How to add a photo to a contact on Xiaomi: all ways + problem solving

Adding a photo to a contact on Xiaomi smartphones is a simple but useful feature that helps quickly identify subscribers in the call or message list. However, many users have questions: where to look for this option in MIUI, why the Add Photo button is sometimes inactive, and how to sync images between devices. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to attach photos to contacts, from the standard Contacts app to Google Contacts and Mi Account.

The process depends on the firmware version (MIUI 12/13/14 or HyperOS), the smartphone model (such as the Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13T), and even whether the contact is stored in the phone’s memory or in a Google account. We will also look at common errors – for example, when the photo is not displayed in WhatsApp or Telegram – and give solutions for each of them.

Method 1: Add a photo through the standard “Contacts” app

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background), which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of the MIUI version, but the interface may be slightly different.

To add a photo:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app and find the contact you want in the list (or use the search at the top of the screen).
• 🖼️ Tapping the camera icon (or an empty little man mug) next to the contact name, if it's not there, click on the contact itself, then click on the edit icon (pencil in the top right corner).
• 📸 In the menu, select Add a photo. → Take a photo (camera) or Select from the gallery.
• ✅ Confirm the changes by clicking Save in the upper right corner.

⚠️ Note: If the contact is synced with Google Account, the changes can take up to 5 minutes to show up on other devices.

Contact is not duplicated in the phone book |

You have plenty of space in your phone memory.|

Photo has a resolution of at least 200×200 pixels |

Synchronization with Google/Akkount included (if necessary)-->

Method 2: Editing through Google Contacts

If you use Google Contacts as your primary storage source, you can add photos via the web or mobile app, a method that is convenient for users who want changes to be automatically applied across all devices (including iPhones or tablets).

Instructions for Google Mobile Contacts:

1. Open the app (if not, download it from the Play Market).
2. Find a contact and tap it.
3. Click on the editing icon (pencil) → Change the photo.
4. Select the source: Camera, Gallery or Google Avatars (if you need a standard image).
5. Save the changes.

Important: Photos added through Google Contacts may not appear in the standard Contacts app on Xiaomi if the sync is disabled in the settings. To fix this, go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync and enable the option.

Method 3: Using Mi Account (for Xiaomi owners)

Mi Account users can sync contacts (including photos) through the Xiaomi cloud, which is useful if you frequently change smartphones within the Xiaomi ecosystem (e.g., from Redmi to POCO).

How to add a photo via Mi Account:

• 🔄 Make sure synchronization is enabled: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Contacts.
• 📝 Open the contact in the Contacts app, click Edit and add a photo (as in Method 1).
• ☁️ Changes will automatically be uploaded to the cloud and made available on other devices linked to the same account.

⚠️ Note: If you delete the contact from the Mi Cloud, the photo will also be lost.

Only in the memory of the phone |

On Google Account |

In Mi Account (Xiaomi Cloud) |

I'm synchronizing there and there.|I don't know.-->

Problems and Solutions: Why Photos Are Not Added or Displayed

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the button “Add photos” is inactive, or the image does not appear in messengers (WhatsApp, Viber).

Critical information: On Xiaomi smartphones with HyperOS firmware (2026 and later), the path to editing contacts has changed. Now you need to click on the contact avatar twice, rather than looking for the “Edit” button in the menu.

How to Change or Remove a Contact Photo

If you want to update or delete an image, the process is similar to adding:

1. Open the contact in the Contacts app.
2. Slip on the current photo (or camera icon).
3. Choose to Change the photo (to replace) or Delete (cross in the corner of the image).
4. Save the changes.

Note: Some models (e.g. POCO F5) may leave an empty circle after the photo is deleted. This is a visual bug - adding the image again solves the problem.

💡

If you want a photo of the contact to be displayed in TrueCaller, make sure that the “Show photos from the phone book” option is enabled in the application settings.

Additional tips: optimizing photos for contacts

To make your photo look clear and upload quickly, follow these guidelines:

• 📏 Optimal size: 500×500 pixel (MIUI cut off automatically).
• 🎨 Format: JPEG or PNG (avoid HEIC, If you plan to sync with Google).
• 🔍 Contrast: bright photos with clear boundaries are better recognized with a small size of the icon.
• 📁 Storage: Save the original photos in the folder DCIM/Contacts quick access.

For mass photo additions (for example, for corporate contacts), you can use applications like Contact Photo Sync or Sync.ME, but they require additional permissions and can conflict with MIUI.

💡

Sync photos through Google Contacts is the most reliable way if you use multiple devices, and local photos in your phone’s memory can be lost when you reset your settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photos in Xiaomi contacts