How to put a picture on the phone Xiaomi: all the ways

Want to personalize your address book on your Xiaomi? Adding photos to your contacts not only makes the list more visual, but also helps you quickly find the right people during calls. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install images for contacts on Redmi, POCO and other devices with a MIUI shell (versions 12-14).

The process may vary slightly depending on the phone model and firmware version, but the general principles remain the same. We will look at standard methods through the Contacts app, as well as alternative options for synchronized Google and Mi Account accounts. If you have problems loading photos, there is a section at the end of this article with solutions to common errors.

Before you start, make sure you have the right image. The optimal size for a contact avatar is 300×300 to 500×500 pixels. Avoid too dark or blurry photos, as they will not display well in the call interface.

Method 1: Through the standard "Contact" application

The simplest and most versatile method is to use the built-in Contacts app, which works on all modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others with MIUI 12-14.

Step instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a blue background).
2. Find the contact you need in the list and tap it to open the card.
3. In the upper right corner, click on the "Edit" icon (pencil).
4. Slip on the round contact icon (the default is the first letter of the name on a colored background).
5. Select the source of the image: 📷 Take a photo – take a picture right through the camera 🖼️ Gallery - select an existing photo 🎨 Avatars – Use standard icons MIUI

"Done."

Save changes to the contact card.

After that, the photo will not only appear in the contact list, but also show up when incoming calls. If the image does not change immediately, try restarting the phone or clearing the cache of the Contacts app.

The photo has a square format (or close to it)

Image resolution of at least 300×300 pixels

The contact is stored in the phone book, not just in the phone book. SIM-map

The "Contact" app is updated to the latest version-->

Method 2: Through Google Account (Synced Contacts)

If your contacts are synced to your Google account, you can change your photo via the web interface or Google Contacts mobile app, a technique that is convenient because the changes are automatically applied to all devices where sync is enabled.

How to do this:

1. Open the Google Contacts app (if not, download from the Play Market).
2. Find the right contact and open your card.
3. Slip the camera icon in the avatar mug.
4. Select the source: 📸 Take a photo – a new photo through the camera 🗃️ Select from the gallery - existing image 🖌️ Draw – Create an Avatar by hand

Edit the photo (if necessary) and save the changes.

Important: if a contact is duplicated (there is both a phone book and Google), the changes may not apply to all copies, in which case it is better to combine duplicates first through the Contacts settings.

In the memory of the phone

Google account

On the Mi Account.

Nana SIM-map

Other-->

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Account for sync, photo changes via Google Contacts may not be saved, in which case it is better to use the first method (via the standard application).

Method 3: For contact with SIM-map

Contacts saved on SIM-They have limited editing capabilities, and in most cases, you can't add a photo directly to them, you need to transfer the contact to your phone's memory or your account first. Google/Mi.

How to transfer contact with SIM:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Go to the Contact Management section → Imports/Exports.
3. Select "Import with" SIM-map".
4. Mark the contacts you need and click "Import".
5. Select the target storage: 📱 Device – Local Memory of the Phone 🌐 Google account 🔵 Mi Account: Xiaomi account

After importing, you can add a photo in any of the ways described above. SIM-The photo card will not be saved – this is a format limitation.

Photo editing and cropping

When you add an image to a contact, MIUI automatically prompts it to be cropped, which is an important step, because improper framing can cause only a part of the face or an uncomfortable angle to be visible on the call screen.

Editing tips:

• 🔍 Use zoom (two fingers) to zoom in on an important part of the image.
• 📏 Watch the central area – it will appear in a round icon.
• 🎨 To create collages or overlay text, use third-party apps (such as PicsArt or Canva) before downloading.
• 🔄 If the result does not suit, you can return the standard icon by clicking "Delete photo" in the contact editor.

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 11 and later) have additional avatar effects:

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12 and below, some effects may not be available, and they are not available for contacts synced only to Google (without a local copy).

Challenges and solutions

Sometimes users have difficulty adding photos to their contacts, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

1. Photo is not saved after editing

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache of the "Contacts" application in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Memory.
• 📥 Update the Contacts app through Play Market.

2. Image is not displayed when the call is made

• 🔍 Check that the contact is saved in the phone book, not just on the phone. SIM-map.
• 📞 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Calls. → Identification of the caller and enable the option "Show photos of contacts".
• 🔄 Make sure that the contact is not duplicated (combine duplicates).

3. You cannot add a photo to a group contact

In MIUI, group contacts (e.g., "Family" or "Work") do not support individual photos.

• 👥 Create separate contacts for each member of the group.
• 🏷️ Use tags instead of groups (Google Contacts has this feature).

💡

If you call the same person often, add them to Favorites in the Phone app. Open contact → click on the star in the top right corner. It will now appear on a separate tab with a photo.

Alternative methods: third-party applications

If you don't like standard methods, you can use third-party contact management apps that offer advanced photo editing and additional features.

Popular applications:

• 📱 Truecaller – automatically uploads photos from social networks (if the contact is registered in the service).
• 🎨 Sync.ME – allows you to add animated avatars and information from Facebook, LinkedIn.
• 🔍 Contacts+ — convenient editor with backup and combining duplicates.
• 📞 Drupe – a non-standard interface with large avatars and gestures.

Before installing, check the app’s permissions — some require access to calls, messages, and contacts — and remember that photos uploaded through third-party services (such as Truecaller) may be visible to other users.

⚠️ Note: When using Truecaller, your contacts (including photos) may be uploaded to the service cloud to improve the database.If this is privacy-critical, opt out of automatically syncing in your application settings.

Tips for choosing photos for contacts

A good photo of the contact not only decorates the interface, but also helps you navigate the phone book faster.

• 👤 Portrait photos are better for avatars than landscapes or abstractions.
• 🌞 Avoid photos against light – your face should be well lit.
• 😊 The facial expressions in the photo should be neutral or positive (smile, calm look).
• 👥 For family contacts, you can use collages (made in advance in graphic editors).
• 🎭 For working contacts, formal photos or company logos are suitable.

If you want your contact photos to be displayed in full screen when you make an incoming call, check your settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Calls → Incoming Call Style.
2. Select the option "Full screen" or "Extended".
3. Enable the option "Show photo of contact".

💡

On Xiaomi models with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5) Dark photos of contacts will consume less energy than light ones, which is due to the features of the display technology.

FAQ: Frequent questions