How to make a collage on a Xiaomi smartphone: from basic templates to professional design

Creating collages on Xiaomi smartphones is a task that seems simple only at first glance. So if you're going to have a standard Gallery app that doesn't offer the right templates, if you're going to have third-party editors that require a subscription, if you're going to send it to instant messengers, this article will look at all the current ways to create collages on devices with a mobile app. MIUI 14/15 (including the Redmi Note 12, Poco X5, Xiaomi 13T other models 2022–2026 years), and also reveal the secrets of optimization of the result for social networks.

We tested more than 10 methods, from embedded tools to professional applications, and selected those that work consistently, do not overload the system and give a quality result «AI-collage MIUI 15, which automatically matches the layout based on the content of the photo, and also let's figure out how to get around the layer limits in a standard editor. If you need to quickly combine 4 photos for Instagram Stories or create a multi-layer composition for printing, here's the solution.

1.Collage through the standard “Gallery” Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Built-in Gallery app (version) 4.20+ for MIUI 14/15) It offers basic tools for creating collages without installing additional software. 2–9 photo in the grid, but has restrictions on setting frames and backgrounds.

To get started:

1. Open the Gallery and select the folder with the desired photos.
2. Slip the "Edit" icon (pencil) in the lower menu.
3. Select 2 to 9 images (for collage) and click on "Collage" in the top panel.
4. Choose one of them. 12 pre-set templates (grids from the 2×2 before 3×3).

Once you select the template, you'll see an editor with a minimalist interface.

• 🔄 Swap photos with drag and drop.
• 🖼️ Change the proportions of cells (only in patterns with uneven blocks).
• 🎨 Add background (color or gradient) – the option is hidden under the button “More» (⋮) → «von».
• 📏 Adjust the indentations between the photos (slider "Intermediate»).

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 when saving the collage through the "Gallery" the final image is automatically compressed to resolution 1600×1200 px, even if the original photo was in 4K. To avoid loss of quality, use alternative methods from the following sections.

Photos with the same orientation (all vertical or horizontal)|

Indentations between cells are checked (optimally 2-5 mm)|

The background of the collage contrasts with the main colors of the photo|

The resolution of the final file is not lower than 2000 px on the long side-->

2. Hidden functions «AI-collage MIUI 15: How to Make an Algorithm Work for You

Starting with MIUI 15 (released early 2026), Xiaomi has integrated the tool into the Gallery «AI-collage, which analyzes the contents of the photo and suggests the optimal layout. For example, if the pictures are dominated by faces, the algorithm will choose a template with a central accent, and for landscapes will offer a panoramic grid.

How to activate:

1. In the "Gallery" highlight 3-15 photos (maximum for the AI-regime).
2. Tap "Collage", then select the tab «AI» top-down.
3. Wait for processing (can take up to 30 seconds on the Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 12GB RAM).
4. Scroll down to see 3-5 automatic layout options.

Advantages AI-collage:

• 🤖 Automatic cropping of photos on key objects (for example, saves the whole face).
• 🎭 Dynamic templates: for 4 The photo may offer an asymmetrical grid. 1×3 + 1 large-size.
• 🌈 Color Harmonization: Adjusts background tones to the dominant colors of the shots.

Limitations:

• ❌ It doesn't work with a photo in format. HEIF/HEIC (need to convert into JPEG).
• ❌ Maximum resolution of the output file — 2400×1800 px (even on Xiaomi flagships) 14 Ultra).
• ❌ Does not support adding text or stickers.

3. Top.-3 third-party collage apps on Xiaomi (with a comparative table)

If the built-in tools MIUI We tested 15 editors and selected those that are optimized for Xiaomi smartphones (do not overheat the processor, support 120 Hz and adapted for the smartphone). AMOLED-screen).

For Poco owners F5 Black Shark 6 with powerful chipsets recommend PicsArt – it supports processing collages in the HDR10+ and retains color profiles DCI-P3. If the priority is simplicity and speed, choose PhotoGrid: its interface is adapted to the user interface. MIUI (It also supports navigation gestures by Xiaomi).

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party editors, disable auto-optimization of memory in settings MIUI (Settings → Annexes → Special rights → Battery optimization; otherwise, the system may force the editor's background processes to close while working with large collages.

