Many users, when first encountering the shells of MIUI or the new HyperOS, wonder where the live wallpaper on Xiaomi is and how to activate them. By default, the system offers a static image, but it is dynamic backgrounds that can turn a lock screen into a work of digital art. Unlike standard Android smartphones, in the Xiaomi ecosystem, this functionality is often hidden inside the proprietary application “Themes” or a specialized service “Wallpaper”, which can cause confusion among beginners.
You need to understand that live wallpaper is not just an animated picture, but a full-fledged software module that can consume the resources of the device. However, modern Xiaomi processors can easily cope with this load if you adjust the parameters correctly. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to access the animation gallery, explain the differences between the versions of the shells and help optimize the system.
Search through the standard Topics app
The main storage of visual content for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices is the Theme System App. This is where, in the back of the menu, the main library of dynamic backgrounds available for download hides. To get there, find the app icon on your desktop or in the Tools folder and run it.
At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a navigation bar where you select the Profile tab (usually a human icon), and then the interface will offer several content management options. You'll need to click on Wallpaper, which is often located at the top of the list or highlighted by a separate tile, where the system will suggest switching to the Video or Dynamic tab, where all available animations are collected.
It's worth noting that the library is constantly being updated, and new collections are appearing regularly. Some of them may be labeled as paid or subscription-based, but a huge array of content remains free. You can sort wallpaper by category, such as Nature, Abstraction or Space, to find the right image faster.
- 🎨 Open the Topics app and go to the profile section.
- 📂 Select the Wallpaper tab and switch to the Video category».
- 📥 Click on your favorite animation for preview and installation.
- ⚙️ Configure the display: only on the lock screen or on the desktop.
⚠️ Warning: When installing live wallpaper from the Video section, the system can warn of increased battery consumption. This is a normal reaction, since animation requires constant operation of the GPU.
Use of the Wallpaper app in HyperOS
With the release of the new HyperOS operating system, Xiaomi has redesigned its approach to personalization, bringing background management into a separate, more functional application. If you already have an update installed on your device, look for live wallpaper here, as the old Tem menu can work in limited mode or be eliminated in some regions.
The Wallpaper app has made the interface more minimalist and visually oriented. On the home screen, you'll see a carousel of popular images. To find animations, you'll need to scroll down to the Recommended section or select Dynamic. Exclusive wallpapers designed specifically for the new Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 series smartphones are often available.
The new system features the ability to preview animations in real time before installation, so you can click on an image and it will come to life on the full screen, showing how you react to touch or move the device in space, and you can immediately assess how well the wallpaper will fit into your use style.
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If you can’t find the Wallpaper app, try updating system components through the GetApps store or use a search by system settings by entering the “Wallpaper” query.
HyperOS also includes smart live wallpapers that change their appearance depending on the time of day or weather conditions, such as the background can smoothly move from dawn to dusk, following real time in your area, and requires permission to access geolocation and location data to activate these features.
Differences between MIUI and HyperOS in Background Management
The move from MIUI to HyperOS brought not only visual changes, but also structural shifts in how the system manages display resources. In older versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12 or 13), live wallpaper was often integrated deep into the screen settings menu and could conflict with the design theme. In HyperOS, this process became more isolated and stable.
The table below provides a comparison of the key features of working with live wallpaper in two shells:
| Characteristics | MIUI (12-14) | HyperOS (1.0+) |
|---|---|---|
| Location of the menu | Appendix "Themes" -> Profile | Separate annex “Wallpaper” |
| Energy consumption | High, often unoptimized | Reduced by compression algorithms |
| Interactivity | Basic animation | Reaction to the gyroscope and time of day |
| Compatibility | It works on most models. | Requires new display drivers |
Users who are used to MIUI may notice that HyperOS has lost the ability to install video from the gallery directly without converting, now requires the file to go through an internal editor or be taken from the official library, to ensure that the interface is stable and to prevent lags when scrolling the desktop.
