How to change the contact avatar on Xiaomi: all ways for MIUI

You want to personalize your contacts in your Xiaomi phone book, but don’t know how to swap a standard grey icon for a photo of a friend or colleague? In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the avatar — from the basic method through the Contacts app to synchronize with Google account and fix typical errors. MIUI 12-14, Where the interface may differ from standard Android.

Unlike the iPhone, where contact photos are synced via iCloud, on Xiaomi (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and other models) the process depends on where the contact is stored: in local memory, SIM-We'll show you how to work with each of these cases, and we'll also tell you why sometimes an avatar goes off after you update your system or reset your settings.

Why can’t Xiaomi change the contact photo?

Before you get to the instructions, it's important to understand what's stopping you from editing an avatar. Here are 5 of the most common reasons:

• 📱 Contact saved on SIM-- card - such records do not support photo (name and number only).
• ☁️ No sync with Google – if the contact is linked to the account, but sync is disabled, the changes may not be saved.
• 🔄 An outdated version MIUI — firmware MIUI 11 The Contact App Interface is Different.
• 🚫 Restrictions of rights – if a contact is added through a third-party app (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), you can edit it only there.
• 📸 Inappropriate photo format – the system may not receive images with a resolution higher 2048×2048 px or in.webp format.

If your case falls under one of these points, you'll find solutions in the relevant sections below. SIM-You will need to transfer your contacts to your phone or Google account first.

Method 1: Change the avatar through the standard Contacts app

This is the simplest method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, suitable for contacts stored in the device memory or Google account.

1. Open the Contacts app** (an icon with a human silhouette).
2. Find the right contact in the list and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, click on the Edit icon** (pencil).
4. Slap on a gray mug with the initials of the contact (or current avatar).
5. Choose one of the options: 📷 Take a photo - straight from the camera. 🖼️ Select from the gallery - upload an existing image. 🎨 Create an avatar – use emojis or initials (available in the MIUI 14).

"Save."

Once saved, the avatar will appear in the Phone and Messages apps, as well as in call notifications. If the photo does not appear, check if the sync is disabled (more on this below).

Method 2: Editing through Google Contacts (for synchronized posts)

If your contacts are linked to a Google account, it is easier to change avatars via the web version of the service, which ensures that the photos are saved even after you reset your phone or switch to another device.

1. Open your browser and go to contacts.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same account as on your phone.
3. Find the contact you need in the list and click on it.
4. Click on the camera icon in the top left corner (near the name).
5. Download the photo from your computer or select from the options offered.
6. Save the changes.

Sync with the phone can take up to 5 minutes.

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Make sure the Contact Switch is on.
3. Press "Sync" manually.

💡

If you edit contacts frequently, add the Google Contacts shortcut to the home screen: Open a site in Chrome → Add to the home screen.

Method 3: Transfer of contacts with SIM-maps

Contacts saved on SIM-maps that don't support photos are a limitation of all Android devices, not just Xiaomi. To add an avatar, first transfer the recording to your phone's memory or Google account:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner → “Contact Management”**.
3. Select “Import/Export” → “Import from SIM-card”**.
4. Mark the contacts you need and click “Import”.
5. Select the target storage: “Device” (locally) or “Google”.

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the Contacts app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
2. Click on Storage → Clear Data** (Warning: This will delete all unsynchronized contacts!).
3. Restart the phone and repeat the addition of the avatar.

💡

Before resetting the Contacts app data, make sure all important entries are synced to Google or exported to a VCF file.

Additional features: animated avatars and stickers

MIUI 13 and later has support for dynamic avatars (GIF or Live Photo) to install this image:

1. When editing a contact, select “Select from Gallery”**.
2. Find it. GIF-Image (maximum size - 5 MB).
3. Cut it in a circle (the animation will remain).

Also in the latest versions of the firmware, you can assign a sticker-emoji contact instead of a photo:

1. Open the contact editing.
2. Slip on the avatar. → Select the "Emoji" tab»**.
3. Choose your favorite sticker (categories: animals, food, smiley, etc. are available).

Animated avatars are only displayed in the Contacts and Phone apps, and Messages and other instant messengers will show a static version of the first frame.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions