Personalizing the interface of Xiaomi’s smartphone allows you to make the device unique and recognizable. One of the most popular requests among users is to install a high-quality image on an incoming call. Standard behavior of a MIUI or HyperOS system often involves displaying a thumbnail, but owners want to see a full-screen photo of the interlocutor.
This function depends on the version of the Android operating system and the shell installed. In some cases, standard tools allow you to achieve the desired result, in others, you need to use third-party applications or specific settings. It is important to understand that the algorithm of actions may vary slightly for different models.
In this article, we will discuss all the available methods, from basic settings to advanced editing methods, you will learn how to properly prepare images and eliminate typical display problems, which will help you always know who is calling you, even without looking at the name in the contact list.
Basic settings through the standard gallery
The easiest and fastest way to install an image is to use the built-in Gallery app, which works on most modern Xiaomi devices without having to install additional software. First, you need to open the app and find the right image in the album.
When you open the photo, click on the three dots in the upper right corner or the "More" button. In the menu that appears, select Set as and then Contact Photo. The system will suggest you select a contact from the phone book. After selecting, you will see the framing area.
And this is where many users make the mistake of not noticing the zoom option, so to take up the whole screen, you have to stretch the highlight area outside the standard circle, and if you just click "Done," the system will trim the image to the standard.
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Use high-resolution images (minimum 1080x1920 pixels) to ensure that when stretched to the full screen, the photo does not look blurry or grainy.
It is important to note that the standard mechanism may not support dynamic resizing when calling on all versions of MIUI. If the photo is still small after installation, try the following forced framing method.
⚠️ Note: If you are syncing with Google Contacts, the image can be replaced with a standard avatar after the reboot. SIM-card or local phone storage.
Use of the full screen photo function in Contacts
The second method involves working directly through the Contacts app or Phone, which gives you more detailed control over the positioning of the image, open a contact list, find the right subscriber, and go to edit mode.
Click on the camera icon or avatar to upload a new photo. Unlike the gallery, preview mode is often available here. Some versions of Xiaomi's shell have a hidden feature activated by a long tap around the photo area during editing.
Modern versions of HyperOS have the option to choose a display style, and if this option is available, choose Portrait or Full Screen style to ignore standard frames, a critical point for devices with in-screen cutouts.
- 📸 Open the contact and click "Change».
- 🖼️ Choose a photo from the gallery or make a new one.
- ✂️ Stretching the framing frame to maximum boundaries.
- ✅ Save the changes and check the result with a test call.
If a standard contact application does not work, it may be due to the limitations of the caller itself, in which case it makes sense to consider installing an alternative call application.
Use of third-party applications for calls
When MIUI's built-in tools are not flexible enough, specialized applications from the Google Play Store come to the rescue, with Truecaller or Call Contacts Photo being the leader in this niche, and they allow you to force the image to scale.
Once you install this app, you need to give them permission to access their contacts and phone, and then, in the app settings, look for the section that controls the look of the call, and you can turn on the Full Screen Photo option.
The advantage of third-party solutions is that you can customize your photo behavior, you can add dimming, change transparency, or even set a video background, but this can consume more battery life.
App settings → Appearance → Call style → Full screenIt’s worth noting that using third-party “calls” changes the usual dialing interface. You’ll have to get used to the new design, but the functionality is worth it.
⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party calling apps, be sure to check the permissions you have requested. Do not give access to the microphone or SMS to unknown developers, limiting yourself to contacts and phone only.
Preparing the image for the perfect display
The quality of the final result depends on the source file. Xiaomi smartphones have screens with different aspect ratios, and there is no universal size.
It is recommended to use images in vertical orientation. Horizontal photos when stretched to the full screen will be severely cropped at the edges or have black stripes. The ideal resolution should match or exceed the screen resolution of your device.
☑️ Photo preparation
You can use the built-in Xiaomi editor or Google Photos app to edit. In the framing tools, select the 9:16 or 20:9 aspect ratio for today's wide-form screens, which will help you to place the face of the interlocutor in the center.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | Vertical (Portrait) | Fills the entire screen without distortion |
| Permission | 1080 x 1920 and higher | Provides clarity of picture |
| Format | JPG / PNG | Maximum compatibility |
| Face size | Close-up | Best readability when calling |
If you have a lot of small details in the photo, when you zoom in, they can turn into porridge. It's better to use images with a clear focus on the face and a blurred background.
Solving problems with displaying photos
Often users are faced with a situation where the photo is installed, but when calling, only a small circle or silhouette is displayed, this can be caused by system caching or version conflict.
The first thing to do is clear the cache of the Contacts and Phone app. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the right services, and click Clear Cache. Rebooting the device often solves the problem.
Another reason could be sync with Mi Cloud or Google, where if the old version of the avatar is stored in the cloud, it can overwrite local changes, check the web version of contacts, and remove old images from there.
Why is the photo black?
In some cases, removing the contact and re-create it with a link to a Google account, rather than a phone memory, helps, and this allows for more stable synchronization.
Specifics of work in HyperOS and MIUI 14
Xiaomi’s newest shells are undergoing a major design change, with HyperOS focusing on visuals, and the contact photo processing algorithms are smarter.
The system can automatically suggest improving the quality of the photo or removing the background, which should be used with caution, as automatic removal of the background can lead to unnatural artifacts around the head.
For owners of flagship models, the feature "Live Wallpaper" is available on the call screen, but it requires a separate setting in the themes. Standard photos are still the main way of identification.
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Newer versions of HyperOS give priority to images from Mi Account, so make sure your photo is uploaded to the Mi Cloud profile for maximum compatibility.
If you have recently updated and your photos are gone, check the permissions of the Gallery app, and after major updates, the security system may have reset permissions to read media files.