Setup lock screen on Xiaomi: from wallpaper to security

The lock screen on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a barrier to your data, but a full-fledged information hub. It displays notifications, quick actions, time and even weather or music widgets, but not everyone knows that this screen can be flexibly customized to their needs, from changing wallpaper to adding additional controls.

In this article, we will analyze all available options, from basic to hidden MIUI functions. You will learn how to change the display style, add a signature to the screen, customize unlock animations and even create a unique template for different situations (for example, work and home modes).

All instructions are valid for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones based on MIUI 12/13/14 (including HyperOS).If you have an older version of the firmware, some menu items may differ - we will warn you about this separately.

1. Basic settings: change of wallpaper and watch style

So, to start with, the simplest thing is to change the look. MIUI has a built-in wallpaper gallery, but you can use any image from your phone's memory to change the background.

1. Press the empty space on the lock screen.
2. Slip the Wallpaper icon (or select Settings → Lock Screen → Wallpaper).
3. Select a category: 🌄 Dynamic wallpaper – animated backgrounds (e.g. weather effects). 📸 My wallpaper is gallery images. 🎨 Topics - Wallpaper from official themes MIUI (requires an internet connection).

"Apply"

Lock screen only.

Both screens.

If you want the wallpaper to change automatically, turn on the option Automatic wallpaper change in the same menu. The system will select backgrounds from the selected category once a day or at each unlock (configures).

Now, the clock, there are several different time-reflection styles available in MIUI:

Select style (analog/digital) | Change color and font |Add seconds or date |Tune background transparency-->

To change the style:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Watch style.
2. Scroll through the list and select your favorite option (e.g. Minimalist or Neon).
3. Slip on “Setting up” to change color, font, or add additional elements (such as date or weather).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 Redmi Note 12: Watch styles may vary depending on the theme chosen. MIUI. If the desired option is not displayed, try changing the theme to the standard one.

2. Widgets and Quick Actions: What You Can Add

The lock screen in MIUI supports widgets, small information blocks that are displayed when swiping to the right. By default, it can be weather, calendar or player, but you can add other elements.

To customize the widgets:

1. Unlock your phone and swipe to the right on the home screen.
2. Scroll down and click "Edit".
3. Hold the widget with your finger to move it, or tap on the "+" to add a new one.

In addition to widgets, you can set up fast actions on the lock screen, like swipes to launch applications, for example, swipes up can open a flashlight, and swipes left can open a camera, to change these gestures:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Quick action.
2. Select the direction of the swipe and assign it an application or function.

💡

If you have a Xiaomi 13 Pro or newer, try swiping down the Google Assistant launch – this will speed up voice search.

3.Security: Unlocking methods and their reliability

Security of the lock screen is critical to protecting your data, and there are several unlocking methods available in MIUI, and their reliability is very different.

To change the method of unlocking:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Screen Lock.
2. Enter the current password (if installed).
3. Choose a new method and follow the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and newer, when changing the unlock method, the system may require you to enter a password from your Xiaomi account.This is an additional security measure - do not miss this step, otherwise when resetting the settings, the phone will require the old password!

On Xiaomi models 12T and POCO F4 GT There's a hidden privacy mode feature for the lock screen: when it's activated, notifications hide the content (only the name of the application is shown). → Notifications → Confidentiality of notices.

4 Additional Features: Signature, Animation, Always On Display

MIUI offers several “chips” that make the lock screen more personalized, one of which is the owner’s signature, which is the text that appears at the bottom of the screen (like your phone number or email in case your device is lost).

To add a caption:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Signature.
2. Enter the text (up to 30 characters).
3. Set up the font, color and position.

Another useful feature is Always On Display (AOD), which shows the time, date and notifications even when the screen is off. Activates in Settings → Lock screen → Always On Display.

• 🔋 Battery consumption: by AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) AOD consumer ~1% in an hour. LCD-displays (e.g. Redmi 10) consumption higher.
• ⏱️ Schedule: You can only set up the display at certain hours (for example, from 8:00 to 22:00).
• 🎨 Styles: Animations, digital and analog watches available.

If you don’t like the standard unlock animation, you can change it too:

1. Install a third-party theme from the Mi Theme Store (for example, search for “unlock animation”).
2. Or use apps like Lock Screen Customizer (requires root rights on some devices).

5. Set up notifications on the lock screen

Notifications on the lock screen are convenient, but sometimes they can be insecure. For example, if the text of messages is displayed on the screen, anyone can read them. MIUI has flexible privacy settings.

To manage notifications:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications → On the lock screen.
2. Choose one of the modes: 🔓 Show everything – the text and the sender are displayed. 🔒 Hide content – only the name of the application is shown. 🚫 Not to show – notifications are completely hidden.

Telegram

WhatsApp

Notification settings for applications

If you have MIUI 14 or younger, there is an option called Sensitive Content, which automatically hides notifications from messengers when activated if they contain keywords (such as password, code, bank).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) when the "Do Not Show Notification" mode is enabled, the weather or music widgets may not work. If they are missing, check your privacy settings.

6. Reset the lock screen settings to factory

If you've been experimenting with settings and you want to get it back to the way it was, you can reset it. It doesn't affect the data on the phone, it just returns the standard lock screen settings.

To reset the settings:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset Settings.
3. Confirm the action.
4. 🔧 Update MIUI — In new versions of firmware often fix lock screen bugs.

💡

If after updating MIUI lock screen began to slow down, try to disable animations in Settings → Special features → Delete animations.

7. Hidden functions: modes for different situations

MIUI has a little-known feature called Lock Screen Profiles, which allows you to create different templates for work days, weekends or travel, such as calendar and mail in working mode, and weather and music in home mode.

To set up profiles:

1. Install the Mi Lock Screen app from the Mi App Store (not available on Google Play).
2. Open the app and select “Profiles”.
3. Create a new profile (like “Work”) and set up: Wallpaper, Widgets, Watch Style, Notifications (which apps to show).

Activate the profile manually or set up automatic switching on schedule/geolocation.

Another useful feature is the Double Lock Screen, which allows you to create a second screen with separate settings (for example, for a second user). Enables in Settings → Lock Screen → Double Lock Screen. Once you activate the swipe left on the lock screen, the second screen will open.

Some models (such as the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2) have a unique feature called “Side Lock Screen” that allows you to interact with notifications and widgets without unlocking the phone completely – just swipe to the right on the screen turned off.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up the lock screen