How to change the lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi 4: official and informal methods

Xiaomi Redmi 4 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, which is still actively used due to its reliability and functionality. MIUI It can be boring: boring backgrounds, limited widgets and no customization. Fortunately, there are several ways to change it, from official settings to installing alternative launchers.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of changing the lock screen on Redmi 4 (including Redmi models). 4X, Redmi 4A, Redmi 4 Prime, considering the features of firmware MIUI 8-14. You'll learn how to:

• 🔧 Set up a lock through standard themes MIUI
• 🎨 Install a custom screen using third-party applications
• ⚙️ Change the unlock animation and widgets
• 🔓 Bypass the restrictions on some firmware versions

All of these methods are tested on real devices and don't require root rights (except in one advanced way). If you want to change the wallpaper, you want to completely transform the way you interact with your phone, read on.

Method: Standard topics MIUI

The easiest and safest method is to use a built-in themes gallery. MIUI. It's good for all firmware versions and doesn't require any extra apps. Here's how it works:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the Lock screen section in the lower menu.
3. Choose your favorite theme from the collection. Pay attention to the notes: 🌟 Popular – Topics with High Rating 🆕 New — recently added options 🎁 Free – without a paid subscription

Apply

Some themes allow you to customize:

• 🖼️ Background image (static or animated)
• ⏰ Watch style (analog, digital, minimalistic)
• 📱 Location of widgets (weather, notifications, shortcuts)

💡

If the lock screen has not changed after applying the theme, restart your phone or clear the theme app cache in the settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Clear the cache).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all themes support Redmi 4 because of the outdated version MIUI (especially on the Redmi 4A 1GB of RAM).
• ❌ Some topics require a paid subscription MIUI Premium (from 199 rubles / month).
• ❌ No possibility of fine-tuning (for example, changing the font or swipe animation).

2. Method: third-party launchers with custom lock

If there are few built-in themes, you can install an alternative launcher that supports custom lock screens.The best options for Redmi 4:

We recommend Smart Launcher 6 for Redmi 4, as it is optimized for weak devices and offers:

• 🎨 Dynamic wallpaper (changes depending on the time of day)
• 🔒 Customizable gestures (e.g. double touch for camera)
• 📱 Widgets on the lock screen (weather, calendar, music)

How to determine:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play.
2. Open the app and follow the setup wizard.
3. In the Settings section → Lock screen select style.
4. Assign the default launcher to Settings → Apps → By default.

Clear the cache of the standard launcher MIUI|

Make a backup copy of wallpaper and widgets|

Check the vacant space (minimum 200 MB) |

Disable battery optimization for launcher-->

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4A 1GB of RAM: Some launchers may brake. Check the reviews about compatibility with your model before installing.

3. Method: Applications for customization of blocking

If you only need to change the lock screen without touching your desktop, use specialized apps.The best options for Xiaomi Redmi 4:

• 🔐 LockScreen Widgets – Adds widgets to the standard screen
• 🎨 Hi Locker – Animated themes and password gestures
• 🖥️ C Locker – Minimalist design with customizable elements
• 🌈 Next Lock Screen – Microsoft with Office Integration

Hi Locker step-by-step installation (recommended for Redmi 4):

1. Download Hi Locker from Google Play.
2. Launch the application and provide permissions (access to notifications, camera).
3. In the Topics section, select design. Popular: 🌌 AMOLED Black - saves battery life 🕒 Minimal Clock – Only clock and date 📱 iOS Style - imitation of the lock iPhone

Settings → Lockdown and protection → Lock screen → Hi Locker

Important: MIUI 12+ Before activating Hi Locker, you must disable the function "Protection" MIUI" In Settings → Special facilities → Protection MIUI, Otherwise, the application will not be able to intercept the lock screen.

4. Method: manual replacement of system files (for advanced)

This method is only suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and root rights, and allows you to completely replace the lock screen, but requires caution.

What you need:

• 📱 Redmi 4 with unlocked bootloader

Instructions:

1. Download custom lockscreen.apk (forum XDA Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/lockscreen.apk /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI/ chmod 644 /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI/lockscreen.apk reboot
3. After the reboot, the lock screen will change.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect replacement of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).Before experimenting, create a full backup through TWRP Check the compatibility of the files with your version MIUI (for example, MIUI 11 for Redmi 4X is not compatible with files from MIUI 14).

Alternatively, use the Magisk modules:

• 🔹 MiuiLockscreen – changes the design without replacing system files
• 🔹 Lockscreen Mods – adds animations and gestures

💡

If after replacing the system files, the phone stopped booting, log in to Fastboot (press Power). + Vol Down and run the command fastboot flash system system.img, Pre-download the original firmware for your model.

5. Set up widgets and notifications on the lock screen

Even if you don’t change the lock design, you can improve its functionality by adding widgets and setting up notifications. The following options are available on Redmi 4:

How to add widgets:

1. Open the Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select Widgets and activate the desired ones: 📅 Calendar - events for the day 🌡️ Weather - current temperature 🎵 Music - Player control 📞 Quick contacts – calls to one tap

Set up the display order by dragging elements.

Configuring notifications:

• 🔔 Style of notifications: in Settings → Notifications → Lock screen select: Show content - full text messages Hide content - only app icons Disable - no notifications
• 🔕 Exceptions: Add apps whose notifications will always show (like WhatsApp or Telegram).

On Redmi 4s. MIUI 10+ Double Touch for Sleep is available – turn it on in Settings → Lock screen → Additionally, to quickly lock the phone with two taps on the screen.

6. Solving Lock Screen Problems

Sometimes, after a change, the lock screen doesn't work properly. Let's look at the typical problems and their solutions:

If after installing a third-party launcher or locking app, the phone starts to overheat or discharge quickly, check:

• 🔋 Battery consumption in Settings → Battery → Use of the.
• 📊 Background activity of the application in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 🗑️ Cache and data – clear them for a problem app.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4 firmware MIUI Global Stable: Some custom locks (such as Hi Locker) may conflict with the system application Security. MIUI" in special opportunities or use ADB, To remove restrictions: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider This command will disable protection only for the current user without affecting system files.

7. Alternative methods: gestures and animations

In addition to visual changes, you can customize gestures and unlock animations to make interaction with your phone more convenient. On Redmi 4, the following options are available:

Gesture settings:

• 👆 Swipe up - unlock (standard gesture)
• 👉 Swipe to the right – Open the camera (setting in Settings) → Lock screen → Gestures)
• ☝️ Double touch – Turning on/off the screen (requires root or ADB)
• 🔄 Circular motion – start the voice assistant (configured in Settings) → Additionally)

How to add custom gestures:

1. Install Fluid Navigation Gestures (requires Android 7.0)+).
2. Grant permission for Special Opportunities.
3. Configure gestures in the Lockscreen section (for example, swipe left for flashlight).
4. Activate Immersive Mode to hide the system buttons.

Unlock animations:

On Redmi 4, you can change the animation of the desktop appearance after unlocking:

1. Install Animations Changer (requires root).
2. Choose the style of animation: 🌀 Rotation (like on iOS) 🔄 Slip (smooth appearance) 💥 Increase (zoom effect)

Apply the changes and restart the phone.

For devices without root, you can use Launchers with animation support (for example, Smart Launcher or Action Launcher).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions