How to put a photo on a call: 3 working methods + error solving

Do you want your Xiaomi phone to display a photo of the contact on the screen instead of a boring icon? Not only does it make the interface more personalized, it also helps to identify the caller more quickly. Unfortunately, many users find that the contact photo doesn't appear on the call screen even after it's added to the phone book. The reasons can range from the wrong MIUI settings to the limitations of a particular smartphone model.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install photos on a call for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices based on MIUI 12-14. You will learn how to correctly add images to contacts, what formats are supported, and what to do if the photo does not appear on an incoming call. And also secret chips for customizing the call screen, which few people know about!

Why is Xiaomi not showing a photo when calling?

Before we get to the settings, it’s important to understand why a contact photo might not show up on the incoming call screen.

• 📱 An outdated version MIUI — in old firmware (below) MIUI 12) the photo display function was unstable.
• 🖼️ Inappropriate image format — MIUI supports JPEG and PNG prior 720×720 px.
• 📞 The contact is not saved to the Xiaomi phone book, but to the Google account or SIM-map.
• 🔧 Disabled system permissions for the “Contact” or “Phone” application».
• 🎨 Uses a third-party launcher (such as Nova Launcher) that blocks the display of photos.

If you add a photo to a contact but it doesn't appear when you call, check it first, and 80 percent of the time, it's solved by moving the contact to your local phone book or updating your MIUI.

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

The easiest and most reliable way is to use Xiaomi’s built-in Contacts app, which automatically syncs with the Phone system app and guarantees photos on the call screen.

Step instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Find the contact you want in the list and click on it.
3. In the upper right corner, tap on the camera icon (or edit icon) ➕).
4. Select Change Photos → Take a Picture (if you want to take a picture right now) or Select from the Gallery.
5. Cut the image in a circle (MIUI will automatically offer the optimal frame) and save the changes.

If the contact is saved in a Google account or on SIM-The map, the photo may not be displayed:

After saving the photo, check its display: ask this contact to call you or use the Test Call feature in the settings (available on some models).

Method 2: Using the Phone app to link photos

If the first method didn’t work, try linking the photo directly to the Phone app, a technique that is particularly relevant for devices with MIUI 13/14, where the Contacts and Phone interface are partially combined.

How to do this:

1. Open the phone application (green handset).
2. Go to the Contacts tab (in the lower menu).
3. Find the right contact and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds.
4. In the menu that appears, select Edit.
5. Slip on the camera icon next to the contact name and upload a photo from the gallery.
6. Save the changes and check the display.

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11) the photo may not appear immediately – you need to restart the smartphone or reset the cache of the application “Phone”.

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If the contact photo is blurred on the call screen, try uploading an image with a resolution of at least 500×500 px. MIUI automatically compresses the photos, and the low quality gets worse.

Method 3: Manually assigning photos through a file manager (for experienced)

This method is suitable for users who want to control exactly what photo is displayed when they call, and requires access to system folders, so make sure you have a backup before you start.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open the File Manager (or any other guide with access to the root folders).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.contacts/files/ If there is no com.android.providers.contacts folder, then your version of MIUI stores the contacts elsewhere.
3. Copy the photo to this folder (for example, contact_photo_1.jpg).
4. Open the Contacts app, find the contact you want, and manually specify the path to the newly copied file.

⚠️ Note: Not all versions MIUI They support this method. Some devices do (POCO F4, Redmi K50) The contact folder can be hidden or protected, and only root access or use will help. ADB-team.

Optimizing photos for the call screen

Even if you add a photo to the contact correctly, it may be blurred, cropped or incomplete, because MIUI automatically adjusts the images to the round format of the call icon. To avoid problems, follow these guidelines:

• 📏 Permission: Optimal size — 720×720 px: Images with aspect ratio 1:1 look better.
• 🎨 Format: Use PNG transparently or JPEG quality not less than 80%.
• 👤 The face in the photo must occupy at least 60% of the area, otherwise it will be cropped.
• 🌈 Colors: Avoid dark backgrounds - on AMOLED-screens they merge with the black frame of the icon.

If you want to test how the photo will look on the call screen without waiting for the real call, use the hidden MIUI function:

For convenience, we have prepared a template for Photoshop or Canva, which will help you to crop the photo correctly under the Xiaomi call screen:

Download template (PNG, 720×720 px)

Problem Solving: Photos are not displayed or disappear

If you have completed all the steps, but the photo still does not appear when you call, check the following points:

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13+ This may be a restriction on the display of photos for contacts saved in a Google account, which is related to Google's privacy policy, such as moving the contact to a local ledger or using Google Contacts to sync.

Checklist for diagnosis:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes cache MIUI block the update of icons.
• 📂 Clear the cache of the Contacts and Phone applications (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache).
• 🔧 Check permissions: For Contacts: access to Warehouse and Contacts. For Phone: access to Contacts and Microphone.
• 📲 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (Settings) → Updating the system).
• 🛠️ Reset the settings of the Phone application (Settings) → Annexes → Phone. → Reset).

If the problem persists, try using third-party calling apps (like Truecaller or Drupe) that support customizing the call screen, but note that they may collect data about your contacts.

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On Android 12+ and MIUI 13/14, the display of photos on the call screen depends on the system theme. If a dark theme is used, the photo may seem dull – try switching to a light theme in the settings.

Additional chips: customization of the call screen

MIUI offers some hidden options for customizing the incoming call screen, and here are the most useful ones:

• 🎨 Change the background of the call screen: Go to Settings → Lock screen. Select Call screen style. Upload your own image or select from the suggested templates.

Vibration setting for specific contacts

1. Open the contact in the Contacts app.
2. Click Edit → Vibration.
3. Choose a unique vibration rhythm (useful for important calls).

Displaying additional information

V MIUI 14 on the call screen you can enable the display of the last message from the contact (if it is in the SMS Or Messaging. Activated in Settings. → Notifications → Call screen.

For owners of POCO F5 or Xiaomi 13 Ultra, a dynamic call screen background feature is available, which varies depending on the time of day.

1. Go to Settings → Display → Dynamic call screen.
2. Select the source of data: Time of day, weather or calendar.
3. Customize the colors and animations.

These chips don’t work on all models, but if your device supports them, the call screen will not only be informative, but also stylish!

FAQ: Frequent questions about photos on Xiaomi calls