How to take a full screen photo when calling Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

When your Xiaomi receives an incoming call, the standard interface shows a small photo of the contact at the top of the screen. But many users want to see a full-screen image — like on old button phones or in commercials. It's not only stylish, but also practical: you immediately see who is calling without even looking at the name.

In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways to stretch a contact photo to the full screen when calling Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO. The methods work on MIUI 14/15 and older versions, but there are nuances for different models, you’ll learn how to configure this through standard system tools, third-party applications and even hidden firmware functions.

Importantly, not all Xiaomi smartphones support this feature out of the box. For example, budget models (Redmi 9A, POCO M3) may require additional software installation. and flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Xiaomi 14) sometimes only need to include one tick in the settings.

Why doesn’t Xiaomi have a full screen photo when calling by default?

The manufacturer deliberately limits the size of the contact photo during the call, due to several factors:

  • 📱 Ergonomics of the interface: Xiaomi strives to place on the screen as many control elements as possible (response/deflection buttons, call timer, contact information).
  • 🔋 Saving battery power: displaying a large image on AMOLED-screens increase energy consumption.
  • 🎨 Design solutions MIUI: The company adheres to a minimalist style, where the emphasis is on functionality, not visual effects.
  • 🛠️ Technical limitations: on weak processors (e.g. Redmi) 8A) Large image rendering can cause lags.

But users have found workarounds, some of which require root rights, others work without them, and then we'll look at all the options, from the simplest to the most complex.

📊 What kind of smartphone you Xiaomi?
Redmi (Series Note, A, Pro)
POCO (F, X, M)
Xiaomi (digital series 11/12/13/14)
Black Shark
Other

Method 1: Enabling full-screen photo via MIUI settings (without root)

The simplest method that works on most modern Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later does not require the installation of additional apps or superuser rights.

  1. Open the Contacts (or Phone) application.
  2. Select the contact you want to change the image for.
  3. Click Edit (pencil icon).
  4. Slip on the current contact photo and select Change the photo.
  5. Upload a new image (preferably with a resolution of at least 1080×1920 for better quality).
  6. Save the changes and go back to the main contact menu.
  7. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Display Settings.
  8. Activate Full-screen photo when calling (or Show full-screen photo in English version).

If this option is not in your version of MIUI, try updating your firmware or using alternative methods from this article.

Make sure the photo has a resolution of at least 1080×1920

Cut the image so that the face occupies the central part

Save your photo in JPEG or PNG format

Check that the file is less than 5 MB (otherwise it may not load)

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⚠️ Note: Some models (Xiaomi Mi 10, Redmi Note 10 Pro) after upgrading to MIUI 14, this option may be lost, in which case it will help to reset the settings of the Phone application or install an alternative call.

Method 2: Using third-party calls (without root)

If standard MIUI settings don’t allow full-screen stretching, you can install an alternative call app, which often offers advanced customization capabilities, including full-screen display of contact photos.

The best applications for this task:

AnnexSupport for full-screen photoAdditional chipsCons
Truecaller✅ Yes (in the premium version)Definition of spam, recording of calls, topics of registrationFree Advertising, collects a lot of data
ExDialer✅ Yes (free of charge)T9-set, blacklist, widgetsOutdated design, no Russian language
Contacts+✅ Yes (with adjustment)Cloud backup, merging duplicates, integration with social networksPaid functions, sometimes glitch synchronization
Simple Dialer✅ Yes (pro version)Minimalist design, no advertising, lightweightFeatures, Fee for Full Screen Mode

Instructions for setting up on the example of ExDialer:

  1. Install the app from Google Play.
  2. Open the settings → Calls → Appearance.
  3. Select Full Screen Contact Photo.
  4. Assign ExDialer to the default app for calling in Android settings.
  5. Reboot the phone.

💡

If after installing a third-party call incoming calls are duplicated (both the standard and new app ring), disable notifications in the standard Phone app in the notification settings.

Method 3: Editing system files (root required)

For advanced users who are ready to get root rights, there is a way to change the system files that display incoming calls, which works on all versions of MIUI, but requires caution.

You'll need:

  • 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with unlocked bootloader and root rights
  • 💻 PC fitted ADB and Fastboot
  • 📂 Backup copy of the system partition (required!)
  • 🔧 File Manager with support for root (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer)

Step-by-step:

  1. Backup the system partition via TWRP or OrangeFox.
  2. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/priv-app/Contacts/
  3. Find the contacts.apk file and copy it to your PC.
  4. Unclose APK with APKTool.
  5. Open the file. res/values/bool.xml and find a line: <bool name="config_enable_fullscreen_photo">false</bool> Replace false with true.
  6. Collect the APK back and sign it.
  7. Return the modified file to the original folder on your phone, replacing the original.
  8. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop (cyclical reboot).If the phone does not turn on after the changes, restore the backup through the backup TWRP. Please also note that after the update MIUI all changes will reset.

