Have you just bought a Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro and want to personalize your phone book by adding photos to your contacts? Or have you been using a smartphone for a long time but still haven’t figured out how to attach an avatar to your subscriber? In this article, we’ll go through all the possible ways to install photos on contacts, from standard MIUI tools to bypassing typical errors when the picture is not displayed.
The Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) is that it runs on the MIUI branded shell, which has its own touch sync nuances, for example, if you add a photo through Google Contacts, it may not show up in the standard Phone app, and vice versa. We'll show you how to avoid such conflicts and make sure that avatars are correctly displayed in all messengers and system applications.
1. Method: through the standard application "Contacts"
The most obvious and quickest method is to use the built-in Contacts app (also known as the Phone Book) which is suitable for contacts stored in the device memory or on the device. SIM-Maps, but not always for Google accounts.
To put a picture on:
- Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen).
- Find the right contact in the list and tap it.
- In the upper right corner, click on the icon. ⋮ (three-point) → select Edit.
- Slip the camera icon next to the contact name.
- Select the source: 📷 Take a photo – a photo from the camera right now. 🖼️ Gallery – Select an existing image. 🎨 Avatars – Use standard icons MIUI.
Cut the photo (if necessary) and save the changes.
Contact synchronization is disabled (otherwise, the photo may fly off)|Photo not blurred and fits under a round cropping|Contact saved to the correct account (device)/Google/SIM)|The file size does not exceed 5 MB (otherwise) MIUI compress)-->
⚠️ Note: If the contact is synced with Google, the modified photo may not be saved. №3.
2. Method: via the "Phone" app during the call
Few people know, but Redmi Note 8 Pro can add or change a photo of a contact right during an incoming/outgoing call, which is handy if you need to quickly assign an avatar to the caller who just called.
Instructions:
- When calling, click on the contact icon (or “Add to Contacts” if the number is new).
- In the card that opens, tap on an empty mug with the camera (or on the current photo).
- Select the source of the image (camera/gallery) and trim it.
- Save the changes – the photo will be attached automatically.
🔹 Important: This method only works for contacts stored in the phone's memory, if the number is linked to Google or SIM, photo won't survive.
In the "Contacts" app |During the call |Through Google Contacts |In messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram)|I don't add at all-->
3. Method: through Google Contacts (for synchronized accounts)
If your contacts are synced with your Google account, you need to change them through the web version or the Google Contacts app, otherwise the photo may “fly” after the next sync.
Step-by-step:
- Open your browser and go to contacts.google.com (or install the Google Contacts app from Play Market).
- Sign in with the same account as on your phone.
- Find the right contact and click on it.
- Click on the camera icon in the mug next to the name.
- Download a photo from your computer or take a picture (in the mobile version).
- Cut the image and save it.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Photo is not displayed in the Contacts app | Conflict between local and Google contacts | Turn off sync in Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Synchronization |
| Photos blurred or of low quality | MIUI automatically compresses images | Use a photo with a resolution not higher than 1000×1000 px |
| Photo disappears after reboot | Contact saved on SIM-map | Move the contact to your phone or Google account |
⚠️ Note: If you are using a dual Google account (e.g. personal and work), make sure to edit the contact in the same account that is linked to the phone.
4. Method: through messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)
Many Redmi Note 8 Pro users add photos to their contacts directly in messengers, which is convenient if you often correspond with a person, but there is a caveat: the avatar on WhatsApp or Telegram does not sync with the standard phone book.
How to put a photo through messengers:
- 📱 WhatsApp: Open the chat with the contact. Tap the name at the top → View the contact. Click on the camera icon next to the photo. → Choose an image.
- 💬 Telegram: Open your contact profile (tapping on the avatar in the chat). Click Change profile photo. Select the source and crop the picture.
- 📞 Viber: Go to contact information. Tap the avatar. → Change the photo.
💡
If you want a photo of the contact to be displayed in both the phone book and messengers, first add an avatar through the standard Contacts app, and then in each messenger separately.
5.Why is the photo not displayed or disappearing?
Redmi Note 8 Pro users often face a problem when the added photo disappears or does not show in some applications.
- 🔄 Sync with Google: If the contact is linked to a Google account, but you changed the photo through the standard Contacts app, the next time you sync the original photo from Google will return. Solution: edit only through Google Contacts.
- 📱 Contact on SIM-map: SIM-Solution: Move the contact to the phone's memory: open the contact → ⋮ → Exports/imports → Save it to the device.
- 🗃️ Duplicate contacts: If one number is saved on both the phone and Google, MIUI Solution: combine duplicates into Settings. → System applications → Contacts → Connecting contacts.
- 🖼️ Inappropriate photo format: MIUI supports JPEG and PNG. If you are trying to download WEBP or GIF, Solution: Convert the image before downloading.
How do I check where the contact is saved?
6.How to make the photo of the contact appear everywhere?
The only reliable way to get an avatar to show up in your phone book, your messengers, your incoming calls is to keep in touch with your Google account and edit your photos exclusively through Google Contacts.
- Move all important contacts to Google: Open Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to Google.
- Add a photo via contacts.google.com.
- Turn on sync: Go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync. Activate Contacts switch.
- Update your contacts in messengers: WhatsApp: ⋮ → Settings → Contacts → In Telegram: the photo will be automatically pulled up the next time you open the chat.
⚠️ Note: If you are using a double SIM-Redmi Note 8 Pro card, make sure contact is not duplicated on second SIM. Otherwise, the photo may be displayed incorrectly.
7. Alternative methods: third-party applications
If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party contact management apps that offer advanced features like mass photo additions or backups.
Top.-3 apps for Redmi Note 8 Pro:
- 📌 Contacts+ — user-friendly interface, support for cloud backup, automatic pairing of duplicates.
- 📌 Truecaller - in addition to the photo, shows information about the caller (if he is in the database).
- 📌 Simpler Contacts – Minimalist design, quick access to editing.
🔹 Important: When using third-party apps, disable autosynchronization with Google to avoid conflicts:
Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Application Name] → Permissions → Disable Contacts💡
Third-party apps may request access to your contacts and personal data. Check reviews and ratings in the Play Market before installing, and review the developer's privacy policy.