How to put an avatar in contacts on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Installing a contact avatar on a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone seems like a simple task, but many users face unexpected difficulties: the photo is not saved, disappears after synchronization or is not displayed in all subscribers. In this article, we will analyze all the working ways to add photos to contacts, from standard methods through the Contacts app to bypassing the restrictions of MIUI using a Google account.

The feature of MIUI firmware is that it uses its own contact database, which sometimes conflicts with synchronization through Google or Mi Account. We analyzed current versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS) and identified key nuances: where the avatars are stored, why they may disappear after a system update, and how to make them appear in messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram.

Method 1: Adding an avatar through the standard Contacts app

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Contacts app (a human silhouette icon on a green background), which works on all Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 and POCO X5, but there is an important caveat: the avatar is stored only in the local MIUI database and can disappear after resetting.

To put a picture on:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app and find the contact you need in the list.
• 🖼️ Slip on the camera icon (or an empty mug with initials) at the top of the screen.
• 📸 Select the source: Take a photo – activates the camera for instant shot; Gallery – allows you to select an existing image; Download – will offer to download a photo from the Internet (available not on all versions). MIUI).
• ✂️ Cut the photo in a circle (the system will automatically offer the optimal frame).
• ✅ Click Ready or Save.

Selected image with a resolution of at least 300×300 px|

Photo clipped along the contour of the face (not in the background)|

The contact is stored in the phone book (not only in the phone book). SIM-map)|

Sync with Mi Account or Google (if necessary)-->

Note: If the contact is linked to SIM-The card, the avatar won't survive. Google/Mi via menu Edit → Save in.

Method 2: Sync through Google Account (for display in other services)

If you want a contact avatar to be displayed in Gmail, Google Contacts or instant messengers, you need to link it to a Google account, which ensures that the photo is safe even after changing your phone or resetting your settings.

Instructions:

1. Open Google Contacts in your browser or through the Google Contacts app (download to Play Market if removed).
2. Find the right contact and click on the camera icon next to the name.
3. Upload a photo from the gallery or take a new picture.
4. Save the changes – sync with the phone will take up to 5 minutes.

💡

If the avatar doesn’t appear on WhatsApp, check that the contact is saved in the format of an international number (for example, +79123456789, not 89123456789).

A critical feature of MIUI is that if a contact is duplicated (there is both a Google and a Mi Account), the system can only show an avatar from one source. To avoid conflict, leave contact only in Google or only in Mi Account.

Method 3: Using Mi Account to sync between Xiaomi devices

If you have multiple Xiaomi gadgets (like Redmi and Mi Band), it’s convenient to sync contacts through Mi Account.This method is also useful if you’re not using Google services.

How to set up:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
• 🔗 Make sure that the contact sync option is enabled.
• 📇 Return to Contacts, select the contact you want and add a photo (as in Method 1).
• 🔄 Wait for synchronization (can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: if you log out of Mi Account or reset your phone, all avatars stored only in this account will be lost.

Method 4: Install an avatar via Truecaller (to identify calls)

Truecaller not only detects spammer numbers, but also allows you to add your own photos to your contacts, which is useful if you want an avatar to be displayed when incoming calls, even from those who did not save your number.

Algorithm of action:

1. Install Truecaller from Play Market and sign up.
2. Allow access to contacts in the application settings.
3. Find the right contact in Truecaller and click Edit.
4. Add a photo through the option to Add an image.
5. Save the changes – the avatar will be visible to all Truecaller users when you call.

Restriction: Truecaller photos are only visible to those who also use the service, and the standard icon will be displayed for other subscribers.

Locally on the phone |

Google account |

Mi Account|

Truecaller|

Another option-->

Method 5: Manually add photos through file manager (for power users)

This method is suitable if the standard methods do not work (for example, after updating MIUI avatars are lost).

Important: This requires root rights or access through ADB. Without them, you can’t change system files.

Instructions for users with root:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db (some versions of MIUI may have different paths).
3. Copy the contacts2.db database to your computer and open it with SQLite Browser.
4. Find the table. raw_contacts and check that the field photo_id contains the correct photo ID.
5. Photos are stored in the folder /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/files/ in the format *.jpg with numerical names.

⚠️ Warning: improper editing of system files can result in the loss of all contacts.Before changing, back up the folder /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/.

adb backup -f contacts.ab -apk com.android.providers.contacts

This command will create a contact.ab file that can be restored after resetting.-->

Why is the avatar not displayed or disappearing?

Common reasons for the disappearance of photos of contacts on Xiaomi Redmi:

• 🔄 Synchronization conflict: the contact is duplicated in Google and Mi Account, and the system selects the version without a photo.
• 📱 Update MIUI: after major updates (for example, with MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) the “Contact” app cache may be reset».
• 🗑️ Data Cleanup: If you have cleared the cache or app data Contacts in the settings.
• 📵 WhatsApp and Telegram take avatars from Google contacts, not from the local database MIUI.

Decisions:

• Check the synchronization settings in Settings → Accounts.
• Restore contact with the photo in the desired account (Google or Mi).
• Update the Contacts app through the Play Market (even if it’s system-based).
• For WhatsApp: open chat with a contact → click on three points → View the contact → Edit and add a photo in the messenger.

FAQ: Frequent questions about avatars in contacts Xiaomi