How to add a photo to a contact on Xiaomi: 3 working methods + error solving

Adding a photo to a contact on Xiaomi smartphones is a simple but important feature that helps you quickly identify subscribers in your phone book, messengers and call list. Despite the intuitive interface of MIUI, many users face difficulties: where to find the right button, why the photo is not saved, or how to change the image for a contact synchronized with Google.

We will discuss three main methods of adding photos (through the standard Contacts app, editing in messengers and importing from backup), and explain why changes are sometimes not applied. Particular attention is paid to the differences between versions of MIUI 12, 13 and 14 - new firmware algorithm may differ. If you are using Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or the flagship Xiaomi 13 series, the instruction will suit all models based on Android 11-14.

Method 1: Add a photo through the standard "Contact" application

The most versatile method is to edit a contact in the native Contacts app (or Contacts in global firmware), which works independently of the MIUI version, but may vary slightly depending on the source of synchronization (local contact, Google or Mi Account).

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

  1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen or in the app menu).
  2. Find the contact you want in the list or use the search bar at the top.
  3. Slip on the contact to open his card.
  4. Press the Edit button (pencil icon in the upper right corner).
  5. Touch the camera icon (or human silhouette) next to the contact name.
  6. Select the source of the photo: 📷 Take a picture – activates the camera for instant shooting. 🖼️ Gallery – allows you to select an existing image. 🎨 Avatars – offers standard icons from Xiaomi.

Ready.

Save.

The correct contact (not duplicate) is selected

Photos are subject to size restrictions (max. 5 MB)

Contact is not blocked for editing

Cloud sync enabled (if necessary)-->

If the edit button is inactive, it means that the contact is synced to an account (e.g. Google) and the rights to change are limited, in which case try method 2 or 3.

Method 2: Change photos via messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Many users don’t know that a contact photo can be changed directly in instant messengers — this is convenient if you often communicate with a person on WhatsApp or Telegram. The changes will automatically apply to the Xiaomi phone book if the contact is synchronized.

Let’s look at the example of WhatsApp:

  1. Open WhatsApp and find the right chat.
  2. Slip the contact name at the top of the screen to open its profile.
  3. Click on the camera icon next to the current photo (or silhouette).
  4. Select the source: 📸 Take a picture - an instant snapshot. 📁 Gallery – a choice of existing photos. ❌ Delete – Delete the current image.

Cut the photo and save the changes.

Telegram has a similar algorithm, but there's a caveat: if a contact isn't saved in the phone book, it won't show up in the standard Contacts app.

  1. Open a user profile in Telegram.
  2. Click Add to Contacts (if the contact is not yet saved).
  3. After saving the photo, it will automatically pull up to the phone book Xiaomi.

💡

If the photo in the messenger has changed, but not updated in the phone book, try manually synchronize contacts: open Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Synchronization and turn on the option.

Method 3: Import a photo from a backup or VCF-file

If you transfer contacts from another phone or restore them from a backup, the photos may not be automatically loaded. VCF-File (business card) or recovery from Mi Cloud.

Instructions for import from VCF:

  1. Copy a file with the.vcf extension to your phone (for example, via Telegram or Explorer).
  2. Open the Contacts app.
  3. Tap on the three dots (menu) in the upper right corner and select Import/Export → Import from the file.
  4. Show the way to VCF-File and confirm import.
  5. After importing, open the contact card and check if the photo has been downloaded. If not, add it manually (see Method 1).

For recovery from Mi Cloud:

  1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
  2. Select Mi Cloud → Contacts.
  3. Activate synchronization and wait for the process to be completed.
  4. Open the Contacts app and check for photos.

Why is the photo not saved or displayed?

