Photos for contact full screen in Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: 3 working methods + error solving

Installing a full-screen contact photo in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is a challenge many MIUI users face. Despite its apparent simplicity, the phone’s standard settings don’t always allow for stretching without cropping or distorting, a problem made worse by the fact that different firmware versions (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14) offer different interfaces for working with contacts.

In this article, we will discuss three proven methods, including hidden MIUI features, that will help you place photos on the full screen without loss of quality. We will focus on optimizing images before downloading, which will avoid automatic cropping by the system.

If you’ve previously tried to change a contact photo through a standard menu and have experienced the system cropping edges or reducing resolution, this is the guide for you. We’ve tested all methods on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with the latest security updates (as of 2026), so we guarantee that the information is up to date.

Before you go to the settings, make sure that your image meets two key requirements: 1 – the aspect ratio is close to 9:16 (vertical orientation); 2 – the resolution is at least 720×1280 pixels. Otherwise, the system will automatically stretch the picture, which will lead to pixelation.

1. Standard method through the application "Contacts"

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Contacts app (or Google Contacts if you are synced to a Google account). However, here's the caveat: MIUI by default trims photos into a square format, even if the original image is vertical. To get around this limitation, follow the algorithm:

Open the Contacts app and select the contact you want. Click on the camera icon (or current contact photo), then select Change Photo. Here, the system will offer three options:

1. Take a picture – directly from the camera (not recommended due to low resolution);
2. Choose from the gallery - the best option;
3. Delete the photo if you want to reset the current one.

If you pick the second item, you can find the image you've prepared in the gallery, and the most important thing is, don't confirm the choice right away.

1. Hold your finger in the photo and drag it around to center the desired part.
2. Spread your fingers diagonally to zoom in (MIUI allows you to zoom in up to 200%)
3. Click Ready when the photo takes up the maximum screen area.

⚠️ Warning: If the photo is still cut off at the edges after saving, check the display settings in the Phone app. Sometimes the problem lies in the Contact Style parameter (path: Phone settings) → Additionally. → Display style. Select the option Large photos.

Upload your photo to the editor (e.g. Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile>)

Cut to a ratio of 9:16 (vertical)

Increase the contrast on 10-15% for better visibility AMOLED-screen

Save in JPEG format with 90% or higher quality

Check the final file size (optimally 200-500 KB)

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2. Use of third-party contact applications

If the standard method is not satisfactory due to the limitations of MIUI, consider alternative contact management applications.

• 📱 Truecaller – allows you to upload full-size photos, but requires registration;
• 🖼️ Contacts+ — Supports customization of display, including image stretching;
• 🔍 Sync.ME – automatically pulls up photos from social networks (VK, Facebook) in high resolution.

Let’s look at the example of Contacts+:

1. Install the application from Google Play;
2. Provide access to contacts and storage;
3. Select contact → Edit → Change the photo;
4. Unlike the standard application, here is available the option to stretch on the full screen (activated swipe left on the photo).

Third-party apps have the advantage of flexibility in settings, such as Truecaller, which allows you to set background transparency for photos, which is useful when using dark MIUI themes. However, note that some features (such as syncing with Google) may require premium subscriptions.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, contact photos may not appear in the standard call interface MIUI. To fix this, go to Settings. → Annexes → By default. → Phone App and select System.

Standard. MIUI|Google Contacts|Truecaller|Contacts+|Other-->

3. Manual editing through the file system (for advanced)

This method is suitable for those who are ready to work with system files. It allows you to bypass the limitations of MIUI, but requires caution. Changing files in the /data folder can cause contact malfunctions, so make sure to back up!

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect Redmi Note 8 Pro to your PC and activate Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock Developer Mode).
2. Use an ADB or root-access file manager (such as FX Explorer) to go to the folder: /data/com.android.providers.contacts/files/ This is where thumbnails of contact photos are stored.
3. Find a file with the.jpg extension that matches your contact (file names are numerical IDs).
4. Replace it with a prepared image with a resolution of 1080×1920 and the same file name.
5. Reset the device.

This method guarantees the display of the photo without cropping, but has risks:

• 🔄 When synchronized with Google, photos can be reset;
• 🛠️ Root rights are required or ADB-access;
• 📱 Not working. MIUI data-encrypted.

4. Image optimization for full screen display

Even if you use the right installation method, a poor source image will ruin the result.

Aspect ratio: Optimal 9:16 (e.g. 1080×1920 pixels) If the source has a different ratio (e.g. 4:3), cut it in any graphics editor.

• 📱 Mobile: PicsArt, Photo Editor by Aviary;
• 💻 Desktop: GIMP (free), Photoshop.

Color profile: MIUI works best with images in the sRGB color space. If your photo is in Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB, convert it before uploading, otherwise the colors may get distorted.

Contrast and brightness: On AMOLED-Redmi Note screen 8 Pro dark areas of the photo will merge with the background. Increase the contrast with the background. 10-15% and slightly increase the brightness so that the face in the photo remains clear.

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Use TinyPNG to compress the image without loss of quality, which will reduce the file size to 30-50% without visible artifacts, which will speed up up the upload to contact.

5. Solving common problems

Even after installing the photo correctly, Redmi Note 8 Pro users may face the following problems:

Problem 1: The image is blurred.

• Check the resolution of the original image (minimum 720×1280);
• Turn off the option of Image Compression in the Contacts app settings;
• Clear the Media Store app cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Media Store → Clear the cache).

Problem 2: Photo is reset after rebooting.

• Disable battery optimization for the Contacts app;
• Check if Auto Clean is included in the memory settings.
• If you use MIUI 13/14, upgrade to the latest version (some builds have a bug with saving contacts).

Problem 3: Photos don't show up on the call list.

• Go to Phone Settings → Contact Display Style and select Large Photos;
• Make sure that the contact is saved in the Local Phone Book, not just in your Google account.
• Reset the settings of the phone application to standard.

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If none of these methods worked, try to create a duplicate contact with a new photo, and sometimes MIUI system errors block the editing of old posts.

Alternative options: widgets and wallpaper for contacts

If full-screen photos in contacts fundamentally do not suit, consider alternative ways to display your favorite photos on the screen of the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

The "Favourite Contacts" widget:

• Long press on the main screen → Widgets → Contacts;
• Choose the display style of Large icons;
• The photos will be shown in round cropping, but with the possibility of zooming when pressed.

Wallpaper with photos of contacts:

Apps like Contact Wallpaper allow you to set photos of contacts as wallpaper on the home screen, and when you call from that contact, the wallpaper automatically changes to the photo in full screen mode.

MIUI topics with contact customization:

Some of the themes from the official store MIUI (Topics → Contacts) offer unique styles of displaying photos, including full-screen stretching:

• Dark Contact – Dark interface with large photos
• Material Contacts – Adaptive Markup
• iOS Style Contacts is an imitation of the iPhone interface.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up photos for contacts