A few days ago, a friend of mine was showing me his phone. When he received a call, his family’s photo filled the entire screen. At first, I thought it might be a special theme or premium feature. But when I tried it myself, I realized that this feature can be set up quite easily on Android phones.
To be honest, I made the same mistake the first time. I changed the wallpaper and thought the call background would change as well. But when I received the call, the old default background appeared. After a little research and practical testing, I found the correct method.
If you also want your favorite photo to appear on the screen when someone calls you, then this guide is for you.
What is call background screen?
The background screen that appears when your phone receives an incoming or outgoing call is called the call background screen.
New Android versions from 2026 and many smartphone brands have given the option that users can set their own photo, family picture or any other image as the call screen background.
This makes the phone look a little more personal and attractive.
Which phones does this feature work on?
I tested this feature on several devices and it was available on most phones:
- Samsung Galaxy phones
- Xiaomi aur Redmi devices
- Oppo smartphones
- Vivo phones
- Realme devices
- Infinix phones
- Tecno smartphones
- Google Pixel phones
If your phone is using the latest Android version, then chances are that this feature is already available.
Method 1: Setting a photo from the Contacts app
This is the simplest and most common method.
Step 1
Open your phone’s Contacts app.
Step 2
Select the contact for whom you want to set the photo.
Step 3
Tap on the Edit Contact option.
Step 4
Click the photo icon or camera icon.
Step 5
Select the image of your choice from the gallery.
Step 6
Crop the photo and press the save button.
Now when that contact calls you, his photo will appear on the call screen.
Method 2: Set Full Screen Call Background In Samsung Phones
If you are using a Samsung Galaxy phone, the process may be slightly different.
Step 1
Open the phone app.
Step 2
Click on the three dots on the top right side.
Step 3
Open Settings.
Step 4
Call Background option select karein.
Step 5
Go to the background option and select the photo or video.
Step 6
Save.
Your selected image will now appear during every incoming call.
Method 3: Google Phone App Ka New 2026 Feature
Many Android devices now use the Google Phone app.
I recently tested this feature on a Pixel device and a Redmi phone.
Steps
- Open the Google Phone app.
- Go to Settings.
- Check the Caller Screen or Call Display option.
- Open the available customization settings.
- Select a photo or background image.
- Save.
The location of this option may vary slightly from phone to phone.
Method 4: Using Third-Party Apps
If this feature isn’t available built-in on your phone, you can also use third-party apps.
Popular apps:
- Full Screen Caller ID
- Color Phone
- Call Screen Themes
- True Phone Dialer
I’ve used the Full Screen Caller ID app for a while. It gave pretty good results, but it only works properly after you grant permissions.
Be sure to check reviews and ratings before installing an app.
How to set your family or personal photos
Many people like to upload family photos or selfies.
For best results:
- Use high-quality images
- Avoid blurry photos
- Select bright images
- Use portrait images instead of landscape images
I’ve found that portrait photos look better on the call screen.
What are the best photos for call background?
You can try these ideas:
Family Picture
If you are a family lover then family photo is the best choice.
Personal Selfie
You can take your favorite selfie with him.
Couple Photo
Many users post photos with their partners.
Nature Wallpaper
Mountains, beaches and sunset photos look very attractive.
Pet Photo
If you have a cat or dog, its photo also gives a unique touch.
Common mistakes that people make
When I did this feature for the first time, the result was not good due to some mistakes.
Use Low Quality Photo
Pixelated images don’t look good on call screens.
Selecting a very dark image
Due to dark photos, caller information is not visible clearly.
Ignore The Permissions
Third-party apps have to be given the necessary permissions.
Do Not Press Save Button
Many users change the settings and come back and forget to save.
What To Do If The Feature Doesn’t Work?
If the photo is not showing, try these solutions:
Restart The Phone
A simple restart often resolves the issue.
Sync The Contacts
Google account sync update karein.
Update The App
Phone App aur Contacts App ko latest version par update rakhein.
Clear The Cache
Clearing the cache of the phone app can also solve the problem.
Check Software Update
Install Latest Android update.
Can I Make A Video As The Call Background?
In 2026, some Samsung and premium Android phones support background video calls.
You can choose a short video clip that plays during an incoming call.
But this feature is not available on every device.
My Personal Experience
I have a family photo set as my call background on my Samsung phone. Whenever a call comes in, the screen looks more attractive and personalized. The best part is that it doesn’t require any paid services.
I initially thought this was only available on flagship phones, but later discovered that many budget Android devices also offer this option.
If you want to give your phone a unique look, definitely try this feature.
Final Thoughts
Adding your own photo to the call background screen is a small customization but it makes the phone experience quite personal. Whether you are using Samsung, Redmi, Vivo, Oppo or any other Android device, you can add your favorite photo to the call screen with a few simple settings.
Just select a high-quality image, save the settings and if needed, take the help of trusted caller ID apps. After a little customization, your phone will look more stylish and unique than before on every incoming call.
