Assigning photos to contacts in Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a simple but useful way to personalize a phone book. Visual tags help you find the right people on your call list faster, and in the era of messengers and social networks, they also add convenience to identifying subscribers. However, not all users know that there are several ways to assign an image to a contact in MIUI (the Xiaomi brand shell), and not all of them are obvious at first glance.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including the standard Redmi 9 tools, sync through Google Contacts, and even workarounds for cases when a photo is not saved. We will focus on the nuances associated with the firmware version (relevant to MIUI 12/13/14) and possible restrictions when importing contacts from other devices. If you encounter a problem that the photo does not appear in calls or messengers, here you will find a solution.
1. Standard method: through the "Contacts" application
The most direct method is to edit the contact directly in the regular Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette on a green background), which works on all versions of Redmi 9, regardless of the regional firmware. Importantly, if the contact is synchronized with Google Account, the changes will automatically apply to other devices.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Contacts app and find the contact you want in the list (you can use the search at the top of the screen).
- ✏️ Click on the contact, then tap the pencil icon ("Edit"**) in the upper right corner.
- 🖼️ Touch a circular silhouette (or current photo) next to the name – the image selection menu will open.
- 📷 Select the source: "Take a photo"** - activates the camera for instant shots. "Gallery"** - allows you to select an existing photo from the memory of the phone. "Avatar"** - offers standard icons from the phone MIUI (if a temporary solution is needed).
- 💾 After selecting, click "Ready" or "Save" in the upper right corner.
If the photo doesn’t show up immediately, reboot the Contacts app or the smartphone itself. In rare cases, sync with Google is required (more on this below).
Contact is not duplicated in the phone book|Photography is formatted JPG/PNG|The resolution of the image does not exceed 5 MB|Google sync enabled (if you use your account)-->
2. Through Google Contacts: Sync with the Cloud
If you use a Google Account to back up your contacts, photos can be assigned via the web version of Google Contacts, a method that is convenient when you need to massively edit contacts or add images from your computer, the main advantage is that changes will automatically apply to all devices associated with this account, including Redmi 9.
Step-by-step:
- Open your browser on your PC or phone and go to contacts.google.com (sign up with the same account as you do on Xiaomi).
- Find the contact you need in the list and click on it.
- Click on the camera icon in the upper left corner of the contact window (near the name).
- Download photos from your device or select from Google Photos.
- Save the changes – the photo syncs with Redmi 9 for 1-2 minutes.
If the photo does not appear on the phone:
- 🔄 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize and enable the “Contact” option»**.
- 📱 Open Contacts app on Redmi 9, pull the list down to update the data.
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To speed up sync, connect to Wi-Fi – transferring photos over the mobile Internet can take longer.
3.Use of MIUI-chips: quick action
The MIUI branded shell offers several hidden contacts that many Redmi 9 users don’t know, such as as assigning a photo directly from a call log or through a quick action menu with a long click on a contact.
Method 1: From the call log
- 📞 Open the Phone application and go to the tab "Journal»**.
- 👤 Find the contact number and click on it.
- 🖼️ In the card that opens, tap the camera icon next to the name – the photo editor will open.
Method 2: Through the contact menu
- 📇 In the Contacts app, make a long press on the desired contact.
- 🔧 In the menu that appears, select “Edit»**.
- 📸 Act as standard (paragraph 1).
Important: if the contact is maintained SIM-map, edit his photo through MIUI If you can’t, transfer it to your phone or Google Account.
Through the application Contacts on the phone|Synchronize through Google Contacts|I use third-party apps.|I don't assign photos.|Another way.-->
4 Problems and Solutions: Why the Photo Is Not Shown
Sometimes Redmi 9 users find that the assigned photo is not shown in calls, messages or messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), the reasons can vary from firmware bugs to privacy settings.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Photos don't show up in calls | The option “Show photos” is disabled | Go to Settings → Applications → Contacts → Show contact photos and enable the option. |
| Photos are available but not updated | Cache of the Contacts app | Clear the cache to Settings → Apps → Contacts → Memory → Clear the cache. |
| Photos are not synced with Google | Limiting mobile traffic | Enable sync only over Wi-Fi or check limits in Settings → Accounts → Google. |
| Photo not displayed on WhatsApp | Limitations of the messenger | WhatsApp takes photos from its servers. Update the contact in the app itself (open chat). → ⋮ → «Viewing the contact» → edit). |
⚠️ Note: If you are using duality SIM-Redmi 9 cards, make sure the contact is saved in the correct phone book (not on the phone). SIM). Photos on contacts SIM-cards not supported.
Third-party annexes: alternatives
If standard methods do not suit (for example, you need to en masse assign a photo or use images from social networks), you can use third-party applications.
- 📲 Sync.ME – Automatically pulls up photos of contacts from Facebook, VK, Instagram and other social networks.
- 🖼️ Contact Photo Grid – allows you to assign photos in packs from the gallery.
- 🔄 Simpler Contacts – an alternative phone book with advanced editing features.
Warnings when using third-party applications:
- 🔒 Before installation, check permissions (access to contacts, gallery, internet).
- 📥 Some apps may slow down Redmi 9 due to background synchronization.
- 💰 Free versions often contain advertisements.
⚠️ Note: Apps like Sync.ME require social media login. If you use two-factor authentication, make sure the app supports this method (otherwise, access may be blocked).
How to delete a photo of a contact?
6. Photo optimization: sizes and formats
To correctly display photos of contacts on Redmi 9, it is recommended to adhere to the following parameters:
- 📏 Resolution: optimal 300×300 pixel (MIUI automatically crops images into a circle).
- 🖼️ Format: JPEG or PNG (GIF and WEBP may not be supported).
- 📱 File weight: no more than 5 MB (if the photo is exceeded, it will not remain).
- 🎨 Background: for better visibility, choose images with a contrast center (face on a neutral background).
If the photo is too big, MIUI will compress it automatically, but it can degrade the quality.
- Open the photo in the Gallery app.
- Click "Edit" → "Cut" and select the square format (1:1).
- Save the modified version and use it for contact.
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Contact photos in MIUI are stored in /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/files/, but manual editing is not recommended, as this can cause sync failures.