Are you tired of the little photo of a contact in the top corner of the screen when you get a call on Xiaomi? Want a subscriber photo to occupy the entire display, like on commercials or flagship smartphones? Unfortunately, MIUI does not provide such a feature by default - even in the latest firmware versions (MIUI 14 based on Android 13/14). But there are several working ways to get around this restriction without root rights and without buying paid apps.
In this article, we will discuss 3 proven methods, including hidden MIUI settings, open source third-party applications and workarounds through system tools. All solutions are tested on Redmi Note 11/12, POCO X4/X5, Xiaomi 12/13 models and work on MIUI 12-14. Importantly, some methods require overlay permission (for Android 10+) or special access rights, but not root.
If you're willing to spend 10 to 15 minutes setting up, the result will exceed expectations: when you call in, the screen will be filled with a photo of the contact (or a standard image for unknown numbers), and the call interface will be minimalistic and stylish. Let's start with the simplest method!
Method 1: Using the built-in MIUI theme editor (without third-party applications)
Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden option to customize the screen of incoming calls through the theme editor.This method does not require the installation of additional programs, but does not work on all models (see the compatibility table below).
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
- 🔍 In the search bar, enter the call screen or Incoming Call (in English layout).
- 🎨 Select any theme marked "Full Screen" or "Full Screen" (e.g., "Full Screen, "MIUI Minimal Call or Pure Call Screen").
- 🔄 Apply the theme and restart the phone (required!).
If you don't have these in your region, try changing your phone settings to India or Indonesia, where you can choose more. APK-Theme file from miuier.com (Call Screen section).
Backup your current theme | Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About Phone)| Disable VPN (can block the download of themes) |Reboot your phone after applying the theme
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| Xiaomi model | MIUI 12 | MIUI 13 | MIUI 14 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11 | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Partially. | MIUI 14 may not work with the default theme |
| POCO X3/X4 | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | It works best with the theme of "Pure Black Call". |
| Xiaomi 12/13 | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Manual installation required APK-topic |
| Redmi 9/9A | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Partially. | ❌ No. | MIUI 14 only displays the top of the photo |
⚠️ Warning: If the call screen turns black after applying the theme or the photo is displayed distorted, return the standard theme and clear the theme app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
Method 2: Full Screen Caller (without root but with overlay resolution)
If the built-in themes don’t fit, the best solution is the free Full Screen Caller Photo app from developer Vinayak Tegginamani. It doesn’t require root rights, but you need to provide permission to display over other windows and access to the call log. The application works on all Xiaomi smartphones with Android 8+.
Step-by-step:
- Download the app from Google Play or APKCombo (if Play Market is not available).
- After installation, open the application and provide all the permissions requested: 📞 Call log (to determine the incoming number) 🖼️ Contacts (to upload photos of subscribers) 🔝 The display over other windows (required!)
- In the application settings, select: 📱 Screen style → Full Screen 🎨 von → Contact photo (or Color if no photo) 🔔 Sound. → Systemic (so that there is no duplication of ringtones)
🔄 Restart your phone and check the test call.
The app supports animations (such as background blur or paralax effect), font customization and even displaying contact information (birthday, last message). Minus - can sometimes conflict with the system screen of the call, which causes a double notification.
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If a contact photo is not displayed, check if it is saved in Google Contacts (not just in Google Contacts). SIM-It's from there that the app takes the images.
Method 3: ADB-commands to change system parameters (for experienced ones)
This is a tool that works for those who are not afraid to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to change the system settings of the MIUI responsible for displaying the call screen without root rights. The advantage is that you do not need to install third-party applications, and the result looks like a native feature. However, if you do not act correctly, you can disrupt the phone!
What will be required:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock Developer Settings, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
Instructions:
- Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: Adb devices Make sure the device is identified (it should appear its name).
- Give permission to change system settings: adb shell pm grant com.android.server.telecom android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
- Set full screen for the call screen: adb shell settings put global incoming_call_fullscreen 1
- Reboot your phone: adb reboot
If no changes have been applied after the reboot, try an alternative command:
adb shell settings put secure incoming_call_fullscreen_photo 1⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware (especially global ones), these commands may not work due to manufacturer limitations. heads_up_notifications_enabled 0 adb shell settings put global incoming_call_notification 1 But it will turn off all pop-up notifications!
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
How to add photos for unknown numbers (so that the screen is not empty)
By default, if a number rings that is not in the contacts, only the numbers are displayed on the screen, and instead, to show a standard image (such as the Xiaomi logo or your photo), you need to:
For Method 1 (theme):
- 🎨 Select a theme that supports Unknown Caller Photo (e.g, "MIUI Default Call +").
- 🖼️ Upload your image to the folder MIUI/theme/default_call_bg (You will need a file manager with access to system folders, such as Mixplorer).
For Method 2 (Full Screen Caller):
- 🔧 Go to the app settings → Unknown Caller.
- 📷 Select Custom Image and upload any photo (recommended size: 1080×1920 pixel).
- 🎨 Customize the color of the text so that it contrasts with the background.
For Method 3 (ADB):
- Download any image and rename it to unknown_caller_bg.jpg.
- Place the file in the /sdcard/MIUI/theme/ folder.
- Adb shell settings put global settings unknown_caller_background /sdcard/MIUI/theme/unknown_caller_bg.jpg
If you want different numbers to display different images (e.g., red for spam calls, blue for business numbers), use the Call Screen Themer app from XDA Developers, which allows you to create display rules based on the number or prefix.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after you set it up properly, you can get bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Photo displayed but cropped | Wrong aspect ratio | Cut the photo in the editor to 9:16 (1080×1920) |
| The call screen flashes or twitches | Conflict with the system screen | Turn off the system screen in Settings → Applications → Phone → Notifications → Incoming calls → Disable |
| Photos are not updated when changing contact | Contact cache | Clear the Contact and Phone cache in the application settings |
| Doesn't work for MIUI 14. | Restrictions of new firmware | Use Full Screen Caller (FS) Method 2 or recoil on MIUI 13 |
| Application does not receive permission | MIUI blocks access | Enable Auto Start and Without Restrictions in Battery Settings for the App |
If none of the methods worked, check:
- 📵 Are there third-party launchers (such as Nova Launcher or Hyperion) that can block overlays.
- 🔒 Is Power Saving Mode Activated for Phone or Full Screen Caller.
- 📱 Version MIUI: Chinese-made (CN) Some functions may be blocked.
Built-in themes MIUI|Full Screen Caller app|ADB-team|I haven't tried it yet.
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Bonus: How to make an animated call screen (GIF or video)
You want to have a full screen video or GIF-This is possible with the application "Video Call Screen" (not to be confused with video calls!), the principle of operation is similar to Method 2, but instead of static photos, dynamic content is used.
Instructions:
- Download Video Call Screen from Google Play.
- Provide all the necessary permissions (as in Method 2).
- In the application settings, select: 🎬 Type of content → Video or GIF. 📁 Upload your file (maximum size: 10MB). 🔊 Turn off the video sound so you don’t conflict with the ringtone.
70–80%
Examples of use:
- 🎂 For Birthday Contacts – Download GIF congratulations.
- 🏖️ For a holiday – set up a video with a seascape.
- 🎮 For gamers - animation from your favorite game.
⚠️ Warning: Video on the call screen significantly increases battery consumption (up to 15-20% per long call).If you notice the phone overheating, go back to the static images.
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Animated call screen works only on smartphones with a Snapdragon 6xx/7xx/8xx processor or Dimensity 900+. Lags are possible on budget chips (for example, the Helio G85).