Set up a full screen photo of the caller on Xiaomi

Modern smartphones in the Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO lineup have larger displays and an aspect ratio that far exceeds classic formats. However, users often face a situation where the contact image is either not displayed at all or occupies only a small central part of the screen, leaving large black fields on the sides. This is not only aesthetically unattractive, but also inconvenient, as it makes it difficult to instantly identify the subscriber.

The reason for this behavior lies in the features of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, which by default can use a standard system dialer that is not adapted to modern matrix resolutions. In addition, the format of the saved image in the phone book and the active design topic are affected. In this article, we will discuss all ways to adapt the caller interface so that the photo of the caller occupies the entire available display area, providing maximum visual comfort.

Causes of black fields when calling

Understanding the technical nature of the constraints is a priority. Google’s standard Phone app or Xiaomi’s system dialer often use fixed interface layouts. If the smartphone screen resolution is, for example, 2400×1080 pixels, and the image in contact is standard square format or low resolution, the system cannot automatically stretch it without losing quality or breaking proportions, which activates the “letterbox” mode that creates black bars.

The second important factor is the active design theme. In the MIUI ecosystem, not only icons change themes, but system sounds, fonts and, importantly for us, lock and call screen. Many third-party themes, even popular ones, may have bugs or simply not support full-screen contact photos on specific device models. System constraints often override user desires unless special methods of bypassing are used.

Also, consider the source of the contact data. If sync is done through a Google account, rather than through the Mi Cloud cloud or local memory, there may be image caching conflicts. The system may download a low-quality thumbnail instead of the original, which visually looks like a small photo in the center of a black screen.

• 📱 Disparity between screen resolution and image format in phone book.
• 🎨 Active design theme that does not support fullscreen call mode.
• ☁️ Synchronization conflicts between Google and Mi Accounts.

⚠️ Warning: Before making changes to system files or installing modified applications, be sure to back up important data to avoid losing information.

Basic image setting in contacts

The foundation for correct display is the correct original image. Many users upload photos taken to the main camera with a resolution of 12 or 50 MP, in the hope of better quality. However, for the call screen, this is redundant and even harmful: compression algorithms of the system can mishandle a huge file, cropping it or worsening the color reproduction.

It is recommended to use images with an aspect ratio close to the screen of your smartphone, or high-quality square photos where the face occupies the center of the frame. When you add a photo to the contact on Xiaomi, the built-in editor allows you to fram the image. Don't ignore this stage. The framing frame in the contact editor often shows an example area that will be visible on the lock screen or in widgets, but for the call screen it is important that the center part is as informative as possible.

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Use images with a resolution of at least 1000×1000 pixels, but no more than 2000×2000, to avoid scaling problems with the system.

The process of installing a photo is simple, but it requires attention to detail. Open the Contacts app, find the right subscriber and click Change. Once you select the image, make sure you move the frame so that the face is in the center. Once saved, the system will create several thumbnails of different sizes. Caching these thumbnails can take a few seconds, so after saving it, it is better to reboot the smartphone so that the changes are guaranteed to apply to all system services.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid using photos with dark backgrounds or complex patterns, as they can merge the face, and even full-screen display will not make the call recognizable.

Using design themes to change the interface

The most efficient and safest way to change the incoming call interface is to change the theme. The MIUI theme store offers thousands of options, many of which are designed specifically to make the caller's photo occupy the entire screen. The standard Classic or Unlimited theme often has a strict design where the photo is hidden or reduced, whereas modern themes use the full potential of AMOLED and IPS matrices.

To find the right topic, go to the Themes app. In the search bar, type in queries like “Full screen caller,” “Full screen caller,” or “Big photo.” The theme description often lists the features supported. Notice the screenshots in the the theme preview: if they show that the background is blurred or the photo is stretched, then this theme solves your problem. Once the theme is installed, you need to apply it and reboot the device.

It’s important to understand that not all themes work equally well on all models. A theme that works perfectly on the Xiaomi 13 may not display correctly on the Redmi Note 10 due to differences in the notch under the camera (a drop, bang or hole in the corner). If you see artifacts or photos that don’t stretch after applying the theme, try a different theme from the same author or look for a theme marked as compatible with your model.

Setting up the Google Phone application

Many Xiaomi smartphones, especially the global versions, use Google’s Phone app by default. It has its own interface that is different from the MIUI system set. In some versions of this app, the setting of displaying photos when you call is limited. However, there are hidden features and settings that are worth checking.

Go to the Phone app settings (three dots in the corner → Settings). Find the Appearance or Call Screen section. There may not be a direct full-screen option, but you can turn off extra elements like background images or video greetings that sometimes override the contact photo. Also, make sure that the Contacts & Photos section includes sync and display of photos from all sources.

If standard settings don't help, you can try clearing the app's cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone → Storage → Clear the cache. Don't confuse it with Clear Data, as this can delete the call history. Once the cache is cleared, the system will reload the contacts' avatars, and sometimes this solves the scaling problem. Rebooting after this procedure is mandatory.

Third-party applications for the call screen

When built-in tools are scarce, Google Play apps come to the rescue, replacing the standard incoming call screen entirely, offering flexible photo display, background blur, effects, and even video calls. Popular solutions include Calls - Caller ID & Screen, Truecaller (with theme feature) or Hiya.

Installing an app like this gives you complete control of the design, you can set it to take up 100% of the screen, add dynamic effects, or change the location of the response buttons, but there's a downside to this: these applications require broad permissions, including access to contacts, a call log, and the right to display on top of other windows, which increases battery consumption and potentially reduces data security.

Once you install a third-party caller, you need to set the permissions correctly. MIUI and HyperOS aggressively manage memory and can kill the call process at the most inopportune time. Go to the application settings, select Auto Start and enable it, and also select No Limits mode in the Battery section, so you can be sure that the call will pass and a beautiful picture will appear.

Solving scaling and quality problems

Even after all the settings, you can have a situation where the photo is stretched out of proportion or looks blurry, which often happens if the original image is too small. Xiaomi's interpolation algorithms try to stretch a 500×500 pixel picture onto a 2400×1080 screen, which leads to "squares," in which case only replacing the photo with a better one will help.

Another problem is the edges being trimmed due to the front camera or sensor cutout. In some themes, this is solved by setting Safe Zones or Screen Cut in the general system settings. Go to Settings → Screen → Cutout Control (if available for your model) and try changing the display mode for the Phone app to Enlarged or Hide the Cutout. This can free up useful area for the photo.

⚠️ Note: Using modified system files (mods) to change the call interface requires unlocking the bootloader and may result in loss of warranty and inability to use banking applications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The main secret of successful configuration is an integrated approach: high-quality source photo + the right theme + correct permissions for the application.