How to set a photo for contact in Xiaomi Redmi 9T: 5 proven ways

Why can't Redmi 9T add a photo to the contact?

You're trying to personalize your phone book on your Xiaomi Redmi 9T, but the system stubbornly ignores attempts to add an avatar to the contact? The problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones on MIUI - the standard Contacts app sometimes behaves unpredictable. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to install a photo, including workarounds for cases when the function is blocked or missing.

Now, let's just say, on Redmi 9T (M2010J19SG), the process depends on the firmware version. If you have MIUI 12.5 or later, the algorithm is different from the older versions. It also plays a role in whether contacts are synchronized with Google Account or stored locally. We've taken into account all the nuances - read on.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI
• 🔄 Source of Contact: Contacts → ☰ → Settings → Accounts
• 📁 Rights of the "Contacts" application: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Permits

Method 1: Through the standard Contacts application (MIUI)

The most obvious method is to use an embedded app, but there are pitfalls: if a contact is synchronized with Google, editing an avatar can be blocked.

1. Open the Contacts app** (the icon with a man on a green background).
2. Find the right contact and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, click on the pencil icon (edit).
4. Touch an empty mug with a camera next to the name.
5. Select the source of the photo: 📸 Take a picture - immediately from the camera 🖼️ Gallery - choose from existing 🎨 Avatars are standard icons MIUI

Cut the photo (if necessary) and save it.

If the edit button is inactive:

• 🔒 Contact synced with Google – edit via contacts.google.com.
• 📵 Contact with SIM-Cards – transfer it to your phone memory.
• 🔄 Update the Contacts app on Google Play.

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 9T post-update MIUI 13+ You can no longer edit avatars for contacts linked to your Mi Account, in which case use Method 3 or 4.

Method 2: Google Contacts (for synchronized accounts)

If your contacts are linked to a Google Account, editing them is easier via the web version, and this method is guaranteed to work even if the feature on the phone is blocked:

1. Open your browser and go to contacts.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same account as Redmi 9T.
3. Find the right contact and click on it.
4. Click on the camera icon in the upper left corner.
5. Download a photo from your computer or select from Google Photos.
6. Save the changes – they sync with the phone for 5-10 minutes.

Advantages of the method:

• 🌍 It works on any Redmi firmware. 9T.
• 🔄 Changes apply to all devices with this Google Account.
• 📁 You can upload high resolution photos before 5120×5120).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires an Internet connection.
• ⏳ Synchronization can take a few minutes.

💡

If the photo does not appear on your phone after editing in Google Contacts, force the data to be updated: Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync → Contacts (disable and turn on again).

Method 3: Use of third-party applications (Truecaller, Sync.ME)

If the built-in methods don't work, third-party apps will come to the rescue, not only allowing you to add avatars, but also automatically pull up photos from social networks (if the contact is linked to a profile).

Truecaller

The app is known as a number detector, but it can also edit contacts:

1. Install Truecaller from Google Play.
2. Register (required!) and allow access to your contacts.
3. Find the right contact in Truecaller and tap it.
4. Click on “Edit”** → “Add a photo”.

Sync.ME

This application specializes in synchronizing contacts with social networks:

1. Download Sync.ME.
2. Connect social media accounts (VK, Facebook, Telegram, etc.).
3. In the “Contacts” section, find the profile you want.
4. Click on the empty photo and select the source.

Both applications require access to:

• 📞 Contact
• 📷 Storage (for uploading photos)
• 🌐 Internet (for synchronization)

⚠️ Warning: Truecaller and Sync.ME upload contacts to their servers. If you care about privacy, delete the app after editing and clear its data in Settings. → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Method 4: Manually add photos through the file manager (for experienced)

This method is suitable if you are willing to dig into the system folders. On Redmi 9T with MIUI 12.5+, photos of contacts are stored along the path /data/com.android.providers.contacts/files/photos/, but access to it requires root rights.

1. Install a file manager with access to root folders (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.contacts/files/ (if you don’t have a folder, create it manually).
3. Copy the photo there, renaming it in contact_photo_[ID].jpg, where [ID] — Unique contact number (you can find it through applications like Contacts)+).
4. Reboot the phone.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔧 Requires technical skills.
• 🔄 Photos may be reset after update MIUI.
• 📵 It does not work for contacts synchronized with Google.

Method 5: Transfer contact through the photo VCF-file

If you have a backup of contacts with a photo (for example, from another phone), you can import it to Redmi 9T.

1. Export your contacts with the photo on your old device to the.vcf file (via Contacts → Import/Export).
2. Transfer the file to Redmi 9T (via Bluetooth, email, or cloud).
3. Open the "Contact" app»** → «☰ → Settings → Imports/Exports → File-based import».

Important!

• 🔄 Existing contacts may be duplicated.
• 📷 Photos will only be saved if they were in the original.vcf.
• 📵 Not all versions. MIUI Support the import of photos from VCF.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even with simple instructions, Redmi 9T users are facing problems.

1. the "Add Photo" button is inactive

Causes and solutions:

• 📵 Contact with SIM-map → Put it in your phone’s memory: open the contact → «More» → «Copy into the phone».
• 🔒 Read-only contact (such as from WhatsApp) → Edit in the source appendix.
• 🔄 Synchronization error → Turn off and enable synchronization in Settings → Accounts. → Google.

2.Photo added but not displayed in calls

The problem is related to the cache of the phone application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone.
2. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».
3. Reboot the phone.

3. After the MIUI update, the photos are missing

This is a well-known bug MIUI 12.5-14.

• 🔄 Recover photos through Google Contacts (Method 2).
• 📱 Reset the settings of the Contacts app: Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Reset.
• 📲 Install an alternative application (e.g. Contacts)+).

💡

If your contacts are missing after the MIUI update, check if your sync with Google has dropped first, often by turning the option back on in your account settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions