Modern smartphones, including popular Xiaomi and Poco models, offer many ways to personalize the interface, but the standard setting of incoming calls often disappoints users. Instead of admiring the quality of the image of the interlocutor, owners see only a small circular thumbnail or a standard stub that occupies a tiny part of the display, this is especially noticeable on devices with large screens, where the empty space around the avatar looks unaesthetic.
This problem can be solved, but standard MIUI shells or new HyperOS can not always do this directly, as manufacturers often limit the functionality of the call. Full-screen photo mode when calling requires either the use of third-party applications or deep configuration of system parameters, which may not be obvious to the average user. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, from simple contact settings to installing specialized call launchers.
You need to understand that the choice of method depends on the specific model of your Poco and the version of the operating system. Somewhere it is enough to just crop the image correctly, and somewhere you will need to install Google Phone or third-party solutions like Truecaller. We will look at each option in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your use case.
Features of displaying photos in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s shells have their own unique contact logic, which is different from pure Android. The prioritization system is designed so that an image from a Google account can be ignored in favor of a local copy, and image formatting often leads to black fields. The adaptability of the call interface does not always correctly stretch vertical shots to the full screen, cutting off important facial details.
In addition, recent firmware versions introduce design elements that visually reduce the avatar area by adding blurred backgrounds or gradients, which is done to improve the readability of call control buttons, but the victim of this design is the subscriber's photo. Users often confuse the lack of function with a bug, although this is a deliberate decision of the interface developers.
⚠️ Attention: When you try to stretch a photo using system methods, the image quality may decrease if the original file is low resolution. 1080×1920 pixel.
It’s also important to consider the difference between the standard MIUI Dialer caller and the Google Phone app, which is pre-installed on global versions of smartphones.The former has tighter avatar size limits, while the latter allows for more flexibility in display management, though it doesn’t always provide a full screen without third-party plugins.
Basic setting of contact through the gallery
The easiest way to get away with it is to add a photo directly to the contact card before synchronizing. Don't rely on the automatic framing that the system offers when selecting an image from the gallery. You need to manually select the framing area so that the subscriber's face is in the center, because the system can trim the edges when zooming.
The process starts with opening the Contacts or Phone app. Find the right subscriber in the list and click on the edit button, usually a pencil icon. Next, select the current avatar or photo field to open the built-in image editor. Here lies the first secret: the system will offer a square or round area, but for a full screen we need to save the maximum possible resolution.
☑️ Checking before setting up
When you pick a photo, the system can suggest you turn it around or crop it. Try to leave as much space around your head as possible, because when you call it in, the interface can dynamically change the zoom. Save the changes and be sure to check the result by making a test call from another number. If the photo is still small, then the shell itself imposes restrictions, and you have to move to more complex methods.
Sometimes it helps to delete an old photo and upload a new one, pre-renamed and processed in a third-party editor. The file format also matters: JPEG is processed faster, but PNG can keep details clearer, although it takes up more space in the device's memory.
Use Google Contacts for Synchronization
One of the most reliable ways to get photos to show correctly on all devices, including Poco, is using Google Contacts cloud storage.The phone's local memory is often bugged when updating avatars, while a cloud profile ensures that the image associated with the account is prioritized, which is especially true if you change devices frequently or reset settings.
To implement this method, open the Contacts app from Google (a blue icon with a human silhouette). Find the right contact and click Change. In the top corner, there's a camera icon or a current photo — click on it. Here you can upload an image directly from the gallery or make a new one. The advantage of the method is that Google automatically applies its facial recognition algorithms and can offer better framing.
| Parameter | Local contact | Google Contact | SIM-map |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo quality | Depends on memory. | High (cloud) | Low or absent |
| Synchronization | No. | Automatic. | Only when imported |
| Display | Only on the device. | All devices. | Only on the device. |
| Editing | Through the phone. | Browser/phone | Limited. |
After uploading a photo to Google Contacts, make sure your phone settings are synced. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and make sure the slider opposite Contact is active. Sometimes you need to manually start sync by clicking on three dots in the menu corner and selecting the appropriate item.
⚠️ Note: If the contact is stored in both the phone’s memory and Google’s, display conflicts may occur.
Set up full screen mode in the phone application
Some versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell have a hidden setting that allows you to change the style of your call. It is not always displayed in the main menu, but can be accessed through additional app settings. Go to the Phone app and click on three dots or a gear settings in the corner of the screen. Look for the section related to Incoming calls or Registration.
If there is one, there might be a Full Screen Photo or Avatar Style switch, but on current Poco models, this feature is often stripped down. In this case, you can try changing the theme through the Themes app. Some third-party themes change the call interface to make the subscriber's photo larger, although this does not guarantee 100% screen coverage.
Secret code for checking functions
It's also worth checking out the special features settings. In the Settings menu → Advanced Settings → Special. features sometimes have items that affect the display of interface elements for the visually impaired, which can indirectly increase the size of the avatar. This is not the main method, but in extreme cases it helps to make elements larger.
Third-party applications for calls and avatars
If standard methods don't work, the only way out is for third-party applications to completely replace the incoming call interface, and the leader in this niche is the Truecaller app, which not only defines spam calls, but also offers Full Screen Photo. Once installed and given all the necessary permissions, the application takes over the management of calls.
Another popular option is Contacts+ or dedicated call launchers from Google Play, such as ExDialer (although support is limited now), which allow you to assign your themes where the photo takes up 100% of the screen area and the response buttons are made in the form of translucent overlay elements, which creates a truly modern and beautiful look.
- 📸 Truecaller is the best choice for comprehensive protection and beautiful photos, but requires a subscription for some design features.
- 📞 Google Phone – Updated frequently and works better with Google contacts, but full screen photos depend on the Android version.
- 🎨 Call Manager – lightweight applications that change only the visual shell without affecting the contact database.
- 🔒 Privacy – some apps focus on hiding photos on a locked screen, which is also a form of customization.
When installing these apps, Android will require multiple permissions, including access to contacts, a call log, and the right to display over other windows. Without that, they won’t be able to intercept an incoming call. Once set up, remember to select the new app as the default app for calling in system settings.
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Before installing a third-party call, make a backup of contacts, since when you remove the application, it may be difficult to restore the call history.
Problems with image quality and cropping
A common problem that Poco users face is that the photo is stretched disproportionately or looks blurry, because the original image has a different aspect ratio than the smartphone screen, and if you upload a square photo, the system stretches it in height, losing the sides, or leaves black stripes.
To avoid this, prepare the image in advance in the graphics editor. The optimal aspect ratio for modern smartphones is 9:16 or 9:19.5, which corresponds to a full screen. The resolution should be at least 1080 pixels on the short side. Process the photo by adding blurred margins on the sides if the original is vertical but narrow.
⚠️ Note: Do not use photos in format GIF or animated images for avatars, as the standard call does not support them, and third-party can consume battery power.
Also worth paying attention to is compression in messengers: if you took a photo from WhatsApp or Telegram, it could already be compressed. It is better to use the originals from the camera gallery. In some cases, renaming the contact file in the system folder helps, but this requires Root rights, which is not recommended for ordinary users because of the risk of loss of warranty.
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The ideal photo to call is a high-resolution vertical shot, specially cropped to the screen format of your smartphone before uploading to the contact.