How to put a picture on a call on Xiaomi Redmi

Personalizing a smartphone interface is not just a way to stand out, it’s also an effective navigation tool. When a phone rings, especially in a noisy place or when it’s lying down, the standard subscriber icon may not be immediately recognizable. Setting a unique image on a particular contact allows you to instantly identify the caller from a bright picture that occupies the entire screen. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices often wonder how to implement this feature, since standard Android methods here do not always work because of the deep customization of the MIUI shell or HyperOS.

The process of installing an avatar to call requires several sequential actions, which may vary depending on the operating system version and device model. It is important to understand that the function itself is built into the system, but it is closely related to the operation of the Contacts and Phone application. The key is to correctly store the image in the phone's memory and link it to the type of communication (mobile number, messenger) from which the call comes. If you ignore the technical nuances, instead of a photo, you will see the standard gray silhouette again.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of configuration, from file preparation to troubleshooting common errors. We will consider both the standard system tools and the capabilities of third-party applications if the standard functionality for some reason does not meet your needs. Deep customization of the visual style of calls will make using the smartphone much more comfortable and aesthetic.

Image Preparation and File Requirements

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that the source file meets the technical requirements of the system. the Android operating system based on MIUI has certain restrictions and recommendations for the format and resolution of images that will be displayed throughout the screen. Using an inappropriate file can lead to the system automatically cutting the picture unrecognizable or even refuse to display it, replacing it with a standard stub.

The optimal format for static images is JPG or PNG. These formats provide good quality at a reasonable file size. If you plan to install an animated image (GIF), make sure your version of the shell supports this feature out of the box, as in some regions and on some Redmi models, the animation on the call may not play without installing additional plugins or themes.

• 📸 The image resolution should be at least 1080x1920 pixels for full screen filling in vertical orientation.
• 💾 The file size should not be excessively large (recommended before the 2-3 MB) so as not to cause delays in display during incoming call.
• 🖼️ The 9:16 aspect ratio is ideal, as it is in this format that the smartphone is held in hand and the call interface is displayed.

And you also need to look at the composition of the frame, because the call interface overlaps the screen with response buttons, shutdown buttons and time information, the center of the image can be hidden, so it's important to leave space at the top and bottom of the frame, or to choose a photo where the main character or object is located strictly in the center, which will provide the best visual effect.

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Use the built-in editor in the Xiaomi Gallery to pre-frame your photo at a 9:16 ratio before you set it up for contact.

Installation of photo on contact through the standard application

The most reliable and regular way to set a picture on a call is to use the built-in Contacts app, which ensures that the image will be displayed correctly when an incoming call is made over a cellular network. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the overall logic remains the same for all Xiaomi devices.

To start, open the Contacts app or go to Phone and select the Contacts tab. Find the right subscriber in the list or create a new one if you don't already have one in your phone book. Click on the contact name to open their card. In the upper right corner or right under the name (depending on the interface version), you'll see a pencil icon or a Change button. Click on it to go into data editing mode.

In edit mode, you'll see a circular area for the avatar, often with a camera or plus symbol inside. By clicking on this icon, the system will suggest you choose the source of the image: take a photo right now or choose from the gallery. Choose the second option and find the pre-prepared image. After selecting the photo, the system will suggest framing it, moving the frame. Once you make sure that the face or subject is located correctly, click on Save or Ready.

Please note that if the contact has several numbers (for example, “Mobile”, “Worker”, “Home”), the photo will be attached to the entire contact as a whole. However, in some cases, if the call is received via a messenger (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), the system photo may not be displayed, since these applications use their own databases of avatars (GSM/LTE) This method works without fail.

Configure through the Gallery app

There is an alternative, and often faster, way to make a contact, especially if you've just taken a picture or found a beautiful picture online and are in the Gallery app, which allows you to edit the image immediately without switching between applications, and Xiaomi owners value this ecosystem for this interconnection of components.

Open the image you want to use in the standard MIUI gallery. Click on the "More" button (three dots or the corresponding icon in the bottom menu) and in the drop-down list, select "Install as." The system will offer several options for using the image: desktop wallpaper, lock screen wallpaper or "Contact Photo."

Once you select Contact Photo, you'll see a list of your saved numbers, find the right person on the list, or search. The system will warn you that the image will be cropped and saved for that contact. Confirm the action. This method is especially convenient because it allows you to quickly "on the fly" assign the photo without going through the editing menu of the contact itself.

