Users of modern smartphones often encounter the fact that standard subscriber identification when making a call looks faded. The small icon in the corner of the screen makes it difficult to instantly understand who is calling you, especially if you hold the device at arm's length. The desire to personalize your gadget and take a photo on the full screen on an incoming call is not just a whim, but a matter of convenience and aesthetics.
In the operating system Android the implementation of this function depends on the version of the shell and the model of your device. Manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei often implement their own solutions that allow you to display an image on the entire display without installing third-party software. However, on “clean” Android or outdated versions of the system, this process may require additional steps.
In this guide we will look at all the available methods: from standard phone book settings to using specialized applications. You will learn how to properly prepare an image so that it is not cropped, and what nuances exist when working with different smartphone models.
Preparing an image for a full-screen call
Before assigning a contact, you need to make sure that the file meets the technical requirements of the system. Most modern displays have high resolution and aspect ratios that differ from the classic square. If you upload a regular photo, the system will either crop it in the center or leave black margins on the sides, which will spoil the visual perception.
The optimal solution would be to use vertical photographs with an aspect ratio of 9:16. It is this format that occupies the entire screen area when the device is rotated or in portrait mode. For editing, you can use the built-in gallery editor or third-party applications like Snapseed or Photoshop Express. The main thing is to save the file in high quality so that compression artifacts do not appear when stretched.
⚠️ Attention: Some older smartphone models do not physically support full-screen image display due to limitations in display resolution or operating system version. In such cases, the photo will be displayed only in the designated round or square window.
It is also worth paying attention to the weight of the file. Photos that are too heavy in RAW or TIFF format may cause delays in display during an incoming call. It is recommended to convert the image to a format JPG with an optimal balance of quality and size.
Use a photo where the person’s face occupies the central part of the frame. This ensures that when the system automatically crops, important details will not be outside the visible area.
Standard method through the Contacts application
The easiest and most reliable method of setting an avatar is to use the built-in Contacts application. This method works on the vast majority of devices, regardless of manufacturer. The algorithm of actions is intuitive, but may differ slightly depending on the shell version.
First, open the application Contact or go to the corresponding tab in the phone book. Find the desired person in the list and click on their name to open the contact card. At the top of the screen you will see the current photo or an empty silhouette - this is the area responsible for visualization.
- 📷 Click on the camera icon or the empty circle at the top of the contact card.
- ✂️ Select the image source: "Gallery", "Files" or take a new photo.
- 🖼️ Edit the cropping area, stretching the frame to the maximum available area.
- 💾 Click "Save" or the checkmark in the corner of the screen.
After saving, the system will automatically pull up a new image. However, on some devices, for example, stock Android, this photo will only be displayed in a small window. To make it large, additional settings in the call menu or installation of a widget are often required.
Setting features on Samsung and Xiaomi
Large manufacturers often add features that are hidden from the eyes of the average user. Owners of devices Samsung with a shell One UI can activate full-screen photos through the settings of the “Phone” application itself. This allows you to not depend on third-party launchers.
You need to open the "Phone" application, click on the three dots in the corner and select Settings. Next, find the item responsible for the appearance of calls. In new firmware versions it may be called "Contact photo on call" or. Activating this switch causes the system to ignore the standard small square and stretch the image to the entire background.
For users Xiaomi (shell MIUI or HyperOS) the situation is similar, but sometimes it is necessary to enable extended rights. In some cases, the standard gallery does not allow you to select a photo for a contact if it is stored in a protected folder. Move the image to the shared album before assigning.
| Brand | Path to settings | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Phone → Settings → Contact photo | Automatic stretching |
| Xiaomi | Contacts → Settings → Visualization | Requires high resolution |
| Google Pixel | Only through third-party applications | No native support |
| Honor | Themes → View call | Depends on the installed theme |
⚠️ Attention: The interfaces of mobile operating systems are regularly updated. The names of menu items may change with the release of new firmware versions. If you do not find the specified item, use the search inside the settings menu for the word “call” or “contact.”
Using third-party applications for calls
If the built-in tools fail to achieve the desired effect, specialized applications from the store come to the rescue. Google Play. They completely replace the standard dialing interface and incoming call screen, offering wide customization options. One of the most popular solutions is an application or specialized call launchers, such as one. These apps not only detect unknown numbers, but also allow you to assign background images, video screensavers and complex themes for each contact separately.
One of the most popular solutions is the application Truecaller or specialized call launchers such as Callscreen. These apps not only identify unknown numbers, but also allow you to assign background images, video screensavers and complex themes for each contact separately.
After installing such an application, you will need to give it rights to access contacts, phone and display on top of other windows. Without the “on top of other apps” permission, a full-screen photo will not be able to cover the desktop or running apps during a call.
Why does the app ask for a lot of permissions?
Call screen replacement apps must intercept the system call before the standard system processes it. To do this, they need access to the phone's state and the right to draw the interface on top of any other windows, including the lock screen.
In the settings of such apps there is usually a “Themes” or “Call Background” section. There you can upload your image and adjust its scaling. The advantage of this method is that it works the same on any smartphone, be it budget Redmi or flagship Pixel.
Display problems and their solution
Even after correct settings, users may encounter that the photo is not displayed or looks incorrect. Most often, the problem lies in the cache of the Contacts or Phone application. The system stores small copies of avatars for quick access, and sometimes this cache is not updated on time.
To correct the situation, go to Settings your smartphone, select the section Applications and find "Contacts". In the storage menu, click Clear cache. Don't confuse this with clearing data, otherwise you may lose your call history or synchronization settings, although the contacts themselves are usually saved in your Google account.
Another common reason is duplicate contacts. If you have two contacts with the same name (one in the phone memory, the other in the SIM card or Google), the system can load a photo from the entry that does not have an avatar. Merge duplicates through the contact management menu.
- 🗑️ Delete old, irrelevant duplicate entries in the phone book.
- 🔄 Force update Google account synchronization.
- 📵 Reboot the device after adding all changes.
If the photo does not appear after a reboot, try deleting the contact and creating it again, immediately adding the image. This resets all associated metadata.
Advanced settings via ADB (for advanced)
For users who are not afraid of computer utilities, there is a method to force changes to display settings via USB debugging. This method allows you to interfere with the system files responsible for the call interface, but requires caution.
You will need to enable developer mode on your smartphone and connect it to a PC with installed ADB. Using the command line, you can instruct the system to ignore the default avatar size limits. However, this method does not work on all firmware and may be reset when updating the system.
adb shell settings put global caller_id_photo_size largeSuch commands are experimental and depend on the specific version. Android. In most cases, using graphical applications or standard settings gives the same result without the risk of damaging the device software.
⚠️ Warning: Interfering with system settings via ADB may lead to unstable operation of the phone. Use this method only if you understand what you are doing and are prepared to reset the settings in case of an error.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the photo on a call black or not loading?
This often happens if the image file is damaged or has an unsupported format. Try saving the photo in JPG format and reducing its size to 2-5 MB. Also check if there is a contact on the SIM card, since it does not support storing images.
Is it possible to put a video instead of a photo on a call?
Yes, but only using third-party applications, such as Video Caller ID. Standard Android functionality in most versions only supports static images. For video calls to work, the phone must have sufficient RAM.
How to take a large photo for all contacts at once?
It is impossible to automatically apply one photo to all contacts, as this will defeat the purpose of personalization. You will have to assign images individually to each entry in the phone book through the editing menu.
Does installing large photos affect battery consumption?
Minimally. Image processing occurs at the moment of an incoming call and lasts several seconds. However, using third-party applications with constant background activity can increase battery consumption by 1-3% per day.