How to change the lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: settings and themes

Changing the visual design of a smartphone is one of the easiest ways to personalize a device to your liking without resorting to complex system modifications. For owners of budget but popular models such as the Xiaomi Redmi 9A, this process is especially relevant, since the standard MIUI shell offers a limited set of pre-installed solutions. Users often look for ways to change not only the background image, but also the style of the dial, time font or way to unlock to make the interface more convenient and aesthetic.

The procedure for changing the lock screen on Redmi 9A can vary depending on the version of the installed firmware and the region for which the device is released. In global versions of the software, the functionality may differ from Chinese or Indian builds, which makes its own adjustments to find the desired menus. However, the basic principles of working with the thematics in the Android system remain unchanged, allowing even beginners to quickly master the necessary settings without risking damage to the software.

In this article, we will take a look at all the customization methods available, from simply replacing wallpaper through a gallery to installing complex themes through the official Themes app. You will learn how to activate Wallpaper Carousel, change the format of the display time, and where to find hidden settings that are not visible when you first encounter the device.

The easiest and fastest way to change the look of the lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi 9A is to use the standard Gallery app, which does not require an Internet connection and allows you to set as a background any photo taken on the camera or image downloaded from the network.

Once the action is selected, the system will offer several options for installation: on the lock screen, on the main screen or both. For users of Redmi 9A, it is important to note that the screen resolution is 720 × 1600 pixels, so vertical images look most organic. Horizontal photos will be automatically cropped or scaled, which can lead to the loss of important composition details.

If you want to have more advanced control over image positioning, use a built-in editor that opens immediately after you select a picture, where you can apply filters, change brightness or contrast to make the text of time and notifications read better. Background contrast plays a key role in usability: too colorful images can interfere with the perception of information.

⚠️ Note: When installing very heavy images in high resolution (e.g, 4K Photo from another device) on a budget processor MediaTek Helio G25 You may experience micro-latency when you turn on the screen.

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Use images with darkened areas at the top and bottom of the screen to make the time and unlock button read as clearly as possible in any lighting.

Using the “Themes” application for deep customization

Xiaomi’s official theme store offers far more features than a standard gallery. Themes app can change not only static images, but also unlock animations, icon styles, fonts, and even system event sounds. To access the full directory, you must log in to Mi Account, which is a must-have for the platform’s security.

Inside the store, there is a separate category called Lock Screen, where specialized packages are collected. These can include interactive elements such as weather widgets, pedometers or quotes of the day, which are updated in real time. Some of the heavy topics with 3D-The effects may not work properly on Redmi. 9A Due to limited memory capacity.

The installation process takes a few seconds and requires confirmation of actions. Once downloaded, the theme applies automatically, but it can be deleted or replaced at any time through the menu "My pages» → «Topics».

  • 🎨 Open the Topics app and go to the bottom menu My Pages».
  • 🔍 Select the category “Block screen” or use the search for keywords.
  • ⬇️ Click the “Download” button on your favorite option, wait for the installation to be completed.
  • ✅ Click “Apply” to activate the new lock style.
📊 Which lock screen style do you like more?
Static photo
Animated themes
Minimalism (time only)
Wallpaper carousel

One of the most popular features in the MIUI shell is the Wallpaper Carousel (known as Glance in some regions), which automatically changes the background image on the lock screen every time you wake up the device.

To activate this feature on the Xiaomi Redmi 9A, you need to go to the lock screen settings, where you can select the frequency of updating images and categories of content that you are interested in (sports, technology, nature, cars), the system will offer pictures that match your preferences, creating a feeling of constantly updated interface.

Many users complain about the intrusiveness of the Carousel ads, but this feature can be completely turned off or configured more strictly. In the Carousel settings, there is a clause "Get content as on the lock screen", which regulates the frequency of ad units. If you just want to change beautiful landscapes without too much noise, choose only thematic categories without the news feed.

