How to change the background on the phone Xiaomi: 7 proven ways to MIUI

Changing the wallpaper on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a cosmetic setup, but a way to personalize the device to your style. The manufacturer offers several built-in tools for this, but not all users are aware of the hidden features. For example, MIUI 14 introduced a feature of dynamic wallpaper that responds to the time of day, and in new firmware support for Live Wallpapers with paralax effects.

Many people mistakenly think that you need to download third-party apps to change the background. In fact, even the basic tools of Xiaomi allow you to customize wallpapers for specific scenarios: separately to lock the screen, desktop and even application folders, and this process takes no more than a minute, if you know the right sequence of actions.

In this article, we'll look at all the current ways, from the standard to the little-known, how to install static and animated wallpaper, where to find hidden collections of themes, and why sometimes new background images are not used immediately, and for owners of Poco and Redmi with custom firmware, we have prepared separate recommendations.

Method 1: Standard change through gallery

The most obvious and quickest method is to use the built-in gallery, which works on all models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and does not require an Internet connection, the main advantage is the ability to choose any image from your photos, including screenshots and uploaded pictures.

To change the background through the gallery:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Select the desired image and tap it.
3. Click on the three dots in the lower right corner → Set as.
4. Select Desktop Wallpaper, Lock Wallpaper or Wallpaper on both screens.

⚠️ Note: If the image is too small, the system will automatically stretch it, which can degrade the quality. 1080×2400 (For most of today’s Xiaomi).

After using the wallpaper, check how they look in different modes:

• 🌞 Daytime mode: brightness and contrast may differ.
• 🌙 Dark subject: some light wallpaper becomes unreadable.
• 🔒 Lock screen: on some models the background is darkened.

Method 2: Using the built-in MIUI themes

Xiaomi offers a vast collection of pre-made themes that change not only the background, but also icons, fonts, animations, and is ideal for anyone looking to completely transform the interface. Themes are downloaded from the official MIUI Themes store, which is pre-installed on all the brand’s smartphones.

Instructions for the installation of the topic:

1. Open the settings → design → Themes.
2. Select a category (such as Popular or Minimalism).
3. Tapping on a topic you like. → Apply.
4. Confirm the changes (some items may require additional downloads).

🔹 Hidden Opportunity: B MIUI 14+ The Super Wallpaper function is 3D-background images that flow smoothly as you scroll through your desktop to find them:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Registration → Wallpaper.
• 🖼️ Scroll down to the Super Wallpaper section.
• 🌌 Choose one of the available themes (such as Mars or Earth).

⚠️ Note: After changing the theme, some system applications (such as Calendar or Weather) may temporarily slow down. This is due to the reboot of widgets. If the lag lasts longer than 5 minutes, restart the phone.

Method 3: Dynamic and live wallpapers

Live wallpapers add interactivity to the desktop. On Xiaomi, you can install them in two ways: through embedded tools or third-party apps. Unlike static images, Live Wallpapers respond to gestures, time of day, or even weather.

To activate the built-in dynamic wallpaper:

1. Go to the settings → design → Wallpaper.
2. Select the Live Wallpaper tab (on some models it is hidden behind the More button).
3. View the available options (e.g. Ocean, Hours or Weather).
4. Put it on your favorite background. → Install.

For the installation of third-party live wallpaper:

• 📱 Download the app from Google Play (such as Wallpapers Craft or Google Play) KWGT).
• 🔧 Open it and select wallpaper marked Live Wallpaper.
• 🖼️ Apply via the app menu (usually there is a Set Wallpaper button).

Make sure the battery is over 30% charged |Close all background apps |Close off power saving mode |Check the free space (need ~100MB)

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⚠️ Warning: Live wallpaper increases battery consumption by 10-15% (based on tests on the Redmi Note 12 Pro)+). If you notice a quick discharge - go back to static backgrounds or reduce the frequency of animations in the wallpaper settings.

Method 4: Different wallpapers for desktop and lock

Many users are unaware that Xiaomi can have different background images for the home screen and lock screen, which is handy if you want the desktop to be minimalistic and the lock to be bright and informative.

How to set up different wallpaper:

1. Open the settings → design → Wallpaper.
2. Select an image for your desktop and apply it.
3. Return to the wallpaper menu and select another image to lock.
4. Confirm the change.

🔹 The Secret Trick: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) You can set the video as the background lock:

• 🎥 Choose a video up to 15 seconds in the gallery.
• 🔧 Tap it on three points. → Set up how → Lock wallpaper.
• 🔄 The video will be played in a loop when unlocked.

💡

If video wallpaper is slowing down, convert it to MP4 with a bitrate of no more than 5 Mbps through apps like CapCut or VLC.

Method 5: Install wallpaper through third-party applications

If there are few built-in options, you can use third-party services.

• 🌄 Zedge is a big base HD-wallpaper.
• 🎨 Backdrops – Minimalist and Abstract Backgrounds.
• 🖼️ WallpapersCraft – Wallpapers sorted by resolution.
• 🤖 Muzei – automatically changes the background on the schedule.

How to install wallpaper from a third-party source:

1. Download and install an app (such as Zedge).
2. Select a category and tap on the image you like.
3. Press the Set Wallpaper (or similar button).
4. Choose where to apply: desktop, lock or both screens.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (e.g, KWGT) require additional permits to work with wallpaper, if the background remains unchanged after installation:

• 🔧 Check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Permits.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📥 Make sure the image is fully loaded (sometimes the download is interrupted).

💡

Apps like Muzei or Wallpaper Engine allow you to automate changing wallpapers by time of day, location, or even weather.

Method 6: Change backgrounds through ADB (for power users)

This is a method that works for people who want to install wallpaper software or automate the process, for example, if you change the background often and want to do it through a script, it will require ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the trusted device.
3. Download the image to your phone (for example, in the Download folder).
4. Execute the command: adb shell cmd wallpaper set --file /sdcard/Download/your_image.jpg --crop-and-set-wallpaper

🔹 Enhanced opportunities ADB:

• 🔄 To apply wallpaper only to lock, use the flag --lock.
• 📂 For the desktop - flag --home.
• 🔍 View current wallpaper: Adb shell dumpsys wallpaper.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI Launcher.Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

Method 7: Restore the Standard Wallpaper

If you've been experimenting with the backgrounds, the interface gets glitchy or the wallpaper gets incorrect, you can bring back the standard settings, which is also useful if you're selling a phone and you want to make it look factory-fabricated.

How to drop wallpaper:

1. Go to the settings → design → Wallpaper.
2. Select the Standard (or Default) tab.
3. Slip on the first option (usually it is an abstract background from Xiaomi).
4. Apply it to both screens.

If the standard wallpaper does not apply:

• 🔄 Restart your phone in Safe Mode (click the power button) → Safe regime).
• 🧹 Clear the cache. MIUI Launcher in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher.
• 🔧 Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Drop it.

💡

If after resetting the wallpaper, widgets disappeared, they must be added again: a long press on the desktop → Widgets → choose the right one.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing wallpaper to Xiaomi