Personalization of the smartphone interface is the first thing that users resort to after buying a new device. Owners of Xiaomi gadgets often want to replace the standard image on the lock screen with their own photo or a beautiful picture from the Internet. The process of installing wallpaper in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS is logical, but has its own features that can confuse the beginner.
Changing a static image to a dynamic slideshow or setting a thematic background is not just a matter of aesthetics; it is a way to make the device unique and recognizable. In this guide, we will detail all the available methods for changing the picture on a locked screen, including hidden settings and working with third-party applications.
Some users are faced with intrusive advertising or image carousel, which the system itself offers. It is important to understand the difference between standard wallpaper and the wallpaper carousel function. We will consider how to manage these settings so that the lock screen looks exactly the way you want it to, without unnecessary visual noise.
Standard change of wallpaper through system settings
The easiest and most reliable way to change the image is to use the built-in functionality of the Android operating system with the MIUI add-on. This method does not require the installation of additional software and guarantees the stable operation of the device.
Find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear. In the settings list that opens, scroll down to the look section, which can be simply called Wallpaper or inside the Lock Screen.
Once you've selected the right image, the system will suggest you use it, and it's important to be careful: the lock screen and the main screen are different interface elements, so you can set the same image everywhere, or you can choose different images for each screen.
⚠️ Warning: When choosing too dark or contrasting images, make sure that the time and notification widgets remain readable, otherwise the lock functionality will decrease.
The process of selecting an image from a gallery takes seconds. The system automatically prompts you to fraternize an image if its proportions do not match the resolution of your Redmi or POCO display. You can move the frame by selecting the best piece of the photo.
Use of the wallpaper carousel function
Xiaomi has introduced a unique feature called Lock Screen Magazine, which allows you to automatically change images on a locked screen at a certain frequency, eliminating the need to manually search for new images every few days.
To activate this feature, go to the lock screen settings and find the appropriate switch. In some regions, this feature may be limited or require authorization from your Mi Account. The carousel offers thousands of high-quality photos, categorized as nature, architecture, art, cars.
The user can flexibly adjust the refresh rate, you can choose to update each time the screen is activated, once an hour or once a day, and the feature is available to download new sets of images over Wi-Fi to avoid wasting mobile traffic.
But the carousel has its own nuances: often with beautiful pictures, the system can show advertising blocks or news, and if you want only a picture without too much content, you have to dig into the additional settings of the carousel, disabling the display of text and recommendations.
Setting up a slideshop from a personal gallery
If Xiaomi’s ready-made collections don’t suit you, you can create your own slideshow from photos taken on camera or uploaded from social networks, which allows you to hold pictures of loved ones, pets or favorite landscapes on the lock screen.
To do this, you need to find the option “Local Wallpaper” or “Gallery” in the wallpaper selection menu. Select the setting for the slideshow. The system will suggest you choose an album or specific photos. After choosing, you can adjust the frame interval and the transition effect between them.
It is important to consider that an active slideshow can consume more power, especially if used on high-brightness AMOLED screens, and frequent shifting of heavy images can put a strain on the device’s RAM when unlocked.
☑️ Preparation for the creation of a slideshow
Some users have noted that when using a slideshow from the gallery, the background blurring effect (bokeh) that applies to standard wallpaper may be lost, depending on the version of the HyperOS or MIUI firmware installed.
Installation of live wallpaper and video backgrounds
For those who want maximum dynamics, there's live wallpaper available, not just a static picture, but an animated video or interactive background that responds to touch. Xiaomi smartphones have a built-in "Live Wallpaper" theme, but its functionality is often limited.
To set the video as a background, you often need to use third-party apps from the Google Play store, such as Video Live Wallpaper. After installing the application, select the video file from the device's memory. The system will convert it to a format suitable for use on the lock screen.
Remember that live wallpaper significantly increases battery consumption, and if you want to keep your smartphone running during the day, you should give up this feature or use it only when the charger is connected.
⚠️ Note: Using video wallpapers can cause the smartphone body to heat up in the camera and processor areas, especially on models without an advanced cooling system.
Also, it should be borne in mind that on some models of the budget segment, live wallpaper can cause braking when unlocking the device, in which case the system can automatically turn off animations to ensure smooth operation of the interface.
Disabling advertising and unnecessary elements
One of the most common problems Xiaomi users have is the appearance of advertising slides or recommendations on the lock screen, often the result of random activation of the function “Recommendations” or the work of third-party applications to clean the memory.
To get rid of this, go to the lock screen settings, find the section associated with "Recommendations" or "Wallpaper Carousel." Inside this menu, you need to turn off the "Receive recommendations" switch or a similar item, which may be called "Planned Replacement."
If the ads appear as app icons or news, check the Security and Cleanup settings. These are the system utilities that are often responsible for (push) content on a locked screen in the background.
In some cases, the ad blocks may come from the themes that you have installed. If you're using a third-party theme from Themes, try changing it to a standard one and check if the ad has disappeared. The theme may contain built-in ad modules.
Table of comparison of installation methods
To make it easier for you to decide on a method, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you choose the best option depending on your priorities: battery saving, beauty or simplicity.
| Method | Battery consumption | Difficulty setting up | Variability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static photo | Minimum | Low. | Low. |
| Xiaomi carousel | Medium. | Medium | Tall. |
| gallery slideshow | Medium. | Medium | Medium |
| Live wallpaper (Video) | High-pitched | Tall. | Maximum |
As you can see from the table, static photography remains the most energy-efficient solution, but if you use your smartphone frequently during the day and charge it in the evening, the battery consumption on a carousel or slideshow will be almost invisible.
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For maximum charge savings, use static dark wallpaper, especially if you have an AMOLED screen where black pixels do not consume energy.
Solving installation problems
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the selected image is not applied or displayed incorrectly. Often this is due to the file format. Android works best with JPG and PNG formats. HEIC files (from iPhone) may require conversion.
Another problem is the resolution of the image, which is that if the image is too low resolution, it will look blurry when stretched to the full screen. Try to use images with a resolution of at least 1080x2400 pixels for modern smartphones.
Also worth mentioning are access rights. The Gallery or Themes app may need permission to access the storage, without which it cannot read the image file and install it on the lock screen. Check these permissions under Applications -> Rights.
What to do if the picture is black?
Remember that some global firmware versions may have different wallpaper carousel features than the Chinese versions, and if you’ve been reflashing the device, some system features may not work well or are not available.
Use of third-party applications
Standard functionality is not always enough. Google Play and GetApps store has many apps that extend the lock screen, popular launchers and widgets allow you to display on the locked screen music, weather and even widgets from Android.
Apps like Lock Screen & Notifications or Hi Locker completely replace the lock screen, which gives you a lot of flexibility in setting up, but can conflict with Xiaomi’s security system, for example, fingerprint unlocking can stop working instantly.
When using third-party solutions, it is important to carefully read the permissions they request. The wallpaper change app should not require access to your contacts or microphone. Be careful when installing software from unknown developers.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party lock screens can block the system notifications from messengers, if you do not give them special rights in the battery and auto-start settings.
For most users, built-in MIUI tools will be enough. Third-party software makes sense to connect only if you need specific functions that are not implemented by the manufacturer out of the box.
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The balance between personalization and system stability is key: Xiaomi’s built-in tools provide better optimization, while third-party apps provide more freedom but require resources.