How to put a photo in contact with Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 working ways

Do you want to make a call to the Xiaomi Redmi 9 screen that shows a subscriber's photo instead of a boring icon? This not only makes the interface more convenient, but also helps to quickly identify the caller. MIUI There are several ways to add a photo to a contact, from standard ones through a phone book to sync with a Google Account or Mi Cloud, and in this article we will discuss all the current methods, including solving typical problems: Why the photo is not displayed, how to resize the image and what to do if the changes are not saved.

Many users are faced with confusion: some photos are only visible in the Contacts app, others are visible when calling, and others disappear altogether after rebooting, the reason lies in the source of sync and display settings, we will show how to properly link the image so that it is guaranteed to show everywhere - in the contact list, on the call screen and even in messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram.

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1. Standard method: through the MIUI Contacts app

The easiest method is to edit the contact directly in the standard Contacts app from Xiaomi. MIUI 12/13/14 on the Redmi 9 It does not require an internet connection.

Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person's silhouette on the home screen or in the app menu). Find the contact you want in the list and tap it. In the card that opens, click the Edit button (the pencil in the upper right corner). Here you will see an empty photo box with the camera icon — click on it.

The system will select the source of the image:

• 📷 Take a picture – immediately take a photo through the camera of the smartphone;
• 🖼️ Gallery – select an existing photo from the device’s memory;
• 🎨 Avatars – use standard icons from MIUI (If you need to quickly add a picture without a personal photo).

Once you've selected a photo, you can crop it right in the editor -- move the frame and zoom in with your fingers. Click "Done" and then save the changes to the contact. Importantly, if the contact is synced to Google or Mi Cloud, the changes will apply to all devices that have synced.

Selected image with a resolution of at least 300×300 pixels|

The photo is cut so that the face occupies most of the frame.|

Contact is not duplicated (check in synchronization settings)|

Saving changes is enabled (Save button is active)

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2. Add a photo via Google Contacts

If you use Google Account to sync contacts, change through the standard app MIUI In this case, it is better to edit the contact directly in Google Contacts.

Open your browser on Redmi 9 and go to contacts.google.com. Sign in with the same account that you have attached to your phone. Find the right contact and click on the pencil icon ("Edit"). At the top of the card, a photo box will appear — click on it and upload the image from your device or from Google Photos.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔄 Photos are automatically synced to all devices where this Google account is enabled;
• 📱 Not only in the phone book, but also in Gmail, Hangouts;
• 🔒 Changes will not reset when changing firmware or resetting your phone.

After uploading the photo, it can take up to 5 minutes for it to appear on Redmi 9. If the image does not appear, check the sync settings: go to Settings → Accounts. → Google → Sync your account and make sure the Contacts slider is active.

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If the photo in Google Contacts is not updated on your phone, try manually running sync: open the Contacts app" → Click on three dots in the upper right corner → "Synchronize".

3.Use Mi Cloud to sync photos

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that allows you to synchronize contacts, including photos, between devices on the Internet. MIUI. This method is useful if you change your smartphones frequently or want a backup of your contacts.

To add a photo via Mi Cloud:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account and log in;
2. Go to Mi Cloud. → Synchronize and turn on the slider "Contacts»;
3. Open the Contacts app, find the contact you want and edit it by adding a photo (as in the first method).

Features of Mi Cloud:

• 🌐 Photos will be available on all Xiaomi devices linked to this account;
• 🔐 Data encrypted, but storage is limited (5GB free);
• ⚠️ When resetting your phone, your contacts will be restored along with your photos if backup is enabled.

If the photos are not synchronized, check:

⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. the EU), Mi Cloud is restricted by the GDPR. If the synchronization is not started, try using it. VPN Or switch to Google Contacts.

4.Why is the photo of the contact not displayed when the call is made?

A common problem: the photo is visible in the phone book, but not on the screen of the incoming call.

1. Contact is duplicated

If the same number is stored in multiple accounts (e.g., Google and Mi Cloud), the system can pull data from another source.

