The lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi 7 is not just a barrier to a smartphone, but a full-fledged information hub that can (and should!) be adapted to suit yourself. Many users do not even realize that in addition to changing the wallpaper, there are hidden animation settings, quick access widgets and alternative unlock styles. If you are annoyed with the standard look or want to add personalization, you have come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can change your lock screen, from basic MIUI features to installing third-party launchers and even manually editing system files for advanced users. We’ll focus on the unique dual lock screen feature in MIUI 10/11, which allows you to combine two different unlock styles, and how to return the standard look if the experiments went wrong.
Before you make any changes, make sure your Redmi 7 has the latest firmware version installed. Some features (like customizing fonts on the lock screen) only appeared in MIUI 12 and later. Check the version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If your firmware is outdated, update it through Settings → System Update – this will save you from potential bugs when you set up.
Method 1: Standard wallpaper change via MIUI settings
The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which do not require any super-user rights and is suitable even for beginners.
Open the Themes app (the icon with the brush on your desktop). In the bottom menu, select the Lock Screen section.
- 🎨 Ready-made themes: wallpaper collections with a single style (include icons, fonts and animations) Popular options: Minimalism, Space, Watercolor".
- 🖼️ My wallpaper is the images you uploaded from the gallery: 1080×2340 pixels (partial ratio) 18:9).
- 🌄 Dynamic wallpaper – animated background images (such as sunset or falling snow) MIUI 12.5+.
- 🔄 Automanufacturer – a function of random change of wallpaper from the selected collection each 12/24 hour.
After selecting the wallpaper, click Apply and confirm the changes. Please note that some themes may change the time font and notification style on the lock screen. If you don't like the new design of numbers or icons, return the standard theme to the same menu.
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Warning: When using third-party wallpaper, avoid images with small details at the bottom of the screen. Here are interface elements (time, date, notifications) that can merge with the background. The best option is monochromatic wallpaper or images with a blurred lower edge.
Permission not less 1080×2340 px|Contrast lower edge (for time/dates)|Avoid text inscriptions|Check the preview in "Themes"-->
Method 2: Configure widgets and short short shortcuts
The lock screen on Redmi 7 supports quick access widgets and short shortcuts for frequently used features.The default display here is weather, camera and flashlight, but this set can be completely redesigned.
To change the widgets:
- Unlock your phone and swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Click on the icon. ⚙️ ("Settings") in upper right corner.
- Select the Lock Screen and Password → Short Short Short Shortcuts.
- Slip on any of the five slots and select the desired action from the list (for example, Google Assistant, Screen Recording or Airplane Mode).
To adjust the weather widget:
- 🌡️ Go to Settings. → Lock screen and password → Weather widget.
- 📍 Select the data source: Xiaomi Weather or Google Weather (the latter more accurate for some regions).
- 🔄 Set the refresh rate: 15 minutes to 3 hours.
- 🎨 Enable the "Show animation" option for dynamic effects (rain, snow, etc.).
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Warning: If the widgets are changed when you turn on the next screen, reset the lock screen settings. → Annexes → Application management → Settings, press Warehouse. → Clear the data. It will bring back the standard shortcuts without losing any identity.
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To quickly open the camera from the locked screen, double-press the volume button. This function works even without unlocking and is available in the Lock Screen settings → Quick start the camera.
Method 3: Hidden MIUI settings for advanced customization
Few people know, but MIUI has hidden options that allow you to fine-tune the lock screen, for example, you can change the style of the unlock animation, hide notifications, or even turn off the button highlighting when you lock.
Activation of Developer Mode (required for some functions):
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified "You became a developer!").
- Return to the main settings and open a new section → For developers.
The following options are now available:
| Function | Path in settings | What's he doing? |
|---|---|---|
| Disable Unlock animations | For developers → Animation of windows | Removes a smooth transition when unlocking (accelerates access) |
| Hide sensitive information | Lock screen → Notifications → Hide content | Shows only application icons without text messages |
| Double lock screen | Topics → Lock screen → Double style | Combines two different designs (e.g., the clock on the right + the weather on the left) |
| Night mode for lockdown | Display → Night mode → Schedule | Automatically darkens the lock screen in the dark |
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Warning: Turning on the "Disable Unlock Animation" option may cause the screen to flicker on some Redmi 7 firmware. If you notice artifacts, return the default settings or update MIUI to the latest version.
