Xiaomi’s lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on a smartphone, and its appearance directly affects the overall experience of the device. Many users want to personalize the phone by installing their favorite photo, meme or art instead of the standard wallpaper from MIUI. However, not everyone knows that Xiaomi has several ways to change the background of the lock screen – from basic settings to hidden features for advanced users.
In this article, we will break down 5 proven methods, including official and alternative solutions that work on most Redmi models, POCO Xiaomi (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra flagships). MIUI 14 and the new restrictions that have appeared in the latest updates, if you encounter a problem when the wallpaper button is inactive or the photo is cropped incorrectly, here you will find a solution.
1. Standard method through MIUI settings
The simplest method, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12/13/14 shell, is suitable for most users and does not require additional applications. Importantly, in some regional firmware (for example, for Europe), this section may be called differently - look for similar items.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon on the home screen).
- 🖼️ Go to the Lock Screen (or Wallpaper) section → Lock screen in older versions).
- 📁 Click Select Wallpaper and select the source: 📸 Gallery – to upload your photo; 🌄 Themes – standard wallpaper from Xiaomi; 🎨 Color is a monochromatic background.
- ✅ Confirm the choice with the button Apply or Install.
If you don't have Lock Screen in your settings, try the alternative path: Settings → Display → Lock screen style. On some models (e.g. POCO F5), this section is hidden deeper.
Disable the power saving mode (may block changes)
Make sure the photo is not hidden in the gallery (check the.nomedia folder).
Update MIUI to the latest version (in older versions of the bug with cropped photos)
Try restarting your phone if the “Apply” button is inactive-->
2. Use of the "Themes" application for customization
Themes app is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for deep interface personalization, which allows you to not only change the lock screen wallpaper, but also install animations, fonts and even change app icons, and the main advantage of this method is access to thousands of free themes from the community, including dynamic wallpaper.
How to change the background through "Themes":
- 🎨 Open the Themes app (if not, download from Google Play).
- 🔍 In the search box, type a query, for example: wallpaper lock minimalism or lockscreen nature.
- 🖼️ Choose your favorite theme and click Apply. Note that some themes only change wallpaper on the home screen, not on the lock.
- 🔄 If the wallpaper was used incorrectly, go to Settings → Topics → My themes and manually select Lock Screen.
Warning: Some themes from the Store Themes contain advertisements or require subscriptions. Read reviews from other users before installing them, and avoid those with suspiciously high weights (over 50 MB) - they can slow down the system.
Once a week.
Once a month
Only when buying a new phone
Never change.-->
3. Manual modification through file manager (for experienced)
This method is suitable for those who want to install wallpaper without cropping or use an image with non-standard resolution. The method requires access to system folders and does not work on all firmware (on some MIUIs, after updating, it may reset).
Step-by-step:
- Download a file manager with access to root folders (e.g. MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).
- Cross the path: /data/system/users/0/ or /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.theme.icon_packs/ Note: the path may differ depending on the version MIUI.
- Find files with names: lockscreen_wallpaper, wallpaper_lock or com.android.systemui.
- Copy your photo into this folder by renaming it under an existing file (restore the original!).
- Reboot the phone.
What if the wallpaper has not changed after the file has been replaced?
Important: This method may not work on MIUI 14 with the latest security patches (2026), as Xiaomi has tightened control over system files. If you have a new model (such as Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), it is better to use official methods.
4. apps from Google Play for advanced customization
If standard methods are not satisfied (for example, due to cropping photos or lack of flexibility), you can use third-party applications. We tested 5 of the most reliable utilities that work on Xiaomi without root rights:
| Annex | Features | Cons | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper Changer | Automatic change of wallpaper on schedule, support for live wallpaper | Advertising in the free version | MIUI 12–14, Android 10+ |
| Lockscreen & Wallpaper | Separate setting for locking and main screen, cropping without distortion | Some functions are paid | All Xiaomi models |
| KLWP Live Wallpaper | Creating dynamic wallpaper with animation and widgets | A complex interface for beginners | Requires Android 8.0+ |
| Muzei | Automatic change of wallpaper from collections (e.g. Earth View) | Limited choice for the lock screen | MIUI 13/14 |
Before installing, check reviews for compatibility with your Xiaomi model. For example, on the POCO X5 Pro, some applications may not display wallpaper correctly due to firmware features.
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If the wallpaper has not changed after installing a third-party application, try disabling system optimization: go to Settings → Special features → Optimize MIUI and deactivate it.
5. Problem Solving: Wallpapers are not changed or cropped
A frequent complaint of Xiaomi users is the inability to install wallpaper on the lock screen due to gray buttons or improper cropping of the image. Here are 7 reasons and solutions:
- 🔄 System cache: Clear the application cache Themes and Launcher in settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management).
- 📏 Photo resolution: Use images with aspect ratio 18:9 or 20:9 (for modern smartphones. Standard wallpaper 1920×1080 may be circumcised.
- 🔒 Limitations MIUI: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 Global) the lock wallpaper is tied to the theme. Try changing the theme to the standard one, then go back to the wallpaper settings.
- 🛠️ Developer Mode: Enable the Debugging option USB and reboot your phone - sometimes it resets the restrictions.
Critical information for owners of Xiaomi 13/14 series: in firmware based on Android 13+ lock screen wallpaper can be reset after the system update. To avoid this, before the update save a copy of the wallpaper file in the /MIUI/theme/ folder.
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If none of the methods worked, try resetting the launcher settings: pinch the empty space on the home screen → Home screen settings → Reset settings.
Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
The choice of method depends on your Xiaomi model, MIUI version and the goals:
- 🔹 For beginners: Standard settings (lock screen) or the Topics app.
- 🔹 For flexible configuration: Third-party applications (Lockscreen & Wallpaper or KLWP).
- 🔹 For experienced: Manual editing through file manager (requires caution!).
- 🔹 For dynamic wallpaper: Muzei or Wallpaper Changer.
On the new flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi K70 Pro) it is better to avoid manual methods because of the risk of disrupting the MIUI.