How to set a photo for contact in Xiaomi Redmi 9: all the ways and nuances of MIUI

Want to make a call to a Xiaomi Redmi 9 that displays a subscriber's photo instead of a boring icon? Contact image setting is a simple but often overlooked feature that makes smartphone use more personalized. But in MIUI, this process has its own peculiarities, from file size restrictions to synchronization with Google Account. In this article, we'll look at all the working methods, from standard to alternative, and also explain why sometimes photos "fly" after a system update.

Many users find that the added image doesn't show up in the call log or messages, and the reason is often because of display settings or conflicting versions of the Contacts app. We tested all the ways on Redmi 9 with the latest versions of MIUI 12/13/14 and put together a checklist for successful installation. And if you like automation, at the end of the article there's a lifehack using Google Photos to mass-purpose avatars.

Unlike iPhones, where photos of contacts are synced via iCloud, on Android (and especially Xiaomi), this process depends on the chosen app for storing contacts. For example, if you use a SIM card as your primary source, the ability to add photos can be blocked, so the first step is to check where your contact is saved.

1. Standard method: through the "Contacts" application

The most obvious method is to use Xiaomi’s built-in Contacts app, which is pre-installed on all Redmi smartphones and supports adding photos, but with some limitations.

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background).

2. Find the right contact in the list and tap it.

3. In the upper right corner, click on the Edit icon** (pencil).

4. Touch the field with the avatar (by default there is a gray circle with the first letter of the name).

5. Select the source of the photo:

Take a picture - immediately from the camera;

Gallery – choose from existing images

Download – if the photo is stored in the cloud (e.g. Google Drive).

Once you select a photo, you can crop it and scale it. Note: MIUI automatically crops the images into a round shape, so important details (like the face) should be centered.

Select an image with a resolution of at least 300×300 pixels

Make sure that the face/object is in the center of the frame.

Cut the background if it distracts attention

Save your photo in JPEG or PNG format

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⚠️ Note: If the contact is saved on the SIM card, the option to add a photo will not be available. Move it to your Xiaomi or Google Account via the edit menu (item "Move contact»).

Once you save the photo, it may not show up in the call log immediately. To fix this, restart your smartphone or clear the Contacts app cache in the settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Clear Cache).

2. Alternative method: through Google Contacts

If you use Google Account to sync contacts, you can add photos via the web version of the service or the Google Contacts mobile application, which is convenient because the changes will automatically apply on all devices where sync is enabled.

Instructions for the web version:

1. Open your browser and go to contacts.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same account as Redmi 9.
3. Find the right contact and click on it.
4. Click on the camera icon in the avatar field and upload the image.
5. Save the changes.

On your smartphone, the photo will appear within 5-10 minutes (when you are online), if there is no change, check the sync settings:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Make sure the switch opposite the "Contact" is on.

The advantage of this method is that photos will be available on all your devices (for example, on a tablet or a second phone).

3. Use of third-party applications

If the standard methods are not satisfied (for example, due to the limitations of MIUI), you can use third-party applications.

• 📱 Truecaller not only adds photos, but also automatically pulls up avatars from social networks (if the contact is registered in the service.
• 🖼️ Sync.ME – synchronize photos of contacts with Facebook, VK And Instagram. That's fine if you want avatars to update automatically.
• 📞 Drupe is an alternative phone book with advanced avatar customization features (including animations).

To install a photo via Truecaller:

1. Download the app from the Play Market and register.
2. Open a contact that needs to be changed.
3. Slip on the camera icon next to the name.
4. Select the source of the photo (gallery or camera) and save it.

⚠️ Note: App parties may request access to your contacts, SMS Check the Play Market permissions before installing (Data and Privacy section). If security is the priority, use only standard methods.

Once you have installed the photo through a third-party application, it may not appear in the standard MIUI call interface.

1. Open Settings → Applications → By default → Phone.
2. Select the app you added the photo to (e.g. Truecaller).
3. Reboot the phone.

4. Optimization of photos for contacts: sizes and formats

A common problem when adding photos is distortion or cropping, which is because MIUI automatically adjusts the avatars to standard sizes.

To match the image to these requirements, use any editing application (e.g. Google Photos, Snapseed or PicsArt). Importantly, if the face in the photo is not in the center, after trimming in MIUI, it may be outside the circle. Always check the preview before saving.

If you want to add a photo with a transparent background (for example, a company logo), use the PNG format. However, note that the call log may not display transparency - instead it will be a black or white background.

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To quickly crop the photo squared, open it in Google Photos, click Edit → Crop → Select a 1:1 ratio. Then save a copy and use it for contact.

5.Why photos of contacts disappear or don't show

Redmi 9 users often complain that added photos disappear after a MIUI update or reset, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

• 🔄 Resetting the cache of the Contacts app** - after cleaning the cache (for example, via Cleaner), the photos may disappear.Solution: reassign the avatar and restart the phone.
• 📱 Transferring contacts between accounts** – if you move a contact from Google to a SIM card, the photo will be lost.
• 🔄 Update MIUI** — after major updates (for example, with MIUI 12 on MIUI 13) the contact and photo may be lost.

If the photo is not displayed in the call log, but is visible in the contact itself, the problem may be in the display settings:

1. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».

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If the photo is missing after the update MIUI, check the folder MIUI/Contacts It's in the phone's internal memory through the file manager, and sometimes the old avatars are saved in the file format. contact_{ID}.jpg and can be restored manually.

6 Massive addition of photos to contacts

If you have hundreds of contacts, it is not convenient to add photos manually. You can use Google Photos + Google Contacts to automate the process:

Method 1: Through Google Photos

Method 2: Importing from social media

Apps like Sync.ME or Truecaller can automatically pull up photos from Facebook, VK or Instagram if the email or contact number is linked to a social media account.

1. Install Sync.ME from Play Market.
2. Connect social media accounts in the app settings.
3. Run a contact scan.
4. Confirm photo matching (the app will offer options for each contact).

Note that mass-uploading can take time, especially if you have a slow Internet connection, and some social networks (such as Instagram) restrict access to avatars through APIs, so not all photos can be uploaded.

7. Additional Chips: Animated Avatars and Themes

Redmi 9 with MIUI 12.5+ has animated contact avatars to activate:

1. Open the contact and click "Edit"**.
2. Slip on the avatar field → select “Add animation”** (if available).
3. Download. GIF-file or select from the proposed templates.

The animation will be played on the incoming call, but keep in mind that:

• 🎬 Size GIF not exceeding 3 MB.
• 🔄 Animations can slow down on weak smartphones (for example, if many applications are open at the same time).
• 📵 Not all versions. MIUI Support this function – check for the option in the editing menu.

You can also change the style of displaying contacts through MIUI Topics:

1. Open Settings → Themes.
2. Choose a theme with an alternative contact design (e.g. Minimalism or Dark).

FAQ: Frequent questions about photos of contacts on Redmi 9