How to set a photo on the contact in Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 remains one of the most popular smartphones of the brand even years after its release - thanks to balanced characteristics, reliable build and flexible firmware MIUI. But many users still face a basic problem: how to put a photo on the contact, so that the incoming call displays the face of the subscriber, not a gray silhouette?

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can do it, from standard Contact and Phone tools to sync with Google Account and third-party apps, and focus on the nuances of MIUI 12/13/14 firmware that can affect avatar displays, and why photos sometimes don’t save or disappear after a system update.

1. Installation of photos through the standard application "Contacts"

The most obvious and quick way is to use the built-in Contacts app (a little man icon on a green background), which works on all versions of MIUI, but the interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the Contacts app on the home screen or in the app menu.
2. Find the contact you want in the list (you can use the search bar at the top).
3. Slip on the contact to open his card.
4. In the upper right corner, click on the camera icon (or plus-plus if the photo is not already installed).
5. Select the source: 📷 Take a photo – the camera is activated for instant snapshot. 🖼️ Gallery – Selecting an existing image from your phone’s memory. 🎨 Avatars – standard icons from Xiaomi (if available).

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

After that, the avatar will be displayed on incoming calls, in SMS and in the contact list. If the photo does not appear immediately, restart the phone or check the display settings (more on this below).

Contact icon updated in the card|Phone rebooted|In the settings of calls included display photo|Contact is not duplicated in another account-->

2. Adding a photo through the “Phone” app

If you use the Phone app more often, you can set your photos directly from there, without going to Contacts, which is convenient when you need to quickly edit the avatar during or immediately after a conversation.

How to do this:

• 📞 Open the Phone app and go to the Contacts tab (bottom menu).
• 🔍 Find the right contact in the list or through search.
• 🖱️ Click on the contact, then tap on the camera icon next to the name (or on a grey silhouette).
• 📸 Select the source of the photo (camera, gallery) and crop the image.
• ✅ Save Changes – The avatar will apply to all instances of this contact (including Google or Mi Account takeovers).

An important nuance: if a contact is synced with multiple accounts (e.g., Google and Mi Cloud), then the photo may not appear in some applications, in which case you need to select the main account to contact – more about this in the section on sync.

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If the interface is “hanging” when cropping a photo, try to select an image with a resolution not higher than 1080×1080 – MIUI processes such files better.

3. Sync photos through Google Account

If you use Google Contacts for backup, you can install photos via the web version or Google Contacts mobile app, which is convenient when you need to display avatars uniformly on all devices (for example, on Redmi Note 8 and tablet).

Instructions for the web version:

1. Open your browser on your PC or phone and go to contacts.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same account as on your phone.
3. Find the contact in the list and click on it.
4. Click on the camera icon in the upper right corner of the contact card.
5. Download a photo from your computer or select from Google Photos.
6. Save the changes – synchronization will occur automatically within 5-10 minutes.

If the photo doesn't appear on the phone:

• 🔄 Update your contacts manually: Open your contacts → Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronize.
• 📱 Make sure that your phone’s settings enable contact synchronization: Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
• 🚫 Check if traffic savings for Google Contacts are disabled in battery settings.

4.Use of third-party applications for avatars

If standard methods don’t work (for example, due to MIUI bugs or outdated firmware), third-party applications can be used, which offer more photo editing capabilities and often integrate better with the system.

Top.-3 Apps for Xiaomi Redmi Note 8:

Important: Before installing third-party apps, check the permissions they request. For example, Truecaller requires access to SMS to block spam - if you don't need it, opt out of Android settings.

Standard Contacts MIUI|Google Contacts|Truecaller|Sync.ME|Other-->

5 Problem Solving: Why Photos Don't Save or Disappear

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 users often find that the installed photo disappears after a reboot or update system, the reasons can be different from MIUI bugs to synchronization conflicts, let’s analyze the main scenarios and solutions.

Problem 1: The photo disappears after the MIUI update.

⚠️ Note: For major updates (e.g., with MIUI 12 on MIUI 13) the system may reset the contact display settings. Before updating, back up through Settings → The phone. → Backup.

Decision:

• 🔄 Resynchronize contacts: Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google/Mi Account → Synchronize.
• 📲 Remove the app cache Contacts: Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Reset the Contacts app settings (in the same menu).

Problem 2: The photo is not displayed when the call is in, but is visible in the contact list.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI It turns off the avatars in the call interface, and it's done to save battery, but you can manually turn on the avatars.

Decision:

• 📞 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Phone. → Contact display.
• 🖼️ Enable the option to show contact photos.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

Problem 3: The photo is saved but is displayed blurry.

This happens if the original image is low resolution or inappropriate format. MIUI automatically compresses avatars to 200×200 pixels, but if the source is smaller, the quality deteriorates.

Decision:

• 📏 Use a photo with at least a resolution 500×500 pixel.
• 🎨 Cut the image in square format before uploading (can be done in Gallery or Google Photos).
• 🚫 Avoid.webp or.heic formats – convert to.jpg or.png.

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If a photo goes missing after a phone reset, the problem is backup. Always check that the MIUI archive includes Contacts and Media Files.

6. Alternative ways: via WhatsApp, Telegram and social networks

If you don't want to upload a photo to your phone, you can pull up avatars from messengers or social networks, which works if the contact is saved with the same number as the WhatsApp, Telegram or VK account.

Method 1: Syncing with WhatsApp

1. Open WhatsApp and find a chat with the right contact.
2. Slip the name of the interlocutor at the top of the screen.
3. Click on the camera icon next to his profile photo.
4. Select Set as a photo of the contact.

Method 2: Import from Telegram

Telegram does not have a direct option to save photos in contacts, but you can bypass this restriction:

1. Open a user profile in Telegram.
2. Take a screenshot of its avatar (hold the Power + Volume Down buttons).
3. Cut the screenshot in the Gallery, then set it up through Contacts.

Method 3: Automatic download from VK or Facebook

Apps like Sync.ME (mentioned above) can automatically pull up photos from social networks if the contact is linked to a profile.

1. Install Sync.ME and log in.
2. In the settings, enable Sync with VK/Facebook.
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

Important: Social media photos can be updated automatically if the user changes the profile avatar.

7. Optimization of photo display: MIUI settings

Even if the photo is set correctly, the image display depends on the MIUI settings, for example, in some design themes, contact avatars may look dull or crop incorrectly.

Setting 1: Change the theme of the design

Some MIUI themes (especially dark ones) darken contact photos to bring back the original colors:

1. Go to Settings → Theme → My themes.
2. Select a standard MIUI theme (e.g. Default or Light).
3. Apply the changes and restart the phone.

Setting 2: Scale of display photo

If the avatar is cut inconveniently (for example, the face is cut off), you can change the scale manually:

1. Open the contact card in Contacts.
2. Slip the photo and select Edit.
3. Use gestures to change the scale and position of the trim.
4. Save the changes.

Setting 3: Disabling image compression

MIUI has a default photo compression enabled to save memory, which can degrade avatar quality, to turn off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Contacts → Memory.
2. Press Clear cache.
3. Return to your contacts settings and turn off the Image Optimization option (if available).

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If the image still doesn’t show well after the changes, try setting it up via Google Contacts – they don’t shrink as aggressively as in MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing photos on contacts