When your name lights up on your screen Xiaomi Redmi caller, and next to him is his photo, this is not only convenient, but also helps you find your way faster. However, not all users know how to properly configure the display of a photo during an incoming call. In this article we will analyze all the available methods - from standard MIUI settings to bypassing system restrictions.

It is important to understand that the photo installation algorithm depends on the firmware version MIUI and the smartphone model. For example, in Redmi Note 12 the interface may differ from Redmi 10A. But the general logic remains the same: the contact’s photo must be saved in the phone book and linked to the number. If you are faced with the fact that the photo is not displayed, most likely the problem lies in the synchronization settings or application permissions.

We will also look at what to do if the photo does not appear during a call, despite all the manipulations. This may be due to a system optimization that hides images to save resources. But don’t worry - in most cases, the problem can be solved in a few minutes.

Why is the contact’s photo not displayed when calling?

Before moving on to the settings, it’s worth understanding the possible reasons why the photo is not shown. Most often this is connected with:

  • 🔄 Lack of synchronization a Google account or MI account. If the contact is saved only in the cloud, the system may not load its photo.
  • 📱 MIUI limitations. In some firmware versions, the display of photos is disabled to save battery power.
  • 🔒 Insufficient permissions in the Contacts or Phone application.
  • 🖼️ Incorrect image format. MIUI works best with photos in format JPEG or PNG resolution no more than 720×720 pixels.

Another common reason is the use of third-party applications for calls (for example Truecaller or WhatsApp). They can intercept incoming calls and display their version of the interface, ignoring system settings. In this case, the contact photo will only be shown inside these applications.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI 14 or newer, check if the Easy Interface mode is enabled in the Accessibility settings. It disables animations and some design elements, including photos of contacts.

Method 1: Installing a photo through standard “Contacts”

The simplest and most reliable method is to add a photo directly to the contact card. To do this:

  1. Open the application "Contacts"** (icon with a silhouette of a person).
  2. Find the desired contact in the list or use the search.
  3. Tap on the contact to open its card.
  4. Click on the camera icon (or the plus sign in the circle if there is no photo).
  5. Select a source:
    • 📸 Take photo — if you want to take a photo of the person right now.
    • 🖼️ Select from gallery — to load an existing image.
  • Crop the photo in a circle (if required) and save the changes.

    • After this, the photo should be displayed when there is an incoming call. If this does not happen, proceed to the next method.

    An image with a resolution of no more than 720x720 has been selected|The contact is saved in the local phone book (not only in SIM)|The Contacts application is allowed access to the storage|Synchronization with the MI account is enabled (if used)

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    Method 2: Synchronization with a Google account or MI account

    If you added a photo, but it is not displayed, there may be a synchronization problem. MIUI may load data from the cloud with a delay or ignore it altogether if the contact is duplicated in different accounts.

    To check the synchronization settings:

    1. Go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization.
    2. Select Google or Mi Account (depending on where the contact is saved).
    3. Make sure that the switch "Contact synchronization"** is turned on.
    4. If synchronization is already active, click "Synchronize"** manually.

    Sometimes deleting and re-adding an account helps. To do this:

    1. Go to your account settings.
    2. Click "Delete account"** (don't worry, the data will remain in the cloud).
    3. Reboot your smartphone.
    4. Add your account again and wait until synchronization is completed.
      5. ⚠️ Attention: If a contact is saved simultaneously in Google and MI account, the system may conflict when displaying the photo. We recommend leaving only one copy of the contact.
      📊 Where do you store contacts?
      Only on the phone
      B Google account
      In MI account
      In SIM card
      I use another application

      Method 3: Using third-party applications

      If standard methods do not work, you can use third-party ones contact management applications. The most popular:

      • 📞 Truecaller - automatically loads photos from social networks and databases.
      • 👤 Sync.ME - synchronizes contacts with Facebook, VK and other platforms.
      • 🖼️ Contact Photo Sync - specializes in correcting problems with photo display.

    To configure Truecaller:

    1. Install the application from Google Play.
    2. Register and provide access to contacts.
    3. In the settings, enable the option "Show photos of contacts"**.
    4. Make sure that Truecaller is set as the default calling application (Settings → Applications → Default → Phone).

    The disadvantage of this method is additional battery consumption and possible privacy issues. If this does not suit you, try the following method.

    💡

    Before installing third-party applications, check reviews - some of them may contain advertising or collect unnecessary data.

    Problem solving: why does the photo not appear when making a call?

