How to put a photo on a call on the full screen on Redmi 9

Modern smartphones allow you to personalize every aspect of interaction with the device, and setting a unique image for each subscriber is one of the most popular features. Owners of a popular model Xiaomi Redmi 9 often encounter the fact that the standard gallery crops the photo, leaving unaesthetic black stripes on the sides or top. This is due to differences in the proportions of the screen and the original image, as well as the features of the shell MIUI, which by default uses a simplified call interface.

To achieve the effect of complete immersion and see the interlocutor or his photo in full screen mode, you need to use specialized tools or change system settings. In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods: from using built-in tools to installing third-party applications that guarantee the correct display of the image without distortion. You will learn how to prepare an image correctly and what hidden settings can affect the result.

Particular attention should be paid to the format of the source file, since it is this that determines the quality of the final image on the display of your gadget. An incorrectly selected size can lead to the fact that even after all the manipulations, the photo will look stretched or blurry. We will look at an algorithm of actions that will help you avoid common mistakes and customize the visual style of calls to suit your personal preferences as efficiently as possible.

Preparing an image for full screen mode

The first and most important stage is the correct preparation of the graphic file. The smartphone screen has a resolution of pixels and an aspect ratio of 39, which is a rather elongated format. Most photographs taken with a camera or downloaded from the Internet have a standard ratio Redmi 9 has permission 2340×1080 pixels and aspect ratio 19.5:9, which is a rather elongated format. Most photos taken with a camera or downloaded from the Internet have a standard ratio 4:3 or 16:9, which, when automatically adjusted by the system, leads to the appearance of empty areas.

For an ideal result, you need to first crop the image in any graphic editor. Try to keep key objects (face, logo) in the central part of the frame, as the edges may be hidden by interface elements during a call. The optimal solution would be to use a vertical format that is as close as possible to the proportions of your device’s display.

It is also worth considering the file resolution. Loading a low-quality image (720p and below) onto a high-pixel-density screen will result in graininess and compression artifacts. Use files with a resolution of at least 1080pto ensure the picture looks clear and professional.

⚠️ Attention: Avoid using images with a transparent background in PNG format for contacts if you are not sure of system support. It is better to convert them to JPEG with a white or colored background to avoid black squares instead of a background.

Standard installation method via application Contacts

The easiest way to change the subscriber's avatar is to use the built-in Contacts application, which is preinstalled on every device with the shell MIUI. This method does not require installation of additional software, but has restrictions on image cropping. However, for many users, the functionality of the standard utility is quite sufficient.

The process begins by opening the list of your saved numbers. Find the desired subscriber and go to their detailed information page. Here you will see your current avatar or initials on a colored background. Click on the editing icon or directly on the area with the photo to launch the image editing menu.

The system will prompt you to select a source: take a new photo with the camera or select a file from the gallery. After selecting a photo, the cropping interface will open. Here it is important to bring the image as close as possible (zoom) so that it fills the entire available preview area, minimizing future black fields.

• 📸 Open the application Contact and find the desired number in the list.
• ✂️ Click on the pencil or photo icon to enter the mode editing.
• 🖼️ Select “Edit photo” and load the prepared image from memory.
• 💾 Save the changes by clicking the checkmark in the upper corner of the screen.

After saving, the system will automatically apply the changes. However, it is worth remembering that the standard cropper may not take into account the safe areas of the call interface. If you are not satisfied with the result, move on to using specialized applications that give you more control over the final look.

Using the “Themes” application for customization

The shell MIUI has a powerful built-in theme store that allows you to change not only the wallpaper, but also the style of the lock screen and call screen. In some regions and firmware versions, Call Screen Wallpaper is available for installation, which works globally for all incoming calls that do not have an individual contact. To use this feature, open the application. In the bottom navigation bar, find the Profile section or person icon. In the menu that opens, select “Call Wallpaper”. Here you will see a collection of pre-installed videos and images optimized specifically for the call screen. Redmi 9 The functionality of setting “Call Screen Wallpaper” is available, which works globally for all incoming calls that do not have an individual contact.

To use this feature, open the application Themes. In the bottom navigation bar, find the Profile section or person icon. In the menu that opens, select “Call Wallpaper”. Here you will see a collection of preset videos and images optimized specifically for the call screen.

If you want to use your photo, click on the add button (usually a plus sign or a gallery icon). The system will prompt you to select an image from the phone's memory. The advantage of this method is that the theme engine automatically applies effects and fits the image to fit the entire screen, ignoring the standard limitations of the contacts application.

Installation method	Action coverage	Zoom capability	Difficulty
Contacts application	Selected number only	Limited	Low
Topics application	All unknown numbers	Automatic	Medium
Third-party launchers	Global or selective	Full control	High
Call applications	All incoming calls	Flexible	Average

It is worth noting that the catalog of themes may vary depending on the account region Mi Account. If you don’t find the section you need, try changing the region in your account settings to “India” or “Russia”, where the functionality is often wider.