What if the phone stopped working after the modification?
If the Contacts app gets painted or doesn’t open after replacing the contacts.apk file, follow the following steps: 1. Delete the application data via Settings → Apps → Contacts → Storage → Clear Data 2. If it doesn’t help, restore the original file from the backup 3. In extreme cases, reset the settings (but this will delete all contacts if they are not synced with Google).

Method 4: Configure via ADB (without root but with debugging)

Less risky than system file editing, but requiring a PC connection, suitable for devices without root, but with USB debugging enabled.

What you need:

  • 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
  • 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
  • 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on
  • 🛠️ Utilities. ADB and Fastboot

Instructions:

  1. Download Platform Tools from the Android Developers website.
  2. Unpack the archive in any folder on the PC.
  3. On your phone, turn on: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times to turn on Developer Mode) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB
  4. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
  5. Open the command line in the folder with ADB Adb shell settings put global settings incoming_call_fullscreen_photo 1
  6. Reboot the phone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell am start -n com.android.contacts/.settings.DisplaySettingsActivity

This will open up hidden contact display settings, where there may be a full-screen photo option.

💡

The ADB method doesn’t work on all versions of MIUI. If nothing changes after executing commands, then your firmware doesn’t support this feature at the software level.

Method 5: Creating a custom MIUI theme (for advanced)

If you like customization, you can create your own MIUI theme that will allow you to display your full-screen photo when you call, which is more complicated than the previous ones, but gives you maximum freedom in how you customize your appearance.

This will require:

  • 🎨 Programme MIUI Theme Editor (or analogues)
  • 🖼️ Graphic editor (such as Photoshop or GIMP)
  • 📁 Theme template MIUI (You can download from forums, for example, XDA Developers)
  • 🔧 Knowledge of the basics of working with XML-file

Instructions:

  1. Download and install MIUI Theme Editor on PC.
  2. Create a new project based on a standard theme.
  3. Go to the Incall UI (Inbound Call Interface) section.
  4. Edit the files: assets/incall_background.xml assets/incall_photo_layout.xml Set the width and height of the photo on match_parent.
  5. Save the theme in.mtz format.
  6. Transfer the file to your phone and apply through the Themes app.

Ready-made themes with full-screen photos can be found on specialized forums, for example:

  • 🌐 Xiaomi.EU (theme section)
  • 🌐 XDA Developers
  • 🌐 4PDA (topic MIUI)

Frequent problems and their solutions

When setting up a full-screen photo, users often face difficulties when calling, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Photo is displayed blurryLow resolution of the original imageUse a photo with a resolution of at least 1080×1920 and JPEG/PNG format
The option "Full screen photo" is not in the settingsOutdated version of MIUI or model limitationsUpdate your firmware or use a third-party call
After the MIUI update, the settings resetSystem reset during upgradeRepeat the setting or roll back to the previous firmware version
Photo clipped incorrectlyIncorrect proportions of the original imageCut the photo manually in any graphic editor
The caller is dyed after modificationsError in edited system filesRecover the original files from the backup

If none of these methods worked, check:

  • 📵 Model of your smartphone: some budget devices (Redmi) 7A, Redmi 8 does not support this feature at the software level.
  • 🔄 Version MIUI: on MIUI 11 and below full screen photo may not work.
  • 🔒 Restrictions of regional firmware: on Chinese versions MIUI Often more opportunities for customization.

💡

On some models (Xiaomi Mi A1/A2/A3) with pure Android instead of MIUI, full-screen photos are customized via standard Google Phone settings.

Can I take a full screen photo when calling Xiaomi without root?
Yes, there are several ways: Use standard MIUI settings (if available in your version); Set a third-party call (like ExDialer or Truecaller); Apply a command via ADB (if the firmware supports this feature); Root rights are only needed to edit system files manually.
Why did the full screen photo option disappear after the MIUI update?
Xiaomi regularly changes the MIUI interface, and some features may disappear or move to other settings. Possible reasons: The feature was removed as "unnecessary" (according to the developers); the option moved to another menu (check Settings → Screen → Call Display Style). The new version of MIUI uses a different mechanism for displaying incoming calls. Solution: try resetting the phone application settings or installing a custom theme.
How to take a full screen photo on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro?
There are two working methods on this model: ADB: adb shell settings put global incoming_call_fullscreen_photo 1 (Included debugging is required USB). Install a third-party ExDialer or Simple Dialer call. Standard settings MIUI 11/12 This model does not support full screen photos.
Can I customize animations with a full-screen photo (e.g., smooth appearance)?
Yes, but it will require: Create a custom MIUI theme with your own animations; use a call with built-in effects (like Truecaller Premium); install an Xposed module (requires root and Xposed Framework); the easiest option is to download a ready-made theme with animations from the MIUI theme store.
Will full-screen photos work when calling via WhatsApp/Telegram?
No, full-screen photo settings in MIUI or third-party calls are only for standard phone calls. Messengers use their own incoming call interfaces that are independent of system settings. However, some messengers (such as Viber) allow full-screen photos to be included in their settings: Viber → Settings → Calls → Show full-screen contact photos