Adding a photo to a contact on Xiaomi 9 seems like an easy task, but many users face unexpected difficulties: the edit button is inactive, the image is not saved or disappears after synchronization. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods – from standard MIUI tools to bypassing restrictions through Google Contacts and third-party applications.
The peculiarity of Xiaomi 9 (codename cepheus) is that its firmware MIUI can block editing of contacts if they are linked to a Google account or SIM-We'll show you how to identify the contact type, why you can't add a photo, and what to do if you update it. MIUI All instructions are current for versions. MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-13.
1. Contact type check: why no photo is added
Before you try to upload a photo, make sure the contact is saved in the correct storage. On Xiaomi 9, the contacts may belong to:
- 📱 Local phone memory – edited without restrictions, but not synced with the cloud.
- ☁️ Google Accounts are synced, but MIUI Can block photo editing.
- 📶 SIM-Card – does not support photos (name and number only).
- 🔗 Synchronized accounts (Mi Account, WhatsApp, Viber) – restrictions depend on the service.
To check the type of contact:
- Open the Contacts app.
- Find the right contact and tap on it.
- In the top right corner, press ⋮ → Edit.
- Look at the Warehouse (or Account) field under the name.
If the contact is linked to Google but the photo add button is inactive, this is a MIUI restriction that bypasses the web version of Google Contacts or third-party apps (Section 4).
⚠️ Attention: Contacts with SIM-Maps cannot be edited directly – export them to your phone’s memory first via Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Method 1: Adding a photo through the standard "Contact" application
If the contact is saved in local memory or Mi Account, use the built-in editor:
- Open Contacts and select the contact you want.
- Slip on the camera icon (or default avatar) at the top of the screen.
- Select the source: 📸 Take a photo – activate the camera. 🖼️ Gallery – selects an existing image. 🎨 Emoji – installs an avatar emoji (available in the MIUI 13+).
Ready.
✓
Limitations of the method:
- ❌ Not working for Google contacts (Photo Add button may not be available).
- ❌ Low resolution photo (MIUI squeeze 320×320 px).
- ❌ After resetting the settings, local contacts (together with the photo) are deleted.
Contact saved in local memory or Mi Account
Photography in the gallery has a resolution of at least 300×300 px
The phone has enough free memory (minimum 500 MB)
Google sync is disabled (if the contact is duplicated)-->
Method 2: Editing through Google Contacts (web version)
If the contact is synced with Google, but MIUI blocks photo editing, use the web interface:
- Open your browser on your phone or PC and go to contacts.google.com.
- Sign in with the same Google account as the Xiaomi 9.
- Find the right contact and click on it.
- Click on the camera icon in the upper left corner.
- Download a photo from the device or make a new one through the webcam.
- Save the changes.
It takes up to 5 minutes to sync with your phone.
- 🔄 Reboot Xiaomi 9.
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize contacts and turn it on.
- 🚫 Remove the app cache Contacts in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
⚠️ Note: If the contact is duplicated (there is both in Google and in local memory), MIUI It can display a version without a photo. Combine duplicates through Contacts. → ⋮ → Connecting contacts.
In the standard annex Contacts
Through Google Contacts (Web)
WhatsApp/Viber
Other-->
Method 3: Third-Party Applications for Contact Editing
If the built-in tools don’t work, install one of these apps:
| Annex | Advantages | Deficiencies | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts+ | Support for high resolution photos, cloud backup, integration with social networks. | Advertising in the free version requires access to contacts. | Google Play |
| Truecaller | Automatic addition of photos from social media profiles, blocking spam. | Call data collection, intrusive notifications. | Google Play |
| Simpler Contacts | Minimalist interface, support for dark theme, export to CSV. | Limited features in the free version. | Google Play |
Instructions for Contacts+:
- Install the app and give access to contacts.
- Find the right contact and tap on it.
- Click Edit → Camera icon.
- Select the source of the photo and cut it.
- Save the changes – the photo is synchronized with the system contacts.
💡
Before installing third-party apps, check feedback on data collection. For example, Truecaller is known for sharing information with third parties - if privacy is important, use Contacts+ or Simpler Contacts.
5. Method 4: Adding a photo via WhatsApp or Telegram
If the contact is in messengers, you can “pull” his photo from there:
For WhatsApp:
- Open a chat with a contact on WhatsApp.
- Slip on the name of the interlocutor at the top of the screen.
- Click on the avatar → Edit → Camera icon.
- Select a photo and save it.
For Telegram:
- Open your contact profile on Telegram.
- Click on the avatar → Change the photo.
- Upload the image and cut it.
After that, the photo can automatically pull up to the system contacts (depending on the version of MIUI). If not, export the contact from the messenger:
- WhatsApp: ⋮ → Chat exports → No media. → Save. VCF-file.
- Telegram: ⋮ → Export of contact data.
Then import. VCF-File to system contacts through Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports.
⚠️ Note: Photos from messengers often have low resolution (for example, WhatsApp compresses to the lower resolution). 512×512 For a quality avatar, it is better to use the original photo from the gallery.
6. Problem Solving: Photo is not saved or is lost
If after adding a photo it disappears or does not appear, check these points:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Photo disappears after reboot | Contact saved on SIM-card | Move your contact to Google or local memory |
| Photos don't show up in calls | The cache error of the phone application | Clear the cache in Settings → Applications → Phone → Memory |
| Photo is compressed to low quality | Limit MIUI to save memory | Use third-party applications (section 4) |
| Photos are available in Google Contacts, but not on your phone | Synchronization disabled | Enable sync in Settings → Accounts → Google |
If the problem persists, reset the Contacts app settings:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
- Click Warehouse → Reset settings.
- Reboot the phone.
What to do if the contact is duplicated?
7.Photo optimization for contacts: sizes and formats
MIUI on Xiaomi 9 automatically crops and compresses photos of contacts to avoid loss of quality:
- 📏 Recommended size: 720×720 px (MIUI It will cut to a circle, but the original quality will remain).
- 🖼️ Format: JPEG or PNG (WEBP unsupported).
- 🎨 Color profile: sRGB (avoid) CMYK or).
- 🗜️ File weight: up to 500 KB (otherwise) MIUI squeeze).
How to prepare a photo:
- Open the image in the Gallery → Edit.
- Cut to square (ratio 1:1).
- Reduce the resolution to 720×720 px by changing the size.
- Save it in JPEG format with 80-90% quality.
For mass editing, use applications like Photo & Picture Resizer or PicsArt.
💡
If the contact photo is blurred, the problem is not the original quality, but the compression of MIUI. To get around this, add a photo via Google Contacts (web) - it will save more details.