Optimization in the new system also affected the rendering mechanism. whereas in MIUI animation could twitch when opening heavy applications, HyperOS prioritizes the system response, temporarily reducing the quality or frequency of frames of live wallpaper at a time of high load on the processor.
Why are there fewer live wallpapers in HyperOS?
How to Set Your Videos and GIFs as Wallpaper
Standard collections are sometimes boring and users want to use their own video files or GIF-In animation. MIUI And HyperOS has a built-in mechanism for that, although it's not always obvious. You don't need third-party apps if you know where to look for the feature you want.
To start, open the Gallery app and find the video you want to use. Please note that the file should not be too long: the optimal duration is 5 to 15 seconds. Longer videos will be automatically cropped by the system or may cause cycling problems. Press the "More" button (three dots) and select "Install as wallpaper".
The system will suggest editing the video: you can choose the framing area so that the animation correctly falls on the screen, taking into account the cutout for the camera. After confirmation, select where the video will play: Lock screen, Desktop or Both screens.
☑️ Checking the video before installation
If the standard method didn't work and the system writes "Format is not supported," you can use the "Themes" app. In the "Profile" -> "Wallpaper" section, there is often a "Local" button or a plus icon that allows you to import a video file from memory, and the system itself converts it into the desired live wallpaper format.
⚠️ Note: Use of your own high-resolution video files (4K) It can cause the battery to run out quickly and heat up the case. 10-15 Mbit/s.
The impact of live wallpaper on autonomy and productivity
Energy efficiency remains one of the most pressing issues when discussing dynamic backgrounds, with many users mistakenly believing that live wallpapers land a battery as quickly as a navigator. In fact, Xiaomi's current algorithms are able to pause animations when the screen is not active or when the phone is down.
But there's a difference in energy consumption, if static wallpaper consumes conventional wallpapers. 1-2% charge per day, the complex live wallpaper with interactive elements can increase this consumption to 5-7%. This is especially true for models with AMOLED-screens where each pixel is individually lit. AMOLED It saves energy, but if the wallpaper is bright and white, the cost will be significant.
To minimize the impact on performance, the system can limit the frame rate of animation. In the developer settings or in special debugging menus (which are not recommended for beginners to touch), you can find parameters that limit background activity. However, for the average user, the best solution is to choose optimized wallpaper from the official library, rather than heavy video files from the Internet.
- 🔋 Live wallpaper increases battery consumption in screen standby mode.
- ⚡ Animation can reduce FPS sluggishly.
- 🌡️ Long-term use of video backgrounds can cause heating in your pocket.
- 🛑 The system itself disables animation when power saving mode is turned on.
If you notice that your phone is running slower or discharged faster after you install a new wallpaper, try going back to a static image for a couple of days, which will help you diagnose the cause of the problem accurately. Often it's not the wallpaper itself, but a specific, poorly optimized file.
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The official live wallpaper from Xiaomi store is optimized better than downloaded videos from the Internet, and less impact on the battery.
The solution: why don’t live wallpaper work
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the live wallpaper is simply not installed or immediately replaced by a black screen. One common reason is the power saving mode on. In this mode, the system blocks any background processes, including desktop animation, to extend the life of the device.
Another common problem is a lack of free RAM: If you have a dozen heavy applications open, the system can force the live wallpaper module to unload, and it is also worth checking for updates for the Themes or Wallpaper application. Older versions may not work properly with new file formats.
In some cases, cleaning the app cache helps. Go to Settings -> Apps -> All apps, find "Themes" or "Wallpaper", click Clear -> Clear cache. Don't worry, your downloaded themes won't be deleted, only temporary files will be reset.
Why don’t the live wallpaper work on the lock screen?
Can I use a live wallpaper without the Internet?
Does the live wallpaper affect the speed of unlocking?
Where to download additional packages of live wallpaper?
To sum up, finding and installing live wallpaper on Xiaomi is a simple process, if you know the right paths on the menu: whether it’s a classic MIUI or a new HyperOS, personalization tools are always at hand, and the main thing is to strike a balance between the beauty of the interface and the rational use of resources of your smartphone.