    If you have completed all the steps, but the photo still does not appear, use this table for diagnosis:

    Problem Possible cause Solution
    The photo is in the contact, but is not shown when calling MIUI optimization hides interface elements Disable "Easy Mode" in accessibility settings
    The photo is only visible in some applications A third-party application (for example, WhatsApp) intercepts calls Set the standard Phone application as default
    Photo disappears after reboot The contact is saved on the SIM card, not in the phone memory Move the contact to a local or cloud phone book
    The image is blurry or cropped Incorrect aspect ratio or low resolution Upload a photo with a resolution of 720x720 pixels in JPEG format

    If none of the methods helped, try resetting the application settings "Contacts"**:

    1. Go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
    2. Find "Contacts" and select "Storage".
    3. Click "Clear cache" and "Clear data" (attention: this will delete all unsaved changes!).
    4. Reboot your smartphone.
    What to do if the data is lost after the reset?

    If you cleared the Contacts application data but did not make a backup copy, try restoring contacts via Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google/Mi Account → SynchronizeIf the contacts were saved only locally, use data recovery apps, for example, Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver. Please note that the chances of recovery depend on how much time has passed since the cleaning.

    How to change a photo for group contacts?

    In MIUI it is possible to assign photos not only to individual contacts, but also to groups. This is useful if you want to quickly identify calls from colleagues, family or friends. To do this:

    1. Open the application "Contacts" and go to the tab "Groups".
    2. Create a new group or select an existing one.
    3. Click on the camera icon next to the group name.
    4. Select or take a photo, then save the changes.

    Now, when there is an incoming call from any group member, a group photo will be displayed. Please note that this functionality does not work on all models Redmi —in budget smartphones (for example, Redmi A1) it can be disabled.

    💡

    Group photos are displayed only if a call comes to a number associated with a contact from this group. If a subscriber calls from another number, the system will show a standard icon.

    Additional settings: animation and display style

    In the latest versions MIUI it became possible to customize the animation of an incoming call, including displaying a photo. To change the style:

    1. Go to Settings → Sounds and vibration → Call settings.
    2. Select "Incoming call style"**.
    3. Scroll down and turn on the option "Show contact photo"** (if it is disabled).
    4. Select animation:
      • 🌀 Circular — the photo appears in the center of the screen with a ripple effect.
      • 📥 Top to bottom —the photo “moves out” from the top of the screen.
      • 🔄 Rotation —the image rotates smoothly when making a call.

    In Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and other flagships of 2026–2026, the “Dynamic Photo” function is available, where the contact’s image is animated based on his activity on social networks (for example, if a person recently updated his avatar in VK or Telegram). To activate it, go to Settings → Additional → Personalization → Dynamic contacts.

    ⚠️ Attention: Animations and dynamic effects increase battery consumption. If you notice that your smartphone is draining faster, disable these functions or reduce the time the photo is displayed in the call settings.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about photos on calls in Redmi

    Is it possible to put a GIF instead of a contact photo?

    No, in the standard Contacts application MIUI only static images are supported in the formats JPEG or PNGHowever. you can use third-party applications, for example Zedgeto set an animated wallpaper on the call screen (but this will replace the contact photo with a generic animation).

    Why is the contact photo displayed only in WhatsApp, but not in the standard call?

    This is because WhatsApp uses its own contact database and does not synchronize photos with the system phone book. To fix this, open a chat with a contact in WhatsApp, click on his name, then on the three dots in the upper corner and select "View in contacts"**>There you can save the photo to the system phone book.

    How to make a contact's photo appear on the lock screen?

    To do this, you need to enable the display of notifications on the locked screen:

    1. Go to Settings → Screen lock.
    2. Select "Notifications on the locked screen"**.
    3. Activate the option "Show notification contents"**.
    4. Make sure that for the application "Phone"** notifications are enabled in Settings → Notifications.

    Is it possible to put different photos for one contact with different numbers?

    Yes, but for this you will have to create a duplicate contact For example, if a person has two numbers (work and. personal), save them as separate entries with different photos. MIUI does not support linking multiple images to one contact in standard mode.

    Why did contact photos disappear after updating MIUI?

    This is a common problem when upgrading to a new firmware version. Try:

    • Synchronize contacts with Google or MI account again.
    • Clear the cache of the Contacts application (as described above).
    • Check whether the application permissions have been lost (in Settings → Applications → Contacts → Permissions).

      • If nothing helps, there may be an error during the update. In this case, you should back up your contacts and reset your phone to factory settings.