How to set up wallpaper on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Personalizing the look of a smartphone is the first thing that many users start with after buying a new device. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO gadgets get at their disposal a powerful shell MIUI or the latest HyperOS, which offer tremendous opportunities for customizing the interface. Changing the standard desktop image or lock screen allows you not only to stand out, but also to make interaction with the gadget more enjoyable and convenient.

The process of replacing the background may seem trivial, but there are many hidden nuances in the Chinese manufacturer’s ecosystem that not everyone knows about. From choosing the right resolution to using live wallpaper with a parallax effect, all these details affect the final visual experience. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways that will help you customize wallpaper on Xiaomi without losing quality and performance of the system.

Standard Personalization In MIUI and HyperOS

Starting with basic functionality that is available out of the box to anyone. Android, in conjunction with its proprietary shell, offers several ways to change the graphics. The simplest method involves using the built-in Themes app, which is the central hub for all visual content, and here you will find not only the finished packages, but also the ability to upload your images.

For those who prefer minimalism and speed, there is an alternative way through the settings menu, which allows you to quickly switch to one of the preset pictures or select a photo from the gallery without unnecessary animations and transitions. It is important to understand the difference between the lock screen and the desktop: the system allows you to set different images for each of these states, which gives more flexibility in setting.

⚠️ Note: When installing heavy images in high resolution (4K and above) on budget models of smartphones may be observed a slight decrease in the speed of scrolling desktops.

Using standard tools ensures full compatibility with the interface. You can be sure that the application icons will be read against the background, and the watch widgets will not merge with the image. The system automatically prompts you to fraternize the picture or apply blur effects to keep the interface elements readable. This is especially true for models with a cutout in the screen or a dynamic island.

Step-by-step: installation of images from the gallery

If you already have a favorite photo or downloaded image, the installation process will take only a few seconds. The algorithm is the same for most versions of firmware, whether it is the old MIUI 12 or the current HyperOS.

Once you select an image, the system will ask you to adjust the display area. You can move your finger to select the best shot, or zoom in. If you want the image to look a certain way on the lock screen, make sure that important details are not overlapped by the time widget. For the desktop, it is important that the center part is free for icons.

While the system supports most popular formats such as JPG and PNG, for best quality, it is recommended to use source codes without strong compression. Transparency images (PNG) can behave differently depending on the shell version, so always check the result before final confirmation.

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Use 9:16 or 19.5:9 aspect ratio images to fill the entire screen without black bars or distortion.

Using the “Themes” app to search for content

The theme store is the heart of visual customization in Xiaomi devices, with millions of design choices created by both official designers and independent authors, and it's not enough to just scroll through the Recommended Feed to find something unique. You need to search for keywords like "Abstraction," "Nature," "Techno" or "Minimalism."

Inside the Themes app, there's a separate section dedicated exclusively to wallpaper, which is divided into lock screen and desktop categories, which is convenient because it allows you to find specific content, like a static dark image to save energy on your desktop and dynamic video for the lock screen, and uploads content through your Mi Account account, which allows you to synchronize your favorites between devices.

It’s worth noting that some themes may contain ads or require watching videos to unlock premium content.However, most basic features, including installing your own images via the Profile -> Wallpaper button, remain free. Regularly update the Themes app via GetApps or Google Play to access new features and security patches.

Live wallpaper and video backgrounds: features of settings

Live Wallpapers make a smartphone screen a dynamic scene, and unlike static images, they respond to touch, tilt, or simply play looped video. MIUI and HyperOS have video wallpapers that can be installed on both the home screen and lock screen, although the latter is more common due to optimizing power consumption.

To install video wallpapers, you will need an MP4 or GIF file (although GIFs often work unstable). The best result is when you use short video clips up to 15 seconds with a bitrate of no more than 5-10 Mbps. Heavy files can cause delays when unlocking the device. The installation process is similar to static pictures: select video in the gallery, click “More” and select “Install as video wallpaper”.

⚠️ Attention: Continuous use of video wallpaper on the lock screen can increase battery consumption on the screen. 10-15% day-to-day, especially on models with AMOLED-high-frequency screen.

There is also a category of "Super Wallpapers," which are complex interactive scenes that can change the time of day depending on real time or respond to a gyroscope with high detail. Such wallpapers require significant GPU and RAM resources. On older smartphones, their use can lead to slowing down the interface, so it is recommended to test their performance beforehand.

The “Wallpaper Carousel” function for continuous updating

One of the most useful features for diversity enthusiasts is the Wallpaper Carousel, which allows you to automatically change the image on the lock screen every time you turn on the screen. You no longer have to manually search and install new images - the system will do it for you by uploading content from your chosen category (nature, architecture, art) over the Internet.

You can set up the carousel in the Settings menu -> Always on screen and lock screen -> Wallpaper carousel. Here you can choose the frequency of the update, subscribe to specific collections and even allow advertising content from partners to be displayed in exchange for premium themes. This is a great way to keep the interface fresh and relevant without undue effort.

It’s important to note that the carousel only works on the lock screen, while the desktop remains static, which ensures the stability of widgets and icons. If you want to change the main wallpaper, you will have to use third-party automatic applications, since the standard functionality of Xiaomi does not provide this.

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The wallpaper carousel is the perfect balance between variety and performance, as it changes only the static background of the lock without loading the processor with animation.

Optimization and Elimination (FAQ)

Even with the right setup, users can face certain problems: poor picture quality, blurring or quick discharge. Often the reason lies in aggressive compression of images by the system or incorrectly selected resolution. For displays with high pixel density (ppi), standard images from social networks can look grainy.

To avoid problems, always try to use the source image files. If you take pictures from the Internet, look for options marked "Wallpaper 4K" or "HD." It is also worth checking the energy saving settings: in "Energy Saving" mode, the system can force the wallpaper to turn off or reduce its quality to extend the running time.