How to put a photo in contact with Xiaomi Redmi 8: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and functionality based on MIUI. One of the frequent tasks of users is to personalize contacts by adding photos. It would seem that it could be easier? But practice shows that many people face difficulties - then the photo is not saved, then the contact is duplicated, then changes are not synchronized between accounts. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to install avatars on contacts in Redmi 8, including the nuances of working with Google Contacts, local phone book and MIUI 12/14 brand chips.

It is important to understand that the process may differ depending on where the contact is stored: in the phone memory, in the Google account or Mi Account. Also, the result is influenced by the firmware version - in older builds of MIUI 11, the menu interface was different from the current MIUI 14. We will look at universal methods that work regardless of the version of the software, and also point out typical errors that may not show photos in calls or messages.

1. Method: through the standard application "Contacts"

The most obvious and quickest method is to use the built-in Contacts app (an icon with a person's silhouette on a green background), which is suitable for contacts stored locally on the phone or tied to Mi Account, and if the contact is synchronized with Google, the changes may not persist, as discussed below.

Step instructions:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app (if it isn’t on the home screen, search through the swipe search down).
• 🔍 Find the contact you want in the list or use the search bar at the top.
• ✏️ Tap on the contact, then click the Edit button (pencil in the upper right corner).
• 🖼️ Tap the camera icon next to the contact name, and you'll see a menu with options: 📸 Take a photo – a picture from the main or front camera; 🖼️ Select from Gallery – Upload an existing image; 🎨 Create an avatar – generation of a stylized image (available in the MIUI 12+).
• 💾 After selecting the photo, click Ready or Save in the upper right corner.

If the photo is not displayed in calls or SMS after saving, check:

⚠️ Note: Redmi 8 with firmware below MIUI 12.5 may trigger a bug where contact avatars are not shown in the Phone app but are visible in Messages. The solution is to update the software or manually clear the application cache Contacts in the settings.

Make sure contact is not duplicated | Check your internet connection (for sync) | Close background apps (saves RAM) | Backup contacts (in case of failure)

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2. Method: through Google Contacts (for synchronized accounts)

If your contact is linked to a Google Account (usually seen by the G icon next to your name), editing through the standard Contacts app may not work, in which case you need to make changes directly to Google Contacts, either through the web version or through a separate application.

How to put a photo through Google Contacts:

1. Open your browser and go to contacts.google.com (or install Google Contacts from Play Market).
2. Sign in with the same account as on your phone.
3. Find the right contact and click on it.
4. Click on the camera icon in the mug next to the name.
5. Upload a photo from your computer or take a picture via a webcam (if you use a PC).
6. Save the changes – sync with the phone will happen automatically within 5-10 minutes.

If the photo doesn't appear on the phone:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize and enable the contact option.
• 📱 Reboot Redmi 8 – Sometimes it speeds up data updates.
• 🚫 Make sure that the avatar display is not disabled in the Contacts app settings (path: Application settings) → Contact display).

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If you edit contacts frequently, add the Google Contacts shortcut to the home screen. Open the app, tap three dots in the corner → Add to the home screen.

3. Method: via the application "Phone" (fast method)

Few people know, but Redmi 8 can edit contacts directly from the Phone app (green handset), which is convenient if you need to quickly change photos before calling.

Steps:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the Contacts tab (bottom of the screen).
3. Find the right contact and hold your finger on it for 2 seconds, and the context menu will appear.
4. Choose Edit.
5. Slip the camera icon next to the name and upload the photo.
6. Save the changes.

Features of the method:

• ✅ Works for local and Mi Account Contacts.
• ❌ Not suitable for contacts synced only to Google (changes will not persist).
• 🔄 If the contact is duplicated (both on Google and locally), editing via Phone can create another copy.

4. Method: with the help of a file manager (for experienced users)

This method is suitable for those who prefer manual file management or are faced with synchronization errors. In MIUI, contact avatars are stored in a hidden folder, and they can be replaced manually. Importantly, improper actions can lead to data loss - back up contacts before you start!

Step-by-step:

1. Install a file manager with access to root folders (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Cross the path: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.contacts/files/ Or an alternative way to MIUI: /data/user_de/0/com.android.providers.contacts/files/
4. Find a folder with the name corresponding to the contact ID (e.g. 5551234).
5. There's a file inside. contact_photo.jpg — Replace it with your image (required to have the same name and extension).
6. Reboot the phone.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔒 Root rights are required to access some folders (on non-rooted devices, the method may not work).
• 🔄 Changes are not synced with the cloud – only this phone will have a photo.
• 📏 The size of the photo should not be more 720×720 pixels, or it'll cut off.

Only in the memory of the phone.|Synchronizing with Google|Using Mi Account.|Other-->

5. Method: through third-party applications (Truecaller, Sync.ME)

If standard methods do not work or you need additional features (for example, automatically adding photos from social networks), you can use third-party applications.

How to add a photo via Truecaller:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Register (a telephone number will be required).
3. Allow access to contacts.
4. Open the contact you need in Truecaller and tap the camera icon.
5. Select the source of the photo (gallery, camera or search in social networks).

⚠️ Note: Apps like Truecaller upload your contacts to their servers for analysis. If you care about privacy, avoid these services or use them with selective synchronization.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the successful addition of photos, Redmi 8 users may face a number of problems.

1. Photos are not displayed in calls or SMS

• 🔹 Check the display settings: Contacts → Settings → Contact display → Showing pictures.
• 🔹 Make sure that the contact is not saved in multiple accounts (Google) + Mi Account).
• 🔹 Clear the cache of the Contacts and Phone apps in the settings.

2.Photo taken down after MIUI update

• 🔹 This is a well-known bug of old firmware versions. The solution is to upgrade to MIUI 12.5+.
• 🔹 If the update is not available, save your contacts to your Google Account – they are less likely to crash.

3. Contact cannot be edited (Edit button is inactive)

• 🔹 Contact can be protected by the organization’s policy makers (if the phone is corporate).
• 🔹 Check if the Read Only mode is enabled in the account settings.

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If the problem persists after all manipulations, try resetting the Contacts app to factory settings (without data loss). path: Settings → Apps → Contacts → Storage → Reset settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions