How to make a collage on Xiaomi without software: 5 working ways (Android 12-14)

Creating collages on Xiaomi smartphones is often associated with the need to download third-party applications like Canva or PicsArt. However, few people know that the built-in MIUI tools (even on budget models like Redmi 12C or POCO M6 Pro) allow you to collect photos into a single composition without installing additional software.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to create a collage directly in the Xiaomi gallery, through standard Google Photos apps, and even with the little-known MIUI 14/15 chips. You’ll learn how to combine images with different proportions, add frames, adjust the indentations between photos and save the result in high resolution.

If you think collages need a photo editor or at least a Google Play Store, this guide will change your mind. We've tested all the ways on devices from Redmi Note 11 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra — and we're ready to share the results.

1.Collage through the standard Xiaomi Gallery (method for MIUI 12-15)

The most obvious, but often ignored, way is to use the built-in editor in the Gallery app, which is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and newer, including the POCO and Black Shark models. The main advantage of the method is that there are no restrictions on the number of photos (you can add up to 9 pictures in one collage) and all popular formats (.jpg,.png,.heic) are supported.

To collect the collage:

1. Open the Gallery app and go to the album with the right photos.
2. Press the Edit button (the pencil icon at the bottom of the screen).
3. Select the option “Collage” (on some firmware it is hidden under the item “More” → “Create”).
4. Tick 2 to 9 photos and click “Next”.
5. Select the layout (grid) from the proposed options (from 2×2 to 3×3 cells).
6. Adjust the boundaries of the photo, add frames or background (the option “Style”).
7. Save the result by the “Ready” button in the album “Collages”.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13 and older, when choosing more than 4 photos, you may get a “Too Many Elements” error, in which case you break the collage into two stages: first create a composition of 4 pictures, then add the remaining photos as a whole to it.

The photos are of the same orientation (all vertical or all horizontal)|

Updated Gallery to the latest version in Google Play Store |

Battery saving mode turned off (it can block image processing)|

Check the free space on the device (needs at least 200 MB)

-->

2.Google Photos: Automatic collage with effects

If the standard Xiaomi Gallery seems too primitive, use the Google Photos app, which is pre-installed on most Xiaomi devices (except Chinese firmware versions) and offers automatic collage creation using styles, animations, and even music.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Google Photos and find the album with the right photos.
2. Click on your profile avatar in the top right corner → Photo albums → Create a new one.
3. Select the “Collage” option (if not, update the app).
4. Add 2 to 50 photos (maximum limit in Google Photos).
5. Choose a style: 🔲 Grid - a classic version with adjustable indentations. 🎨 Overlay – photos are superimposed on each other with transparency effects. 📽️ Animation – the collage is converted into a short video (available only for 2-10 photos).

"Edit"

"Collections"

⚠️ Note: When saving collage in Google Photos, the quality may decrease to 1920×1080, Even if the original photos were in 4K. To avoid this, press “More” before saving» → «Save a copy and select “Original Quality».

Standard Gallery Xiaomi|Google Photo|Third-party apps (Canva, PicsArt)|I don't create collages-->

3. Secret Multi-window mode in MIUI (for advanced)

Few people know, but MIUI 14/15 has a hidden Multiwindow feature that allows you to overlay photos on top of each other in real time without saving intermediate files, a method ideal for creating collages with transparent layers or non-standard shapes (for example, when one photo is inserted into the cutout of another).

How it works:

1. Open the gallery and select the first photo.
2. Click the “Share” button → “Multiwindow” (or hold the app icon in “Recent” and select “Open in Multiwindow”).
3. Return to the Gallery, select the second photo and repeat the action – now both photos will open in floating windows.
4. Drag one window to another to create an overlay.
5. Adjust the transparency, scale and position of the layers (use stretching and turning gestures for this).
6. Take a screenshot with Volume Down + Power or through the notification panel.
7. Cut the extra fields in any editor (for example, in the same Gallery).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13 and below, Multiwindow may not support layer transparency, so use an alternative method: open the first photo in the Gallery, click Edit» → «Overlay" and add the second image as a layer.

4.Collage via Xiaomi's "Notes" (unexpected life hack)

Xiaomi’s Notes app not only saves text, but also combines images into a single document that can then be exported as a picture, a method that is suitable for creating step-by-step instructions with illustrations or collages with text blocks.

Instructions:

1. Open “Notes” and create a new entry.
2. Click on the icon “Add image” (clip in the lower menu).
3. Choose the desired photo (you can add one or packs).
4. Drag images in the right order, change their size (stretching corners).
5. Add text blocks, stickers or hand drawings (pencil option).
6. Press "More» → «Export as an image».
7. Select the resolution (720p, 1080p or Original) and save to the Gallery.

Advantages of the method:

• 📝 You can add an unlimited number of photos (unlike the gallery).
• 🎨 Hand drawings and text inscriptions are supported.
• 🔄 It is easy to change the order of the elements by dragging.

⚠️ Note: When exporting a collage from Notes, the background is white by default. To make it transparent, press "Fond" before saving» → «Transparent” (available only in MIUI 14+).

5. Collage via Fast Instruments (only for MIUI 15)

The latest firmware version MIUI 15 (available on Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K70 And new models, and there's a section called "Fast Tools," where you can use an advanced collage editor, and you can combine photos, you can use them. AI-effects, automatically select layouts and even create 3D-collages (with depth effect).

How to find and use:

1. Open the Gallery and select an album.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Fast Tools”.
3. Select “Collage+” (four-square icon).
4. Upload a photo (up to 12 pieces) and wait until the system offers 5 automatically generated layouts.
5. Choose your favorite option or set it up manually: 🔄 Auto-selection — AI Analyzes colors and composes photos optimally. 🎭 Effects – adding shadows, blurs, or gradients. 🖼️ Backgrounds - replacing the background with texture or monochromatic.

.png

.jpg

⚠️ Note: Quick Tools may not be available on global firmware devices (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Global) and switch to European or Chinese to activate it. MIUI through settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Requires unlocking of the loader).

💡

If you need to create a collage with the same indentations between photos, use Google Photos and select the "Smooth Grid" layout. In the Xiaomi Gallery, indentations are manually adjusted, which can take a long time.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on your goals:

• 📱 For a quick collage (2-4 photos) → Xiaomi Gallery.
• 🎨 For creative projects (layers, effects) → Google Photos or Multi-Window.
• 📝 For collages with text → Notes.
• 🤖 For automatic design → Quick tools (MIUI 15).

If you often create collages, we recommend saving the templates in Google Photos.

1. Create a collage and save it to the Templates album.
2. When you next create, select “Use the template” and replace the photo, saving the layout.

Important: On devices with a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor (such as Redmi 12 5G), there may be lag when working with 6+ photo collages. To avoid hanging, close the background applications through Settings → Applications → Clear Memory.

💡

The most versatile method is Google Photos, as it works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the firmware version and supports a maximum number of images (up to 50).

FAQ: Frequent questions about collages on Xiaomi