Smartphone personalization is the first thing that many users start with when they buy a device. The bright, high-quality image you see every time you turn on the screen sets the mood for the day and makes the gadget truly yours. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often encounter the MIUI interface or the new HyperOS shell, which offer advanced visual features that go far beyond just replacing a picture.
However, standard procedures may vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the firmware region. Sometimes the desired function is hidden in non-obvious menus, and automatic wallpaper change may not work properly due to aggressive battery optimization. Understanding the intricacies of the system theme and the standard settings of the gallery will allow you to avoid typical errors and customize the device as you want.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways to replace images on a locked screen, and we will look at both classic methods through the gallery, and advanced features such as Cards and Video Fights, which turn the lock screen into a dynamic information center.
The basic method of replacement through the Gallery
The fastest and most common method for most users is to use the built-in Gallery app, which is universal and works equally stable on both older versions of MIUI 12 and fresh HyperOS. You don't have to look for complex settings in the depth of the menu, just have a stored image in the device's memory or cloud storage.
To start, open the Gallery app and select the photo you want, it's important that the image has sufficient resolution, otherwise it may look blurry or pixelated on the screen. Click on the "More" button (usually the three dots in the bottom corner) and select Set as wallpaper in the list that appears.
The system will ask you to fram the image if its proportions do not match the smartphone screen. Once confirmed, you will see the installation location selection menu, and it is critical to choose the Lock Screen option, not the Home Screen or Both Screen option, if your goal is to change the screensaver when the device wakes up.
☑️ Checklist before installation
It is worth noting that when choosing this method, the system can suggest improving the quality of photos using AI algorithms. This is useful for older shots, but for professional photos it is better to turn this feature off so that you do not lose details. If after installation you do not see changes, check whether you have activated the Second Space mode or guest mode, where the settings may differ.
Customization through the Wallpaper menu and personalization
A more flexible tool for managing the look of a smartphone is found in the Wallpaper or Themes system app, which allows you not only to put a static picture, but also to access a huge library of content, sorted by category, popularity and novelty, and you can often find exclusive materials that are not available in the standard gallery.
To get into this section, go to Settings and select Wallpaper and Personalization. In the menu that opens, you will see several tabs: Wallpaper, Lock Screen, Videowallets and Fonts. Going to Lock Screen, you can select both static images from Xiaomi’s collection and dynamic scenes.
And you should pay special attention to the video fights section, which is a feature that allows you to set a short video or animation as a screensaver, and when you turn on the screen, you'll see a live picture that responds to touch or just moves beautifully, but it's worth remembering that using video combat can slightly increase battery consumption.
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Use video combat only on devices with AMOLED-screens and good optimization to minimize the impact on autonomy.
Inside the personalization menu, there's also a Card feature, which is widgets that are displayed on the lock screen over the main image, which can show the weather, steps, quotes of the day or delivery status, and you can combine the selected photo with useful widgets to create a unique interface.
Use of the "Wallpaper Carousel" function
One of the most interesting features of the MIUI shell is the Wallpaper Carousel feature (called the Widget Ribbon or Glance in some regions), which allows you to automatically change the image on the lock screen every time you turn on the screen or swipe your finger, which creates a sense of novelty and eliminates the need to manually search for new pictures.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Lock screen and find the wallpaper carousel. Here you can choose the source of the images: these can be collections from Xiaomi, your own albums from the gallery or even news with pictures. The system will regularly update the content if you choose an Internet source.
The important advantage of the carousel is that it can be fine-tuned, so you can specify how often you change images, choose your orientation (portrait or landscape), and even determine which categories of images you are interested in and which you should exclude, which makes it convenient for different use cases.
But it also has its own features: Because the carousel requires periodic network access to download new content, it consumes mobile traffic, and it is recommended that you set up new images to download only via Wi-Fi so you don’t waste extra megabytes from your data plan.
Advanced settings and video fights
For users who want to stand out, Xiaomi offers deep visualization settings. Themes store offers not just pictures, but entire interactive scenes, which can respond to the time of day by changing the image from dawn to sunset, or display animations when notifications arrive.
To install video fights, download your favorite clip in the video section of the app topic. After downloading, click the Apply button. The system will warn you about the possible impact on performance. Modern Snapdragon and Dimensity processors used in Xiaomi smartphones can easily cope with this load, but on budget models can be observed micro-latency.
Deep Living Wallpapers is also available in advanced settings, which are complex wallpapers that use a phone's gyroscope and accelerometer to create a depth effect. When you tilt the device, the image shifts, creating a three-dimensional illusion. It looks spectacular, but requires calibration of the sensors.
⚠️ Warning: Set up a lot of heavy video fights and live scenes can cause the battery to run out quickly during the day.If you notice that the phone is running out faster, try going back to static images.
Remember that video fights take up space in the memory of the device. If you download a few clips in high resolution, they can take hundreds of megabytes. Regularly check the storage and delete unused files through the Security → Cleanup menu.
The solution: why the photo doesn’t change
Often users are faced with a situation where seemingly everything is done correctly, but the image on the lock screen does not change or is reset to standard after a reboot.This can be caused by several factors, from software failures to conflicts of topics.
One common reason is an active theme. Third-party themes downloaded from the store can have their own hard lock screen settings that override your personal preferences. To check this out, temporarily switch to a standard Classic or Default theme and try to set the photo up again.
Another reason could be that System Themsetter is not working properly, in which case cleaning its cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find System Thems (or Themes) and click Clear Data. This won't delete your themes, but resets the interface settings.
What to do if the photo is cut incorrectly?
It's also worth checking the permissions for the Gallery app. If it doesn't have access to the registration system, it won't be able to change the wallpaper. Make sure the Gallery Permits section allows you to change the system settings, although this is usually rarely required.
Comparison of wallpaper installation methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have compiled a comparative table of basic methods, each of which has its advantages depending on whether you are more interested in speed, functionality or resource savings.
| Method | Difficulty | Battery consumption | Variability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the Gallery | Low. | Minimum | Only statics. |
| Wallpaper carousel | Medium | Medium. | Automatic shift |
| Video fights | Medium | High-pitched | Animation and video |
| Third-party topics | Tall. | Depends on the topic. | Maximum |
As you can see from the table, for everyday use with maximum battery life, the classic gallery method is the best. If you want aesthetics and are willing to charge your phone more often, video combat is a great choice.
Experiment with different options to find the perfect balance between beauty and functionality. Don't be afraid to change the settings, as you can return to the factory look at any time.
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The best choice for most users is a high-resolution static photo installed through the gallery, as this guarantees stability and minimal energy consumption.
Optimization and Impact on the System
Using complex graphics on the lock screen is not only beautiful, but also resource-intensive. The processor and graphics accelerator must constantly process this data, even when the phone is in standby mode. On modern flagships Xiaomi it is almost invisible, but on devices of the middle and budget segments can be felt.
If you notice that your smartphone is slowing down when you unlock, try turning off the Animation feature in the developer settings or simply reducing the number of widgets on the lock screen, and turning off live elements such as high-resolution weather or dynamic icons also helps.
Clean the theme system cache regularly. Over time, it accumulates many thumbnails and temporary files that can slow down the interface, and you can do this through the built-in Security app in the Cleanup section.
⚠️ Note: Do not install wallpaper from unverified sources (third-party) APK-files, as they may contain malicious code that can steal your personal data or block your device.
Remember that Android controls memory itself, but heavy wallpaper can prevent the efficient caching of frequently used applications. If you are actively using your phone for games or work, it is better to prefer simplicity of design.