How to add a photo to a contact on Xiaomi: 5 ways + fix errors

Adding a photo to a contact on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO and Mi models) seems like an easy task, but many users face unexpected difficulties. For example, for some reason, the selected image is not saved, or after synchronizing with Google Account, the photo disappears. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to add photos to contacts on MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS firmware, and solve typical problems, from file size restrictions to conflicts between local and cloud contacts.

Xiaomi’s peculiarity is that it uses its own Contacts app (sometimes dubbed with Google Contacts), which creates confusion, and we’ll show you how to add photos to make them appear in calls, messages, and messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, and we’ll also find out why sometimes the contact photo doesn’t show up in the person’s hands, even if you have it installed correctly.

1. Method 1: Through the standard "Contacts" application

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette on a green background), which works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 11, but there are nuances with synchronization.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Find the right contact in the list and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, click on the Edit icon (pencil).
4. Slip on the round contact icon (the default is the first letter of the name).
5. Select the source of the photo: 📷 Take a picture – take a picture right through the camera; 🖼️ Gallery - select an existing photo; 🎨 Avatars – Use standard icons MIUI.

Cut the photo in a circle (if necessary) and save the changes.

⚠️ Note: If the contact is synced with a Google Account, the photo may not be saved due to a conflict of rights.

Photo in JPG/PNG format (not RAW or HEIC)

File size not exceeding 5 MB

Contact is not duplicated in the phone book

Google sync is disabled (if photo is not saved)

-->

2. Method 2: Using the Phone app during a call

Few people know, but you can add a photo to a contact right during an incoming or outgoing call, which is convenient if you need to quickly assign a photo to a frequent caller.

How to do this:

1. Start or receive a call from a contact who does not have a photo.
2. During the call, tap the icon “i” (information) in the upper right corner of the screen.
3. Click on "Edit Contact."
4. Slip the contact icon and select a photo from the Gallery or take a new picture.
5. Save the changes – the photo will appear immediately after the call is completed.

🔹 Note: In some models (e.g, POCO F4) This method only works for contacts saved in the phone book of the device, not in Google Account.

In the annex “Contacts”

During the call.

Through Google Contacts

Other-->

3. Method 3: Through Google Contacts (for synchronized accounts)

If your contacts are synced with your Google Account, adding photos through the standard Xiaomi app may not work, in which case you need to use the official Google Contacts app (you can download from the Play Market).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Google Contacts app (an icon with a colorful circle).
2. Find the right contact and open it.
3. Slip on the Edit icon (pencil in the upper right corner).
4. Click on the current contact icon (or plus in the circle if the photo is missing).
5. Select the source: 📸 Take a photo; 🖼️ Choose from the Gallery; 🎨 Generate an avatar (Google’s artificial intelligence will create an image according to the description).

Cut the photo and save the changes.

⚠️ Note: If the photo doesn’t show up in the standard Contacts app after editing in Google Contacts, try it:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google;
2. Disable and re-enable contact synchronization;
3. Reboot the smartphone.

Method 4: Through the Gallery app (fast method)

If you already have the photo in the Gallery, you can assign it to a contact right from there, without searching through the phone book, which saves time, especially when there are hundreds of pictures in the Gallery.

How it works:

1. Open the Gallery app and find the photo you need.
2. Slip the photo, then click "More" (three dots at the bottom) → "Install as".
3. Select "Contact Photo."
4. In the contact list, find the right person and confirm the choice.
5. Cut the photo (if necessary) and save it.

🔹 Limitations:

• 🚫 It does not work for contacts saved only in SIM-map;
• 🚫 Does not support photo format HEIC (need to convert into JPG);
• 🚫 On some firmware MIUI The “Install How” option may not be available – in this case, use Method 1.

5. Method 5: Through Truecaller (to identify unfamiliar numbers)

Truecaller not only detects unfamiliar numbers, but also allows you to add photos to contacts — even those that are not saved in the phone book — which is convenient for business contacts or temporary subscribers.

Instructions:

1. Install Truecaller from Play Market and sign up.
2. Open the app and find the contact you want (or add a new one via +).
3. Tap me in. → «Edit».
4. Click on the camera icon next to the name.
5. Select a photo from the Gallery or take a new photo.
6. Save the changes – the photo will appear in Truecaller and in standard calls (if synchronization is enabled).

⚠️ Note: Truecaller may request access to your contacts and call history.If privacy is more important than convenience, use Method 1 or Method 3.

1. Update the contact in the phone book.

2. Restore the number in international format (e.g. +7 XXX XXX XX XX XX).

3. ask the person to update your contact on your phone.

-->

Table: Comparison of ways to add photos

7. Problem Solving: Why the photo is not saved or displayed

Even with the right photo addition, there can be problems, and here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: The photo is not saved when editing.

• 🔹 Reason: Contact duplicated (there is a copy in Google Account and locally).
• 🔧 Solution: Combine duplicates: Open "Contacts» → «Management» → «Put your contacts together. Select duplicates and combine them.

Problem 2: Photos are displayed in Contacts, but not in calls or SMS.

• 🔹 Reason: The cache of the Phone or Messages app is outdated.
• 🔧 Solution: Clear the cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management. Find Phone and Messages, click Clear Cache».

Problem 3: The photo disappears after syncing with Google.

• 🔹 Cause: Conflict between local and cloud contact.
• 🔧 Solution: Open Google Contacts on your computer (contacts.google.com). Find a contact and upload a photo directly through the web interface. Wait for sync (can take up to 10 minutes).

Critical information: On MIUI 14 and HyperOS firmware, contact photos are cached separately for each app. If you change a photo but it hasn't updated on WhatsApp or Telegram, it's not a mistake - that's how the system works. To speed up the update, reboot your smartphone or manually update the contact in the messenger.

💡

If the contact photo is not displayed in the person’s device, the problem is not in your phone, but in their device. Ask them to update your contact in their phone book or resave the number in an international format (+7 XXX...).

8. FAQ: Frequent questions about photos of contacts on Xiaomi