• Open contact. → click "Edit» → See which account it is linked to (indicated under the name);
• Remove duplicates or merge contacts (under the menu “More» → «Unite»).

2. Display settings in the "Phone" application

Go to Settings. → Annexes → Phone. → Display contacts and select the source where the photo is saved (for example, Google instead of Device»).

3. Limitations MIUI large-image

Xiaomi automatically compresses photos of contacts to the 256×256 If you upload a resolution image. 1000×1000, It'll cut and it may lose quality — 500×500 pixel.

4. The cache of the Phone app

Sometimes the system forgets to update the cache to reset it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management;
2. Find the phone» → «Warehouse» → «Clear the cache»;
3. Reboot the phone.

5. Alternative methods: third-party applications

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party tools. Here are the proven options:

1.Appendix "Truecaller"

Truecaller not only identifies numbers, but also allows you to add photos to your contacts.

• Open contact in Truecaller;
• Click "Edit» → «Add a photo»;
• The photo will be visible when incoming calls are made via Truecaller (even if it is not in the standard app).

2. «Sync.ME»

This app syncs your contacts with social networks (Facebook, VK, Instagram) and automatically pull up avatars:

1. Register and connect social accounts;
2. Enable the option to “Update Contact Photos”;
3. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).

3. «Contact Photo Editor»

Utility for advanced editing of photo contacts:

• 🔍 Allows you to change size, shape (circle/square) and background;
• 📥 Exports changes to the standard phone book;
• 🛠️ Fixes display errors after updates MIUI.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, give them access to contacts (Settings) → Annexes → Permissions, but beware – some services (like Truecaller) collect data about your calls.

Through the standard "Contacts" app |

Via Google Contacts|

Using Mi Cloud.|

Appendix side (Truecaller, Sync.ME)|

Don't add a photo.

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6. How to change the contact photo for a particular messenger?

Photos of contacts on WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber are pulled up from the phone book, but sometimes messengers ignore them.

For WhatsApp:

• Open a chat with contact → press three points → «Viewing the contact»;
• If the photo is missing, click "Edit" and add it manually.
• WhatsApp caches images – if the photo is not updated, clear the app’s cache (Settings) → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

For Telegram:

Telegram uses its own contact database to update the photo.

1. Open a contact profile in Telegram;
2. Tap on his avatar. → «Change the photo»;
3. Select the image from the gallery (it will only be saved in Telegram).

For Viber:

Viber syncs with the phone book, but sometimes requires a forced update:

• 🔄 Go to Viber Settings → Contacts → Synchronize contacts;
• 📞 If the photo does not appear, ask the contact to update your profile in Viber.

Table of compatibility of photos of contacts with popular messengers:

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Contact photos in messengers are not updated instantly, and after changes to the phone book, it can take up to 24 hours for them to appear on WhatsApp or Viber.

7. Solving problems: photo is lost or not saved

If the added photo disappears after the reboot or is not saved, check the following points:

1. Contact saved on SIM-map

SIM-cards do not support photo storage. Move the contact to your phone or account. Google/Mi Cloud:

• Open contact. → «Edit» → Click on the "Account" field»;
• Select “Device” or the desired cloud account.
• Save the changes.

Limitations MIUI system-contact

Some business contacts (such as Voicemail or Emergency Numbers) are blocked for editing, and trying to add a photo to them will result in a reset.

Synchronization conflict

If you have sync enabled with both Google and Mi Cloud, there may be a conflict of versions.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts;
2. Choose a Google or Mi Account → Turn off contact synchronization;
3. Wait until the sync with the remaining account is completed.

4. Damage to the contact database

If the photo goes missing from all contacts, the database may be damaged.

⚠️ Warning: This action will delete all contacts on the device! pre-export them to the file VCF: Open "Contacts» → three-point → «Contact management» → «Exports».

After export, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the data. Then import the contacts back.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact photos on Redmi 9