☑️ Setting up the wallpaper carousel

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Changing the style of watches and fonts

Visual perception of the lock screen is very dependent on how the time is displayed. In the new versions of MIUI for Redmi 9A, it is possible to change the style of the watch directly in the settings without setting a full theme, which allows you to save your favorite wallpaper, but make the dial more readable or, conversely, more decorative.

To change the format of the time, go to the lock screen settings section and look for "Clock style" or "Time format." There are options with large numbers, minimalist text or vertical arrangement of elements. Some styles also allow you to change the color of the numbers, which is useful for pairing with dark or light wallpaper.

In addition, through the Themes app, you can download individual font packages that will change the digits in the entire system, including the lock screen. This requires rebooting the device or applying through a special font manager. Castomy fonts can significantly change the recognition of the interface, making it unique.

ParameterStandard valuePossible changesImpact on the battery
Time format12/24 hoursDigital, textual.No.
Type styleRoboto/MIUIAnybody from the Tham shop.No.
Animation.Disconnected.Included (in the themes)Minimum
carouselDisconnected.On (online)Average (traffic)

Managing widgets and notifications

The lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi 9A is not only a picture, but also an information panel. The user can customize which widgets will be displayed before unlocking the device. By default, there are weather widgets, pedometer and music player, but their set can be edited.

To control widgets, you need to pinch the empty area on the lock screen (if editing is enabled in the settings) or go to the appropriate settings menu. Here you can add useful tools such as a voice recorder, a calculator or quick start of applications. However, it is worth remembering that widgets can slow down the response of the sensor when swiping.

The notification block deserves special attention, because in privacy settings, you can hide the content of messages on a locked screen, leaving only the app icon, an important aspect of digital security that prevents personal information from leaking when people look at the phone.

Hidden widgets
Some versions of MIUI have a Security widget that allows you to quickly run memory cleanup or antivirus scans directly from the lock screen, sometimes requiring a third-party theme app to activate it.

Types of blockage and biometrics

Choosing the unlock method directly affects how the login process will look. - Xiaomi Redmi 9A It is not equipped with a fingerprint scanner, so the main methods are the pattern lock, PIN-Each of these methods has its own visual input interface.

Face Unlock is software-based and works fast enough in good light, so when you turn on this feature, the screen lights up, the camera scans the face, and if you find a match, the phone unlocks without entering additional codes, which is the fastest, but less secure method compared to hardware sensors.

pattern lock and PIN-The code offers a more traditional experience, and you can change the complexity of the password and the frequency of the request, for example, you can set the device so that the password is requested only after you reboot, and the rest of the time you unlock the face. Combining methods allows you to find a balance between convenience and data protection.

  • 🔒 pattern lock: Connecting points in a given order.
  • 🔢 PIN-code: four- or six-digit numeric code.
  • 🔑 Password: combination of letters and numbers of maximum complexity.
  • 👤 Face ID: software recognition of the face through the front camera.

⚠️ Note: When using face unlock on Redmi 9A Do not rely on it as the only way to protect important banking applications, as software recognition is less reliable than hardware scanners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why not use a theme with a new lock screen?
Most often, the problem is that you don’t have a Mi Account login or an unstable Internet connection, and make sure that the Themes app version is updated to the latest version through the Google Play store or the built-in updater.
Can I remove ads from the lock screen?
Yes, you can turn off the ads if they come through the wallpaper carousel service. To do this, go to the carousel settings and turn off the "Get content as on the lock screen" option, or just turn off the Carousel function itself.
How to return the standard lock screen after installing the theme?
Go to the Topics app, click on the profile icon (“My Pages”), select “Themes” and find a topic called “Classic” or “Default.” Click on it and select “Apply”.
Does the live lock screen affect battery consumption?
Yes, active animations and constant data loading (in the case of the Carousel) increase battery consumption. On the Redmi 9A with its capacious battery, this is not critical, but static wallpaper will always be more energy efficient.

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The optimal balance between beauty and performance on the Redmi 9A is achieved by using static themes from the official store without heavy animations.