Personalizing the interface of a modern smartphone is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a way to make interaction with the device more comfortable and personal. Owners of gadgets from the Chinese giant often look for ways to change the screensaver on Xiaomi to stand out from the mass of standard solutions or simply refresh the appearance of the device. The lock screen and desktop are the first elements that the user encounters, so their visual design plays a key role in the perception of the MIUI or HyperOS system.
The procedure for changing a static image to a dynamic or installing a complex Always On Display mode can vary depending on the operating system version and device model. Some features, such as Mi AOD, require separate activation or loading of a special module, while basic wallpaper is available immediately. Understanding the differences between system settings and third-party applications will allow you to maximize the potential of your Xiaomi display.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available screen customization methods, learn how to install video screensavers, set up smart time and date displays, and avoid common errors that can lead to increased battery consumption. Get ready to turn your screen into a unique digital work of art.
Basic change of static wallpaper through the system menu
The easiest and most affordable way to change the visual design is to use the built-in tools of the operating system. It does not require an Internet connection or installing additional software. Just go to the Settings menu and find the Wallpaper section. Here the system will offer you several categories: standard images, live wallpaper (which can consume more power) and your own photos from the gallery.
When you select an image from a gallery, the system will suggest applying it to either the lock screen, the main screen, or both, which gives you flexibility in setting up: you can leave a strict background for the desktop with icons, and put a bright, emotional photo on the lock screen. It is important to note that for the lock screen, the system can automatically apply the parallax or zoom effect when unlocking, which adds speakers.
If the standard Xiaomi gallery seems boring to you, you can download high-resolution images from the Internet. It is recommended to choose pictures with a resolution corresponding to your screen matrix, for example 2400×1080 or higher, to avoid pixelation. After downloading, just open the image, click on three dots in the corner and select "Install as wallpaper".
⚠️ Note: Use of images with very dark tones on AMOLED-screens may visually hide the time of the shutdown, but bright white interface elements on this background will consume more power.
The system menu also allows you to adjust the wallpaper to a schedule, so you can choose the interval, for example, "every hour" or "when you turn on the screen", and the system will automatically change the picture from the selected folder, which creates the effect of constantly updating the interface without your participation.
Customization and customization of Mi AOD (Always On Display)
Always On Display technology allows you to display important information such as time, date and notifications, even when the smartphone screen is formally off. On Xiaomi devices, this feature is implemented through the Mi AOD app or built-in lock screen settings. Unlike static wallpaper, it uses special templates optimized for economical pixel glow.
To activate and adjust, go to Settings → Lock screen → Always On Display and battery optimization (the path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI). Here you will see the activation switch. Once turned on, a style library will open. You can choose classic watches, digital format, animated characters or even your own images with the cut out background.
Special attention should be paid to setting the AOD schedule. By default, the screen can burn constantly, which unnecessarily consumes charge. It is smarter to set the turn on only at certain times, for example, from 8:00 to 23:00, or activate the function "Raise to turn on", in the latter case, the screen only lights up when you pick up the phone in your hands or look at it.
Newer versions of the HyperOS shell allow you to create your own AOD styles using elements from photos. The system automatically detects the object in the photo (such as a pet or a person) and places the clock behind it, creating a depth effect, which makes the screensaver truly unique and integrated into your photo.
Installation of live wallpaper and video screensavers
Live wallpaper is animated backgrounds that respond to touch or just play a video sequence in a cyclical way. Unlike AOD, it works on the main screen and lock screen in an active state. Xiaomi smartphones have a pre-installed catalog of live wallpaper, but its content is often limited. Users often turn to third-party solutions to enhance their capabilities.
One of the most popular ways is to use the Video Live Wallpaper app or Google Play Store analogs, and it's simple: you download a short video (mp4, gif formats), open it in the wallpaper player app, and select the "Install as a live wallpaper" option, and the system processes the video and uses it as a background.
☑️ Checklist before installing video wallpaper
Remember, installing video on the screensaver has a significant impact on the autonomy of the device. The processor and graphics core are forced to constantly decode the video stream, which leads to heating and rapid discharge, so video screensavers are better used on devices with capacious batteries or only turn them on when the phone is connected to the charger.
There's also a method of installing video through a theme, so you can download a theme in the Themes app that contains a video background, apply it, and then leave only the Wallpaper component in the theme settings, removing the remaining changes (icons, fonts), which allows you to use complex animations optimized by the MIUI engine.
Working with the “Themes” application and third-party launchers
The Themes app is the central hub for Xiaomi customization, and you can find not just pictures, but entire design complexes that include unique lock screen screen screen savers with widgets, watches and weather. To change the screensaver through this app, go to the wallpaper or lock screen tab at the bottom of the interface.
There are thousands of free and paid options available in the catalog, many of which are interactive: when you click on the lock screen, additional elements can appear or animations can change. After you choose your favorite option, click "Download" and then "Apply" and the system will warn you that the wallpaper of the lock screen and possibly the home screen will be changed.
If built-in capabilities aren’t enough, you can install a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher.They let you flexibly configure the grid, icons and, of course, wallpaper. However, deep integration with Xiaomi’s lock screen in third-party launchers is often limited due to Android security policies, so you still have to use system techniques or Mi AOD for the lock screen.
⚠️ Warning: By downloading themes from unverified sources or third-party stores, you risk getting adware or viruses. Use only the official Topics app or proven resources.
The Themes app also has a Mix feature that allows you to combine elements from different topics, like taking a watch from one theme, a notification style from another, and a wallpaper from a third, which gives you almost limitless possibilities for creating unique design without deep programming knowledge.
Technical limitations and impact on the battery
When you're actively customizing the interface, it's important to understand the technical limitations of the device, because the display is one of the main consumers of power in a smartphone. AMOLED-screens make a large number of subpixels glow, which increases power consumption compared to dark themes.
Live wallpaper and constant AOD operation require periodic wake-up of the processor and use of the GPU. In standby mode, this can increase battery consumption by 5-15% per day depending on the brightness and complexity of the animation. For users who are worried about autonomy, static wallpaper in dark colors and disabled or time-limited AOD will be the best choice.
Below is a table comparing the impact of different types of screensavers on smartphone resources:
| Type of screensaver | Battery consumption | CPU/GPU loading | Memory requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static photo | Minimum | Absent. | Low (2-5 MB) |
| Mi AOD (static) | Low. | Minimum | Average. |
| Mi AOD (Animation) | Medium. | periodic | Average. |
| Live wallpaper (video) | High-pitched | Permanent. | High (10-50MB) |
Heat is also worth considering. With prolonged use of heavy live wallpaper combined with navigation or games, the phone can heat up faster, leading to trottling (decreased performance) to protect components. If you notice that the phone has become discharged faster after changing the screensaver, try going back to a static image.
Removing and resetting display settings
Sometimes, after updating the system or installing a new theme, errors can occur: the screensaver does not change, a black screen or image artifacts are displayed, in which case cleaning the cache of the Themes or Wallpaper application helps. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the desired application and select Clear cache.
What to do if the wallpaper setting is missing?
If the problem is that AOD is not turning on, check if the power saving mode is activated, which forcibly shuts down all background processes. Also make sure that the proximity sensor is not closed with a low-quality safety glass, as this can block the "Raise to Turn" function.
As a last resort, if changes to the system have led to unstable operation of the interface, you can reset all settings to factory (not to be confused with a complete data reset), this will return all system parameters, including screensavers, to the original state, but will save your personal files and applications.
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Expert advice: Always take a screenshot of the current configuration or remember the names of components before installing a new theme, which will help you quickly get it back if you don’t like the new design or feel uncomfortable.