How to add a photo to a contact on Xiaomi: 5 ways to use pictures

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer several ways to add a photo to a contact, from standard phone book features to sync with Google Contacts or Mi Account. However, not everyone knows exactly where this option is hiding, especially if we are talking about new models like the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods: from manual addition through the Contacts app to automatic downloading of avatars from social networks.

The MIUI feature is that the interface can vary depending on the firmware version and regional build. For example, on the global versions (MIUI Global), the path to the contact settings may differ from the Chinese ones (MIUI China), we took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will suit most devices, from low-end Redmi to flagship Xiaomi and POCO.

If you’ve tried to add a photo to your contact before, but nothing has worked, one of three reasons could be:

• 📱 No Gallery Access Rights – Check the Permits for Contacts».
• ☁️ Contact is synced only with Google – editing is only possible through Google Contacts.
• 🔄 An outdated version MIUI — firmware MIUI 12 The interface may be different.

1. Add a photo through the standard application "Contacts"

The most obvious way is to edit the contact directly in the Contacts app, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of model, as long as the contact is saved locally or in the Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app** (an icon with a human silhouette).
2. Find the contact you want in the list and click on it.
3. In the upper right corner, tap the icon. ✏️ (edit).
4. Touch the camera icon (or human silhouette) next to the contact name.
5. Select the source: 📷 Take a photo - straight from the camera. 🖼️ Select from the gallery - upload an existing image. 🎨 Create an avatar - draw by hand (available on the MIUI 14+).

"Save."

Contact is not duplicate | Contacts app allowed access to files |Photo complies with requirements (up to 5 MB, JPG/PNG format)|Synchronization with Mi Account or Google enabled (if necessary)

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Important: If the photo editing button is inactive, the contact is synced with Google or another account, in which case the changes must be made through the appropriate service (more on this below).

2. Editing contact via Google Contacts

If your contact is synced with your Google Account, you may not be able to add a photo through the standard Contacts app, in which case you need to use the web version of Google Contacts or the mobile app.

Method 1: Through a browser on a PC or phone

1. Go to contacts.google.com and log in.
2. Find the contact you need in the list and click on it.
3. Click on the camera icon in the top left corner (near the name).
4. Download a photo from the device or make a new one through the webcam.
5. Save the changes – the photo syncs with the phone for 1-2 minutes.

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If the photo is not displayed on Xiaomi after editing in Google Contacts, check the sync settings: Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync.

3. Automatic downloading of avatars from social networks

The MIUI shell can automatically pull up photos of contacts from WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, and even Facebook if the phone number is linked to an account, a feature that doesn’t work on all models, but it can be enabled manually.

How to activate:

1. Select “Settings” → “Contact Display”.

On Xiaomi models with MIUI 13 and later, this feature may be called Contact enrichment and require additional confirmation in the privacy settings.

WhatsApp|Viber|Telegram|Facebook Messenger|Another.-->

4. Add a photo via Mi Account (for Chinese firmware)

If your smartphone is running MIUI China, the default contacts can sync with Mi Account, not Google, and you can edit the photo through the official Mi Contacts app.

Step-by-step:

⚠️ Note: In Chinese firmware without a Mi Account attached, contacts can only be saved locally, in which case photos will not be available after a phone reset or flashing.

5. Use of third-party applications for contact management

If the standard methods are not satisfied, you can use third-party applications, for example:

• 📇 Truecaller automatically uploads photos and data from the database.
• 🔍 Sync.ME – synchronizes avatars from social networks and instant messengers.
• 📊 Contacts+ — Extended Contact Editor with Cloud Backup Support.

Example of settings in Truecaller:

1. Install the app from the Play Market and sign up.
2. Allow access to contacts and gallery.
3. Open contact in Truecaller → click on the camera icon → select a photo.
4. The photo will automatically be updated in the Xiaomi phone book (if synchronization is enabled).

6. Problem Solving: Why a Photo Is Not Added to a Contact

If you follow all the instructions but the photo never appears, check out the following points:

• 🔒 Contact blocked - some versions MIUI They block editing for contacts from the blacklist. → Number locking.
• 📵 Corporate Policy Limitations – If the phone is used to work with Microsoft Exchange or Google Workspace, the administrator could prohibit editing contacts.
• 🗑️ Cache of the Contacts app – clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Synchronization conflict – if a contact is duplicated in Google and Mi Account, the photo may not be saved.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) When editing a contact via Google Contacts, the photo may not be immediately displayed.Reboot your phone or force your contact details to be updated in your Google account settings.

7. Optimal parameters for photo contact

To ensure that the photo is clearly displayed and not cropped, follow the following recommendations:

• 📏 Permission: minimum 200×200 pixels, optimally — 500×500.
• 🖼️ Format: JPG or PNG (transparently).
• 📱 File weight: up to 5 MB (on some firmwares, the limit is 2 MB).
• 👤 Content: The face must occupy at least 60% of the frame (for correct display in calls).

If the photo is too large, MIUI will automatically trim it to a square. To avoid distortion, crop the image in advance in any graphics editor (such as Google Photos or Snapseed).

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For better quality, use photos with a resolution of 500×500 pixels in JPG format. Avoid complex backgrounds – on small screens they will be illegible.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photos in Xiaomi contacts