How to put a photo in contact with Redmi 9: Full instructions

Personalizing a device is not just a fashion nod, it's a way to make communication with loved ones and colleagues more enjoyable and convenient. When a familiar face lights up on the screen during an incoming call, it helps to instantly identify the interlocutor without being distracted by reading the name. For owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, the process of installing an avatar has its own features that often confuse newcomers. The MIUI shell interface hides some functions in non-obvious places, so it is important to know the exact algorithm of actions.

In this article, we will discuss how to add an image to a Redmi 9 phone number using built-in features and additional cloud services. You will learn about the differences between local picture saving and sync via Mi Cloud.

There are several ways to assign a visual identifier to a subscriber, and the method depends on where your data is stored. Some users prefer to keep the information exclusively on the device, others trust the cloud. Regardless of your choice, the result will be the same: when you call in, you will see the selected image, the main thing is to follow the sequence of steps to avoid synchronization errors.

Image Preparation and File Requirements

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that the image itself is ready to use. Android, which is based on MIUI, is quite loyal to formats, but to properly display the round icon in the call, you better choose square photos. If you try to set a horizontal landscape, the system will automatically prompt it to crop, which can lead to the loss of important details of the composition.

The best solution is to pre-pack the picture in the gallery. Open the photo, press the edit button, and select the framing tool. Set the 1:1 aspect ratio to get the perfect square. This allows you to manually choose which part of the face or object will end up in the center of the round frame when you call.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid using files that are too heavy with a resolution above 10 MP. The system can process such images for a long time when loading the contact list, which will lead to temporary slowdowns in the phone book interface.

Also worth paying attention to is the file format. JPEG is standard and most compatible. Formats like HEIC (often used in iPhones) or RAW may not show up in the contact preview, although the call will go well. Convert the image to JPEG in advance if you have any download problems.

Store your avatars in a separate folder, like calling them "Avatars," which makes it easier to find the file you want when you set up, especially if you have thousands of photos in the gallery, and file structuring is a sign of a good digital hygienist.

Installation of photos through the standard Contacts app

The most direct and reliable way to assign a photo to a subscriber is to use the regular Contacts app, which is pre-installed on Redmi 9. This method works regardless of whether the number is stored in the phone memory or on the phone. SIM-map (although for SIM-Open the app with the icon of the orange man on the desktop.

Find the person you want to call, and click on their name to open the card with the details. At the top of the screen, where the person's gray silhouette or the first letter of the name usually shows, you'll see editing, but just clicking on the picture is often not enough.

You need to find the Change button or the pencil icon, which is usually located at the bottom of the screen or in the upper right corner. After you go into edit mode, scroll down to the block where the current photo is displayed. Click on the camera or gallery icon that will appear when you hover or just click on the avatar area.

The system will suggest you choose the source of the image: take a new picture or choose from the gallery. Choose the second option and find the pre-prepared photo. After choosing, the system will suggest cropping the image to a round format. Make sure that the face is in the center, and click "Done" or "Save".

It's important to understand that changes are instantaneous, and if you can't see the edit button, maybe the contact is read-only, and this often happens if the contact is synchronized with a corporate server or a secure profile, in which case you can try to copy the contact to your phone's memory.

Working with Google Contacts and Synchronization

Most modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have Google account sync by default, meaning that contacts are stored not only in the phone but also in the search cloud, and Google has its advantages of installing photos through the interface: the image will remain even when you change your device or reset your settings.

To add a photo through this service, open the Google Contacts app (an icon with the letter "G" on a color background). Find a subscriber and click on their name. If the account allows editing, you will see a camera icon in the center of the avatar.

The key difference is that the photo is linked to a Google account, not a specific phone, which means that if someone else saves your number and has your profile synced (which is unlikely, but possible in a corporate environment), they can see your photo.

If you want to have a photo displayed by anyone who adds you to your contacts (assuming they have access to your data on Google), use this method.

Sometimes there is a conflict when the phone offers you to choose whether to save the change: Google or your phone. Choose the source where the contact was originally created so that there are no duplicates. Changing the source of saving the contact can lead to a copy of it with a different name or without binding to messengers.

