How to change the wallpaper on the Xiaomi phone: 5 ways to MIUI and HyperOS

Why Xiaomi can’t just change wallpaper — and how to do it right

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI or the new firmware HyperOS offer flexible customization settings, but changing the wallpaper here works differently than on the naked Android. It's the MIUI Launcher optimization layer that blocks the standard ways to change the background through a long press on the desktop. If you tried to change the wallpaper through the gallery and nothing worked, it's not a bug, it's a feature of the shell.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to change wallpaper to Xiaomi, including hidden functions, working with themes and bypassing restrictions through third-party applications. We will pay special attention to the nuances for new models (Redmi Note 13 Pro+, Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and devices with HyperOS, where the algorithm differs from the usual MIUI 12-14.

Before you get to the instructions, check the firmware version: Settings path → About phone → MIUI/HyperOS version. It depends on what methods will work. For example, on HyperOS, the Themes section disappeared, but new options have appeared in Personalization.

Method 1: Standard change through settings (works on 90% of models)

This is the basic method that works for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS. It doesn’t require installing additional apps and takes less than a minute.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon in the application menu).
2. Go to the Wallpaper section (HyperOS – Personalization → Wallpaper).
3. Select the source: 🖼️ Gallery – upload your own image. 🌄 Live wallpaper – animated background drawings (require additional downloading). 🎨 Color - monochromatic background with gradient.

Apply

closed-screen

desk

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi 12) after selecting the image, the system will suggest cropping it to the screen resolution. If the picture blurs, turn on the option Adaptive scale in the upper right corner.

Make sure that the image in JPG/PNG| Background resolution is not lower than 1080p| Turn off power saving mode (may block animation)|Reboot the phone if the new wallpaper is not applied

-->

Method 2: Quick change with long press (not working on all models)

On most Android smartphones, you just need to make a long press on your desktop to get a wallpaper change menu. On Xiaomi, this method doesn't always work, depending on the firmware version and launcher.

Try the following algorithm:

1. Tap and hold the empty space on your desktop (not on the icon!).
2. If you see a menu with Wallpaper, select it. If you don't, move on to other ways.
3. In the window that opens, select the source (gallery, themes, colors).
4. Check the boxes where to apply wallpaper: Home, Lock screen or both.

🔍 Why can't it work? On HyperOS or custom launchers (e.g, POCO Launcher) this menu is often disabled, and the problem arises if you install a third-party wallpaper application (such as Zedge or Wallcraft) that intercepts the control of the background.

💡

If a long press doesn’t work, try resetting the launcher first: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear the data. This will return the standard menu, but reset the icons.

Method 3: Use the "Themes" application (for the purpose only) MIUI)

The Themes app is a unique feature of MIUI that allows you to download ready-made design packages, including wallpaper, icons and fonts. However, in HyperOS, this section is removed and the functionality is moved to Personalization.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open the Themes app (brush icon on your desktop).
2. Go to the Wallpaper tab in the lower menu.
3. Select a category: 🌅 Popular - trend wallpaper from the community. 🖌️ Recommended - a selection from Xiaomi. 🔍 Search – type in a keyword (such as “space” or “minimalism").

Apply

⚠️ Note: Themes wallpapers are often optimized for specific Xiaomi models. If the background looks stretched or cropped after application, try downloading it manually through the gallery (method 1).

MIUI 12|MIUI 13|MIUI 14|HyperOS|I don't know.

-->

Method 4: Third-party Wallpaper Applications (Zedge, Wallcraft, Muzei)

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized applications that offer millions of wallpapers, live wallpapers, and tools for fine-tuning the screen.

Top.-3 apps:

• 📱 Zedge is the largest database of wallpaper and melodies. 4K-Images optimized under AMOLED-Xiaomi screens.
• 🎨 Wallcraft – minimalist design, support for live wallpaper and automatic background change on schedule.
• 🖼️ Muzei – unique wallpaper by artists, integration with Google Arts & Culture.

How to use wallpaper through a third-party application:

1. Download and install an app (such as Zedge) from Google Play.
2. Select your favorite picture and click Set wallpaper.
3. In the window that appears, select: Home screen, Lock screen, Both screens.

Confirm the action. If the background is unchanged, restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Muzei) may not use wallpaper correctly on HyperOS due to changes in the user experience. API. In this case, use a workaround: download the image to the gallery, and then apply through Settings. → Personalization.

Method 5: Live Wallpapers – How to Set Up and Configure

Animated wallpapers add speakers to the desktop, but Xiaomi has nuances: First, they plant the battery more strongly (by 5-10% per day when used actively); Second, not all formats are supported by a standard launcher.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the live wallpaper: 🌊 From Google Play: Live Wallpapers 4K, Forest Live Wallpaper. 📲 From Them. MIUI): wallpaper.

After installation, open the application and select animation.

Set up wallpaper

Pause on discharge

On HyperOS, live wallpaper is disabled by default to save resources. To activate it, go to Settings → Battery → Performance Mode and select High Performance.

🔋 Impact on battery: Tests show that live wallpaper increases energy consumption on the battery 7-12% per day (depending on model). 13 Pro AMOLED-The screen and adaptive frequency is less noticeable than on the Redmi. 10A s IPS-matrix.

Problems and Solutions: Wallpapers don’t change, blur or drop

Even after doing the right thing, wallpaper can be incorrect, and let's look at the typical problems and the ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Wallpaper is reset after reset.

⚠️ Note: This is due to memory optimization in MIUI/HyperOS. Solution: Open Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Battery → No restrictions, turn off the power saving mode for the launcher.

Problem 2: Wallpaper is blurred or stretched.

The reason is a discrepancy between screen resolution and image resolution.

• 📏 Use the wallpaper with a resolution not lower 1080×2340 (for most of Xiaomi).
• 🔄 Enable Adaptive Scale Option When Pruning.
• 🖼️ For AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi) 12T, 13 Ultra) Download wallpaper with black borders - this will reduce battery consumption.

Problem 3: You can’t use the wallpaper on the lock screen.

On some models (POCO M5, Redmi A2), MIUI blocks the background change on the closed screen.

1. Install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher).
2. In the launcher settings, find the Wallpaper section and apply the background to lock.

💡

If the wallpaper doesn't change in any way, check if the phone has a child mode or a guest profile, which blocks personalization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing wallpaper to Xiaomi