How to put a photo in contact with Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all ways + problem solving

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 remains a popular device even years after its release, thanks to its balanced features and flexible MIUI firmware. But many users face difficulties when trying to assign a photo to a contact: the “Add Photo” button is inactive, the image does not appear in calls, then after synchronization with Google, avatars disappear. In this article, we will analyze all the working ways of installing photos on contacts, from standard to alternative, and also solve typical problems.

Features of the Redmi Note 9 (model M2003J15SS/M2003J15SC) The fact that here is used a hybrid system of storage contacts: they can lie in the memory of the phone, on the phone. SIM-card or account Google/Mi Account. It depends on whether your photo will be saved after resetting or flashing. MIUI 12.5, 13 and 14 — All methods are relevant to the latest versions of the software.

Preparation: where are the contacts on the Redmi Note 9 stored

Before you add a photo, it's important to understand where the contact is physically stored, which depends on whether the avatar will remain after changing the phone or resetting. Redmi Note 9 has 4 possible "storage":

• 📱 Local phone memory – the photo is only tied to this device, and when you reset or replace the smartphone contacts (and avatars) will disappear.
• 📇 SIM-map - you can't store photos here, just names and numbers. SIM, The “Add Photo” button will be inactive.
• ☁️ Google account syncs to the cloud, and photos will be saved when you change your phone, but they can fly off if you sync errors.
• 🔧 Mi Account (Xiaomi) is a Google-like account, but less stable. Sometimes avatars don't load due to regional restrictions.

To check where the contact is stored:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Click on the right contact. → slip on ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner.
3. Select Edit → at the top of the screen will be indicated storage (for example, “Phone” or “Google”).

⚠️ Note: If the contact is stored on SIM-You can transfer it to your phone or Google first, or you can't add a photo.

To transfer: in the contact editing menu, click More → Move → Select an account. We recommend using Google – this is more reliable than local storage.

Method 1: Add a photo through the standard “Contacts” app

The easiest method is to use Xiaomi's built-in Contacts app, which works on all versions of MIUI, but there are nuances to synchronization.

1. Open Contacts → find the right contact and tap it.
2. In the upper right corner, click on the camera icon (or Edit if there is no icon).
3. Choose one of the options: 📸 Take a photo – the camera will open to take a new picture. 🖼️ Select from the gallery - you can download any image from the phone's memory. 🎨 Create an avatar – a sticker generator based on your photos (available in the following pages) MIUI 13+).

Ready.

✓

If the "Add Photo" button is inactive (grey), check:

• 🔄 Contact is stored on SIM-Map (transfer it to your phone or Google).
• 🔒 You do not have editing rights (relevant to corporate contacts from Exchange).
• 📵 No Internet connection (if contacted by the Google/Mi Account).

Contact store (not SIM-map)

Internet availability (for cloud accounts)

Editing Rights (not corporate contact)

Free space in the phone memory (minimum 100 MB)

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Important: MIUI 14 may require forced sync after adding a photo. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync Now for this.

Method 2: Install photos via Google Contacts (web version)

If you use a Google account to store contacts, it’s more convenient to assign a photo via a browser to your computer or phone, which ensures that the avatar will appear on all devices where sync is enabled.

1. On your computer or phone, open your browser and go to: contacts.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same account as the Redmi Note 9.
3. Find the right contact and click on it.
4. Click on the camera icon in the upper left corner of the contact window.
5. Select the source of the photo: 🖼️ Download - Image from a computer. 📸 Take a photo – if you use the mobile version of the site. 🔍 Google Photos – if the image is already uploaded to your cloud.

Cut the photo in a circle and save the changes.

After that:

1. On Redmi Note 9, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Enable Contact Synchronization (the slider must be active).
3. Wait 5-10 minutes or press Sync Now.
4. 🔧 Resetting the settings of the Phone application: In the Phone application menu, select ⋮ → Reset the settings. That'll bring back the standard display settings.

Problem 2: Photos disappear after syncing with Google

If the avatar disappears after synchronization, the data is likely to conflict between MIUI and Google.

• ☁️ Forced Synchronization: Open Settings → Accounts. → Google → Turn off the contact sync (slider off). Wait 1 minute and turn back on. Click Sync now.

Export/import of contacts:

1. Export contacts to.vcf file (Contacts) → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports).
2. Remove all contacts from Google (via the web version).
3. Import the file back.

Problem 3: You can’t cut the photo (the “Done” button is inactive)

Sometimes when you try to cut an avatar, the Ready button doesn't press. This is a MIUI bug that solves this:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🖼️ Try another photo (for example, square rather than rectangular).
• 📱 Update the Contacts app via Google Play (if available).
• 🔧 Install an alternative contact app (e.g. Simple Contacts).

⚠️ Note: When recovering from backup MIUI Contact photos may not be restored if the copy was made on another firmware version.

💡

The most reliable way to save photos of contacts is to export to a.vcf file and sync with Google. Local MIUI backups may not restore avatars when you change the firmware version.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photos of contacts on Redmi Note 9