Personalizing a device is not just about choosing beautiful wallpaper, it's also about creating a comfortable environment for communication. Installing a photo on a particular subscriber allows you to instantly recognize the caller without even reading the name. Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder how to properly configure the display of images in the contact book to avoid confusion.
The process of adding an avatar to Redmi 9 is quite simple, but it has its own nuances, depending on the version of MIUI and the type of application used for calling. Android, on which the shell runs, offers several ways to solve this problem. We will consider all the options available, including working with Google contacts and a local phone book.
Preparation of the image for installation on contact
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that the image is ready to use. Android has certain requirements for the format and quality of files so that they are correctly displayed in the call interface. JPG or PNG.
Image resolution also plays a role, although modern smartphones can scale images themselves. For ideal quality, it is recommended to choose square shots or portraits with an aspect ratio of 1:1, which will avoid trimming important parts of the face with a round frame of the avatar.
The best way to store the original image is in the device gallery or in the Google Photos cloud storage, which will provide quick access to the file at the time of setting up. If the photo is in the messenger, pre-save it in the memory of the phone.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid using images with transparent background (format) PNG Alpha channel for contacts if you plan to sync them with other Android devices, as some older models may display a black background instead of transparency.
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Use close-up photos with a clear face image – on a small screen, small details will be indistinguishable during an incoming call.
Installation of photos through the standard Contacts app
The most direct way to add an avatar is to use the built-in Contacts app. This method is universal and works on most versions of MIUI firmware. Open the corresponding application on your desktop or in the menu of your Redmi 9.
Find the right caller on the list and click on their name to go to the card. At the top of the screen, where the first letter of the name usually appears, there should be an edit button or a pencil icon. Press it to go into edit mode.
In the menu that opens, select "Add a photo" or click on the initial area. The system will suggest you choose the source of the image: take a picture with the camera or choose from the gallery. Choose the second option and specify the prepared file.
- 📸 Click on the camera icon or contact avatar.
- 🖼️ Select “Select from Gallery” from the menu that appears.
- ✂️ Adjust the framing area if necessary.
- 💾 Click the “Save” or “Ready” button».
Once saved, the changes will take effect immediately, and you'll see a photo in your contact card and call log, and if the image doesn't show up, try restarting the app or the smartphone itself.
Adding an avatar through the phone application
An alternative method involves using the Phone app, which is also system-based in Xiaomi. The interface may be slightly different, but the logic of the action remains the same. This method is convenient if you just finished a conversation with a subscriber.
Open the Phone app and go to the Contacts tab or find a number in the call history. Click on the arrow next to the number or name to reveal details. There should be an edit option here as well.
Click on the edit icon (usually a pencil) and find the field to add a photo. The algorithm is identical to the previous one: source selection, framing and saving. It is important to note that changes are synchronized between the Phone and Contacts apps.
☑️ Pre-conservation checks
Sometimes the system may suggest where to keep contact: SIM-card, phone memory or Google account. For photo storage, choose your phone or Google memory. SIM-Cards often do not support storing graphics files or have very strict restrictions.
Working with Google Contacts and Synchronization
Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are closely integrated with Google’s ecosystem. Using a cloud-based contact storage service is the most reliable way to keep your data safe when you change devices. Photos tied to Google contacts are automatically pulled up to any phone once you log in.
You can use a separate Google Contacts app or web interface to manage this process. If you have this app installed on your Redmi 9, open it and find the contact you want, and the way you add photos is similar to the methods described above.
The main advantage of this approach is cross-platform, and if you change the photo on your phone, you'll see it on your tablet, in your mail on your computer, and on other devices, but you have to have synchronization enabled.
| Parameter | Phone memory | Google Account | SIM-map |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo storage | Supported | Supported | Not usually. |
| Synchronization | Only on this device. | Automatic on all devices | No. |
| Risk of loss | High on discharge | Low (cloud) | High on SIM replacement |
| Contact limit | Depends on memory. | Almost unlimited. |
To check sync status, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is active. If sync is disabled, photos will not be updated in the cloud.
⚠️ Note: When you delete a contact from your Google account, it will disappear from all synced devices.
Display settings and troubleshooting problems
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the photo is set, but not displayed when an incoming call or in the contact list, this can be due to the display settings or the system cache. First of all, check if the contact is hidden.
In the Contacts app, click three dots in the corner of the screen and select Settings or Contact Display. Make sure you tick All Contacts and select the correct accounts to show. Sometimes the system defaults to hiding contacts from the user. SIM-maps or groups.
Another common cause is an overcrowded app cache. Cleaning up temporary files can solve the problem of "missing" avatars. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Contacts (or Phone) and click "Clear Cache."
Why is the photo of low quality?
If the problem is that the photo is there, but it is very small or cropped, try replacing the source with a more contrast shot, where the face occupies the center of the frame. Avoid complex backgrounds that merge with the MIUI interface.
Mass editing and removal of photos
Changing your avatar or wanting to remove personal data may require mass deletion or replacement of photos. In standard Xiaomi tools, the functionality of batch editing of contact images is limited, but you can use third-party solutions or Google’s web interface.
Using contacts.google.com, you can quickly delete multiple contacts' photos from your computer at once, select the desired posts, select Delete and then Photos, which syncs with your smartphone when you have the Internet.
To delete the photo directly on Redmi 9, open the contact, click "Edit", then on the camera icon or existing photo. The selection menu usually has an option "Delete photo" or basket icon. Once confirmed, the avatar will disappear, and the contact will again be displayed with a letter stub.
- 🗑️ Open contact and go to editing mode.
- 🖼️ Click on the current profile image.
- ❌ Select the option of removal or replacement.
- 💾 Save the changes.
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Regularly cleaning duplicate contacts helps to avoid confusion with photos, when one subscriber is displayed twice with different avatars.
Remember that deleting contact is irreversible unless cloud sync is enabled. Before a mass cleaning, it is recommended to back up the phone book through the Settings menu → Advanced Settings → Reserve and Restore.