How to Put Your Photo in a Call to Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

You want your Xiaomi phone to display a subscriber photo instead of a standard icon when you call in? Not only does it make the interface more personalized, it helps you identify the caller more quickly. In smartphones running MIUI (version 12 to current 14), there are several ways to assign an image to a contact, from simply adding it through the Contacts app to syncing with social networks. In this article, we will discuss all the working methods, including the nuances for different models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T and others), and also explain how to avoid typical errors when downloading photos.

It’s important to understand that a photo on a call may not show up for three main reasons: the wrong image format, no access rights to contacts, or conflict with the MIUI shell. We’ll go through each of them in detail and provide a checklist to diagnose the problem. And if you use Google Contacts instead of the standard Xiaomi app, the instruction will be slightly different, which we’ll also discuss below.

1. Image preparation: photo requirements for calls

Before you set the photo to contact, make sure the image meets MIUI specifications. Inappropriate format or resolution can cause the photo to either not appear, or be cropped or distorted.

The main parameters for images in Xiaomi:

• 📏 Resolution: optimal from 300×300 before 1000×1000 Images with higher resolution. 2000×2000 can take a long time to load.
• 🖼️ Format: JPEG, PNG or WEBP. MIUI supportive GIF or HEIC (The latter is used in the iPhone).
• 🎨 Color gamut: Avoid too dark or light images – they can merge with the background of the call interface.
• 👤 Content: The face must occupy at least 60% of the frame, otherwise the system may crop important details.

If your photo doesn’t meet these criteria, use any editing app (like Google Photos or Snapseed) to crop and resize. MIUI 14 adds automatic cropping of photos when assigned to a contact — the system will prompt you to select a frame area before saving.

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To quickly change the size of the photo, send it to yourself in Telegram and use the built-in editor – it allows you to crop the image squared (ideal for contacts).

2. Method 1: Adding a photo through the standard "Contact" application

This is the simplest and most reliable method that works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with any version of MIUI. The instructions are relevant for models from Redmi 9A to flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette).
2. Find the contact you want in the list or use the search bar at the top.
3. Slip on the contact to open his card.
4. Click on the camera icon (or standard avatar) at the top of the screen.
5. Select the source of the image: 📷 Take a photo - immediately from the smartphone camera. 🖼️ Gallery – Choose from existing photos. 🌐 Upload – if the photo is stored in the cloud (e.g. Google Drive or Mi Cloud).

If necessary, crop the photo (the system will prompt you to do this automatically).

"Done."

"Save."

After that, the photo will be displayed not only when the call is in, but also in the contact list, as well as in the call history. If the image does not appear immediately, restart the smartphone - sometimes MIUI requires a restart to apply changes.

Is the photo squared?

Is the image format JPEG or PNG?

Is the resolution less than 2000×2000 pixels?

Contact is stored in the phone book, not on the phone SIM-map?-->

3. Method 2: Synchronize photos from Google Contacts

If you use Google Contacts as your primary number store, photos can be assigned via a web version or mobile app, a technique that automatically syncs images to all devices where you are logged in with a single Google account.

Instructions for the web version:

1. Open your browser and go to contacts.google.com.
2. Sign in under your Google account.
3. Find the contact you need in the list and click on it.
4. Click on the camera icon in the upper right corner of the contact card.
5. Download a photo from your computer or select from Google Photos.
6. Save the changes.

For synchronization on the smartphone:

1. Make sure that your Xiaomi settings include contact sync: go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync.
2. Open the Contacts app and wait for the sync to complete (the cloud icon at the top should stop rotating).
3. Photos from Google Contacts should be displayed automatically. If this does not happen, clear the cache of the Contacts app in the settings.

Method 3: Using TrueCaller to assign photos

TrueCaller is a popular call identification app that automatically uploads subscriber photos from its database, a method that works if you don't want to manually assign images to each contact.

How to set up:

1. Install TrueCaller from Google Play.
2. Register and provide access to contacts and calls.
3. In the application settings, enable the option "Show photos of contacts".
4. Return to the standard Contacts app – photos from TrueCaller should be displayed automatically.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Automatic photo assignment for most contacts.
• ✅ Regular update of the image database.
• ✅ Additional features: Spam blocking, call recording.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires constant internet access to upload photos.
• ⚠️ Not all contacts can have photos of TrueCaller.
• ⚠️ The application collects data about your calls (clarify the privacy policy).

Manual addition through “Contacts"|Synchronization with Google|TrueCaller appendix|Other-->

5 Why the photo doesn't show up when you call: typical problems and solutions

If after all the manipulations, the photo of the contact does not appear on the screen of the incoming call, check the following points:

Additional advice:

• 🔄 If the problem persists, try removing and adding the contact again.
• 📱 In some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) Contact photos may not be displayed in Game Turbo mode – disable it in settings.
• 🔒 Check if permissions for the Contacts app are disabled in Settings → Confidentiality → Application authorizations.

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If the photo isn’t only displayed for a specific contact, try assigning a different image – it’s possible the first one was damaged when you uploaded it.

6. Features for different versions of MIUI

The interface for assigning photos to contacts may vary depending on the version of the shell.

MIUI 12 and below:

• There is no automatic cropping of the photo – you need to upload an already cropped image.
• Contact photos are stored in /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.contacts/files/.
• When resetting the settings, photos of contacts are deleted.

MIUI 13:

• Support for animated avatars (only for system contacts) is added.
• The option “Recommended photos” appeared – the system offers images from the gallery, where the face of the contact is recognized.

MIUI 14:

• Integration with Xiaomi Cloud – Contact photos are synchronized between devices.
• Support for WEBP formats to save space.
• The option "Show photos in notifications" (includes in the settings of the "Contacts" application).

To find out the MIUI version on your smartphone, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If you have an outdated version (below 12), consider upgrading – this can solve problems with displaying photos.

7.Alternative methods: third-party applications and launchers

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party solutions, and they offer advanced customization options, such as animated avatars or full-screen photo displays.

Popular applications:

• 📱 Contacts+ — Allows you to assign multiple photos to a single contact and create groups with shared images.
• 🎨 Sync.ME – automatically uploads photos from social networks (VK, Facebook, Instagram).
• 🔄 Simple Contacts – Minimalist Contact Launcher with Support for Design Themes.

How to set up Sync.ME:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Connect social media accounts in the settings.
3. Enable the option to "Update Contact Photos".
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Third-party contact applications require extensive permissions, including access to messages and call histories.

8 How to make a photo of a call more visible

If contact photos are displayed too finely or merge with the background, you can optimize their display using MIUI settings.

Ways to improve visibility:

• 🎨 Change the style of the call display: go to Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Inbound Call Style and select the option "Full screen".
• 🔍 Increase the scale of the photo: in some topics MIUI You can adjust the size of the avatar in the Settings → Topics → Setting up the topic → Size of elements.
• 🌈 Use contrasting colors: If the background is dark, choose photos with bright colors, and vice versa.

For models with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi) K50 Ultra) can be turned on "Always on the screen" (AOD), So that photos of contacts are displayed even on a locked device:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Always on the screen.
2. Select a style with notifications displayed.
3. Enable the option to "Show contact photos".

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On smartphones with a high pixel density (400+ PPI), photos of contacts look clearer if their resolution is not lower than 500×500 pixels.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photos on the call in Xiaomi