How to install a photo on a call on Xiaomi: a complete guide with pictures

You want your Xiaomi phone to display a subscriber photo on your incoming call, not the default boring avatar? Not only does it make the interface personalized, it helps you identify the caller faster. Redmi, POCO, and other brand lines with MIUI shells have several ways to set your photo to the call, from standard contact settings to third-party apps.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for MIUI 12-14 versions, including nuances for different models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), learn how to add photos directly from the gallery, sync with a Google or Mi Account account, and what to do if the image is not displayed when you call, plus solutions to common problems and tips for optimizing picture quality.

Important: The procedure may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and regional build of MIUI. If your smartphone is running on the "global" or "Chinese" version, some menu items may be called differently - we will specify alternative paths.

Why is Xiaomi not showing a photo when calling?

Before we get to the setup, it’s worth figuring out why a photo of a contact might not show up during an incoming call.

• 📱 No photo in your contact profile – the most obvious. MIUI It does not substitute the image "from the air", it must be added manually.
• 🔄 Contact is not synced – if you added a number to Google Contacts but didn’t sync them to your phone, the photo may not catch up.
• 🖼️ Incorrect image format — MIUI It works best with photos in format. JPEG or PNG prior 720×720 px too large files (e.g., too large, 4K) They may be cut or not loaded.
• 📵 Restrictions of the Phone application - in some regional versions MIUI Disabled photo display on the call screen (for example, in India due to local laws).
• 🔧 Cache failures – if the photo was displayed before and now it is not, the problem may be in the cache of the Contacts or Phone app.

If you've tried adding a photo but it doesn't appear when you call, check it first, and 80 percent of the time, it's done by syncing contacts or changing the image format.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones Xiaomi with MIUI for the European Region (EEA) Photo display function on incoming call may be disabled by default due to rules GDPR. To activate it, you need to manually enable the option in the settings of the application "Phone".

Method 1: Adding photos through standard contact

The easiest method is to assign a photo directly to the Contacts app, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with any version of MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Find the right contact in the list and tap it.
3. At the top of the screen, click on the camera icon (or plus if the photo isn’t already).
4. Select the source: 📷 Take a photo - straight from the camera; 🖼️ Gallery – Choose from existing images; 🎨 Avatar – Use standard icons MIUI.

If you choose from the gallery, cut the photo in a circle (MIUI will automatically offer cropping).

Ready.

OK

The photo should then be displayed when the call is in from that number, and if the contact is saved to Google or Mi Account, the changes are synced automatically.

Photo saved and displayed in the contact profile

Contact is not duplicated (there is only one entry with this number)

Photo is JPEG/PNG format and does not exceed 5 MB

In the settings "Phone" is enabled display photo when calling-->

Method 2: Sync photos through Google Contacts

If you use Google Contacts as your primary source for your phone book, you can add photos via the web or mobile app, which is useful if you have multiple Android devices — changes are everywhere.

How to add photos through Google Contacts:

1. Open your browser and go to contacts.google.com (or use the Google Contacts app on your phone).
2. Sign in under your Google account.
3. Find the right contact and click on it.
4. Click on the camera icon in the top left corner (or the default avatar).
5. Download a photo from your computer or select from Google Photos.
6. Save the changes.

Manual input in the phone book

Imports from SIM-cards

Synchronization with Google

Synchronization with Mi Account

Other-->

Method 3: Configure the display of photos in the application "Phone"

Even if a photo is added to the contact, it may not show up when you call because of the settings of the Phone app. MIUI has a separate setting that displays avatars.

How to turn on photo impressions when calling:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Settings.
4. Go to Incoming Calls (or Call Settings in older versions of MIUI).
5. Find the option to Show Contact Photos (or Display Avatars) and activate it.
6. Also check if Full-screen mode is enabled – it can block the display of the photo.

If there is no option:

• 📱 Update the phone application through the Play Store;
• 🔧 Check the regional settings MIUI (In some assemblies, the function is hidden);
• 🛠️ Reset the phone application settings in Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Reset.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models for the European market (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Or the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+ 5G) The option to display a photo when calling can be blocked at the firmware level, in which case only flashing to the global version will help. MIUI.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If standard methods don't work or you don't like the quality of the image display, you can use third-party applications that offer additional features, such as:

• 🎨 Animated avatars;
• 📸 Automatic face recognition for contacts;
• 🔍 Showing photos in full screen mode;
• 📊 Photo call statistics.

Top.-3 Apps to replace standard call on Xiaomi:

To install a photo via Truecaller (the most popular solution):

1. Install and open the application.
2. Register (you can use Google or phone number).
3. Allow access to contacts and calls.
4. Find the right contact in Truecaller and tap it.
5. Click Edit → Add a photo.
6. Select an image from the gallery or make a new one.

Important: Truecaller can automatically pull up photos of contacts from social networks (Facebook, LinkedIn) if they are tied to a phone number, a feature that does not work for all countries due to GDPR restrictions.

Optimizing photos for the call screen

To make the photo look clear and not cropped on the incoming call screen, follow these recommendations:

• 📏 Resolution: optimal size — 720×720 pixel. MIUI It automatically cuts the photo into a circle, so a square image is better.
• 🎨 Format: use JPEG (for the photo; or PNG (for logos/icons. Avoid HEIC (iPhone) — MIUI He doesn't support it.
• 🖼️ Contrast: Choose images with clear boundaries, dark or blurry photos will be poorly visible on the call screen.
• 📱 Testing: After adding a photo, call yourself from another phone to check how it is displayed.

If the photo still looks unclear:

1. Open it in the Gallery app.
2. Tapnite Edit → Cut off.
3. Select the area 1:1 (square).
4. Increase contrast or brightness if necessary.
5. Save the changes and reassign the photo to the contact.

💡

If you want a photo of a contact to be displayed not only when you call, but also in SMS, check the Messages app settings. Some versions of MIUI have the option to Show avatars in chats (path: Settings → Display Messages).

Problem Solving: Photos are not displayed when calling

If you have completed all the steps, but the photo does not appear on the incoming call screen, use this troubleshooting instruction:

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Contacts and press Warehouse → Reset.
3. Repeat for the phone app.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI For example, in China (Xiaomi 13 Ultra with the X-ray) CN ROM) The photo display function can be blocked without the ability to turn on, in which case only flashing to the global version or using third-party applications like Truecaller will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up photos for a call

💡

If a contact photo is not displayed when you call, in 90% of cases the problem is solved by enabling the option to Show photos of contacts in the settings of the Phone application or cleaning the Contact cache.