If after all the manipulations, the photo contact does not appear or is reset, the problem may lie in one of the following factors:

  1. Sync with Google: If a contact is linked to a Google account, changes may be blocked by sync settings. Check: Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact sync Disable and enable sync again.
  2. Application Rights: Make sure the Contacts app has access to storage and camera: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Permissions
  3. Duplicate contacts: MIUI It can conflict if there are duplicate records. → Menus (⋮) → Connecting contacts
  4. Cache Error: Clear the cache of the application Contacts: Settings → Apps → Contacts → Storage → Clear the cache

Photos are not saved after editing

Image is displayed blurred

Photo resets after synchronization

Another problem.

Never had a problem.-->

If the problem persists, try resetting the Contacts app settings (without deleting data):

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Contacts → More.
  2. Choose Reset settings.
  3. Reboot your phone and repeat the photo.

💡

Before resetting your settings, export your contacts to VCF-file to avoid data loss!

How to change the photo for contact on the lock screen?

By default, MIUI displays a photo of the contact on the lock screen during an incoming call. If the image does not show or is displayed incorrectly, follow the following steps:

  1. Make sure that the photo is added to the contact (see Method 1).
  2. Check lock screen settings: Settings → lock screen → Additional settings → Show photo of the contact Activate the slider if it is turned off.
  3. For models with Always-on Display (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro), additionally enable: Settings → Lock screen → Always-on Display → Show notifications

If the photo on the lock screen is blurred, it involves automatically zooming to fix:

  • Open the contact card and replace the photo with an image with a resolution of 720×720 px.
  • Use contrast photos with a clearly visible face – MIUI cuts the edges for a round icon.

Specifics for different Xiaomi models

While the overall algorithm for adding photos is the same for all Xiaomi devices, some series have nuances:

  • 📱 Redmi Note (series) 10-12): Global firmware does not have the option of “Avatarki” – only download from the gallery or camera.
  • 💎 Xiaomi 12/13 (flagship models: Support animated avatars in format WEBP (Only for contacts saved in Mi Account).
  • 🤖 POCO F4/F5: In some versions MIUI When editing a contact, you need to double-click on the photo icon to open the selection menu.

For devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi 10C or POCO M5), additional proof of rights may be required when the first contact is edited.

How to add an animated photo to your contact?
Animated avatars are supported only on flagship models (Xiaomi) 12/13/14) s MIUI 14+. For that: 1. Download. GIF or WEBP-transparent background file (max. 3 MB). 2. Rename the extension to.webp. 3. When editing a contact, select a file through the Gallery. Limit: the animation works only for contacts saved in Mi Account and does not appear in all menus (for example, not in the call list).

FAQ: Frequent questions about photos in Xiaomi contacts

Can I add a photo to a contact that is synced to WhatsApp but not saved in the phone book?
No. To be able to display a photo in the standard Contacts app, the subscriber must be saved in the phone book, and on WhatsApp, you can only add a photo to the internal display in the messenger.
Why did all the photos of the contacts disappear after the MIUI update?
This involves a cache reset or sync conflict. Try: Disable and enable sync with Google/Mi Account. Clear the cache of the Contacts app. Restore a photo from a backup (if it was created before the update) If the photos were tied to local contacts (without sync), they could be deleted irrevocably.
How to make a contact photo appear in the Quick Calls menu (on the home screen)?summary> To do this, add the Contacts widget to the home screen: Click the empty space on the home screen and select Widgets. Find the Contacts widget (usually 2×2 or 4×1). Drag it to the screen and select the contacts to display. Photos will only be visible if they are added to the contacts (see Method 1).
Can I add a photo to all my contacts?
The standard MIUI means are not. However, you can use third-party apps like Contact Photo Editor or Sync.ME that allow you to batch-assign photos from social networks like VK or Facebook. Note that these apps require access to your contacts and social media accounts.
Why is the contact photo displayed in the Contacts app but not shown when the call is in?
It's related to the settings of the Phone app. → ⋮ → Settings → Incoming calls. Make sure that Show Contact Photos is enabled. If the option is active but the photo is not displayed, clear the Phone app cache. On some models (e.g., if the option is active, clear the phone app cache, POCO X3 Pro) this function may be disabled due to performance optimization.