How to change a photo of a contact on a Xiaomi smartphone: all the ways

Why is the contact photo on Xiaomi not showing the way you would like? Maybe you saved the number with the failed image from the messenger, or the system automatically pulled the avatar from social networks. MIUI has several ways to edit contact images, from standard phonebook tools to sync with Google Account. Let's analyze all the options, including the nuances for different versions of firmware and models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).

Despite the seemingly simple task, users often face problems: a photo is not saved, resets after an update or duplicates in different accounts. In this article, you will find not only step-by-step instructions, but also solutions to common errors, such as why a modified photo is not displayed on WhatsApp or Telegram, and how to fix it without losing data.

If you use MIUI 14/15, The algorithm of actions may differ from the old versions, which we'll talk about, too. SIM-cards added a separate section on synchronization of contacts between slots.

1. Standard method: change the photo through the application "Contacts"

The most obvious method is editing directly in the system app Contacts (or Phone on some models), which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of the version of MIUI, but there are nuances for devices with multiple accounts (for example, Mi Account + Google).

To change the photo:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background).
2. Find the contact you need in the list or through the search bar.
3. Slip on the contact, then click the Edit button (pencil in the upper right corner).
4. Tap the current photo (or an empty mug if it isn’t) → select Change the photo.
5. Select the source: 📷 Take a picture – take a picture right now. 🖼️ Gallery – Select an existing image. 🎨 Avatar – Use standard icons MIUI.

Ready.

OK

⚠️ Note: If the contact is synced with Google Account, the changes may not persist if you have autosynchronization disabled. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.

Make sure that contact is not duplicated

Check the sync source (Mi Account/Google)

Update the Contacts app on Google Play

Make a backup of contacts (in case of failure)

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2.Why is the photo of the contact not saved or reset?

One of the most common problems is that the photo goes back to the same thing after editing, and it happens for a couple of reasons:

Reason 1: Synchronization conflict

If you have a contact saved in both Mi Account and Google, the systems can argue which version is the priority, for example, you changed a photo in Google Contacts, but MIUI pulled up the data from Mi Cloud.

Reason 2. Cache of the appendix

Sometimes the Contacts app uses outdated cache data to reset it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

3. Change photos via Google Contacts (for synchronized accounts)

If your contacts are linked to a Google Account, editing them is easier through the web version of the service, which ensures that the changes apply to all devices where sync is enabled.

Instructions:

1. Open your browser and go to contacts.google.com (sign up under your account).
2. Find the right contact on the list.
3. Click on the current avatar (or empty mug) → select Change.
4. Upload a new photo from your computer or select from Google Photos.
5. Cut the image and save the changes.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ You may need to force synchronization after editing:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Slip on your account → turn on the slider Synchronization of contacts.
3. Press More. → Synchronize now.

The advantage of this method is that the changes will apply not only to Xiaomi, but also to other devices (such as a tablet or computer) where you use the same Google Account.

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If you edit contacts frequently, add the Google Contacts shortcut to the home screen. To do this, open the site in your Chrome browser and select Add to the home screen in the menu.

4. Features for devices with double SIM-card

On Xiaomi smartphones with two SIM-Cards (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+, POCO X4 Pro et al.) contacts can be duplicated or linked to a particular slot, and this affects the display of photos.

How to determine which slot the contact is tied to:

• Open the contact in the phone application.
• Look at the number, it will be shown next to you. SIM-Card (e.g. Mobile 1 or Mobile 2).
• If the contact is duplicated, combine it: click More → Combine contacts.

⚠️ Note: Photograph assigned to contact the SIM1, will not be displayed when you call from SIM2, If the contacts are not synchronized, to fix it:

1. Export contacts with SIM-telephone card (Contacts) → More. → Contact management → Imports/Exports).
2. Remove the doubles with SIM-map.
3. Edit the contact in the device memory and assign a photo.

5. How to change the contact photo for a specific messenger (WhatsApp, Telegram)

Messengers often ignore system contact avatars by uploading their own. Let's look at how to fix this for popular apps.

On WhatsApp:

• 📱 Open a chat with contact.
• 🖼️ Slip on the avatar at the top of the screen. → See the contact.
• 🔄 Click Update (if the photo is not automatically updated).
• 📎 If you need to replace the photo manually: Edit → Change the photo.

On Telegram:

On Telegram, a photo of a contact is taken from his messaging profile, not his phone book, to see the system avatar:

• 🔍 Find contact in the chat list.
• 📱 Tap by name. → Profile.
• 🖼️ If the phone icon is displayed, Telegram didn't pull the photo. → Show in contacts to open the system card.

Important: In Viber, a contact photo is updated automatically from the phone book, but can take up to 24 hours. If the changes are not applied, try to delete and re-add the contact to Viber.

6. Alternative methods: third-party applications and MIUI-chips

If the standard methods do not work, you can use additional tools.

Method 1. Application "Truecaller"

Truecaller allows you to edit photos of contacts, even if they are not saved in your phone book.

1. Install Truecaller from Google Play.
2. Register and allow access to contacts.
3. Find the right contact → click Edit → change the photo.

⚠️ Warning: Truecaller collects data about your contacts. If privacy is more important, use this method only for temporary editing.

Method 2. MIUI-chip: quick replacement through "Quick Settings"

On some models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi K60) you can quickly change the photo of the contact right during the call:

• 📞 During an incoming/outgoing call, tap on the contact avatar.
• 🖼️ Select Change the photo in the menu that appears.
• 📱 Select a new image from the gallery.

Method 3. File Manager Editing (for experienced users)

The contact photos are stored in the system folder to replace them manually:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer).
2. Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/files/.
3. Find a folder with photos (usually photos or photos) contact_images).
4. Replace the file you want (the file name corresponds to the contact ID).

⚠️ Note: This method requires root rights and can cause the Contacts app to crash. Use it only if other methods have failed.

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For most users, standard methods through the Contacts app or Google Contacts are sufficient. App side and manual file editing are only needed in exceptional cases.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photos of contacts on Xiaomi