How to put a photo on the contact Xiaomi: 5 ways + error solving

Introduction: Why it is important to set up contact photos

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer handy tools for personalizing contacts, from adding avatars to syncing with cloud services. However, many users face difficulties: photos do not appear in calls, are reset after an update or do not sync between devices. This article will help you understand how to correctly establish a photo on a contact on any Xiaomi smartphone (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark), avoiding typical errors.

We will look not only at the basic methods through the standard Contacts app, but also at alternative methods: importing from Google Contacts, using Mi Account, as well as solving problems with displaying avatars in WhatsApp and Telegram. MIUI (12 to 14) and smartphone models.

Method 1: Adding a photo through standard “Contacts”

The easiest method is to use the built-in Contacts app, which works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the firmware version.

1. Open the Contacts app on the home screen or in the app menu.
2. Find the contact you want in the list and click on it to open the card.
3. In the upper right corner, tap the pencil icon (editing).
4. Touch the round silhouette of the camera next to the contact name.
5. Select the source of the photo: 📷 Take a picture – activates the camera for a new photo. 🖼️ Gallery – allows you to select an existing image. 🎨 Emoji – suggests using a sticker instead of a photo (available in the MIUI 14+).

Adjust the framing area (if required) and save the changes.

Once saved, the photo will appear in the contact card and will be displayed when incoming calls. Please note that if the contact is synced with Google or Mi Account, the changes can take up to 5 minutes.

Select an image with a resolution of at least 300×300 pixels

Cut the photo so that the face occupies 70-80% of the frame

Save the original in JPEG or PNG format

Check that the photo is not blurred when you zoom in.-->

⚠️ Note: If you are using duality SIM-maps on Xiaomi, contact photo may not be displayed when calling the second SIM. That's a limitation. MIUI — Check the display settings in the Settings section → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Call settings.

Method 2: Import photos via Google Contacts

If your contacts are synced to your Google account, you can edit them through the web version of the service, and the changes will be automatically applied on your smartphone, this method is convenient for mass editing or if the standard Contacts app does not work properly.

Instructions:

1. Open contacts.google.com on your computer or phone and log in.
2. Find the contact you need in the list and click on it.
3. Click on the camera icon in the upper right corner of the contact card.
4. Download photos from your device or select from Google Photos.
5. Save the changes – sync with Xiaomi will take up to 10 minutes.

The advantage of this method is that the photo will be available on all devices that sync with Google, but there is a caveat: MIUI caches contacts, so sometimes you need to force the data to update.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Turn off and turn on the contact sync again.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

Method 3: Using Mi Account to synchronize

Mi Account is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud service that allows you to sync contacts, photos and notes between your brand devices. If you prefer not to use Google, this method will be an alternative.

How to add a photo via Mi Account:

1. Make sure your smartphone is synced with Mi Account: Settings → Accounts and sync → Mi Account → Contact Sync (incl.)
2. Open the Contacts app and select the contact you want.
3. Click on “Edit” and add a photo (as in Method 1).
4. Save the changes – the photo will be uploaded to the Mi Cloud.

💡

If you change Xiaomi devices frequently, use Mi Account to back up contacts.This is faster than restoring through Google and saves all local changes, including photos.

Method 4: Editing photos through Truecaller

Truecaller not only identifies numbers, but also allows you to manage photos of contacts, including those not saved in the phone book, which is useful if you want to add photos for business contacts or numbers that call often.

Instructions:

1. Install Truecaller from Google Play.
2. Register and provide access to contacts.
3. Open your contact card in Truecaller (via search or call log).
4. Slip the camera icon next to the name and select a photo.
5. Save – the photo will be displayed in Truecaller and incoming calls.

Note: Truecaller replaces the standard contact display for its users only. If a subscriber uses Truecaller, they will see your photo when they call you.

⚠️ Warning: Truecaller collects your contacts. If privacy is more important than convenience, use this method only for business contacts or turn off sync in the app settings.

Problem Solving: Why a contact photo is not displayed

Even after you set it up properly, the photo may not show up when you call, and let's look at the typical reasons and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Photos are in contact, but not visible when calling

This is due to the display settings in the Phone app.

1. Open the phone (pipe icon).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) → Settings.
3. Select Contact Display.
4. Set the contact photo to the on position.

Problem 2: Photos are reset after MIUI update

For major updates (e.g., from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), the contacts cache may be reset.

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Contacts.
• 🧹 Click Clear Cache (not data!).
• 🔁 Reboot your smartphone.

Problem 3: Photos are not synchronized between devices

If you use both Google and Mi Account, there may be a conflict.

1. What account is the main one for contacts: Contacts → ☰ → Accounts → Main account
2. Turn off sync for an unnecessary account.

💡

If a contact photo is not displayed on WhatsApp or Telegram, the problem is not Xiaomi — these messengers use their own contact databases. Update the photo directly in the subscriber profile settings in the messenger.

Optimization of photos for contacts: expert advice

To make contact photos look clear on the lock screen and in the call log, follow these guidelines:

• 📏 Permit: Minimum size — 300×300 It's a pixel — 512×512 (model AMOLED-screen).
• 🎨 Format: JPEG or PNG (transparently). MIUI Automatically compresses the photo, but the original quality is important for clarity.
• 👤 Personnel: The person must be 70-80% Avoid group photos, they don't scale well.
• 🌈 Contrast: Images with dark backgrounds are better visible on the lock screen. Use editing tools (e.g. Google Photos) to increase brightness.

For mass editing of photo contacts, use applications like Contact Photo Editor (available on Google Play).

• Automatically crop the photo to a round format.
• Use filters to improve visibility.
• Export the changes back to the phone book.

If you make frequent calls at work, consider creating unique avatars for contact groups (e.g., green backgrounds for colleagues, blue for customers), which makes it visually easier to navigate the call log.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photos of contacts on Xiaomi