How to install your wallpaper from the gallery on Xiaomi: all ways and life hacks

Xiaomi smartphones based on the shell MIUI They offer users a lot of personalization options, but it's not always obvious how to download your own wallpaper from the gallery. Many people face problems: the image is cropped, blurred or simply does not appear in the list of available backgrounds. This article will help you understand all the nuances - from the basic installation to solving typical errors.

We will look at the official methods for different versions. MIUI (including MIUI 14), We will also explain why some images are not suitable for wallpaper, POCO and flagship lines Xiaomi 12/13/14. If you want your smartphone to look unique, read on!

Unlike many competitors, Xiaomi doesn’t always intuitively tell you where to look for the option to load your wallpaper. UI or iOS, this process is as simplified as possible, while in MIUI The path may vary depending on the firmware version, and after updates, the interface often changes and the old instructions stop working. We tested all the current methods on devices in 2022-2026 and collected them in one guide.

It is important to understand that the wallpaper on the lock screen and the main screen in the MIUI They're set up separately, which is often a cause of confusion, and it automatically adjusts the images to the screen resolution, which can lead to distortion, and we'll show you how to avoid these problems and get the perfect result.

1. Standard method: through wallpaper settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in wallpaper change menu, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO s MIUI 12 and newer. Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1.Unlock the phone and make a long press in the free space of the main screen.

2.At the bottom of the screen will appear toolbar – select Wallpaper (or Themes on some models).

3. In the menu that opens, go to the My Wallpaper or Gallery tab (the name may vary).

4. Click Select from the gallery and find the desired image in the folders of the device.

If the item is not in the list, then your version MIUI It's using a different path. Try an alternative method:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).

2. Go to Wallpaper section. → My wallpaper.

3.Slip the icon. + or Add in the upper right corner.

4. Select the Gallery and indicate the path to the image.

On models POCO F4/F5 Xiaomi 13 Pro MIUI 14 The interface may look different, with horizontal swipes instead of tabs. If you can't find the right partition, try swiping the screen left/right in the wallpaper menu.

2.Why are the wallpaper not displayed in the gallery?

A common problem is that you pick an image and it doesn't appear on the wallpaper list, and the reasons can be different.

• 📏 Inappropriate permission. MIUI automatically filters images with the resolution below 720p. The optimal size is from 1080×1920 (full HD-screens 1440×3200 (flagship).
• 🖼️ The system supports only.jpg,.png and.webp..heic files (from iPhones) or.bmp files will not appear.
• 📁 File location: Images should be stored in internal memory or on a map SD, Not in the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 🔒 Access rights. If a file is uploaded via Telegram or messengers, it may be hidden from the system. DCIM or Pictures.

To check the image resolution:

1. Open the Gallery and find the file.

2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner → Details.

3. See the lines Resolution and Size.

If the resolution is too small, the image will stretch, which will lead to blurring, in which case it is better to find an alternative or edit the photo in applications like Snapseed or Lightroom.

💡

Use iLoveIMG to quickly change the resolution of your wallpaper. Select the option "Save proportions" and specify the width in pixels equal to the resolution of your display.

3. Alternative method: through file manager

If the standard method doesn't work, you can manually install wallpapers through Explorer, which is suitable for advanced users and requires precise follow-up.

1. Open the Files application (or any other file manager, such as Solid Explorer).

2. Go to the folder with the image (usually this one) DCIM, Pictures or Download).

3. Long press on file → Open with help → Wallpaper (or Themes).

4. In the window that opens, select where to apply the wallpaper: on the Main screen, Lock screen or both.

If Wallpaper is not in the Open with Help menu, the system will not recognize the file as suitable for the background image.

1. Copy the file into a folder MIUI/Wallpaper (Create it manually if it doesn’t exist).

2. Reset the device.

3. Try to set the wallpaper again through the standard menu.

On some firmware (e.g, MIUI EU Or custom builds, the path may be different. MIUI No, check availability. system/media/wallpapers — But access to it will require root rights.

4. Features for different Xiaomi models

The process of installing wallpaper can vary depending on the line of the device, and we have collected key nuances for the popular series:

On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO X3/X4) You may need to disable wallpaper optimization in the theme settings:

1. Open Topics → Settings (cog in the upper right corner).

2. disable the option Automatic wallpaper trimming (if any).

3. Try to reset the wallpaper.

On flagship models (Xiaomi) 13T Pro, Mix Fold 2) is available to use dynamic wallpaper, which varies with the time of day:

1. Set up static wallpaper through the gallery.

2.Go back to Wallpaper Settings → Dynamic effects.