How to return the standard unlock animation?
Method 4: Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Lawnchair)
If you don't have the built-in MIUI capabilities, install a third-party launcher, popular options: Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Hyperion Launcher.
- 🎛️ Completely redesign the style of icons on the lock screen.
- 🖥️ Add custom widgets (for example, 5-day weather forecast or currency rates).
- 🔄 Set up gestures to unlock (such as swiping up to start the camera).
- 🎨 Apply dynamic wallpaper with support for paralax (the effect of depth when tilting the phone).
Instructions for setting up Nova Launcher:
- Install the launcher from Google Play and make it the main one in Settings → Home.
- Open the Nova settings and go to Lock Screen → Style.
- Choose one of the pre-installed templates or download custom from the theme store.
- In the Gestures and Inputs section, set up actions for swipes (for example, double tap to start a flashlight).
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Note: Some launchers (such as Microsoft Launcher) may conflict with Xiaomi services, which causes notifications to disappear on the lock screen. If you encounter this problem, go back to the standard launcher or install Nova Launcher, which is better compatible with MIUI.
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The side launchers give you maximum customization freedom, but they can increase battery consumption by 5-10% due to background activity. If autonomy is more important than design, use built-in MIUI tools.
Method 5: Manual editing of system files (for advanced ones)
This method is only suitable for users with root rights or customized Recovery (TWRP) installed, and allows you to change system fonts, basic interface icons, and even lock screen load animations. Without root rights, these actions can not be performed!
What can be changed:
- 🕒 Time/date font - replace with custom (for example, SF Pro or Roboto Condensed).
- 🔔 Notification icons – change standard icons to flat or minimalist.
- 🎬 Unlock animation – install custom screensaver (.zip format for the MIUI).
- 📱 Background blur effect - change the degree of blur of wallpaper when notifications appear.
Step-by-step (requires Root Explorer or Mixplorer):
- Download the archive with custom resources (for example, from the XDA Developers forum).
- Move files to the appropriate folders: /system/media/theme/default/ – for fonts and icons /system/media/bootanimation.zip – for download animation
- Set 644 (r-w-r--r---) for files and 755 (r-wxr-xr-x) for folders.
- Reboot the phone.
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Attention: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to "bootloop" ( looped boot). Before experimenting, back up via TWRP or Mi Flash Tool. If the phone doesn't turn on after changes, reflash it in Fastboot mode using the official firmware.
Where to download safe custom resources?
Method 6: Reset the lock screen to factory settings
If after the experiments, the lock screen starts to glitches (no notifications, animations are slowing down or the weather is gone), return the standard settings.
Method 1: Through MIUI settings
- Open Settings → Lock screen and password.
- Select Reset the lock screen settings (last item on the menu).
- Confirm the action with a password / fingerprint.
Method 2: Reset all settings (if the first method did not help)
- Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
- Select Settings Reset (does not delete personal data!).
- After restarting, set up the lock screen again.
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Note: If you have used third-party launchers (like Nova), resetting through MIUI settings may not return the standard lock screen. In this case, make the system launcher standard in Settings → Home first, and then perform the reset.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When customizing the lock screen, Redmi 7 users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper is reset after resetting | Conflict with MIUI optimizer or third-party launcher | Turn off auto-optimization in Settings → Battery → Optimization |
| The weather widget is not working. | No access to geolocation or outdated cache data | Clear the Weather app cache in Settings → Apps |
| Unlock animation twitches | Low Frame Frequency (FPS) in Developer Settings | Include “GPU Acceleration” in For Developers → Hardware Acceleration |
| Disappeared notifications on the lock screen | Third-party launcher blocks access | Return the system launcher or give permission to Settings → Notifications |
| The lock screen does not respond to touch | Failure of the sensor or firmware | Restart your phone or run the sensor module through TWRP |
If your problem is not described in the table, check the logs of the system through the Logcat app (available on Google Play).Look for errors with LockScreen or Keyguard tags - they will indicate a specific crash.
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Before contacting the service center Xiaomi return all settings of the lock screen to the factory. Many "breakdowns" are actually the consequences of improper customization and are not covered by the warranty.