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

Xiaomi Redmi 9 remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even years after its release, thanks to its balanced specs and flexible MIUI firmware. But many users have difficulty adding a photo to a contact. Unlike iPhone or pure Android, there are nuances here, from shell limitations to synchronization with Google and Mi accounts.

In this article, you'll find 5 proven ways to make a contact, from standard MIUI 12/13/14 tools to workarounds for stubborn contacts who don't want to save images. We'll also look at why photos sometimes disappear after a system update or reset, and how to fix it. If you tried to add an avatar through Contacts but failed, there's a solution.

Why can’t I add a photo to my contact in Redmi 9?

The problem with setting photos to contacts in Xiaomi Redmi 9 is most often due to one of three reasons:

• 🔄 Synchronization conflict: Contact is linked to both Google and Mi Account, and the system doesn’t know where to save a photo.
• 📱 Limitations MIUI: In some firmware versions, the photo add feature is hidden or only works for contacts stored in the phone’s memory (not in the cloud).
• 🗑️ Contacts app cache: cache cache can block new data, including images.

Another common case is that you add a photo, but it disappears after a phone reboot or MIUI update. This is because Xiaomi defaults to the Mi Cloud cloud, not locally. When synchronized, the cloud can “reset” user changes if they conflict with the server version of the contact.

⚠️ Note: If you use dual applications (functions) MIUI for cloning messengers, contacts in cloned versions WhatsApp/Telegram The photos you add to the phone book may not be synced to the main phone book.

Method 1: Add a photo through the standard “Contacts” app

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background) that works for contacts saved locally or in a Mi Account, but may not work for Google contacts.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Find the right contact in the list and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, click on the Edit icon (pencil).
4. Slip on an empty mug with the camera icon (or the current photo, if any).
5. Select the source: 📸 Take a photo - straight from the camera. 🖼️ Gallery – Choose from existing images. 🎨 Avatars - standard icons from MIUI.

Ready.

Save.

Contact saved in your phone memory (not Google)

Sync with Mi Cloud enabled (Settings → Mi Account → Sync)

Contacts app updated to the latest version in Play Market

Cleared the application cache (Settings) → Annexes → Contacts → Memory. → Clear the cache)-->

If the photo doesn't show up after saving, try restarting the phone - sometimes MIUI applies changes only after the reboot. Also check if the contact is duplicated: if you have two entries with the same number (for example, one in Google, the other in Mi Account), the photo can "attach" only one of them.

Method 2: Install photos via Google Contacts

If your contact is synced to your Google account, the easiest way to edit it is through the web version of Google Contacts.This method is guaranteed to work and save a photo even after the phone is reset (provided that sync is enabled).

Instructions:

1. Open your browser on your phone or computer and go to contacts.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same Google account that is linked to your Redmi 9.
3. Find the contact you need in the list and click on it.
4. Click on the camera icon in the mug (or the current photo).
5. Select “Upload photo” and upload the image from the device.
6. Cut the photo (if necessary) and save the changes.

⚠️ Note: If the contact is duplicated (you can find it in both Google and Mi Account), a photo from Google Contacts may not appear in the standard Contacts app from Xiaomi).

In the memory of the phone

On Google Account

At Mi Cloud (Xiaomi)

V SIM-map

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Method 3: Use the Truecaller app to add photos

If standard methods don't work, you can use a third-party app called Truecaller, which not only identifies numbers, but also allows you to edit contacts, including adding photos. Advantage: Truecaller works with any contacts, even those who "don't want" to save photos through MIUI.

How to do this:

1. Install Truecaller from Play Market.
2. Open the app and allow access to contacts.
3. Find the right contact in the list and tap it.
4. Click Edit (pencil icon).
5. Slip on a mug with a photo (or an empty mug) and select “Add a photo”.
6. Select a source (camera or gallery), crop the photo and save it.

Truecaller saves the photo in its own database, so it will only appear in this application. To make the photo appear in standard Contacts, follow the additional step:

• 🔄 Open the standard Contacts app.
• Find the same contact and click Edit.
• Make sure the photo field is active (if not, try Method 5).
• Add a photo again, now it should be saved.

💡

If Truecaller does not find a contact, check if the contacts sync is enabled in the application settings (Truecaller → Settings → Contact Synchronization).

Method 4: Combining duplicate contacts

One of the most common reasons why a photo doesn't stick to a contact is because it's duplicated, for example, the same number can be stored:

• Google account.
• Mi Account.
• In the phone's memory.

In this case, MIUI can show contact without a photo or it can confuse priorities, and the solution is to combine the takes.

How to do this:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Choose to Join Contacts.
4. MIUI will automatically find possible duplicates. Click on the group of contacts to be combined.
5. Check that the correct contact is selected (with the right number and data), and click Consolidate.

After the merger:

• 🔄 Try adding photos again using Method 1 or Method 2.
• 📱 If the photo is still not saved, clear the cache of the Contacts app (Settings) → Annexes → Contacts → Memory. → Clear the cache).

Method 5: Manually add photos through the file manager (for experienced)

If none of the above methods worked, you can try manually adding photos through the file manager, which requires access to system folders and is suitable for users who are not afraid to “dig” into Android files.

Important: Before starting, back up your contacts (Contacts → Settings → Export/Import).

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with access to root folders (e.g. File Manager+).
2. Open the manager and go on the path: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.contacts/files/ (if there is no folder, create it manually).
3. Copy the photo into this folder (name it, for example, contact_photo.jpg).
4. Open standard Contacts, find the right contact and try to add a photo again – now the system must “see” the file.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete or edit other files in the com.android.providers.contacts folder, this may result in the loss of all contacts.If you are not sure about your actions, use Method 2 (Google Contacts) as a safer alternative.

What to do if the photo on the contact is blurred or cropped?

MIUI automatically trims your contacts’ photos into a round shape and reduces their resolution. If your photos are blurry or disproportionate, use these tips:

• 🖼️ Use square images: optimal size — 512×512 pixel. MIUI It works best with square photos, as you do not have to cut the edges.
• 🔍 Cut it in advance: Cut the photo in any graphics editor (for example, Adobe Photoshop Express) before downloading, leaving only the face or main object in the center.
• 📏 Check the aspect ratio: if you upload a photo from the camera, make sure it is not too elongated (for example, the photo is not too elongated, 1920×1080 will be cut more than 1080×1080).

If the photo is still poorly displayed:

1. Remove the current photo from the contact.
2. Clear the Contacts app cache (Settings → Apps → Contacts → Memory → Clear the cache).
3. Re-add the photo, having previously cropped it to a square shape.

💡

MIUI keeps thumbnails of contact photos in low resolution. If you want high quality, use Google Contacts, which stores photos in the original resolution.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photos on contacts in Redmi 9