Modern smartphones such as Xiaomi Redmi 9, provide users with ample opportunities to customize the interface. One of the most popular features is the ability to see who exactly is calling you, not just by name, but by photo. This is especially convenient when the phone is on the table and you don’t want to pick it up again to figure out whether to interrupt. The standard shell MIUIinstalled on the device allows you to implement this scenario in several ways, each of which has its own characteristics.
The setup process may not seem obvious to a beginner, since the system Android stores contact images separately from general call settings. Unlike installing live wallpaper or a theme, this requires working with specific entries in the phone book or using specialized applications for video calls. Understanding the logic of work contacts in the ecosystem Google and MIUI will help you avoid common mistakes when the photo seems to be installed, but is not displayed during a call.
In this article we will analyze in detail all available personalization methods incoming calls to Redmi 9. We will look at the standard system tools, the nuances of synchronization with cloud services, and third-party solutions for those who want to see a full-fledged video instead of a static picture. Correctly setting up this function will make using your smartphone much more comfortable and informative.
Basic setup via the Contacts applicationThe most reliable and standard way to set an image for a specific subscriber is to use the built-in application Contact. It is this database that the system accesses when an incoming signal arrives. It is important to understand that the photo is not tied to a phone number as such, but to a specific one entries in your profile. If you have several entries in the list with the same number, the system may get confused about which picture to show.
To get started, you need to open the application Contact on the desktop or in the applications menu. Find the person you need in the list or use the search bar at the top of the screen. After opening a contact card, notice the circular area at the top where the first letter of the name or the standard gray profile picture is usually displayed. Clicking on this area or on the edit button (often looks like a pencil) will open a menu for changing data.
⚠️ Attention: If you are editing a contact saved on SIM card, you may not be able to add a photo, since the SIM card memory has severe limitations and does not support graphic files. In this case, the system will offer to copy the contact to your phone or Google account.
After selecting an image from the gallery, you must confirm the changes. The system MIUI may suggest cropping the photo so that it fits perfectly into the round call interface. Make sure the person or important object is in the center of the highlighted area. After saving thumbnail will be updated in the contact list, and the next time you call from this subscriber you will see the installed image.
- 📸 Open the application
Contactand find the desired entry in the phone book. - ✏️ Click on the edit button (pencil icon) or directly on the contact’s avatar.
- 🖼️ Select the option to add a photo and indicate the source: gallery or smartphone camera.
- 💾 Confirm cropping and click the save changes button at the bottom of the screen.
Using Google Contacts for synchronizationOwners of devices based on Android, including Redmi 9, have a unique opportunity to synchronize their data through their account Google. This not only reserves phone numbers, but also allows you to manage contact photos through a web interface or a separate application. The advantage of this method is that if you change the device or reset the settings to factory settings, all images will be automatically restored after logging into your account.
To manage via the web interface, go to the Google contacts website from your computer or phone browser. Here you can bulk upload photos, edit them and merge duplicate posts. Changes made in the cloud will automatically be applied on yours Redmi 9 as long as you have an Internet connection. This is especially convenient if you need to install a photo on dozens of contacts at once, without wasting time on the smartphone screen.
However, it is worth considering that synchronization may take some time. If you have just placed a photo in the cloud, but it has not yet appeared during a call, check the synchronization settings in the Settings → Accounts → Googlesection. Make sure the slider next to "Contacts" is activated. Sometimes you need to manually start synchronization by clicking on the corresponding button in the account menu.
Use high-quality, well-lit photographs for avatars. Dark or blurry images may be difficult to read on the screen during an incoming call, especially in bright sunlight.
Installing video calls instead of a static photoThe shell MIUI in some versions and regions supports the video call function, when instead of a static picture, a short video is played on the entire screen. This makes the process of waiting for the subscriber's response more lively and interesting. To implement this function, you may need additional settings or installation of themes from the store GetThemesthat support video call background.
To set up a video call, you often need to use the built-in application Themes. In the topic search, enter the query "Video Caller" or "Video call". Download the package you like and apply it. After applying a theme in the phone settings or in the contacts application, you may be able to upload your own video for a specific caller or for all incoming calls.
