How to take a full-screen contact photo on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Are you tired of small photos of contacts during incoming calls on Xiaomi? Want to have photos occupying the whole screen, like on banner ads or on premium smartphones? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi devices - the standard MIUI interface shows a miniature image at the top of the screen, lost against the background of the response buttons. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix this without root rights or complex manipulation.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working methods, from standard MIUI settings to hidden features and third-party apps, how to activate full-screen contact photo mode on Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5 and other devices with MIUI 12-14, and why sometimes a photo doesn’t show up at all and how to fix it.

Why Xiaomi Photos of Contact Are Small: Reasons and Limitations of MIUI

Before you change your settings, it’s important to understand why MIUI doesn’t stretch photos to the full screen by default.

• 📱 Design concept MIUI: Xiaomi follows a minimalist approach, where the priority is given to functional elements (response/deflection buttons) over aesthetics.
• 🔄 Adaptability for different screens: On devices with notches or holes under the camera (Punch-Hole), a full-screen photo can cover important interface elements.
• 🖼️ Quality of source photos: MIUI Automatically trims and compresses contact avatars until resolution 256×256 px to speed up their loading.
• 🔒 Security Limitations: Some firmwares block full-screen mode for corporate accounts or devices with Child Mode enabled.

Interestingly, Xiaomi has no problem with Android One (such as the Mi A3), which uses a standard call from Google, where the default photo takes up to 70% of the screen, which proves that the restriction is in the shell of MIUI.

Method 1: Enabling full screen mode in MIUI settings (official method)

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI feature, which is available on most MIUI 12.5+ devices, but it’s hidden in the back of the menu, and many users don’t know about it.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Go to the Incoming Calls section.
4. Activate the Full-screen Mode (or Enlarged Contact Photo on some firmware) switch.
5. Restart the device - changes will apply after the reboot.

If this item is not on your menu, then your firmware does not support out-of-the-box function, in which case move on to the following ways.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Backup your contacts with your Google Account or Mi Cloud

Make sure your contact photos are uploaded in high resolution

Turn off Power Saving Mode (can block changes)-->

Method 2: Using MIUI themes with modified call interface

One of the key benefits of MIUI is that it supports customized themes, and some themes change not only wallpaper and icons, but also the interface of incoming calls, including the size of the contact photo.

How to set the appropriate topic:

1. Open the Topic app (Brush icon).
2. In the search bar, enter a request: full screen call or a large photo of the call.
3. Select a theme that is rated above 4.5 ★ and downloads > 10,000 (e.g., "Pure Call Screen" or "Full View Caller").
4. Click Apply and confirm the change.

⚠️ Note: Some topics may conflict with system fonts or animations. If artifacts (such as clipped buttons) appear after applying the theme, return the standard theme and try another one.

Method 3: Third-party applications to replace a standard call

If the built-in methods didn't work, you can install an alternative calling app. The best options for Xiaomi are:

• 📞 Truecaller: Shows large photos of contacts (up to 60% of the screen), but requires registration and access to contacts.
• 🔍 Contacts+: Flexible size settings for avatars, support for animations.
• 🎨 Drupe: Full-screen mode with gestures, integration with messengers.
• 📱 Simple Dialer: Minimalist design with the option "Big Photo Mode".

⚠️ Note: When using third-party calls, the Xiaomi Call Record function is disabled (if it was activated in a standard application). MIUI Optimization – in this case, add them to the exception list in Settings → Annexes → Special rights → Optimizing the battery.

Instructions for setting up Truecaller for full-screen photo:

1. Install Truecaller from Google Play.


2. Launch the application and register.




3. Go to Settings → Incoming Calls → Screen View.




4. Select "Big Photo" and activate "Full Screen Mode".




5.In Android settings, make Truecaller the default app for calls:




Settings → Applications → Default Management → Phone → Truecaller.

💡

Before installing a third-party call, export your call history through the standard Phone app (Settings → Import/Export → Export History) to help restore your data if the new application doesn’t work.

Method 4: Editing system files (for advanced users)

This method requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights, but gives 100% control over the call interface. MIUI 12–14.

What needs to be done:

1. Install Magisk and get root rights (see 4PDA or XDA Developers for instructions for your model).
2. Download a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Go to /system/priv-app/Contacts/.
4. Find the contacts.apk file and copy it to the backup folder.
5. Open the file in the APK editor (such as APK Editor Pro).
6. Move to the res/layout/ and find the file. incoming_call_screen.xml.
7. Change the parameters. layout_width and layout_height s ID contact_photo on match_parent.
8. Save the changes, reinstall the APK and restart the device.

Important: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to the collapse of the Phone application or a looped reboot of the device. Before you start, create a full backup through TWRP!

Method 5: A workaround through setting up wallpaper on the lock screen

Little-known life hack: if you set a photo of a contact as the wallpaper of the lock screen, when an incoming call is displayed on the entire screen for 2-3 seconds before the call interface appears, this is not a full-fledged solution, but visually creates the effect of a "full-screen photo".

How to set up:

1. Open the gallery and select a photo of the contact.
2. Click More → Set as → Wallpaper lock screen.
3. In the wallpaper settings, activate background blur (so that the text of the notifications is readable).
4. Enable the option to Show Wallpaper for incoming calls in Settings → Lock screen → Additional.

The downside is that the photo will only be visible for the first seconds of the call until the standard MIUI interface loads, but this is the only way that works without root and third-party applications.

1. Official full screen mode in MIUI settings (if available).

2. Install theme with a modified call interface.

3. Use of lock screen wallpaper (temporary effect).

Third-party calls and editing APK Only experienced users are suitable.-->

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after one of these methods is used, it can be difficult.

• 🖼️ Contact photo doesn't show at all: Check if the photo is saved in Google Contacts (local contacts may not sync). → tap on the avatar → Choose Change and upload the photo again. Clear the cache of the Contacts app in Settings → Annexes.
• 📵 Photos cropped or stretched: Use square photos with at least a resolution 512×512 px. Turn off the option to Cut under the screen in the theme settings (if using custom theme).
• 🔒 Settings are reset after the update MIUI: This is normal behavior after major updates (for example, with the MIUI 13 by 14) some settings go back to standard. Reset the full screen mode or reinstall the theme.

If none of these methods worked, check if your device has activated the "Second Space" function (in some regions, it blocks changes to the call interface). → Special facilities → Second space.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions