The modern smartphone has long since ceased to be just a means of communication, becoming a digital organizer, where every detail of the interface reflects the individuality of the owner. When you call, the screen lights up not just a number, but a vivid image of the interlocutor, which allows you to instantly understand who is in touch without even reading the name. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face the nuances of the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, which are different from standard Android, which raises questions when personalizing.
Installing an avatar for a subscriber is not just an aesthetic choice, but also a way to quickly navigate the call list. However, the process can seem confusing due to the presence of two different phone books: the system Google and proprietary from Xiaomi. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that ensures the correct display of the picture on the incoming call and in the contact menu.
You'll learn about hidden editing features, how to crop images and how to solve problems when a photo is set but not displayed. We'll touch on how to sync data through the cloud so that your settings don't go away when you change your device or reset your system. Ready to personalize your smartphone space starts right now.
Selection of an image source for an avatar
The first step in the installation process is to find and prepare the right file.The Android system underlying the installation. MIUI, It allows you to use images from different storages, whether it is internal memory, SD-map or cloud services. It is important that the file is in a common format, such as JPG or PNG, It had sufficient resolution to be clearly displayed on the screen.
Most often, users choose photos from a gallery where their favorite photos are already saved. When selecting an image from the Gallery or Google Photos system application, the operating system automatically offers a list of actions, including the item “Install as” or “Use as”, which is the fastest method, since it does not require switching to the settings of the phone book.
An alternative is to upload an image directly from the Internet or messengers. If you downloaded a picture through the Chrome browser or received it in Telegram, it is stored in the corresponding download folder. When you try to install such a photo, the system can request permission to access the media files, which must be confirmed to continue the operation.
Installation instructions via Contacts app
The most reliable and functional way to add or change a photo is to use the built-in call management app, which, depending on the firmware version, can be simply called Contacts or Phone. Open the app and find the right subscriber on the list or create a new contact by clicking on the appropriate plus icon.
Once you open the subscriber card, you'll see a circular area for the avatar, often with a camera symbol or a human silhouette. Clicking on that area opens the source selection menu where you can take a picture right away or choose from a gallery. The system will offer a framing tool that allows you to fit a face or object into a round frame, which is critical for proper display.
☑️ Pre-conservation checks
Note the location of the save button. Some versions of MIUI make changes automatically after cropping, others require you to click a tick or save button in the top or bottom corner of the screen. If you edit an existing contact, make sure you don't create a duplicate, which is to update the record.
⚠️ Note: When editing the contact through SIM-The photo add feature may not be available because the SIM card memory does not support graphics. Save contacts to your Google account or phone memory.
Set up an avatar through Google Contacts
Since most Xiaomi users sync their data to a Google account, it's important to understand the difference between a local phone book and a cloud one.The Google Contacts app (an icon with a "K" on a color background) manages a database that syncs between all your devices, including tablets and other smartphones.
To install a photo through this service, open the app, find a person and click on the edit icon (pencil). At the top of the screen there will be a photo add button. The advantage of this method is that the image will be attached to the Google account, and if the person also has an avatar on Google, it can be pulled up automatically.
Sync can take some time depending on the speed of the Internet connection. If you have installed a photo in the Google app, but it did not appear in the standard Xiaomi call, check the sync settings. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and make sure that the Contacts item is active.
Why isn't the photo synced?
Use of group avatars and collections
MIUI shell and Google Contacts allow you to create groups, which makes it easier to manage calls. You can assign a group photo to multiple people, such as work colleagues or family members, which is especially convenient for quick visual identification of the type of call (work, home, friends).
To create a group, go to Groups or Labels in the Contact App. Create a new group, name it, and add members from the list. Once you create a list, you can set up a general image that will show up if you don't have a personal photo for a particular person, or as a background for a group when you call.
Group setting allows you to massively change the notification settings, but for the installation of a portrait photo of each subscriber, this method is less effective, it is more suitable for organizing space and sorting than for deep personalization of each contact individually.
Image editing and cropping
The quality of a photo on a lock screen or during a conversation depends on the correct framing. Because the avatar area is round, square or rectangular photos can be cropped unsuccessfully, cutting off important parts of the face. Xiaomi's built-in editor allows you to shift and zoom the image.
When you select a photo, the system will suggest a square selection area, so you can move your finger around the image inside that area, picking the best angle. Zumming allows you to zoom in to the face so that it occupies the center of the circle, which is especially true for a photo with a group of people or a common plan.
Some firmware versions offer filters and effects for avatars. You can add background blur or change the color gamut to make the photo look better on a dark or light theme of the interface. Experimenting with brightness and contrast settings in the editor will help make the avatar more readable.
Table: Comparison of photo installation methods
To make it easier to understand the different ways you add images, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you choose the best method depending on your goals and the services you use.
| Method | Synchronization | Availability | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local contact (Phone) | Absent. | Only on this device. | Low. |
| Google Contacts | Automatic. | All account devices | Medium |
| Mi Account (Xiaomi Cloud) | Through the Mi Cloud | Xiaomi devices | Medium |
| Social networks (Viber, WhatsApp) | Depends on the app. | Only inside the app. | Low. |
Removal: Photo not displayed
The situation where the photo is set but not visible when the incoming call is quite common. One of the main reasons is duplication of records. The phone book can have two contacts with the same name: one with a photo (for example, Google) and one without (local or SIM).
To solve the problem, you need to combine duplicates. Open the contact, click on the menu (three dots), and select "Combine" or "Connect" and the system will suggest finding similar entries and combining them into one card, saving all data and photos.
⚠️ Note: If you use third-party themes (Themes), they may overlap the standard call interface. In such themes, the display of contact photos may be disabled by default or require a separate setting in the menu of the theme itself.
Another reason could be app cache. Accumulated temporary files sometimes cause graphics to crash. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Contacts (or Phone) → Memory and click Clear Cache. This won't delete your numbers, but will update the data display.
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The main reason for the disappearance of the photo is the conflict between local and synchronized recording. Always check if a duplicate contact has been created after Google sync is enabled.
Synchronization and data transfer
To ensure that your personalization efforts don’t go to waste when buying a new phone or resetting settings, you need to set up a backup. Mi Cloud and Google Account are responsible for this on Xiaomi devices. It’s recommended that you keep your contacts synced on on both services for reliability.
You can check the sync status in the account settings section. Make sure the Contacts slider is blue. When you change the device, just enter your login and password, and all the photos assigned to the subscribers will automatically be uploaded to the phone book.
Check regularly to see if the cloud storage space is out, and if the limit is exhausted, new photos may not be uploaded, in which case delete the extra backups or clear the shopping cart in Google Photos and Mi Cloud.