How to change the theme of the lock screen Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Personalizing the interface of a smartphone is the first thing that any Xiaomi owner wants to do after buying a device. The standard look of the system is certainly functional, but often users want something brighter or more concise. Especially the lock screen that we see every time we pick up the phone. In the shell of MIUI and its modern version of HyperOS, this process is implemented as conveniently as possible thanks to the built-in theme store.

However, despite the apparent simplicity, many users have difficulty using individual design elements: sometimes the system offers to pay for content, sometimes the desired button is hidden, and in some cases the changes simply do not take effect. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to change the theme of the lock screen, how to avoid unnecessary costs and what to do if the standard methods do not work.

Note that the customization capabilities of MIUI allow you to change not only static wallpaper, but also add widgets, change time fonts and even implement animation when unlocked. A deep understanding of the theme settings will help you create a unique style of device that will please the eye every day.

Using the “Themes” application to change the design

The main tool for changing the look of a smartphone is the Themes system app, which is where millions of design options created by Xiaomi designers and independent authors are concentrated, and you need to launch the application through a menu or search to get started.

Once you open the app, you'll see the home page with popular selections. To find a specific style, use the search bar at the top of the screen. Type in a keyword like "minimal," "anime" or "nature," and the system will offer relevant results. Note that many themes are free, but some are marked with a Diamond or Crown icon, indicating paid content.

When you choose your favorite option, don't rush to click the Download button for the whole theme. Often users want to leave their icons and desktop wallpapers by changing only the lock screen.

• 🎨 Click on the preview of the selected topic to open its detailed description.
• 🔍 Find the component section (usually at the bottom of the topic page or as separate tabs).
• 🔒 Select "Lock Screen" from the list of available items.
• ✅ Press the "Download" button and then "Apply".

It's important to understand the difference between a full theme and its individual components. Only Lock Screen allows you to keep the usual menu structure without touching the notification bar or app icons, and this is especially true for those who value the functionality of a standard shell, but want visual diversity.

If you downloaded the theme in full but want to return the old lock screen, you will have to go back to the theme settings and select the lock component from another collection or the standard MIUI variant.

Customization of behavior and elements of the lock screen

Once you have a new theme installed, the lock screen may not behave the way you used to. Xiaomi has a separate settings menu that allows you to control the display of widgets, notification curtains and even passwords, access to these options through the Security app or system settings.

To access advanced settings, go to Settings → Lock Screen. Here you will find switches that affect functionality. For example, you can turn off notifications from certain applications or make them more visible. You can also set up a smart lock that skips the password entry screen if a trusted device is nearby.

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Use the Pocket Mode feature in the lock screen settings to prevent accidental taps when the phone is in your bag or pocket.

Many modern themes for MIUI 14 and HyperOS support deep widgets, which means that the locked screen can display not only the time, but also the activity tracker, currency rate or weather, to activate such elements:

• 📱 Make sure you have a theme that supports widgets (usually as indicated in the description).
• ⚙️ Go to the lock screen settings via the “Themes” application (user profile) → Settings).
• 🧩 Enable the option "Widgets on the lock screen".
• 📍 On the desktop in editing mode (two finger pinches) go to the lock screen and add the desired widgets.

It is worth remembering that the widget-loaded lock screen can slightly, but still affect the battery autonomy. If you notice an accelerated discharge, try turning off live wallpaper or animation in the theme settings.

⚠️ Note: When installing themes from third-party sources (not through the official app), you may encounter unstable system operation.Some modified lock screens may cause the device to restart or block access to emergency calls.

Solving problems with the application of the topic

A common problem with Xiaomi users is that they can’t apply a theme or part of it, and the system can give an error or simply ignore the command, most often due to regional restrictions or the theme app’s cache.

The first thing to do when you have an error is to change the region in your smartphone settings, the store is not working properly in all countries due to licensing restrictions, and the optimal choice for users from the CIS and Europe is often the region of India or Singapore.

To change the region, perform the following actions:

Settings → About phone → Region → Choose India

After changing the region, restart the device and try to apply the theme again. If the problem persists, it is worth clearing the app cache. → Annexes → All applications → Topics → Memory. → Clear the cache. This action won't delete your downloaded themes, but it will reset temporary files that may have been corrupted.

Another reason may be that the theme version is incompatible with your MIUI shell version. If the theme was created for Android 11 and you have Android 14, the items may not display correctly, in which case you should look for an alternative marked "Updated for MIUI 14/HyperOS".

Comparison of Standard and Third-Party Solutions

Users often face a choice between using the store’s built-in capabilities or looking for third-party launchers and lock-in apps, each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, which we will discuss in the table below.

Xiaomi's official theme store offers a balance between beauty and performance.Third-party apps like Hi Locker or KLCK give more freedom but require additional permissions and can conflict with system unlock features.

If you want maximum stability and you don't want to risk data security, it's better to stay within the MIUI Themes ecosystem. However, for experimentation and unique design, third-party solutions may be of interest to advanced users.

Creating your own lock screen

For those who don't find the perfect one in the store, there's the option of creating your own theme, a more complex process that requires a PC and a special tool called Theme Editor for MIUI, but the result is worth it if you want to see unique photos or a specific style of watches on the lock screen.

The process of creating starts with preparing graphic resources. You will need images for the background, icons and, of course, the lock screen itself in the resolution of your screen (for example, 1080×2400). After preparing the graphics, you need to download the official utility for editing themes from the MIUI developer site.

In the editor you can configure:

• 🕰 Time and date position and font.
• 🔋 Style of battery charge indicator.
• 🎵 Unlock animation (GIF video).
• 🔘 Location of call buttons and camera.

Once a project is created, the theme is compiled into a.mtz file, and you can install it through the Themes app by selecting a user profile and importing a local theme, which gives you complete control over the look and feel, but takes time to master the tool.

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Creating your own theme is the best way to get a unique design, but it takes time and basic graphics skills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)