How to install a photo on a call in Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 proven ways

Do you want your Xiaomi Redmi 9 to display your personal image instead of your standard contact photo? Or do you want to see a picture of your loved one on the screen when they call you? In this article, we will explore all the possible ways to customize photos for incoming calls on Redmi 9 smartphones with a MIUI shell.

Many users have a problem: uploaded a photo to a contact, but it doesn't show on a call, or the image appears but is cropped unsuccessfully, we'll explain in detail how to correctly set the photo to contact so that it shows correctly when the call is in, and we'll also look at alternative methods if the standard method doesn't work.

It's important to understand that different versions of MIUI (12, 13 or 14) may have slightly different interfaces, but the overall algorithm of actions remains the same. If you have a Redmi 9A, Redmi 9C or Redmi 9T, the instruction will also work - these models work on the same firmware.

Why is the photo not displayed on the Redmi 9 call?

Before we get to the setup, let’s take a look at the main reasons why a photo of a contact may not show:

  • 📱 Incorrectly saving contact – the photo is added not to the phone book, but to a Google account or other service.
  • 🖼️ Inappropriate image format — MIUI It works best with.jpg and.png resolution before 1920×1080.
  • 🔄 Cache of the "Contacts" application - sometimes it is enough to clear the cache so that the photo begins to appear.
  • 📞 Settings of the application "Phone" - in some versions MIUI There is a separate setting for displaying photos on calls.
  • 🔧 System Limitations – if contact is saved SIM-The map, the photo can not be tied to it.

If you've tried to set a photo before but it doesn't appear on the incoming call screen, check it first. 80 percent of the time, it's solved by simply restarting your smartphone or re-saving contact with the photo.

📊 What version? MIUI you use?
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
I don't know.
other

Method 1: Adding photos through standard "Contacts"

The simplest and most obvious method is to attach a photo directly to the contact in the phone book.

  1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette).
  2. Find the right contact in the list and tap it.
  3. In the upper right corner, click on the "Edit" icon (pencil).
  4. Tap the camera icon next to the contact name.
  5. Select the source: 📷 Take a photo if you want to take a picture right now. 🖼️ Select from the gallery - to upload the finished image.

Cut the photo in a circle (MIUI will automatically offer cropping).

"Done."

After that, when an incoming call from that contact should show the photo you have installed. If the image does not appear immediately, try restarting the phone or calling yourself from another number for verification.

Contact name written without error |

Photo has a resolution of at least 300×300 pixels |

The contact is saved in the phone book, not on the phone. SIM-map|

The "Contacts" app has access to the storage-->

⚠️ Note: If you sync contacts with a Google Account, photos may not show due to sync limitations.

Method 2: Using the Phone app to set up

In some versions of MIUI, the settings for displaying photos on calls are hidden in the Phone app, which is especially relevant if you have already added a photo to the contact, but it does not show.

Follow the instructions:

  1. Open the phone application (green handset).
  2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Settings".
  3. Go to Contact Display or Call Settings (the name may vary).
  4. Find the option "Show photos of contacts" and activate it.
  5. Also check the Call Screen Background option – it should be turned off or set for transparency.

Instructions for Truecaller:

  1. Install and open the application.
  2. Register (you can register through Google).
  3. Find the right contact on the list.
  4. Slip on the camera icon next to the name.
  5. Choose a photo from the gallery or make a new one.
  6. Save the changes.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party calling apps, they become the default application for call processing.This can affect communication stability.

How to return a standard call screen after using a third-party app?
To disable the third-party app and return to the standard call screen in MIUI: 1. Go to Settings → Apps → Application Management. 2. Find the installed app (like Truecaller). 3. Select Default and reset settings. 4. Reboot your phone. After that, calls will be processed again with the standard Phone application.

Additional settings for displaying photos on calls

MIUI offers some hidden features for customizing the incoming call screen.

  • 🔄 Photo animation - some firmware versions allow you to enable a smooth appearance of the photo when you call. → Lock screen → Additionally. → Call animation.
  • 🎨 Color theme - the background of the call screen can be made translucent or adjusted to the color of the photo. → My subjects. → Call screen settings.
  • 📱 Photo position – if the image is cropped unsuccessfully, try to change its position in the contact editor (hold your finger on the photo and drag it around).

Also worth noting is the full screen mode, which in some versions of MIUI turns off the picture on calls, to check:

Settings → Lock screen → Full screen mode → Disable

If you want your contact photo to be as clear as possible, use images at 1080×1080 pixels and center the main object (face) in the middle. MIUI automatically crops the photo in a circle, so it is important that key elements do not get cropped.

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If you want a contact photo to be displayed on the lock screen when you notify about missed calls, activate the option Settings → Lock screen → Notifications → Show contact photos.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even following the instructions, users often make mistakes that make the photo not displayed, and the most common ones are:

  • 🔄 Unsaved Changes – After editing the contact, remember to click Save or Ready".
  • 📱 Duplicate contacts – if the same number is saved twice (for example, on Google and locally), the photo may not be displayed.
  • 🖼️ Too big photo – images larger 5 MB may not load. Optimal size — 100-300 CBB.
  • 🔒 Sync Restrictions – Contacts synced to a Xiaomi or Google account sometimes block local photos.

If you encounter a problem where a photo is displayed in contacts but not on a call, try the following algorithm:

  1. Delete the photo from the contact.
  2. Save the changes.
  3. Close the Contacts app (swipe in the multitasking menu).
  4. Open the contact again and add a photo.
  5. Reboot the phone.

MIUI versions 13 and 14 have a bug that doesn’t show contact photos if you have power saving on. Turn it off in Settings → Battery → Power saving mode to fix the problem.

Can I put a GIF instead of a photo on a call in Redmi 9?
Unfortunately, standard MIUI tools do not support animated images (GIFs) for incoming call screens. However, you can use third-party apps like Full Screen Caller ID that support this feature.
Why is the contact photo blurred?
This is due to automatic compression in MIUI. To avoid blurring: Use source photos with a resolution of at least 500×500 pixels. Avoid magnifying small details. Save the image in PNG format for better quality. If the photo is still blurry, try cropping it in a third-party editor (such as Snapseed) before uploading.
How to make the photo appear on missed calls?
To do this, activate the display of photos in notifications: Go to Settings → Notifications → Notifications on the lock screen. Enable the option “Show contact photos.” Make sure that in Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Notifications, the Phone app has access to notifications. After that, photos of contacts will be shown in notifications about missed calls.
Can I put different photos for different SIM-map?
In standard settings MIUI This feature is not – the photo is tied to the contact, not to the SIM-But you can use a workaround: Create a duplicate of a different name (e.g., "Ivan (Worker)" and "Ivan (Personal)"). Assign each contact a photo of yourself. Save the numbers to different names. SIM-So when you call from different places, SIM There will be different photos.
How to Reset All Contact Photos to Standard
If you want to remove all user photos from your contacts, do this: Open the Contacts app. Tap three dots in the top right corner and select Settings. Go to Contact Management → Import/Export. Export contacts to a.vcf file (no photo). Delete all contacts from the phone book. Import contacts back from the file. This method saves all numbers and names, but deletes the attached photos.

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If none of these methods worked, check if you have custom firmware or an outdated version of MIUI. In some modified builds, the photo display function on calls can be disabled at the system level.