How to remove wallpaper from the lock screen Xiaomi: the complete guide 2026

The lock screen on Xiaomi smartphones is the first thing you see when you turn on the device. By default, the system automatically sets wallpaper from the gallery or offers themed images from MIUI that do not always match your preferences. It is especially annoying when the background on the lock is different from the desktop, creating a visual imbalance. Fortunately, the manufacturer has envisaged several ways to disable or change these wallpapers - from standard settings to hidden features for power users.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of removing wallpaper from the lock screen for Xiaomi, Redmi, Poco and Black Shark devices based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS. You will learn how to completely remove the background, make it monochromatic, synchronize with the desktop or even set your own image without automatically applied effects.

Why does Xiaomi automatically change the wallpaper on the lock?

The manufacturer has integrated the theme function into MIUI, which automatically selects wallpaper for the lock screen based on:

• 🔄 Current Design Theme – If you have installed a third-party theme from the Mi Themes store, it can override the blocking background.
• 📅 Seasonal updates — MIUI periodically offers themed wallpapers (for example, for New Year or Valentine's Day).
• 🤖 Personalization algorithm – the system analyzes the frequently used colors in your photos and selects the “appropriate” pictures.
• 📱 Super Wallpaper features – dynamic background images that change when you scroll through your desktop (available on Xiaomi flagships) 11/12/13 series).

Also, some models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro or Poco F3) have activated the Recommended Wallpaper option, which downloads images from the Xiaomi cloud without your consent. This is not only annoying, but also wastes traffic. Fortunately, all these settings can be turned off - more on that.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use built-in personalization tools, which is suitable for most devices on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS (including Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13 Lite, Poco X5 Pro, etc.).

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the Wallpaper section → Lock screen.
3. At the top of the screen, tap the icon. ⚙️ Settings (or More).
4. Turn off the sliders: 🔄 Automatic wallpaper change ☁️ Recommended wallpaper (if any) 🎨 Paralax Effects (for Dynamic Backgrounds)

monochromatic

My wallpaper.

If your MIUI version does not have a Lock Screen option in the Wallpaper section, try an alternative path:

1. Hold your finger on an empty space on your desk. → Wallpaper.
2. At the bottom of the screen, select the Lock tab.
3. Slip on the current background and hold 2 seconds → a menu will appear with the option Remove or Reset.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra) after turning off the automatic wallpaper, the Always Show Wallpaper setting may reset. To return it, go to Settings → Display. → Lock screen → Additionally.

Method 2: Synchronize desktop wallpaper and lock

If you're annoyed by the discrepancy between the backgrounds on your desktop and lock screen, you can tie them together, and this method works on all devices with MIUI 13+ and HyperOS:

1. Open the settings → Display → Wallpaper.
2. Select an image for your desktop.
3. At the bottom of the screen will appear the option Apply to the lock screen – activate it.
4. If you don’t have an option, tap the icon. ⋮ (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Sync Wallpaper.

For MIUI 12 devices (e.g., Redmi 9 or Poco M3), the path is different:

1. Hold your finger on the desktop → Wallpaper.
2. Select the image and click Apply.
3. In the window that appears, tick the lock screen.

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If the lock wallpaper looks blurry after synchronization, try cutting the original image manually in any graphics editor (such as Snapseed or Lightroom) to a resolution of 1080×2340 pixels (for most Xiaomi smartphones).

Method 3: Using hidden settings (for experienced)

If standard methods don't work, you can use hidden MIUI features that don't appear in the main menu, which is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader or root rights, but some commands work without them.

First, try activating the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until you become a developer!
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate the debugging option via USB.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher.
2. Download the Nova Lockscreen plugin (root required).
3. In the plugin settings, select Disable Wallpaper for the lock screen.
4. Reset the device.

For devices without root rights, Smart Launcher 6 is suitable:

1. Set the launcher and open its settings.
2. Go to the Lock Screen → Background.
3. Choose a solid color or upload your image.
4. Activate the option to Apply to all screens.

💡

Third-party launchers may conflict with MIUI system services, especially on HyperOS devices. Before installation, disable battery optimization for the launcher in Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun.

Method 5: Reset theme settings (last resort)

If none of these things worked, and the wallpaper on the lock continues to change on its own, maybe the theme settings have gone wrong.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Themes app and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

After the reboot:

• 🔄 The locks will be dropped to standard.
• ☁️ Cloud recommendations will be shut down.
• 🎨 Disappeared user settings of color schemes.

⚠️ Warning: This method will also reset all the themes and widgets you installed. If you used premium themes from Mi Themes, you'll have to download them again. On HyperOS devices, resetting themes can temporarily lose the functionality of weather widgets and calendars.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you change the wallpaper on the lock screen, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If you are facing a unique problem not described in the table, check:

• 📱 Device model – some features are not available on budget models (e.g. Redmi) A1 POCO C31).
• 🔄 Firmware region - in global versions MIUI More restrictions than in China.
• 🔒 Security Policy – Changes to Wallpaper May Be Blocked on Corporate Devices.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions