Personalizing the smartphone interface is not just a way to stand out, but an important element of device usability. When the screen lights up and you see the familiar face of the caller, it allows you to instantly identify the interlocutor without spending time reading the name. Owners of budget but reliable models like the Xiaomi Redmi 9A often encounter the nuances of the MIUI shell that distinguish the setup process from βpureβ Android. You can set the image to contact in several ways, and each has its own characteristics depending on where your phone book is stored.
The process of assigning a photo to a subscriber in Redmi 9A may not seem obvious to those who have previously used other smartphones. The system may offer different applications for managing contacts, and choosing the wrong tool sometimes leads to the fact that the picture does not appear on an incoming call. It is important to understand that synchronization with a Google account and local storage in the phone memory work differently.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of installing avatars, paying special attention to the specifics of how Google Contacts works on the MIUI shell. You will learn how to crop the image correctly, where to download it and what to do if standard methods do not work. Competent setting of the phone book will make communication with the Xiaomi Redmi 9A much more comfortable and visually pleasant.
Image Preparation and File Requirements
Before you start directly binding the photo to the phone number, you need to make sure that the image itself meets the technical requirements of the system. Xiaomi Redmi 9A has a screen with a resolution of 720Γ1600 pixels, but it is not always advisable to download a picture of this size. The system automatically scales and frames the image, so the source file must be of sufficient quality to remain recognizable after compression. The optimal solution is to use square photos or portraits where the face occupies the center of the frame.
Modern versions of the shell MIUI Supports most popular graphics file formats, including JPG, PNG and WEBP. However, to avoid errors when syncing with cloud services, it is better to use a universal format. JPEG. File weight also matters: High-resolution photos that are too heavy can take longer to load when synced or not show up in the call list correctly. 2-3 MB.
β οΈ Warning: Avoid using images with transparent background (format) PNG If you display it on a lock screen or in a call log, the transparent areas may turn black or white, which will spoil the appearance of the avatar.
If you plan to install a group photo or picture with small details, make sure that when framing into a circle (the shape of the avatar in Android), important information does not get cut. The built-in Redmi 9A editor allows you to shift the framing area, but it is better to prepare the file in the gallery in advance.
- πΈ Use high-resolution photos, but do not exceed reasonable limits (up to 5 MPxels).
- πΌοΈ Preferred file format β JPEG For maximum compatibility with Google services.
- βοΈ Frame the image in advance so that the face is in the center of the frame.
- π« Avoid dark or too contrasting images that donβt read well on a small screen.
Installation of photos through the standard Contacts app
The most direct and obvious way to assign an image to a subscriber is to use the built-in Contacts app, which is preinstalled on Xiaomi Redmi. 9A. This method is ideal if you want to quickly add a photo to the person who just called you, or if you create a new record manually. MIUI.
To start, open the Contacts app (usually a blue icon with a person's silhouette) from the menu or desktop. Find the right subscriber in the list or use the search bar at the top of the screen. After opening the contact card, pay attention to the top: where the circle with the first letter of the name usually appears, there should be an edit button or a camera icon. If you see the Change button (often looks like a pencil or text), click on it to go to edit the data.
In edit mode, a round area will appear at the top of the screen for the photo. When you click on it, the system will suggest you select the source of the image: take a picture on the camera, select from the gallery or delete the current photo. When you select the gallery, you will be taken to the file manager, where you can find the pre-prepared image. After selecting the photo, the system will suggest framing it by entering it into a circle. When you complete the process, remember to click Save, otherwise the changes will be lost.
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If the save button is inactive or gray, check if at least one field (such as name or number) is filled, as the system sometimes blocks empty contacts from editing.
Use Google Contacts for Synchronization
The most reliable and versatile way to ensure that photos are displayed on any device is through Google services. On Xiaomi Redmi 9A, as on most Android smartphones, the Google Contacts app can work in parallel with the standard, or be integrated into it. This method is especially important if you are planning to change your phone in the future, since all data with photos will be stored in your account.
To use this method, find and open the Contacts app from Google (a colorful icon). If you have multiple phone book apps installed, make sure you have Google's service. Find the right subscriber in the list. If the contact is stored in your phone's memory instead of in your Google account, the system may suggest moving it. If you want to fully sync and display photos on all devices, the contact must be on your Google account.
Click on the contact name, then select the edit option (pencil icon). At the top of the screen, click on the camera icon or blank circle. The system will prompt you to download a photo from the gallery. After selecting and framing the image, click Save. The important point is that the changes may not apply instantly. For forced synchronization, go to Settings on your phone, find the Accounts and Sync, select your Google account and click Sync.
βοΈ Checking the synchronization of contacts
Why canβt you see the photo on other devices?
Display setting and contact filtering
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the photo seems to be set, but when an incoming call shows a standard stub or abbreviation. 9A This is the function of filtering the contacts displayed, if the phone book is mixed with the contacts with the SIM-Maps, phone memory and different accounts, the system can show duplicates or hide images due to conflicting data sources.
To solve this problem, open the Contacts app and go to the settings menu (usually three dots in the corner or a gear). You need to make sure that you choose to display all contacts or specifically those accounts where you saved photos. SIM-Maps, then photos saved in Google or phone memory will not be displayed, because SIM-The card does not support the storage of images.
It's also worth checking the settings of a particular contact. In some cases, the same person can be recorded twice: once on Google with a photo, a second time locally without a photo. When you call, the system can choose a card without an image. To avoid this, use the "unite" function. In the Google Contacts app, there is a section "Currelate and Manage -> Combine and fix" that automatically finds duplicates and suggests that they be merged into one record with full information.
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Contacts should be saved in a Google account, not on a Google account. SIM-map so that photos are guaranteed to be displayed and synced between devices.
Table of comparison of methods of maintaining contacts
Understanding the differences between storage methods will help avoid loss of information and problems with displaying media files. Below is a comparison of the main options for storing contacts on the Xiaomi Redmi 9A.
| Parameter | Phone memory | Google Account | SIM-map |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo storage | Supported | Supported | Not supported |
| Synchronization | Only on this device. | Automatic (cloud) | Absent. |
| Security | Risk of loss on discharge | High (backup) | Medium (physical carrier) |
| Number of fields | No restrictions. | No restrictions. | Limited (name and number only) |
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, Redmi 9A users may encounter a number of technical problems. One of the most common mistakes is that the Contacts app does not have access rights to the device's memory. If the MIUI system has restricted access, you simply cannot select a photo from the gallery. To check, go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps, find Contacts, select Permissions and make sure that access to Photos and videos or Files is allowed.
Another common problem is energy saving: Aggressive battery optimization in MIUI can freeze the sync process of Google Contacts, which prevents new photos from loading. To fix this, look in the Google Play Contacts and Services app settings, go to Energy Saving and select No Limits mode. This will allow the background processes to work correctly.
β οΈ Note: If the photo is only displayed in your home after installing it, but the caller cannot see it, remember that you cannot control the image on someone else's phone. The subscriber will only see your photo if he saves your number in his phone book and adds your photo to it.
Sometimes the problem lies in the filename format or image path format, especially if the photo was uploaded from messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, which often create hidden folders that standard applications may not be able to access without additional permissions. In this case, copy the desired image to the main folder. DCIM or Pictures via file manager before contacting.