How to set a photo on the contact in Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: 4 proven ways

A personal photo on a contact avatar is not just a decoration, but a handy visual marker. When a friend, colleague or relative calls, you immediately see who it is without looking at the name. On the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro with a MIUI shell, you can do this in several ways, from standard to hidden system features. But many users face problems: the photo is not saved, cropped incorrectly or disappears altogether after synchronization. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods, including bypassing typical errors.

The Redmi 8 Pro is a hybrid contact storage system that can be stored locally in your phone's memory, in your Google account, or in your Mi Account, and that depends on whether the avatar will be retained after you reset or flash it, and we'll show you how to tie the photo so that it stays forever, even if you change your smartphone.

1. Standard method: through the "Contacts" application

The most obvious way is through the built-in Contacts app, which works for all versions of MIUI 10–14** installed on the Redmi 8 Pro. The main condition is that the contact must be stored in the phone’s memory or in the Xiaomi account (not Google!).

Open the app and find the contact you want in the list. Click on it, then tap the camera icon in the upper right corner (or the gray silhouette if you don't have a photo already).

• 📸 Take a picture - directly from the camera of the phone (convenient for a selfie)
• 🖼️ Select from the gallery - any image from memory
• 🎨 Create an avatar – a sticker generator based on your photos (available in the following pages) MIUI 12+)

Once you select a photo, the system will suggest that you trim it squared, and here's an important caveat: on the Redmi 8 Pro, you can't use images with a resolution higher than 720×720 pixels, they automatically compress, losing quality. If you want to save details, pre-short the photo in any graphics editor.

⚠️ Note: If the contact is synced with Google Contacts, the photo installed through this method may disappear after updating the Contacts app or resetting the cache. №3 of this article.

Cut to square (1:1)

Reduce to 720×720 pixels

Save it in JPEG format

Check contrast (dark photos are not visible on the lock screen)

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2. Installation through Google Contacts (for synchronized accounts)

If your contacts are linked to a Google account, the standard method in the previous section will not work reliably. The photo will only appear in the Contacts app, but will disappear to Google Contacts on the web or other devices. To fix this, you need to edit the contact through Google.

Open your browser on your phone and go to contacts.google.com. Sign in with the same account as the Redmi 8 Pro. Find the right contact and click on the camera icon next to the name.

• 🖥️ Download photos from your computer (if you open from a PC)
• 📁 Select from Google Photos or Disc
• 📱 Take a picture from the camera of the phone (if you open from a mobile phone)

After uploading, the photo syncs to your phone for 5-10 minutes. To speed up the process, open the settings of Redmi 8 Pro, go to Accounts → Google → Sync and click Sync Now. Now the avatar will appear everywhere: in calls, SMS and even in Google Meet.

3. Hidden chip MIUI: squat SIM-contact

Many people don’t know, but Redmi 8 Pro can assign photos even for contacts saved on the site. SIM-This is true if you're switching from a button phone or changing your smartphone a lot:

• 📵 Photos will only be visible in calls (not in the phone). SMS or other applications)
• 🔄 When restarting the phone, the avatar can be reset (solved by re-installation)
• 🖼️ Image size is limited 96×96 pixel

To set up a photo for SIM-contact:

1. Open the Contacts app → SIM-map.
2. Select the contact and click "Edit".
3. Slip the camera icon (if it’s not there, your version of MIUI doesn’t support the feature).
4. Select a photo from the gallery and cut it.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 8 Pro firmware (especially custom ones) may not have this feature. If there are no camera icons, try updating the Contacts app through the Play Store or installing an alternative dialer (e.g. Truecaller).

4. Alternative methods: Truecaller and third-party applications

If standard methods don't work (for example, because of firmware bugs), you can use third-party applications, the most popular one is Truecaller, which not only identifies spammer numbers, but also allows you to assign unique photos to contacts, even if they are not saved in the phone book.

Install Truecaller from the Play Store, sign up and allow access to contacts.

1. Open contact at Truecaller.
2. Click on "Edit" (pencil icon).
3. Slip on the avatar and select a photo from the gallery or make a new one.
4. Save the changes.

The advantage of this method is:

• 🌍 The photo will be visible to anyone who calls you via Truecaller (if they also use the app).
• 🔄 Syncs between devices via Truecaller account.
• 🛡️ Protection against spam and fraudsters.

Cons:

• 📱 The app consumes additional battery and traffic.
• 🔒 Requires access to contacts and calls (privacy issues).

💡

If you don’t want to use Truecaller, try the lightweight alternatives: Drupe or Sync.ME. They also support contact avatars, but without advertising and unnecessary features.

5. Solving problems: why the photo is not installed or disappears

Sometimes Redmi 8 Pro users encounter errors when trying to assign an avatar.

Problem 1: Add a photo button is inactive

Reasons:

• 📵 Contact is only saved on SIM-card (transfer it to the phone memory).
• 🔒 Contact blocked by the system (check in Settings) → Annexes → Contacts → Permits).
• 📱 Outdated version of the Contacts app (update via Play Store).

Problem 2: Photo is cut crooked

There's a pruning tool bug in MIUI that sometimes moves the frame arbitrarily.

• Cut your photos in advance in Google Photos or Lightroom.
• Use square images (e.g. 512×512 pixels).
• Turn the phone horizontally – sometimes it helps to frame the phone more accurately.

Problem 3: Avatar disappears after MIUI update

This is because the Contacts app caches to recover the photo:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
2. Click on Storage and select Clear Cache (NO data!).
3. Reboot the phone.
4. Open the contact and reassign the photo.

💡

If the photo is missing regularly, transfer the contact from local memory to your Google or Mi Account account, which ensures that the avatar is safe even after resetting.

6. Additional Chips: Animated Avatars and Themes

On the Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 12.5+, you can install not only static photos, but also animated avatars.

1. Download. GIF-Image (not larger than 500 KB).
2. Open the contact in the Contacts app.
3. Click on the avatar and select “Select from the gallery”.
4. Find yours. GIF-file and cut it (animation will be saved!).

MIUI also has built-in themed avatars to activate them:

1. Go to Settings → Themes.
2. Select the "Avatars" section.
3. Download your favorite pack (there are styles from minimalist to cartoon).
4. When editing a contact, select “Create an Avatar” and apply the downloaded style.

These chips don't work on all firmware. If you have custom build (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), animated avatars may not be supported. Check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact avatars