Setting photos on contacts in the Xiaomi Redmi 10C smartphone is a simple but useful feature that helps quickly identify subscribers during calls or in the message list. Despite the apparent obvious, many users have questions: where to store the original photos, how to crop the image under the round avatar format in MIUI, and why sometimes the photos are not displayed in messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances from the basic instructions to solving typical problems.
The Redmi 10C (codename fog) feature is the use of the MIUI 12.5/13 shell based on Android 11/12, where the contact interface is different from the “pure” Android. For example, there is a built-in avatar editor with automatic cropping for a round format, but there is no synchronization with some cloud services by default. We will look at three main methods of installing photos, and also give recommendations for choosing optimal image resolution and solving display problems.
1. Method: through the standard application "Contacts"
The most direct way is to use the built-in Contacts app (com.android.contacts) pre-installed in MIUI, which is suitable for local contacts not tied to a Google or Mi Account account.
Open the Contacts app** (a blue-framed person icon) if you have a theme set, the color of the icon may vary, find the contact you want on the list, or use the search bar at the top of the screen. Click on the contact to open the icon.
⚠️ Note: If the contact is linked to a Google account, the changes may not be saved due to a sync conflict.
Once installed, the photo will be displayed in calls, messages and contacts, but some messengers (such as Viber) may require additional synchronization, as we will discuss in the section on problem solving.
Make sure that the contact is not duplicated in the phone book.
Check the resolution of the original image (optimally 500×500 px)
Turn off VPN – it can block access to the gallery
Close background apps (especially photo editors) to save RAM-->
2. Method: through Google Contacts (for synchronization)
If you use a Google account to back up your contacts, it’s best to set your photos through the Google Contacts web version or mobile app, which ensures that the avatar will be displayed on all devices where sync is enabled.
Go to contacts.google.com in Chrome or open Google Contacts** (com.google.android.contacts) on your phone. Find the contact you want and click on the camera icon in the top right corner of the card.
- 🌐 Download from URL. You can insert a link to a photo from social networks (for example, Facebook or Facebook). VK), if it is available by direct reference.
- 🔍 Search Google Photos.The system will offer images from your Google Photos cloud storage if it's connected.
- 🖌️ A masked editor, unlike a masked editor. MIUI, You can use a square or oval pruning here.
After downloading, photos are synced with your phone for 5-10 minutes. To speed up the process, go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync and click Sync Now.
| Parameter | Standard Contacts (MIUI) | Google Contacts |
|---|---|---|
| Max, size photo | 10MB | 25MB |
| Supported formats | JPEG, PNG, WEBP | JPEG, PNG, GIF (static) |
| Auto-cutting under the avatar | Yeah (circle) | Yes (circle/square) |
| Synchronization with messengers | Partially (depending on the application) | Yes (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.) |
⚠️ Note: If the photo is not displayed in WhatsApp after synchronization, check the settings of the application: Settings → Contacts → Show contact photos. In some versions of the messenger, this option is disabled by default.
Through the standard "Contact" app
Through Google Contacts
I use third-party apps.
I don't get a photo.-->
Method: by means of MIUI-chips (quick editing)
The MIUI shell offers several hidden contacts that speed up the installation process, such as adding an avatar directly during a call or through a desktop widget.
Method 1: During an incoming/outgoing call.
When you call, tap the contact icon at the top of the screen (where the name is displayed). In the menu that opens, select Edit Contact → Change Photos. This is convenient if you need to quickly update the avatar without looking for a contact in the phone book.
Method 2: via the “Favorite Contacts” widget.
Add Favorite Contacts (long-click on desktop → Widgets → Contacts) to the home screen, select the contacts you want to set your photo for in the widget settings, and click on the avatar and the editing menu will open in the widget.
Method 3: Voice assistant XiaoAI.
Activate the voice assistant (Settings → XiaoAI → Voice activation) and say, “Put a photo to contact [name].” The system will suggest selecting an image from the gallery or taking a picture. This method only works on Chinese versions of MIUI with XiaoAI preinstalled.
