How to change a contact photo on Xiaomi: all ways to MIUI 14 and 15

Replacing a contact photo on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task, but users often face nuances: an avatar is not saved, synchronization with Google is lost or the image is not displayed in all messengers. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to change the photo contact on devices with MIUI 14/15, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and other models of 2022-2026.

We will pay special attention to the problems that arise when editing contacts from different sources: local, Google-account or SIM-We'll also find out why a modified avatar might not show up on WhatsApp or Telegram, and how to fix it. If you want a photo of a contact to look the same everywhere from calls to chat rooms, follow our guidelines.

Preparation: where to store contacts on Xiaomi

Before you change your photo, it’s important to understand which source your contact is linked to, and on Xiaomi, your contacts can be stored in three places:

• 📱 Local phone memory – available only on this device, not synchronized.
• ☁️ Google Accounts – synced with other devices via Gmail.
• 📞 SIM-Card – limited number of characters, photos are not supported.

To check the source of contact:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Click on the desired contact → Edit (pencil icon).
3. At the top of the screen will be the source (e.g. Google or Phone).

Important: if the contact is linked to SIM-You can transfer it to Google or local memory, or you can't add a photo. → Move in....

Method 1: Change your photo through the standard Contacts app

This is the simplest method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12-15, suitable for contacts stored in the memory of the phone or Google account.

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Find the right contact and tap it.
3. Click Edit (pencil in the upper right corner).
4. Tap the camera icon next to the current photo (or an empty mug if there is no avatar).
5. Choose one of the options: 📸 Take a photo - straight from the camera. 🖼️ Select from the gallery - upload an existing image. 🎨 Create an avatar – use emojis or initials (available on the MIUI 14+).

Ready.

Save.

On POCO F5 and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ after updating to MIUI 15, the function of automatic cropping of photos under a round format appeared - the system itself will offer the optimal frame.

Source of contact (not) SIM-map)

Photo resolution (at least 300×300 pixels)

Photos are cut in a circle (without unnecessary details)

Google sync enabled (if necessary)

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Method 2: Change through Google Contacts (for synchronized contacts)

If a contact is linked to a Google account, you can change your photo not only on your phone, but also through the web version of Google Contacts, which is convenient if you want to use the same photo on all devices (for example, Xiaomi and iPhone).

1. Open your browser on your PC or phone and go to https://contacts.google.com
2. Sign up with the same Google account as you do on Xiaomi.
3. Find the right contact and click on it.
4. Click on the camera icon in the avatar mug.
5. Choose a photo from the gallery or make a new one.
6. Cut the image and save the changes.

Instructions for Truecaller:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open Truecaller and find the right contact.
3. Slip on the avatar. → Edit photos.
4. Select a source (camera or gallery) and save the changes.

Warning: When using Truecaller, a photo of the contact may not appear in all messengers (for example, WhatsApp will have to update the contact manually).

Problems and Solutions: Why the Contact Photo Has Not Changed

Even after correct editing, the photo may not show up. Let's consider the most common causes and ways to eliminate them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the Contacts app cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Contacts and select Warehouse.
3. Click Clear Cache (not data!).
4. Reboot the phone.

💡

If you change your contacts frequently, create a Contact Photos folder in the gallery and store pre-cut circular avatars of 500×500 pixels in size.

How to make contact photos visible in all messengers

To have an avatar displayed on WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber and other apps, follow these rules:

• 🔄 Sync your contacts with Google – this ensures uniformity across all devices.
• 📲 Update contacts in messengers: on WhatsApp: open chat → slip on the name → Update.In Telegram: find the contact in the list → swipe down for update.
• 🖼️ Use a photo with at least a resolution 300×300 pixels – small images may not be displayed.

MIUI 15 has introduced the Shared Contacts feature, which automatically updates photos in supported instant messengers to enable it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Contacts → More.
2. Activate the option Synchronize with messengers.

⚠️ Note: WhatsApp only updates a contact photo if the person also saved your number in their phone book. If the avatar doesn't change, ask the person to delete and re-add your contact.

More tips: how to make a photo of the contact perfect

To make the avatar look professional and display well on all devices, follow these guidelines:

• 🎯 Center your face – make sure your head is in the center of the circle.
• 🌈 Avoid complex backgrounds - monophonic or blurred background will better emphasize the face.
• 📏 Optimal size — 500×500 pixels (minimum pixels — 300×300).
• 🔍 Check the quality – Xiaomi can enlarge photos before saving to make sure the clarity.

On MIUI 14+, you can get Auto-Improving Photos when you edit your contact, which automatically adjusts brightness and contrast, but can sometimes distort colors, to turn it off:

1. When editing a photo of the contact, tap on the icon ⚙️ (gear).
2. Turn off the option to improve automatically.

If you want to use emojis or initials instead of photos (for example, for business contacts), MIUI 15 does this:

1. Open the contact editing.
2. Slip on the avatar. → Choose to Create an Avatar.
3. Choose Emoji or Initials and customize the look.

💡

Photos of a contact on Xiaomi are best saved in JPEG format with a resolution of 500×500 pixels. Avoid PNG with a transparent background - some messengers can display it as a black square.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing photos of contacts on Xiaomi