Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the desire to personalize their device, and one of the first steps is to change the look of the lock screen.The standard MiUI interface offers basic features, but the deep settings allow you to completely transform what you see when you turn on the phone. It's not just a matter of aesthetics, but a way to quickly access important information without unlocking the gadget.
Many users confuse the lock screen with the desktop or the screen "Always on", but these are different system layers. Changing applications here requires understanding the structure of the shell MIUI or HyperOS. In this article, we will break down all available methods, from standard tools to using third-party launchers, so you can create a unique interface.
It’s worth noting that customization options are highly dependent on the operating system version and firmware region. Global versions often have limitations that are not found in Chinese builds. However, there are workarounds to achieve the desired result on almost any Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO brand device.
Difference between widgets and shortcuts on a locked screen
Before making changes, you need to be clear about the difference between the types of content you display: Widgets are dynamic elements that show relevant information, such as weather, currency rates or steps, and shortcuts are static icons for quickly launching applications, such as a camera or flashlight.
In the latest versions of the HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has introduced a new widget system that is radically different from the old one. Now elements can be of different sizes and formats, which gives more freedom in design. However, standard means to add an arbitrary application in the form of an icon directly to the lock screen can not be — the Android security system limits this functionality to prevent accidental launches.
However, there are special “smart” widgets that mimic shortcuts or provide advanced functionality, such as the Music widget that allows you to control the player, and the Calendar widget shows you the nearest events, and understanding these nuances will help avoid confusion when searching for the right settings in the menu.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to install unverified themes from third-party sources may lead to banner ads or unstable blocking system.
Standard methods of setting up through theme menu
The safest and most official way to change the look of a lock screen is to use the built-in Themes app, where you can find thousands of design options that completely change the style, date and location of the watch, and you don't need super-user rights to access this feature.
The installation process is as follows:
- 📱 Open the Themes app on the home screen or in the Tools folder».
- 🔍 In the search, type in the query “Lock screen” or “lock screen».
- 🎨 Select your favorite design and click the “Download” button».
- ⚙️ After download, click "Apply" and confirm the action.
Some themes allow for deep customization after installation. By clicking on the theme icon in the Profile menu, you can change the set of widgets if the theme writer has provided such an opportunity. Often there are options with animated characters or live wallpaper that respond to touch.
Read the description and reviews carefully before installing, and it’s also worth checking the compatibility of the theme with your model, as the camera cutout may not display correctly on different devices.
Use of MiUI and HyperOS widgets
Modern shells from Xiaomi offer a rich set of built-in widgets. To add them, you need to go to edit mode. On a locked screen, you usually need to swipe to the right or press the free area for a long time if the system allows you to do this without unlocking (depending on the security settings).
In the editing menu, you'll see the "Widgets" or "Add" buttons, and you'll see the standard modules available here:
- 🌤 Weather – shows current temperature and forecast.
- 📅 Calendar – displays the date and upcoming events.
- 🎵 Music - Managing reproduction.
- 👣 Health – a counter to steps and activity.
HyperOS has the ability to resize widgets to make them more visible or compact, allowing you to combine different elements to create an information dashboard, but the functionality is still limited compared to the desktop.
💡
If the widget doesn’t appear after adding, try changing the theme to a standard one, as third-party themes can block system widgets.
It’s worth noting that widgets consume extra battery power, as they constantly update data in the background. If you’re critical to autonomy, it’s better to limit yourself to static elements or disable auto-update for rarely used modules.
Third-party customization applications
When standard features aren't enough, Google Play apps come to the rescue, and they let you put on the lock screen shortcuts of any installed programs, news, quotes, and more, and the leader in this niche is the Lock Screen & Notifications app or analogues like Hi Locker.
The way these applications work is to create a layer of locking on top of the system screen, which gives you almost unlimited customization options:
- 🛠 Choosing any icons for a quick launch.
- 🎨 Flexible background setting and transparency.
- 🔔 Enhanced Notification Management.
- 🔒 Setting up a password or pattern lock.
When you install this software, the system will issue a security alert, and you will need to give permission to "Map on top of other applications" and "Access to notifications." Without these rights, the application will not be able to function properly.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party lock screens may conflict with the Pocket Mode feature, which may cause the phone to accidentally unlock in your pocket.
Some applications require constant operation in the background, which can cause the MIUI system to start killing the process to save energy. To avoid this, you need to fix the application in memory and remove background restrictions in the battery settings.
Removal of advertising and unnecessary elements
One of the common reasons for changing the lock screen is an intrusive ad known as the Wallpaper Carousel, which shows ads and news on the locked screen, and you can turn it off in standard settings, returning the device to its classic look.
To do this, perform the following actions:
- Go to the smartphone settings.
- Find the Always on screen section and the lock screen.
- Select the wallpaper carousel item.
- Switch the slider to the Off position.
Once you turn off the carousel, you can set up a static image or your picture, which not only removes ads, but also speeds up the device, since the system does not need to download heavy media files every time you turn on the screen.
☑️ Checking screen settings
Also worth checking is the settings in the Security app. The Cleanup or Acceleration section sometimes hides recommendations that may appear on the lock screen. Completely clearing the theme system cache also helps to get rid of residual advertising files.
Table of comparison of methods of setting
To make it easier for you to choose the right way to change the interface, we have prepared a comparison table that reflects the main characteristics of each method, its complexity and the impact on the system.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard topics | Low. | Tall. | Medium |
| MIUI/HyperOS widgets | Low. | Tall. | Low. |
| Third-party annexes | Medium | Medium | Tall. |
| Root rights (Xposed) | Tall. | Low. | Maximum |
As you can see from the table, for most users, a combination of standard themes and widgets remains the best option, which provides a balance between functionality and stability of the smartphone, and the use of Root rights is recommended only for advanced users who are willing to risk a warranty.
💡
The optimal balance between beauty and stability is achieved by using official themes in combination with HyperOS widgets.
Solution and resetting of settings
There may be various errors in the setup process: widgets don’t update, themes fly off after a reboot or the lock screen stops responding to touches, often the problem lies in the crowded cache of the Themes or Lock Screen application.
To troubleshoot, try clearing the problem component data. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find “Themes” and select “Clean Data.” Don’t worry, your downloaded themes won’t be deleted, but the settings will go back to factory settings.
If persists is a problem, it may be a problem with the installed system update, in such cases, it helps to reset all settings to factory, but before that, be sure to back up important data to the Mi Cloud cloud or to your computer.
⚠️ WARNING: A full reset will remove all data from the phone, so the backup procedure is a must.