How to return an old contact photo?
4. Optimal photo parameters for contacts
To make the avatar appear clear on all screens (including calls and notifications), the technical limitations of MIUI and Android should be considered.
- 📏 Permit, minimum size — 300×300 pixels, optimal — 512×512. Images with resolution above 1000×1000 will be automatically compressed by the system.
- 🎨 Preferably format. PNG (for transparency; or JPEG 80-90% quality. WEBP supported, but may cause artifacts when pruned.
- 🔄 The center. MIUI The cutting is done in the center, so important details (such as the face) should be in the middle of the frame.
- 🖼️ Background: For round avatars, it is better to use images with a homogeneous background or portraits in full face.
To check the quality of the photo before installation, you can use applications like Photo Resizer or Pixlr, which allow you to pre-cut the image to the desired format. It is also useful to consider that in some messengers (for example, Telegram), contact avatars are displayed in a reduced form - test the result on different platforms.
💡
If you have a lot of contacts without a photo, use the Sync.ME app (available on Google Play), which automatically pulls up avatars from social networks (like Facebook or LinkedIn) for contacts tied to an email or phone number.
5. Solving problems with displaying photos
Sometimes the installed photo is not displayed in calls, messages or messengers. Let's consider the typical causes and ways to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Photo not displayed on WhatsApp | Contact synchronization disabled | Go to WhatsApp Settings → Contacts → Show contact photos |
| Avatar disappears after MIUI update | Resetting the cache of the “Contacts” application | Clear the cache in Settings → Applications → Contacts → Storage |
| Photo is displayed blurry | Low resolution of the original image | Replace the photo with an image with a resolution of at least 500×500 px |
| You can not set a photo for a contact group | MIUI Limitation for Groups | Use third-party apps (such as Groups) |
If the problem persists, try the following steps:
- Check if the contact is duplicated in the phone book (combine duplicates via the contact menu).
- Turn off and enable contact sync in your Google or Mi Account account.
- Install an alternative contact app (such as Truecaller or Drupe) that supports advanced avatar settings.
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If a contact photo is not displayed in a specific messenger (like Viber), the problem is most often related to the settings of the app itself, not the phone book. Check the messenger's permissions in Settings → Apps → Permissions.
6. Alternative applications for contact management
Standard Annex "Contacts"** in MIUI It has basic functionality, but for advanced features (mass installation of photos, backup, integration with social networks) it is worth considering third-party solutions.-3 Google Play apps compatible with Xiaomi Redmi 10C:
- 🌟 Sync.ME. Automatically pulls photos from Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn by phone number or email. Supports backup to the cloud.
- 🔄 Contacts+. Combines duplicates, offers templates for mass photo editing and integration with Slack and Zoom.
Before installing third-party apps, check their permissions. For example, Sync.ME requires access to contacts, call history, and storage — all of which are necessary to enable the automatic avatar update function. If you're concerned about privacy, use open-source applications like Simple Contacts.
For mass installation of photos (for example, for all colleagues at work), it is convenient to use Excel and Google Contacts. Export contacts to CSV format, add links to the photo in the appropriate column, and then import back. Detailed instructions can be found in the Google help.
7. Security and confidentiality
Contact setting may seem like a harmless feature, but it does address privacy issues.
- 🔒 Cloud sync: If you use Google Contacts or Mi Account, photos of your contacts are stored on the company's servers. Make sure your account is protected with two-factor authentication.
- 📱 Application access: Third-party contact management applications (such as Truecaller) may collect data about your contacts.
- 🖼️ Photo source: Avoid using images from unknown sources, which may contain metadata (e.g. geolocation) or malicious code.
To delete a contact photo from cloud storage, go to Google Contacts, select a contact, and click Delete Photos. Local photos (installed through the standard MIUI app) are stored only on the device and are not synced.
⚠️ Note: If you sell or transfer your Xiaomi Redmi 10C And remember to reset the settings to the factory (Settings). → The phone. → Resetting. This will delete all local contact photos that were not synced to the cloud.