3. Select the animation style (e.g., Smooth transition).

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On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or POCO F5 Pro) better use dark wallpaper – this will reduce power consumption and prolong the service life of the display.

5. Solving problems with blurring and pruning

One of the most common complaints users have is that the wallpaper gets blurred or improperly cropped. MIUI, They automatically adjust the image to the screen. Here's how to fix it:

Problem 1: Blurring during installation

Reason: low resolution of the original file or aggressive compression by the system.

Decision:

• 🔍 Use images with a resolution not lower than the native resolution of your screen. HD+ (1080×2400) fit 1440×3200.
• 📱 Turn off the Adaptive Blurr option in wallpaper settings (if available).
• 🖌️ Before installation, trim the image manually in any graphics editor, observing the proportions of the screen.

Problem 2: Wrong pruning

Reason: MIUI By default, center the image by cutting the edges.

Decision:

1.When selecting wallpaper in the preview menu, press the image with two fingers and move it manually.

2 If the option does not work, cut the photo in advance so that the main object is in the center.

3. Use apps like Wallpaper Set & Forget (available on the Play Market) for accurate fit.

Problem 3: Wallpaper shrinks when blocked

Reason: On the lock screen MIUI Applying additional blur for confidentiality.

Decision:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.

2. Turn off Wallpaper Blurring (or Privacy Effects) option.

3. If you do not have an option, install wallpapers through third-party apps (for example, WallpapersCraft).

Use the format PNG or JPG|Check the resolution (not lower than the native screen)|Cut off important elements in the center|Turn off blur in settings MIUI|Try installing through different methods (gallery/files/applications)

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Third-party applications for wallpaper installation

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities, which offer more customization options, including accurate cropping and support for animated wallpaper.

Top.-3 apps:

• 📱 WallpapersCraft – allows you to install wallpaper without cropping, supports Live Wallpapers.
• 🎨 Zedge – a large wallpaper base with the ability to upload your images.
• 🔧 Wallpaper Set & Forget – Accurate Positioning and Scaling Set.

To install wallpapers through WallpapersCraft:

1. Download and install the app from the Play Market.

2. Open it and select My Wallpaper → gallery.

3. Find the image you want and tap it.

4. In the installation menu, select Precise cropping and manually adjust the picture under the screen.

5. Click Apply and select where to install (main screen, lock or both).

For animated wallpapers (Live Wallpapers):

1. Download. GIF or video wallpaper (format.mp4) with a resolution multiple of your screen resolution.

2. Use the Video Live Wallpaper app to convert video to wallpaper.

3. Install them through the same application by selecting the option to Install as live wallpaper.

Note: Animated wallpaper significantly increases battery consumption, especially in the AMOLED-We recommend using them only when connecting to charging.

💡

Use Canva to create unique wallpapers. Choose a template for your smartphone, add text or graphics, and then export in format. PNG permittingly 2K.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even following the instructions, users often face unexpected problems, and we've collected some of the most common errors and ways to solve them:

Error 1: Wallpaper does not persist after rebooting

Reason: Themes app cache or Launcher crashes.

Decision:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.

2. Find Themes and Launcher (or POCO Launcher).

3. For each tap the Warehouse → Clear the cache.

4. Reboot the device and install the wallpaper again.

Mistake 2: Black screen after changing wallpaper

Reason: conflict with energy saving settings or launcher.

Decision:

1. Hold the power button for 10 seconds for a forced reboot.

2. After activation, go to Settings → Battery → Power saving mode and turn it off.

3.If the problem recurs, reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Reset.

Error 3: Wallpaper only appears on the home screen

Reason: In MIUI Wallpaper settings for the main screen and lock are divided.

Decision:

1. Return to the wallpaper change menu.

2. At the bottom of the screen, select the Lock Screen tab (or swipe left).

3. Repeat the process of installing wallpaper specifically for locking.

Error 4: Impossible to establish GIF wallpaper

Reason: There is no support for Live Wallpapers in your version MIUI or firmware.

Decision:

1. Check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone. Live Wallpapers require MIUI 12.5 or newer.

2. If the version is suitable, install a third-party launcher (such as Nova Launcher) and use it to install animated wallpaper.

3. Custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) may require manual installation APK-LiveWallpapersPicker file.

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If you lose your app icons or widgets after changing the wallpaper, don't panic! Just restart the launcher: hold your finger free space on the screen. → Screen settings → Reset.

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be the firmware itself, which can be done by resetting the settings to factory (remember to back up!) or flashing it to a more recent version. MIUI.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions