The desktop of a Xiaomi smartphone is the first thing you see when you unlock a device. Personalized wallpaper not only makes the phone unique, but also improves the user experience by adding an emotional connection to the gadget. However, many owners of Redmi, POCO or flagship Mi models face difficulties when trying to install their own photo as a background. In this article, we will examine all the current ways, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features and workarounds for older versions of firmware.
The MIUI shell is a feature of separating the wallpaper for the lock screen and the desktop, which means that to fully personalize you have to configure both elements separately, and depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13 or 14) and the phone model (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5), the interface may be slightly different, and we have taken into account all the nuances to make the instruction suitable for most devices of the brand.
1. The standard method through "Themes"
The easiest method is to use the built-in Themes app, which is on all Xiaomi smartphones by default, which works on all versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and does not require additional programs.
- Open the “Themes” app** (icon with brush and palette).
- Go to the Wallpaper tab in the lower menu.
- Select My Wallpaper section → Local.
- Click + in the upper right corner and select the desired photo from the gallery.
- Adjust the image’s scale and position, then click Apply.
- Choose where to install wallpaper: on the desktop, lock screen or both at once.
If your MIUI version doesn’t have a + button, try long-clicking on any wallpaper in the Locals section – a menu should appear with the option to add a new image.
⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X3, Redmi 9A) post-update MIUI 13 Themes app may not be available, in which case use an alternative method via Settings (described below).
2. Installation through “Settings” (alternative method)
If the Themes app is unavailable or doesn’t work properly for some reason, you can set the wallpaper through the phone’s basic settings.This method is universal and suitable for all models, including the Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi Note 10 Pro and POCO F4:
- 💾 Click Apply and select desktop, lock screen, or both.
On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12T), the path may be slightly different: Settings → Display → Wallpaper. If you don’t find a partition, search by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).
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If the photo does not appear in the gallery when choosing wallpaper, try moving it to the folder. DCIM/Camera — The system is most often scanned by it.
3. Use of third-party applications
If the standard methods don't work, or if you want more editing options (e.g. blur, add widgets, animation), you can use third-party apps, and we tested a few options and selected the most reliable ones:
| Annex | Features | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper Craft | Creating live wallpaper, setting up paralax, adding widgets | MIUI 12-14, Android 10+ |
| Zedge | Large base of wallpaper and sounds, support 4K-picture | All Xiaomi models |
| Backdrops | Minimalist wallpaper with automatic selection of color palette | MIUI 13/14, POCO |
| Kappboom | Russian-language interface, wallpaper taking into account camera cutout | Redmi, POCO |
To install wallpaper through a third-party application:
- Download and install the program from Google Play.
- Choose your favorite image or upload your own.
- Click Install and select the desktop or lock screen.
- Confirm the action in the system window (if it appears).
⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Wallpaper Engine) require payment for premium features. MIUI There may be problems with the display of animated wallpaper.
4. Transfer of wallpaper from another phone
If you want to move wallpaper from another device (like an iPhone or an old Samsung), there are two reliable ways to do this:
Method 1: Through Cloud Storage
- 📤 Upload photos to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive from your first phone.
- 📥 Download the image on Xiaomi via the same cloud.
- 🖼️ Set it as wallpaper through Settings → Wallpaper. → gallery.
Method 2: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct
- 🔵 Turn on Bluetooth on both devices and send photos.
- 📶 Or use Wi-Fi Direct (in Settings) → Connection and sharing).
- 📂 After transfer, find the file in the Bluetooth or Download folder.
If the photo was taken on the iPhone before the perenosom convert it to the format JPG/PNG — HEIC (Apple standard format not supported on Xiaomi without additional apps.
How to convert HEIC to JPG on Xiaomi?
5. Solving problems with wallpaper installation
Sometimes users encounter errors when trying to change the background, and here are the most common problems and solutions:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper does not persist after rebooting | Cache failure of the "Themes" app | Clear the cache in Settings → Applications → Themes → Storage |
| Photo clipped or stretched | Discrepancy of screen resolution | Use images with a resolution close to your phone’s native resolution (e.g. 2400×1080 for Full HD+) |
| No "Apply" option. | MIUI restrictions for some regions | Change the region to Settings → Additional → Region to “India” or “Russia” |
| Wallpaper is reset after updating | Resetting MIUI settings | Create a backup of themes in Settings → Themes → Backup |
If none of these methods work, try resetting the Themes app settings:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the “Themes” and select the Warehouse.
🔹 The photo is in the folder. DCIM download
🔹 Image resolution corresponds to the screen
🔹 Themes app is updated to the latest version
🔹 The phone has enough free memory (minimum 500 MB)-->
6. Optimization of wallpaper for AMOLED-screen
If your Xiaomi is equipped AMOLED-screen (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi) K60 Pro, you should consider the features of this, and these displays display black as the pixels turned off, which saves battery power, so that you can make the most of this advantage:
- 🌑 Choose wallpaper with a predominance of dark colors (black, dark blue, dark green).
- 🖌️ Use apps like Dark Wallpapers 4K Search for optimized images.
- 🔋 Include a dark theme in Settings → Display. → Dark subject.
- 🎨 Avoid bright white or neon elements – they increase energy consumption.
To test whether the wallpaper is AMOLED, you can use the AMOLED Wallpapers app, which shows the percentage of black pixels in the image, and the optimal score is above 50%.
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Nana AMOLED-Black wallpaper not only looks stylish, but also prolongs battery life by 5-15% due to the disconnection of part of the pixels.
7. Creating live wallpaper (animation)
Live wallpaper adds dynamics to the desktop, and on Xiaomi, you can install them in several ways:
Method 1: Through "Themes" (embedded animations)
MIUI offers several standard animated wallpapers:
- Open the "Themes"** → Wallpaper → Live.
Method 2: Third-party applications
For more complex effects, use:
- 🌊 Wallpaper Engine (requires root or ADB full-time MIUI).
- 🎵 KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker (allows you to create custom widgets).
- 🌌 3D Parallax Background (Paralax effect when tilting the phone).
⚠️ Warning: Live wallpaper increases battery consumption by 10-20%. If you notice a quick discharge, turn off animation in Settings → Battery → Battery consumption.