How to set a photo on the contact in Xiaomi Redmi Note 10: all ways with explanations

Installing a contact photo on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 seems like a simple task, but in practice users face nuances from the lack of a “Add Photo” button to problems with synchronization between accounts. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways – from the standard “Contacts” application to bypassing restrictions through Google Contacts and third-party applications. Particular attention will be paid to typical errors, for example, when the photo is not displayed in all messengers or disappears after the MIUI update.

It is important to understand that the process may differ depending on the version of the MIUI firmware (for example, MIUI 14 has changed the interface compared to MIUI 12) and the account used (Mi Account, Google or local).We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 10 with the latest updates in 2026, so the instructions are relevant for the current version of the system. If you have a different model of the Redmi Note series (for example, the Note 10 Pro or Note 10S), the steps will be similar with minor differences in the menu layout.

Preparation: Verification of MIUI version and contact synchronization

Before you start installing a photo, make sure your contacts are synced with the correct account. This is critical: if the contact is linked to Google and you are trying to edit it through Mi Account, the changes may not persist.

To check the current settings:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select an account (Google or Mi Account) that your contacts are synced with.
3. Make sure the contact switch is on.

Check out the MIUI version as well:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
• 🔍 If the version is older MIUI 13, some features (e.g., editing photos via swipe) may not be available.
• 🔄 If necessary, update the firmware in Settings → Updating the system.

⚠️ Note: If a contact is duplicated (e.g., there is both a Google and a Mi Account), the system may show different photos for the same number».

Method 1: Adding a photo through the standard Contacts app

This is the most obvious method, but it doesn't always work. In recent versions of MIUI, the interface of the Contacts app has changed, and the button to add photos can be hidden.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Contacts app** (a human silhouette icon).
2. Find the right contact and click on it.
3. At the top of the screen, tap on an empty mug with the camera icon (or the current photo, if it is already installed).
4. Choose one of the options: 📸 Take a photo – the camera of the phone is activated. 🖼️ Select from the gallery - access to files will be opened. 🎨 Create an avatar – generation of a stylized image (not available on all versions).

Cut the photo in a circle (if required) and save the changes.

Contact is not duplicate |Contact synchronized with account (not local) |Contacts version updated |No restrictions from the operator (on some firmware for carrier versions of phones)

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If there is no button to add photos, try:

• 🔄 Rebooting your phone – sometimes helps with temporary crashes.
• 📲 Clear the cache of the “Contact” application** in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Reset the app settings (in the same menu) This will delete all user settings, but will not affect the contacts themselves.

Method 2: editing through Google Contacts (if synced with Google)

If your contacts are synced with Google, it’s easier to edit them through the web version of the service, which ensures that the photo will appear in all applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) where the Google account is used.

Instructions:

1. Open your browser and go to contacts.google.com (sign up with the same account as your phone).
2. Find the right contact and click on it.
3. Click on the camera icon in the top left corner (near the name).
4. Download a photo from your computer or select from Google Photos.
5. Save the changes and wait 5-10 minutes for the data to sync with the phone.

⚠️ Note: If you use two-factor authentication on Google, you will need to confirm your new device when you first log in to contacts.google.com. SMS Or Google Authenticator, and without that, you can't edit your contacts.

Method 3: Using the Truecaller app to add photos

Truecaller is a popular call identification app that also allows you to set photos for contacts, which is suitable if the standard methods do not work or you want the photo to be displayed when incoming calls through Truecaller.

How to do this:

1. Install Truecaller from Google Play.
2. Register and allow access to contacts.
3. Open the contact in Truecaller and tap the camera icon.
4. Select the source of the photo (camera or gallery) and save it.

Advantages of the method:

• 🌍 Photos will be visible to other Truecaller users (if they keep your number).
• 📞 It is displayed when incoming calls even if the contact is not saved in the phone book.
• 🔄 Synchronizes between devices where Truecaller is installed.

💡

If you do not want your photo to be seen by other Truecaller users, open Settings → Privacy in the app and turn off the “Show My Profile” option.

Method 4: Manually add photos through the file manager (for power users)

This method is suitable if you prefer not to use cloud services or want to manually control your contacts files, and requires access to system folders and a basic understanding of the structure of Android.

Step-by-step:

1. Install a file manager with access to root folders (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db (the path may vary depending on the Android version).
3. Copy the database to your computer and open it with DB Browser for SQLite.
4. Find the table. raw_contacts and a record with the right contact.
5. In the data table, add a new line with the PHOTO type and specify the path to the photo (the file must be in the /sdcard/ folder).
6. Save the changes and return the file back to your phone (with a replacement).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of the contact database can lead to the loss of all contacts. /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/.

Solving the problem: why the photo is not displayed or disappears

Even after the successful installation of the photos, Redmi Note 10 users face typical problems, and let's look at the most common and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Photos are not displayed in all apps

• 📱 WhatsApp/Telegram: These messengers pull photos from Google Contacts. If the contact is not synced with Google, the photo will not appear.
• 📞 Calls: The standard Phone app takes a photo from the local database. If it's gone, clear the cache of the Contacts app».

Problem 2: Photos are reset after MIUI update

This is because updates sometimes reset application settings.Solution:

• 🔄 Re-add photos via Google Contacts (web version).
• 📁 Check if the sync with the account in Settings has been reset → Accounts.

Problem 3: You can't cut the photo

In some versions of MIUI, the pruning tool doesn't work properly.

• 🖼️ Cut your photo in advance in any graphics editor (such as PicsArt or Snapseed).
• 📏 Use a square photo with a resolution of at least 500×500 pixel.

💡

If the photo is not displayed in a particular application (for example, in Viber), check the settings of this application - some messengers cache avatars and require manual updating (for example, through “Update Contact” in the interlocutor’s profile).

Additional tips: optimizing photos for contacts

To make your photo look clear on all devices, follow these guidelines:

• 📏 Size: Optimal resolution — 720×720 Large files will be automatically compressed by the system.
• 🎨 Format: Use JPEG or PNG. MIUI supportive WEBP or GIF avatar.
• 👤 Composition: The face should occupy at least 60% of the frame - so it will be clearly visible in the small preview.
• 🌈 Colors: Avoid dark or too light photos because they don’t read well on the lock screen.

For quick processing of photos directly on the phone use:

• 📱 Google Photos (Editor tool» → «Pruning» → «Circle»).
• 🎨 Lightroom Mobile (for color and contrast correction).
• 🤳 YouCam Perfect (for portrait retouching).

If you frequently update your contact photos, consider creating a template in Canva or Photoshop Express with pre-configured trimming options and filters.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions