Personalizing a device is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to instantly visually identify an incoming call. Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often wonder how to tie a particular image to a subscriber's number so as not to guess who is bothering. The standard MIUI shell and the newer HyperOS offer several ways to solve this problem, each with its own nuances.
The installation process of an avatar can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the specific model of your gadget. Sometimes the standard Contacts app is updated or replaced with system changes, which changes the user's algorithm of actions.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from classic additions through the phone book to the use of third-party messengers and synchronization with a Google account, you will learn how to manage the avatar gallery and eliminate typical display errors.
It is important to understand that the quality of the final image depends on the source file and how it is framed by the system, and we will consider how to achieve the best result without losing the clarity of the face of the interlocutor.
Image Preparation and Format Requirements
Before you start the technical part of the process, you need to make sure that the source file is ready to use. MIUI system has a built-in editor that automatically crops the picture, but it is better to upload the already prepared photo. The optimal solution is to use a square image, where the face occupies the center of the frame.
Picture resolution also plays a role, although modern screens are capable of scaling graphics. It is recommended to choose files with a resolution of at least 500×500 pixels. Too small images can look blurry when displayed to the full screen during an incoming call.
The file format should be standard for mobile devices. The most compatible are the JPG and PNG formats. If your photo is saved in a rare format (for example, HEIC with an iPhone or WebP from instant messengers), the system may suggest converting it or simply not seeing the file in the gallery when you choose.
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Use photos with a contrast background – this will help the system better determine the boundaries of the face when automatically framing.
It's also worth noting that some users prefer to use live wallpaper or short videos as a call, but a regular photo is enough for static contact.Make sure the file is not corrupted and opens in a standard image viewer.
Classic method through the application "Contacts"
The most direct and reliable way to install an avatar is to use the built-in phone book management app, which works on all firmware versions, including the old MIUI 10-12 and the current MIUI 14/HyperOS.
To start, open the Contacts app (an icon with a person's silhouette) and find the right subscriber in the list or use the search bar at the top of the screen. After opening the contact card, look at the top of the screen, where the gray cap or current photo is usually located.
- 📱 Click on the camera icon or the Change button (often looks like a pencil).
- 🖼️ Select the option "Add photo" or "Change photo" from the menu that appears.
- 📂 The system will prompt you to select the source: Gallery, Files or Take a photo.
- ✂️ Edit the framing area and confirm the action with the “Done” or “OK” button".
Once the changes are confirmed, the photo will instantly be linked to the number, and if you’re syncing with your Google or Mi Account account, the changes can be uploaded to the cloud and displayed on your other devices.
In some versions of the shell, the interface may be slightly different, for example, the edit button may be hidden under three dots in the upper right corner of the screen, in which case you need to click on the menu and select Edit, then repeat the procedure for adding the image.
☑️ Photo installation algorithm
Installation of photos through the Gallery and the Explorer
Often, the photo you want is already open in the Gallery, and it's much faster to assign it to a contact directly from there without going to the phone book, which is especially useful if you just received or downloaded a picture of the person you're talking to.
Open the Gallery app and select the image you want. Click on the three dots in the lower right or upper corner (depending on the MIUI version) to call the action menu. In the options list, look for Assign Contact or Set as → Contact Photo.
The system will open a list of your saved numbers. Select the right person from the list. If the contact has multiple numbers (mobile, home, work), the system can specify which number to link the photo to, which is important, because the avatar will only be displayed when you call from a particular SIM card or number.
⚠️ Note: If you don't see "Appoint Contact" in the gallery menu, the app may not have permission to access your contacts. → Annexes → gallery.
An alternative path through Explorer (Files) works similarly: Find the folder where the photo is downloaded (often a Download folder or WhatsApp Images), a long click on the file will highlight it, and a "More" button will appear in the bottom menu, where you can find the function of assigning a contact.
Synchronization through Google account
One of the most effective ways that users often ignore is to use global sync, so if you store numbers in a Google account, a photo installed in a contact profile on any device (such as a computer via Google Contacts or a tablet) will automatically appear on your Xiaomi.
This method ensures that when you change your phone or reset your phone to factory settings, all the avatars will be automatically restored, so you don't have to manually swipe through hundreds of contacts and reassign pictures, just log in to your account when you first set up a new device.
To check your sync settings, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the slider opposite Contact is activated. If sync is disabled, changes made on other devices will not be visible.
The advantage of this method is the high quality of image storage on Google servers, and it eliminates duplicate contacts if you previously kept a phone book in memory. SIM-card or locally in the memory of the phone.
But privacy is important, because if you put a picture on a Google cloud profile, you trust the corporation to store that data, and for most users, it's an acceptable risk for convenience, but there may be limitations in the corporate environment.
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Syncing through Google is the only way to save photos of contacts while completely flashing your phone without manual backup.
Specifics of working with messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)
Modern smartphones often pull up contact avatars automatically from installed messengers. If a person has a photo on WhatsApp or Telegram, and there is none in the phone book, many users want to transfer this avatar to the main contact list.
It's important to understand the difference: messengers show photos from their internal cache. To make this photo the main one on Android, it needs to be exported. On WhatsApp, this is done through a contact profile: open a chat, click on the name on the top, then three dots → General (or just an icon) → Share. However, a direct Save as Contact button may not be there.
Most often, you have to take a profile screenshot or save a media file if the user has sent your photo to a chat. After saving to the gallery, act on the instructions from the second section. Some third-party launchers or themes may have widgets to quickly copy avatars from social networks, but there is no regular means of direct communication between the Telegram cache and MIUI contacts.
| Photo source | Automatic synchronization | Image quality | Complexity of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual loading | No (locally) | High (original) | Low. |
| Google Contacts | Yes (automatically) | Medium/High | Low. |
| WhatsApp/Telegram | Only inside the app. | Depends on the privacy settings | High (requires preservation) |
| SIM-map | No. | Low (often photo) | Impossible (usually) |
The privacy issue deserves special attention: if a contact has hidden its avatar in the messenger’s privacy settings, you will not be able to see its photo, much less install it in the phone book, even if you have its number.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, Xiaomi users may face a number of technical difficulties, most often associated with application access rights or overflowing cache system.
One of the common problems is that the photo doesn't show up when the call is in, even though it's still in contact, which may be because the number is written in different formats (e.g., +7 vs. 8), and the system can't match the call to the contact, because it thinks they're different numbers. Try to bring all the numbers to a single international format.
- 🚫 Photo disappeared after reboot: Check if you have an installed theme that blocks the display of avatars. Try to return the standard theme.
- 🚫 Failed to Save Error: Most likely, a phone memory is full or a particular "Contacts" app has a crowded cache.
- 🚫 Black square instead of photo: file format is not supported or corrupted. Convert the image to JPG.
Also worth mentioning is the Smart Dial feature, or number definition, offered by some Chinese firmware versions or installed apps like GetContact, which can overlaid a standard photo with their logo or database.
⚠️ Note: When cleaning the Contacts or Phone application data, you may lose your call history and locally stored contacts if you do not sync. Be careful with the Clear All Data button".
If the problem is systemic and repeats across contacts, try removing the problem contact completely and creating it again by adding a photo immediately. Sometimes the contact database is micro-damaged and overwriting helps correct the indexing.