The standard “Gallery” Xiaomi|

PhotoGrid|

PicsArt|

Canva|

Other (I will write in the comments)-->

4. Professional collages: how to use the "Expert Mode" in MIUI

Few people know, but in MIUI 14/15 hidden "Expert Mode" for editing collages that allows:

• 📏 Adjust the exact cell sizes in pixels.
• 🎨 Add gradient background layers with transparency adjustment.
• 🔗 Create associated photo groups (when changing the size of one cell, the rest of the photo are proportionally changed).

How to activate:

1. In the collage editor (standard "Gallery"), hold the free space between the photos 2 seconds.
2. A pop-up menu will appear – select “Expert”.
3. In the upper right corner, tap the icon. ⚙️, to open the extended settings.

Example of use: if you need to create a collage to print in a format 30×40 permit 300 dpi, in “Expert mode»:

1. Set the size of the canvas 3508×4677 px (equivalent) 30×40 sm 300 dpi).
2. Select the grid pattern 3×4» and adjust the indentations between the cells to 3 mm.
3. Turn on the “Save Proportions” option to avoid distortions when printing.

💡

If Expert Mode lacks templates, save the empty collage as a template (Menu) → Save as a template, then use it for new projects, which will save time when creating a series of identical layouts (for example, for Instagram series).

5. Collages for social networks: optimal formats and secrets of adaptation

Each social network has its own image size requirements, and if you don't take them into account, the collage can be cropped or lose quality, and the recommendations for popular platforms for 2026 are as follows:

To adapt the collage to social networks in PicsArt or Canva:

1. Select a template with pre-configured proportions (e.g., Instagram Post in Canva).
2. Turn off compression when exporting (Settings) → Quality. → Maximum).
3. For Instagram Stories, add a translucent gradient on top and bottom so that the text doesn't merge with the collage.

💡

For collages in TikTok, use the format MP4 with a bitrate of at least 8 Mbps, which will prevent artifacts from being compressed by the platform.

6 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced Xiaomi users make mistakes when creating collages that spoil the final result, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔍 Blurred photos in collage: The problem arises if the original images have different resolutions. Solution - pre-short all photos to the same size in Google Photos (Edit → Pruning → Relationship).
• 🎨 Color imbalance: If the photos are taken in different lighting, the collage will look inharmonious. Use the "Autocorrection" filter in the Gallery (Edit → Colour → Auto for all pictures.
• 📏 Boundary mismatch: In patterns with uneven cells (e.g., 1 large cell) + 4 small photos) often break indentations. Solution - manually level the boundaries in Expert Mode (see section 4).
• 🖼️ Loss of quality during preservation: B MIUI by default, the collages are saved in JPEG 85%. To change that, go to Gallery Settings. → Image quality → Maximum.

Another common problem is that fonts are not displayed correctly when you add text to a collage. If you use Canva or PicsArt, choose fonts that support Cyrillic (e.g. Montserrat, Roboto or PicsArt). PT In the standard “Gallery” Xiaomi available only 5 fonts, and all of them are optimized for Latin script.

7. Alternative ways: collages through Google Photos and online services

If you don’t want to install additional apps, you can create a collage through Google Photos (pre-installed on most Xiaomi with Android 12)+) These are fast-paced methods, but they have limitations in functionality.

Method 1: Google Photos

1. Open the app and highlight 2-50 photos.
2. Slap the icon «+» in the top menu and select "Collection».
3. The system automatically generates 3 layout options. Choose your favorite and click Save.

Advantages: no resolution restrictions (retains original photo quality) Disadvantages: only 3 templates to choose from, you can not edit indentations.

Method 2: Online Services

To create collages directly in the browser suitable:

• 🌐 Fotor — 100+ templates, support PNG transparently.
• 🌐 Crello - Animated collages and integration with VK/OK.
• 🌐 PhotoCollage – a specialized service with templates for printing.

⚠️ Note: When using online services on Xiaomi with MIUI 14 may have an error "Insufficient memory" when loading large photos. Solution: in the browser settings (Chrome) → Settings → Sites → Storage) Increase the cache limit to 500 MB.

FAQ: Frequent questions about collages on Xiaomi