Personalizing the look of a smartphone is the first thing that many users start with when they buy a new device. The MIUI shell and its successor HyperOS provide a lot of opportunities to change the visual style, making the interface unique for each owner. Standard images are often boring, and you want to put your own photo or download a thematic picture from the Internet.
The process of replacing a desktop or lock screen may seem trivial, but Xiaomi’s ecosystem has its own nuances that not everyone knows about: You can use embedded themes, download files from a gallery, or even install dynamic images that respond to the system’s actions.
In this guide, we will look at all the ways to change the visual design available, and we will look at working with standard tools, installing third-party apps, and solving the typical problems that users face when trying to change the wallpaper on their gadgets.
Use of the built-in design theme
The easiest and most reliable way to change the visual environment is to use the Themes system app, which is pre-installed on all smartphones of the brand and provides access to a huge database of content tested for compatibility with a particular device model, and you can find both high-resolution static images and complex animated scenes.
To access the catalog, you need to open the app and go to the wallpaper tab below. The system will offer several categories, from landscapes and abstractions to images with characters from popular films. MIUI Themes automatically adapts the selected image to your screen resolution, cutting the extra edges or zooming the picture without loss of quality.
When you select a particular image, the system will suggest applying it to either the home screen or the lock screen, or both, which gives you flexibility in setting up: you can leave the screen lock as standard with widgets, and on the desktop place a bright photo. Once you click the "Apply" button, the changes take effect instantly.
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Use keyword search in the Themes app to find wallpaper specific to your model, such as the “Redmi Note 12”, which ensures perfect matching with the cutouts under the camera.
Installation of image from the gallery
Often, users want to see personal photos, pictures of children, pets or moments captured during the journey on the lock screen. You don't need to look for special applications, a standard gallery is enough. The algorithm of actions is simple, but has several hidden settings to improve the result.
Open the image you want in the Gallery app and click on the three dots in the lower right corner (or the "More" button). In the drop-down menu, select "Install as wallpaper." The system will suggest setting up the framing area, as the proportions of the photo may not match the proportions of the display.
- 🖼️ Lock screen: the image will be static or dynamic (if the Wallpaper Carousel feature is enabled) on the screen of the phone turned off.
- 🏠 Desktop: the picture is placed behind application icons and widgets.
- 🔄 Both screens: the same image is used everywhere to create a single style.
It is important to note that when you install a photo on your desktop, some of the image on the top and bottom can be hidden by icons. MIUI has a feature called "Wallpaper Increase", which allows you to slightly remove the picture when you scroll through the pages, creating a depth effect. If the photo is too dark, the built-in editor will suggest adding a filter or brightness before installing.
☑️ Criteria for the ideal photo for wallpaper
Setting up the wallpaper carousel
A unique feature of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is the “Wallpaper Carousel” feature, which allows you to automatically change images on the lock screen every time you turn on the screen, which makes the smartphone a constant source of new visual experiences without the necessary intervention.
To activate this feature, go to the lock screen settings or open the Themes app -> profile -> carousel settings. Here you can select interest categories: nature, cities, art, celebrities or sports. The system will upload new images over the Internet when you have a connection.
⚠️ Warning: Wallpaper carousel consumes mobile traffic. Make sure that the settings indicate an update only via Wi-Fi if you have a limited Internet bundle.
In addition, the carousel can display news notifications and advertising blocks from partners, which can be turned off in the same settings, leaving only clean images. For users who appreciate minimalism, it is possible to create their own collections in the cloud and sync them with the carousel, so that only the photos you choose appear on the block.
Live wallpaper and video backgrounds
Owners of devices with AMOLED-And the screens will especially appreciate the live wallpaper, which is not just animated, but can also respond to touch, to the tilt of the device, or to the time of day. Unlike static pictures, they bring the interface to life, making it more interactive and modern.
The theme store has a separate section called "Video wallpaper" or "Live" that is important to keep in mind when installing them. Although modern processors are effective at rendering, complex animations can slightly increase battery consumption compared to static.
| Wallpaper type | Battery consumption | CPU booting | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static (JPG/PNG) | Minimum | Absent. | For maximum autonomy |
| Live (Systemic) | Low. | Low. | Optimal balance |
| Video wallpaper (MP4) | Medium/High | Medium. | For powerful devices |
There are also third-party apps like Video Live Wallpaper that let you set any video from your gallery as a background, but be careful: unoptimized video files can cause the device to heat up and lag when unlocked.
How do you create your own live wallpaper?
Super wallpaper in HyperOS and MIUI 13/14
With the release of new versions of the firmware, the Super Wallpaper feature is introduced, which is not just a picture, but a complex scene that changes depending on the time the notification curtain is opened or the phone is locked, and when you unlock, background elements can smoothly shift, creating a sense of three-dimensional space.
You can find them in the standard choice of wallpaper, they are marked with a special icon or are in a separate tab. Super wallpaper is often timed to the release of new flagship models and contain design elements specific to a particular device, such as the textures of the rear cover Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Mix Fold.
The feature of this wallpaper is adaptive: it can change color depending on the chosen accents in the "Colors and Textures" menu (a feature of Material You, which came from Android 12/13/14), which allows you to harmoniously fit the background into the overall style of the interface, choosing the color of widgets and buttons under the dominant shade of the picture.
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Super wallpapers are heavy graphics files, and their use is not recommended on budget devices with less than 4 GB of RAM, as this can slow down the interface.
Solving Typical Problems and Errors
Despite the simplicity of the process, users sometimes face difficulties, the picture may stretch, blacken or not apply at all, most often the problem lies in the file format or application access rights to memory.
If the image looks blurry, check its resolution. Modern screens require a minimum of 1080x2400 pixels. If the picture is cropped incorrectly, use the built-in crop when installing, manually shifting the selection frame. Also make sure that the phone has enough free memory to caching new graphics elements.
- 📉 Low brightness: some AMOLED-The screens darken static elements to protect against burnout.
- 🔒 Application Error: Check if the topic change restriction is worth the Guest or Parental Controls.
- 📂 File format: use standard formats JPG or PNG. Formats HEIC (iPhones may not be supported without conversion.
⚠️ Note: When downloading wallpaper from unverified sources, avoid files with the extension.apk or.exe. Wallpaper must be in image format (.jpg,.png,.webp).Installation of executable files under the guise of wallpaper can lead to infection of the device with a virus.