Xiaomi Redmi 9 allows you to personalize incoming calls by adding contact photos or random images. This feature not only makes the interface unique, but also helps to quickly identify the caller. However, many users face difficulties in setting up - the standard MIUI menus are hidden behind several layers of settings, and in some firmware, the option does not work correctly.
In this article, you'll find three proven ways to set your photo up on a call: through the standard Contacts app, through MIUI system settings, and an alternative method for custom firmware. We'll also look at why the image might not be displayed, and give you recommendations for optimal image resolution. If you want a Redmi 9 screen to show a picture of a loved one or a meme when you call in, read on.
Why doesn’t Redmi 9 show a photo when you call?
Before you start setting up, it’s important to understand why the current photo of the contact might not show up, and 80 percent of the time, the problem is due to one of three reasons:
- 📱 An outdated version MIUI — firmware MIUI 12.5 The photo display function on the lock screen was unstable. Update the system via Settings → The phone. → Update of the PO.
- 🔒 Privacy restrictions – if the security settings include the option “Hide notifications on the lock screen”, the photo of the caller will also disappear.
- 🖼️ Inappropriate image format — MIUI Only handles.jpg or.png files correctly with resolution up to 1080×1920 Images in.webp or with resolution 4K may not be displayed.
Another common mistake is trying to assign a photo through messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), which store avatars in their cloud but do not sync them with system contacts, and in order for a photo to appear on the call screen, it must be added to the phone’s address book, not to the chat profile.
Method 1: Install photo through the application "Contacts"
The simplest and most reliable method is to edit the contact directly in the standard MIUI application, which works on all versions of the firmware and does not require superuser rights.
- Open the Contacts app** (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen).
- Find the contact you need in the list and tap it to open the card.
- Click on the Edit icon** (pencil in the upper right corner).
- Touch the current avatar (or an empty circle if no photo is assigned).
- Select the source of the image: 📷 Take a photo – activates the camera for instant snapshot. 🖼️ Select from Gallery – Allows you to upload an existing image. 🎨 Create an avatar - offers to generate an icon from initials (available in the form of a new image). MIUI 13+).
"Done."
Save the change in contact.
Cut the image by pattern (circle/square)|
Photo complies with permission 500×500 px|
The contact is saved in the phone book, not in the SIM-map|
Display notifications on the lock screen-->
If the photo does not appear when you call after saving it, check the lock screen settings. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Lock style and select the “Standard” option (some firmware calls the option “Classic”). Alternative styles (such as “Weather” or “Flowers”) can block the display of avatars.
Method 2: Assigning a photo through MIUI settings
In some versions of MIUI (especially Redmi 9 with global firmware), you can assign a photo of the contact directly from the phone's settings menu, a method that is useful if the standard Contacts app is unstable.
- Open the “Settings”** of the phone (cog icon).
- Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
- In the search bar, type “Contacts”** and select the system application.
- Slip on the item Storage and cache → Data management.
- Find the Contact Photos option** (or Avatars in English firmware) and click on it.
This is less intuitive, but sometimes it works where standard contact editing doesn't help. Note: in Chinese versions of MIUI, the path may be different — instead of App Management, look for Auto Run or Permissions.
What to do if the settings do not include the item "Photo contacts"?
It is important that you use two SIM-If you call the second SIM, you may not see the contact photo when you call the second SIM, and to correct this, save the contact by putting both of them in the same way. SIM as a default number».
Method 3: Alternative methods for custom firmware
If your Redmi 9 runs on unofficial firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience, or Xiaomi.eu), standard methods may not work.
| Method | Instructions | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| Annex "Truecaller" | Install Truecaller from Google Play. Register and allow access to contacts. Open your Truecaller contact card and assign a photo. | It works on all firmware, but requires the Internet to display photos. |
| Manual copying to the MIUI folder | Put the phone on the PC. Put the photo in the folder. /MIUI/contactphoto/ (Create it if you don't. Rename the file to PHONE_NUMBER.jpg (for example, +79123456789.jpg). Reboot the phone. | Only for rooted devices or with USB debugging enabled. |
| Use of ADB | adb shell content insert --uri content://com.android.contacts/raw_contacts --bind name" --bind account_name:"your@gmail.com" --bind account_type:"com.google" adb shell content insert --uri content://com.android.contacts/data --bind raw_contact_id:"ID" --bind mime_type:"vnd.android.cursor.item/photo" --bind data15:"/path/to/photo.jpg" | For power users, it requires ADB and command line knowledge. |
If you use custom firmware, check if it supports Overlays** (theme overlays). Some builds (like HavocOS) allow you to replace the standard call screen through settings with one where you can assign a global photo for all contacts.
💡
Before installing custom firmware, back up /MIUI/contactphoto/, which stores all contact avatars, and can be manually restored once you have firmware.
Optimal parameters for a photo on a call
To make the image look clear and not cropped, follow the following recommendations:
- 🖌️ Contrast: Avoid dark photos on the AMOLED-screens, they will be poorly visible.
Use applications like Photo Resizer or PicsArt to quickly resize. If the photo is too large, Redmi 9 can process it for a long time when you call, which will cause a delay in display. Test the images in advance, assigning them to test contacts.
💡
MIUI caches photos of contacts. If you've changed the image, but the call screen shows the old version, clear the Contacts app cache in the storage settings.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even after you set it up properly, the photo may not show up. Here are the typical mistakes and their solutions:
⚠️ Note: If you use dual messengers (for example, two WhatsApp on the same phone), photos of contacts may conflict. → Annexes → Dual annexes.
- 🔄 Photo resets after update → Before the upgrade. MIUI Export contacts to.vcf file via Settings → System system → Backup.
- 📵 Photo does not appear when calling via Bluetooth headset → That's a limitation. MIUI. There is no solution, but you can use apps like Truecaller for an alternative call screen.
- 🔒 Photo missing after resetting settings → Restore contacts from a Google backup or local backup. folder with avatars (/MIUI/contactphoto/) discharged is not affected.
Another common problem is duplicate contacts, where if the same number is saved twice (for example, in a phone book and in a Google account), MIUI can only show a photo for one of the duplicates.
- Open the Contacts app.
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Contact management → Combine the takes.
- Select duplicate records and combine them.