There are also third-party applications from Google Play, such as "Video Caller ID", which intercept the incoming call and overlay the video on top of the standard interface. When using such apps, it is important to give them all the necessary permissions, including access to the microphone, camera (sometimes required for the function to work), and phone. Without these permissions, the application will not be able to display content correctly during a call.
| Installation method | Required resources | Battery impact | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard photo | Phone memory | Minimal | Low |
| Google Synchronization | Internet, Account | Low | Average |
| MIUI Video Themes | App Themes | Average | Average |
| Third Party Applications | Google Play, Resolutions | High | High |
Working with the gallery and image formattingThe quality of the displayed photo directly depends on the source file. The system Android and shell MIUI automatically compress and crop images to fit the circle or rounded rectangle shape on the call screen. However, if the original photo has a non-standard aspect ratio or too low a resolution, the result may be unsatisfactory.
It is recommended to prepare images in advance in a graphics editor or built-in gallery editor. The optimal format is JPEG or PNG with a resolution of at least 500x500 pixels. If the photo is vertical, the system will crop the edges; if horizontal, there may be empty fields at the top and bottom, which will be filled with a blurry copy of the image or black.
⚠️ Attention: When adding a photo to a contact, the system may request permission to access multimedia. Without this permission, you will not be able to select a picture from the gallery. Check your privacy settings in the section Settings → Applications → Contacts → Permissions.
It is also worth remembering the format HEICthat modern iPhones use. If you transfer contacts and photos from iOS to Redmi 9, some images may not display correctly. In this case, it is better to first convert them to standard JPEG. This guarantees compatibility and correct display on all types of screens.
☑️ Check before installing the photo
Solution: photo is not displayed when callingEven after successfully installing the image, users may encounter a situation where a standard gray blank is displayed during an incoming call. One of the most common reasons is a duplicate conflict. There can be two entries in the phone book with the same name or number: one in the phone memory, the other in your Google Account. The system can pull data from one record and call the number assigned to another.
To solve this problem, open the application Contact, click on the menu (three dots) and select the option "Merge duplicates" or "Manage contacts". The system will analyze the database and offer to merge duplicate records. After this procedure, the photo associated with the merged contact should begin to display correctly.
Another reason may be the application cache Phone or Contact. Over time, temporary files can become damaged, causing errors in the interface display. To fix this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications → Contacts. Select "Clear cache" (not data, but cache). This is safe and will not delete your numbers, but will update service information.
What to do if the photo is in the contact, but there is a black screen when calling?
This may be related to the design theme. Some third-party themes change the dialer interface and do not support displaying contact photos. Try switching to the default "Classic" or "Unlimited" theme in the Themes app to see if the problem goes away.
Setting the display for unknown numbersYou can customize how you respond to calls from numbers that are not in your phone book. Although you cannot put a specific photo on an “unknown number”, you can customize the call style or enable number identification through services Redmi 9 You can configure the reaction to calls from numbers that are not in your phone book. Although you cannot put a specific photo on an “unknown number”, you can customize the call style or enable number identification through services MIUI or Google. This will help identify spam or courier services by displaying the category of the caller.
To enable caller ID, go to the application Phone, click on settings and find the "Caller ID" item. Activate the service. Now, even if a photo cannot be installed, you will see the name of the organization or the type of number (for example, “Food delivery”), which visually distinguishes such calls from personal ones.
Also in the call interface settings, you can choose how exactly the information will be displayed. Some versions MIUI allow you to enable "Smart Lock Screen", which shows more detailed information about the caller, including the ability to quickly reply with a message. This increases the functionality of the device when working with incoming calls.
The main reason for the lack of photos is saving the contact on the SIM card. To guarantee the display of images, store all recordings in your phone memory or Google cloud.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to put one photo on all incoming calls at once?
Standard means Android i MIUI it is impossible to set a single photo for all unknown numbers. The photo is linked individually to each entry in the contact book. For general settings, only ringtones and themes are available.
Why did contact photos disappear after the system update?
This can happen if application permissions have been reset or the synchronization source has changed. Make sure Google sync is turned on and make sure the Contacts app has access to your storage. Often, re-enabling synchronization in the account settings helps.
Does the size of a photo file affect the speed at which the call screen appears?
On modern processors Redmi 9 the effect is minimal, but too heavy files in 4K or RAW format can cause a micro-delay when rendering the interface. The system itself compresses photos when saving them to a contact, so it is usually not necessary to specifically reduce their weight manually.
How to delete a photo from a contact without deleting the contact itself?
Go to edit the contact, click on the avatar or camera icon. In the menu that appears, select the "Delete Photo" option (often indicated by a trash can or a cross). After that, save the changes, and the contact will again have a standard letter stub.