How to set up a desktop on Xiaomi Redmi: from wallpaper to hidden MIUI features

Why is Desktop Setting Important for Redmi?

The desktop on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is not just a background with icons, but a central element of interaction with the device. Proper setting saves time, improves ergonomics and even extends battery life. For example, competent placement of widgets reduces the number of transitions to the menu, and dark wallpaper on the menu. AMOLED-screens (like Redmi's) K70 Note 13 Pro+) Reduce energy consumption by 10-15%.

The MIUI shell (up to date 14/15) offers dozens of hidden options that are not obvious at first glance. From changing the application grid to creating gesture folders, the possibilities are limited only to your imagination. But there is a caveat: some features depend on the model and regional firmware. For example, the global version of MIUI may not have the option "Super Wallpaper" available in the Chinese build.

In this article, we’ll look at not only the basic settings (wallpaper, icons) but also the advanced tricks of removing ads from the desktop, configuring transition animations, or even replacing the standard launcher with an alternative one. All instructions are tested on the Redmi Note 12 Pro, Redmi 10C and POCO X5 Pro with the latest updates.

1. Basic setting: wallpaper, grid and icons

To change the wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi, make a long press on the free desktop and select Wallpaper. There are three sections for you:

• 🖼️ Standard wallpaper – static images from Xiaomi (there is a category “Dark” for the user). AMOLED-screen).
• 🌌 Super wallpaper - animated 3D-backgrounds (not available on all models, require MIUI 12+).
• 📁 My wallpaper - images you uploaded (optimum resolution — 1080×2400 for most of the Redmi).

For wallpaper with paralax effect (shift when tilting the phone), select any background from the section "Super wallpaper" and activate the option "Deep effect". On models with a 120 Hz screen (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the animation will be smoother.

To change the grid size (number of icons on the screen), again make a long press → "Home screen settings" → "Grid size". There are options from 4×5 to 5×6. For small screens (Redmi 10A), we recommend 4×5, for large screens (Redmi K60 Ultra) - 5×6.

⚠️ Attention: When you change the grid size, the icons will automatically mix. If you have a strict application organization, first take a screenshot of the desktop (click Power). + Turning down the volume).

2. Widgets: which to choose and how to configure

Widgets on Xiaomi Redmi are divided into two types: system (weather, calendar, notes) and third-party applications (Google Keep, Spotify). To add a widget, make a long press on the desktop → "Widgets". There are a few nuances here:

• 🌡️ The Weather widget is updated every 3 hours. Press it twice for instant updates.
• 📅 The Calendar widget supports synchronization with Google Account, but only if the option “Sync Calendarization” is enabled in the settings (Settings). → Accounts. → Google).
• 🎵 The Music widget only works with the standard Mi Music player. Spotify or YouTube Music will have to install third-party widgets (for example, Musicolet).

On models with MIUI 15, you can create dynamic widgets that change size depending on the content. For example, the Notes widget can stretch if the text does not fit in one line. To activate this feature, when you add a widget, press it and pull it around the corners.

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If the weather widget shows the wrong temperature, check the location settings: Settings → Privacy → Permits → Location → Weather. Often the problem is solved by switching from “Only during use” to “Always”.

For minimalist fans, there's a hidden feature: you can remove the widget name. To do this, after adding the widget, click on it → Edit → uncheck "Show the title." It doesn't work for all widgets (for example, it doesn't work for Device Shortcuts in the Mi Home ecosystem).

3. Hidden MIUI functions: gestures and animations

The MIUI shell hides some useful things that you don't see in the basic settings, and one of them is desktop gestures, to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Gestures.
2. Select "Home Screen Gestures."
3. Activate options: “Swipe down for search” – call the search bar Google. “Swipe up for applet” – quick access to Google Assistant or Mi AI. “Double touch to lock” – convenient for screens with a cutout.

Another hidden option is to adjust the transition animations, and in MIUI 14/15 you can change the speed and style of the animations:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
3. Find the items: "Scale of window animation" - is responsible for the speed of opening applications. "Scale of transition animation" - the speed of switching between screens. "Duration of animator" - the smoothness of system animations.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling animations (Scale) = 0 speeds up the interface, but can cause artifacts when scrolling on weak models (Redmi) 9A, Redmi 10 Test gradually, lowering the value to 0.5x.

4. Alternative launchers: when the standard does not suit

If you don't like the standard MIUI launcher (for example, due to advertising or limited customization), it can be replaced.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher — flexible gesture settings, icon pack support, no ads. minus: plugins (like Nova Google Companion) require separate installation.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – Open source, Android support 13/14, Built-in search by application. Suitable for weak Redmi (Redmi) 8A, Redmi 9C).
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher - Windows integration, wallpaper and document synchronization, useful if you have a Windows 11 PC.

To install an alternative launcher:

1. Download APK from the official website (for example, Nova Launcher) or from Google Play

2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher

3. Click "Clear Data" (to reset the settings of the standard launcher)

4. Run the downloaded launcher and select it as "Default"

5.Reboot the phone to apply the changes

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Important: On some Redmi models (especially with Chinese firmware), system applications (such as Phone or Messages) may not open from an alternative launcher. Solution: In the launcher settings, enable the "Show System Applications" option or use the Activity Launcher plugin to manually select activity.

If MIUI widgets (such as weather or pedometer) are missing after installing an alternative launcher, don’t panic – that’s okay. Most Xiaomi system widgets only work with a standard launcher. Use widgets from Google or third-party developers (such as Chronus for weather and time) as a replacement.

5. Optimizing the desktop for productivity

A congested desktop not only interferes with, but also slows down the phone, especially on budget Redmis (Redmi A2, Redmi 10C) with 3-4 GB of RAM. Here’s how to optimize:

• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary widgets. Every widget (especially the weather or social networks) consumes RAM. Leave only those you use daily.
• 📂 Group applications into folders, like all messengers into one folder, games into another, which reduces the number of swipes you search for.
• 🔄 Turn off animations (as described in Section 3) or reduce their duration to 0.5x.
• 🖼️ Use static wallpaper. Live wallpaper and Super Wallpaper consume up to 5-10% of battery power per day.
• 🔧 Turn off the recommendations MIUI: Settings → Home screen → Turn off "Recommendations" and "App Vault".
• On the second device, log in to the same Mi Account and enable synchronization.

To sync with Windows-PC, use the Mi Phone Manager app (download from the official website).

• 🖼️ Transfer wallpaper between Redmi and PC.
• 📎 Manage files on the desktop through Windows Explorer.
• 🔄 Synchronize clipboard (copy text on the phone and paste on the PC).

⚠️ Note: When synced via Mi Cloud, wallpaper and desktop settings can take up to 500MB in the cloud.If you have a free rate (5GB), keep an eye out for free space in Settings → Mi Account → Cloud. → Warehouse.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up a desktop