⚠️ Note: When you install a photo through the gallery, make sure you choose Contact Photos rather than Lock Screen Wallpaper. These features are visually similar on the menu, but have different purposes: one changes the background of the phone, the other - the avatar of the caller.

Note that newer versions of the HyperOS shell may have slightly altered interfaces, and the “Install How” option may be inside the editing menu (pencil icon or three dots) rather than on the main photo viewing screen. If you didn’t find this item right away, try clicking on the image three fingers or looking for the “Share” icon, where additional actions are sometimes hidden.

Use of themes and third-party applications for calls

Xiaomi’s regular capabilities are good, but sometimes users want more: video calls, complex animations, particle effects, or repositioning response buttons. There are specialized apps and themes for this. However, using third-party software to handle calls requires caution, since these apps access your contacts and call history.

One of the most popular ways to diversify calls is through Xiaomi’s Themes app, which can search for themes like “Video Caller ID” or “Call Screen.” By setting up a theme, you can access a library of video screensavers. However, often the themes are limited or require subscription fees. A more flexible solution is Google Play apps like “Video Caller ID” or “Truecaller” (in a paid version), which allow you to assign a video or GIF to a contact.

• 🎨 Topics MIUI: They allow you to change the style of the call interface, but often do not allow you to upload your videos without restrictions.
• 📱 Third-party Dialers: applications like «EX Dialer completely replaces the call interface, allowing you to put any gifs and videos, but can conflict with the system.
• ⚙️ Plugins: Some features are only available when installing additional plugins for those that may complicate the process.

When installing a third-party call app, Android will ask for a number of permissions, you will need to allow access to contacts, call logs, and most importantly, allow display on top of other apps. Without that, the caller will not see your beautiful picture, but will see a standard black screen or system interface, and you may also need to turn off battery savings for this application so that the system does not “kill” him in the background.

Why is the photo not displayed on the full screen?

Quite often, users are faced with a situation where everything seems to be done correctly, the photo is saved, but when an incoming call shows a small circle in the corner or a standard grey icon, this is a common problem that can be caused by several factors related to synchronization, cache or privacy settings.

The first and most common reason is sync with your Google or Mi Account account. If you have contact sync enabled, the local photo you have installed may overwrite from a cloud photo that doesn't have one, or it has a low resolution. Check which contact source is displayed in the settings. Also, the problem may be in the number storage format: if the contact is saved as "+7...," and the call goes to "8...," or without a country code, the system may not match the number to the contact and show the photo.

Another reason could be a crowded cache of the Contacts or Phone app, in which case cleaning the cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Contacts (or Phone) → Memory → Clear the cache. Don’t confuse it with Clear Data, as this can delete the call history, although contacts are usually saved in the cloud.

It is also important to check if the contact is still in place. SIM-map. SIM-The cards have very limited capabilities and often do not support storing high-resolution photos or do not support them at all.

Creation of contact groups with a common image

In MIUI and standard Android, there is a useful contact grouping feature, where you can create a group like Family, Work or Delivery and assign a shared image to it, which is handy if you want all calls from couriers or colleagues to be displayed with the same thematic picture, even if the individual employee does not have a personal photo.

To create a group, go to Contacts, find a menu (three dots or bars) and select Groups or Groups. Name a group, add the contacts you want and assign an image. Now, when any person in that group calls, if they don't have a personal photo, they'll display a photo of the group, which is a great way to structure incoming calls.

However, the priority is always to give an individual photo of the contact, if the person has a personal image, it will override the group image, the group photo will only work if the personal photo is missing, which is logical, since individual identification is more important than the group one.

⚠️ Note: When you delete a group, contacts are not deleted, they simply lose their group membership. However, if you delete the contact, make sure that it is not the only carrier of important information, since the retrieval of deleted contacts is possible only from the basket within 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The main secret of successful installation is to use high-resolution (Full HD) images, save contacts in the phone memory (not on SIM), and check the format of the phone number.

To sum up, putting a picture on a call is a simple but useful procedure that takes only a couple of minutes. Following our guidelines for file preparation and installation method, you can easily personalize your Xiaomi or Redmi. Remember to update images periodically to keep the interface fresh and the caller’s identification instant.