Third-party applications for call management

When the built-in tools cannot cope with the task of displaying the image on the full screen, specialized utilities from the store come to the rescue. Google Play. Applications like True Phone Dialer or Calls Blacklist (with a photo function) allow you to completely replace the standard “dialer” and get advanced customization options for the visual style.

After installing such an application, you will need to give it permissions to access contacts, phone and overlay on top of other windows. The last permission is critically important, since it is what allows the application to intercept the screen of an incoming call and display your image in full screen mode, overlapping the system interface.

In the settings of such apps there is usually a separate section “Visualization” or “Call Topics”. Here you can upload a photo for a specific contact or set a general background. The algorithms of these applications are often smarter than system ones: they can blur the edges of the image or dynamically adjust the scale in real time.

⚠️ Attention: When installing a third-party dialer, the Android system may warn several times about the potential danger of replacing the system application. This is a standard security measure; confirm the action if you trust the developer.

One ​​of the popular solutions is the application Contact Photo & Caller ID. It scans your phone book and allows you to bulk assign high-quality photos, automatically cropping them to fit your screen. This saves time if you need to update avatars for dozens of contacts at once.

Why is sometimes the photo not displayed in third-party applications?

If the application does not have the “On top of other applications” permission, the system will block the display of the custom call screen in favor of the standard system interface. Check your permission settings in the “Applications” -> “Special Access” section.

Setting permissions and displaying on top of windows

A frequent reason why a photo does not stretch to fill the entire screen or does not appear at all is incorrect settings of access rights in the system Android 10 or 11on which it is based Redmi 9. Even if you did everything correctly in the gallery, without system permission the application will not be able to modify the lock or call screen.

You need to go to the main settings of your smartphone and find the “Applications” section. In the list, find the application that you use to install photos (whether standard Contacts or a third-party launcher). Go to “Other permissions” or “Permissions”.

Find the item “Display on top of other applications” (or “Pop-up windows”). Make sure the switch is in the active position. Without this flag, the system will block any attempts to change the standard call interface, returning you to the default view with a small avatar circle.

Settings → Applications → Manage applications → [Your application] → Permissions → Display on top of other applications → Allow

Also worth checking battery settings. If the system aggressively kills background processes to save power, the calling app may not be able to load the image at the right time. Add the application you are using to the list of power saving exceptions.

Solving problems with black margins and distortion

Even after all the settings, you may notice that there are black bars at the edges of the screen. This is due to the fact that the cutout for the front camera and speaker on Redmi 9 occupies a certain area that the system reserves for system icons and the status bar. It is impossible to completely remove these elements without root access, but you can minimize the visual dissonance.

Use images with dark or blurred backgrounds around the edges. This will create the illusion of seamlessness, and the transition from the photo to the black fields will be less noticeable. Bright, solid edges, on the contrary, will emphasize the presence of frames.

If you are using a video screensaver instead of a photo, make sure that the video is encoded in the format MP4 with codec H.264. Other formats may not be supported by the screen lock engine, which will result in a static black screen being displayed instead of the video.

• 🌑 Choose photos with vignetting (darkening around the edges) to disguise the frames.
• 🎞️ For video, use only the format .mp4 i resolution 1080p.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone after installing new settings to reset the interface cache.

In some cases, disabling the “Extended dialing” option in the settings of the phone application itself helps. This feature is intended for visually impaired users and changes the screen layout, often breaking custom backgrounds.

⚠️ Attention: The interface and menu item names may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 12.5, 13). If you do not find the item, use the search in the settings by entering the keyword “resolutions” or “screen”.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why, after installing a photo, is it still displayed in a small circle?

Most likely, you installed the photo through the standard contacts menu, which by default is not stretches the image. Try using the "Themes" application to set general wallpaper for the call, or a third-party "dialer" that forcibly changes the interface to full screen.

Is it possible to put a video on the call instead of a photo on Redmi 9?

Yes, this is possible through the "Themes" application. In the “Call Wallpaper” section, you can select a video from the catalog or upload your own short video. Please note that this may drain battery power faster.

Why is the photo on the call visible only to me, but the other person sees the standard picture?

The photo on the call screen is a local setting of your phone. In order for the interlocutor to see your photo, you must set it in your profile in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) or in a social network linked to the number, but in a standard GSM call he will only see what is saved in his phone book.

Are photo settings reset when updating the system?

Usually contacts and those linked to them Photos are saved when updating MIUI. However, if you used third-party themes or applications for the call screen, their settings may be reset and you will need to re-activate.

How to remove the black bar at the top of the screen during a call?

You cannot completely remove the system status bar (where the time and battery are) without root access. However, you can visually hide it by using wallpaper with a dark top or by installing a theme with a transparent status bar, if available in the theme store.