a smartphone?

Creating collages or merging two images into one is a challenge that almost every Xiaomi user faces: Would you like to place two frames from a trip next to each other, put a portrait on a background landscape or just save space in a gallery? MIUI (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) It's done in a few taps, without a computer or a complicated editor.

In this article, we will analyze 5 working methods: from built-in tools of the Xiaomi Gallery to specialized applications like PicsArt or Photo Grid. MIUI (13, 14) and smartphone models, because the interface may be different, and we'll also tell you how to avoid loss of quality in the merger and what formats to save for further editing.

For beginners, a step-by-step picture guide will be useful, for experienced users, life hacks will be found to speed up the process. For example, did you know that Xiaomi can combine photos directly when sending to the messenger? Or that the dual exposure function in the camera of some models allows you to merge pictures even at the shooting stage?

Method 1: Standard editor in the Gallery app

The most obvious and quickest method is to use the built-in Gallery editor that is on all Xiaomi smartphones, which requires no additional software installation and supports basic overlay and collage operations. Works on all current versions. MIUI (12.5 and later), including firmware for Redmi, POCO and flagship series.

To combine the two photos:

1. Open the Gallery app and select the first image.
2. Slip on the Edit icon** (pencil at the bottom of the screen).
3. In the tool menu, find the Collage or Overlay section (depending on the version). MIUI).
4. Add a second photo from the gallery and adjust its position/size.
5. Save the result in format JPEG or PNG (The latter is preferable to transparency).

A very important point: in some versions MIUI 14 The collage function is hidden behind a long tap. If you can't see the button, hold your finger on any editing tool for 2 seconds to open the full menu.

Choose a photo with the same resolution|Check your orientation (album/book)|Close background applications to save RAM|Disable "Autoimprovement" in the editor's settings-->

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 Without installing third-party apps, everything in one place.
• 🔹 Keeps it. EXIF-data (meta-information about the image).
• 🔹 It maintains transparency while maintaining PNG.

⚠️ Attention: if after the merger the photo turned out to be blurry, check the quality settings in the Gallery → Settings → The default is "Mediocre" -- change to "Original».

Method 2: Xiaomi’s Collage app (hidden feature) MIUI)

Few people know, but in the firmware MIUI There's a separate Collage app that doesn't show up on the menu, but it's more stable than the built-in editor, and it supports templates for Instagram, Stories, and even creates animation collages (GIF).

How to find and use:

1. Open the Settings. → All applications → Show system-based.
2. In the list, find the Collage (icon with scissors on a colored background).
3. Launch the app and select “Create a collage” or “Offset”.

Secret Life Hack: If in your version MIUI No, this application, you can run it through quick commands. Create a shortcut on the desktop with action:

miui.intent.action.COLLAGE

The Collage app is particularly useful for creating:

• 📸 Comparative photos (before/after»).
• 🎭 Overlay memes.
• 🖼️ Covers for social networks (format 1:1 or 9:16).

Built-in Gallery|App Collage from Xiaomi|PicsArt|Photo Grid|Other-->

Method 3: Third-party applications (PicsArt, Photo Grid, Canva)

If Xiaomi's built-in tools aren't enough, third-party editors will come to the rescue, offering advanced features: layers, masks, effects, and even AI processing.-3 Apps optimized for smartphones with MIUI.

1. PicsArt (free, there is a premium)

• 🎨 Multilayer editing – you can superimpose photos on top of each other with transparency adjustment.
• 🖌️ Hands and masks for precise identification of objects.
• 📤 Exports to PNG transparently.

How to share photos: Create → Collage → Add a photo. → Set up the grid → Save.

2. Photo Grid (free, advertising)

• 📏 100+ Collage templates for any social networks.
• 🔄 Automatic alignment of photos on the grid.
• 🎞️ Creating video collages with music.

3. Canva (freemium)

• 🖥️ Professional layouts (as in the desktop version).
• 🤖 AI Design Generator (will pick up a template for your photos).
• 🌐 Synchronization with the web version.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party editors, Xiaomi may block their access to the gallery due to security policies. → Confidentiality → Application permissions and manually provide access to storage.

💡

If after the merger of photos in PicsArt turned out to be too heavy, before saving reduce the resolution in the export settings: → 80% is usually enough for social networks and saves space.

Method 4: Connecting via messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

A little-known trick: some messengers allow you to quickly create collages directly when you send a photo, which is convenient if you need to send a combined image urgently without installing additional applications.

On Telegram:

1. Open the chat and tap on the paperclip ("Attach"**).
2. Select "Gallery"** and mark 2 photos.
3. The icon will appear at the top – click on it.
4. Select a template (2 vertical/horizontal photos) and submit.

On WhatsApp:

1. Click on the camera icon in the chat.
2. Select “Several” and select 2 photos.
3. In the upper right corner, tap on the icon. 🖼️ (collage).
4. Set the boundaries and send.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Instant result – no need to save intermediate files.
• 📱 It works even on weak smartphones (Redmi). 9A, POCO M3).
• 🔒 Photos are not saved in the gallery (unless you need to store them).

Limitations:

• ❌ No precise tuning of transparency or layers.
• ❌ Fixed templates (the proportions cannot be changed).
• ❌ Quality is compressed (suitable only for sending).

Method 5: Double exposure in the Xiaomi camera

On some Xiaomi models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) The standard Camera app has a Double Exposure mode, which allows you to merge two frames while you're shooting, creating artistic effects.

How to use:

1. Open the camera and swipe to the left to the "More" section.

This method is unique to Xiaomi: no other brand (Samsung, iPhone) offers built-in dual exposure at this level.

• 🌄 Art portraits with overlay on the landscape.
• 👗 Fashion photos (for example, the overlay of the texture of fabric on the portrait).
• 🎨 Abstract compositions for instagram.

Tip: for better results, use photos with contrasting colors, for example, a dark silhouette on a light background or vice versa. Experiment with modes. HDR Portrait in a Chamber for Clearer Boundaries.

💡

Double exposure mode is only available on Xiaomi smartphones with Snapdragon processor 7xx/8xx camera-less 48 On budget models (Redmi) 10A, POCO M4) He's gone.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to decide, we have compiled a comparative table of all methods indicating their pros, cons and ideal use cases.

If you want the best quality and flexibility, choose PicsArt or the built-in Collage, the Gallery editor or messengers are the best for speed, and the double exposure mode for creative experiments.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you merge a photo on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems: loss of quality, curved boundaries or color mismatch, and let’s look at the most common mistakes and ways to solve them.

1. blurring of the final image

Reason: Automatic compression in the editor or discrepancy of the permissions of the original photos.

Decision:

• Before the merger, trim the photo to the same resolution (for example, 1080×1080).
• In the save settings, select the maximum quality.
• Use the format. PNG instead JPEG.

2.Photos 'do not dock' at edges

The reason: different orientation (one landscape, another book) or a curvature of perspective.

Decision:

• Include the line of alignment in the editor (there is in PicsArt and Collage).
• Use templates with clear boundaries (for example, a white frame between the photos).

3. The colors of the superimposed photos do not match

The reason: different color temperature or filters on the source.

Decision:

• Apply one filter to both photos before the merger (e.g. Saturation). +10%).
• In PicsArt, use the Color Balance tool** to align shades.

⚠️ Note: if you are leaking a photo for printing (for example, a poster), be sure to check the final resolution — 300 In Xiaomi, this corresponds to a resolution not lower than 3000×2000 pixel.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions