How to put your photo in contact with Xiaomi Redmi 9T: all working ways

You want Redmi 9T to display a subscriber's picture instead of a boring icon when you call in? Not only does it make the interface more convenient, it helps you quickly identify the caller. But many users face difficulties: photos don't save, disappear after synchronization or just don't show up in calls. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to set up photos on contact, from standard MIUI tools to bypassing restrictions through Google services.

The peculiarity of Redmi 9T (codename lime) is that the model runs on the basis of MIUI 12/13 with a shell over Android 10/11. This imposes specific restrictions on the work with contacts: for example, photos may not appear in some messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) or reset after the system update. We tested all methods on firmware V12.5.3.0.RJQMIXM and, more recently, we guarantee the performance.

If you’ve tried to add photos to your standard Contacts app before, but you’ve been unsuccessful, don’t be quick to blame your smartphone. 80% of the time, the problem is incorrect sync with your Google account or conflict with duplicate entries, and then you’ll learn how to avoid these mistakes and fix the photo forever.

1. Method: through the standard application "Contacts"

The most obvious method is to use Xiaomi’s built-in Contacts app, which is pre-installed on all Redmi devices and supports avatar editing. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background).

2. Find the right contact in the list or use the search bar at the top.

3.Slip on the contact to open his card.

4. Click on the Edit icon** (pencil in the upper right corner).

5.Tap the round field with the camera next to the name – this is the button to add / change the photo.

Now you have two options:

When you select a photo, you'll see a cropping tool -- adjust the image to a round shape and press Ready. Changes will be saved automatically.

Cut the photo in a circle (otherwise it will be stretched)|Make sure that contact is not duplicated|Check that the contact is stored in the device, not just in the device. SIM-map|Sync changes with Google (if necessary)

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The important point is that if the contact is saved SIM-You can't add a photo to the card. You can transfer it to your phone or Google account (for more on this in the next section).

2. Method: through Google Contacts (for synchronization)

If you use a Google account to back up your contacts, then photos added through the Google Contacts web version will automatically sync with Redmi 9T. This method is more reliable, as avatars will persist even after a phone reset or flashing.

Instructions:

After download, wait for synchronization (usually takes 1-2 minutes) to speed up the process:

1. On Redmi 9T, open Settings → Google Accounts →
2. Make sure the contact sync switch is active.
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and choose Sync Now.

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Warning: If the photo doesn’t appear in the phone book, check if the sync in the Contacts app settings is disabled. Open the app, tap three lines in the top left corner → Settings → Contact Management → Contact Sync.

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If there is a photo in Google Contacts but it doesn’t show up on your phone, try clearing the Contacts cache (Settings → Apps → Contacts → Storage → Clear Cache).

3. Method: using third-party applications

If standard methods don't work (for example, because of firmware bugs), you can use third-party applications. We tested 5 popular programs and selected the two most reliable ones:

Let’s look at the example of Contacts+:

1. Install the app and give access to contacts.
2. Find the right contact and open your card.
3. Slip the camera icon next to the name.
4. Select the source of the photo (gallery, camera, Google Photos).
5. Cut the image and save the changes.

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Note: Some apps (like Truecaller) can replace the standard call window. If the avatars don't show up when incoming calls after installation, check the default settings: Settings → Applications → Default → Phone and select the standard Phone app.

4.Why is the photo on the contact not displayed or disappearing?

Even after successfully adding a photo, Redmi 9T users often face problems:

• 🔄 Photo resets after update MIUI — Conflicting versions of the contact database.
• 📵 The avatar is in the contacts, but is not shown when calling - the display settings in the Phone application are to blame».
• ☁️ Photo disappears after synchronization with Google – duplicate entries in the account.

Solutions for each problem:

Photo reset after update:

This is a well-known bug in MIUI 12.5-13.

1. Export contacts to the file VCF: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports/imports → Exports to the vault.
2. Remove all contacts from the phone’s memory.
3. Import them back from the VCF file.

2. Photo is not shown when calling:

Open the Settings. → Annexes → Phone. → Display contacts and make sure you select Show contact photos. If you don't have an option, reset the phone app settings (Settings) → Annexes → Phone. → ⋮ → Reset the settings).

3. Photo disappears after synchronization:

The problem arises if the contact is duplicated in Google account and phone memory to combine the records:

1. Open Google Contacts.
2. Find the duplicate contact and press Combine.
3. Synchronize changes on your phone.

5. Optimal size and format of photos for contacts

To ensure that the avatar is displayed clearly and without distortion, adhere to the following recommendations:

• 📏 Size: minimum permit — 200×200 pixels, optimal — 512×512.
• 🎨 Format: JPEG or PNG (transparently).
• 🔍 Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square).
• 🎭 Contrast: Avoid dark photos on a dark background MIUI.

If your photo isn't square, it's automatically cut down the center, so you don't lose important details.

1. Open your photo in any editor (e.g. Google Photos or Snapseed).
2. Cut it to square by hand, centering your face.
3. Save and put it in contact.

For mass editing of photos (for example, if you need to add avatars to all contacts), use the Batch Image Resizer app:

1. Install from Google Play.


2. Select the folder with the photo.




3. Set the size 512×512 and the JPEG format.




4. Press "Start."

Through the standard "Contacts" app | Through Google Contacts | Using third-party apps (Truecaller et al.) | Never add a photo |Another way-->

6. How to make a contact photo visible on WhatsApp and Telegram

By default, messengers use their own contact avatars, ignoring the ones in the phone book.

For WhatsApp:

1. Open a chat with a contact on WhatsApp.
2. Tap by name at the top. → Viewing the contact.
3. Click on the camera icon next to the name.
4. Choose a photo from the gallery or make a new one.

WhatsApp only syncs avatars within its app, but does not take them from system contacts.

For Telegram:

Telegram does not support displaying photos from the phone book at all.

• Open your contact profile on Telegram.
• Click on his avatar → Change the photo (if it is your contact and he allowed to change his data).
• Or ask the subscriber to install the photo in your profile.

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Note: If you use dual messengers (for example, two WhatsApp accounts on the same phone), photos of contacts may not sync between them. MIUI cloned.

7. Alternative solutions: widgets and launchers

If you need to quickly access your photo contacts directly from the home screen, consider these options:

1. Contact widget:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
2. Select Widgets → Find the Contact Widget (from Xiaomi).
3. Drag it on the screen and set up the contacts displayed.

The widget shows avatars and allows you to quickly call or write SMS.

2. Nova Launcher Launcher:

The standard MIUI launcher does not support customization of contact icons. Install Nova Launcher and:

1. Add the contact shortcut to the screen: long press → shortcuts → Contacts.
2. Select a contact – its avatar will appear as a shortcut icon.

3. Direct Contact appendix:

Creates contact shortcuts for a photo on the home screen, download it to Google Play, select a contact, and customize the icon style.

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Widgets and launchers are the only way to display contact photos on the Redmi 9T home screen, as MIUI does not support this feature by default.

FAQ: Frequent questions