Using Mi Cloud for Avatars

Owners of Redmi 9 devices often ignore the capabilities of the Xiaomi ecosystem, preferring Google, but Mi Cloud offers convenient tools for managing contacts, especially if you use multiple devices of this brand.A photo uploaded through Mi Cloud will be synced with all your gadgets authorized under one Mi Account.

To work with this method, you need to make sure that your phone’s settings are synchronized with Mi Cloud contacts. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Contacts and activate the switch. Then open the Contacts app, find a subscriber and click Change.

When you select a photo, the system can suggest uploading it to the Mi cloud. This takes a little longer than local storage, but it guarantees data security. If you lose your phone, just log in to your account on the new device, and all avatars will recover automatically.

The thing about Mi Cloud is that it allows you to create a group of contacts with a common setting, but you still have a personalized photo set for each person, and it creates a personalized experience.

Remember, cloud storage is limited, and there's 5GB of free storage, which is shared between photos, contacts and backups, and contacts are a little bit heavy, but if you have thousands of contacts, you can use the same data. HD-In pictures, the place may end.

Set up the display of the photo when calling the full screen

One of the popular features in the MIUI shell is the ability to display a picture of a caller on the full screen, not just in a small circle. On Redmi 9, this feature can be hidden or not work properly due to the theme settings. To activate a full-screen photo, you need to change the theme.

Standard themes sometimes don’t support this mode. Go to the Themes app, select a classic style or theme that has a support full screen caller ID. After applying the theme, the contact photo should stretch across the entire display when the call is in.

Also check the settings of the phone book itself. Open the Contacts app, click three dots in the corner, or select Settings. Find the Incoming Calls section and make sure that the box is ticked against the Full Screen Photos item (if available in your version of the software).

If the photo is cropped at the edges or looks blurry, then the original image was too small resolution. For full-screen mode, it is desirable to use pictures at least 1080x1920 pixels in size, although the system tries to scale small images.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party themes from Mi Themes, the caller's functionality may change. Some themes completely remove the caller's photo, replacing it with abstract patterns. Return the standard "Classic" theme to check.

Remember that full-screen photos only work if the caller has a number saved in your phone book, and for unknown numbers, a standard stub or theme will be displayed.

Solving problems with photo uploading

Quite often, users are faced with a situation where the photo seems to be installed, but when you call it, you display a standard gray icon. The first reason may be the cache of the Contacts or Phone app. The system stores thumbnails for quick download, and sometimes they do not update on time.

To solve the problem, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find Contacts and Phone (or Calls) in the list. Go to each of them, select Memory and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse Clear Data with Clear Data, otherwise you may lose your call history, although contacts are usually saved in the cloud.

The second common problem is duplicate contacts. One person can have two entries: one in Google, the other in the phone's memory. You put a photo on one record, and they call from a number tied to another. Combine duplicates through the contact menu (usually available through three dots → "Contacts Unite").

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If the photo is missing after rebooting, try to delete it and upload it again, but in a different format (e.g. PNG instead of JPEG).

The problem may also be access rights. Make sure the Contacts app is allowed access to storage (phone memory). Without that permission, it cannot physically read the image file. You can check this in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Contacts.

If nothing works, try removing the contact completely and re-create it by adding a photo immediately, a radical but often effective method that resets all the wrong attachments.

Additional personalization opportunities

Installing a static photo isn’t the only way to stand out. With the updated MIUI, Redmi 9 has a video call feature (not to be confused with instant messenger video), you can set a short video instead of a photo that will be played when you call.

To do this, select the option “Video” from the avatar selection menu (if supported by the system version), the video should be short and vertical, which creates a spectacular view when you get a call from loved ones.

You can also customize different melodies and vibrations for different contacts, and when combined with a photo, this creates a powerful multi-sensory signal. By clicking "Change" in the contact card, scroll down to "Melody" and select a unique sound.

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Comprehensive personalization (photo + video + melody) allows you to instantly respond to important calls, even without taking the phone out of your pocket, just by sound or vibration.

Remember to update your avatars regularly. People change, their photos change, and the actual image in your phone book adds comfort and helps you remember someone you haven't spoken to in a long time.

Use these capabilities to turn your Redmi 9 into a truly personal device. Technology should serve the user’s comfort, and customizing the interface for yourself is the first step to doing so.