Personalization of the interface is one of the most enjoyable moments after buying a new smartphone. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices often seek to change the standard image that appears when you turn on the screen to reflect your individual style. The process of replacing a static image on a loxscreen does not require deep technical knowledge, but there are nuances in the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS that are useful to know.
The standard gallery provides a lot of beautiful backgrounds, but nothing compares to a personal photo or a quality art you found online. Changing this interface element takes only a few minutes if you know where to look for the right switches. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to install a new image, including automatically changing the wallpaper.
Before you start, make sure that the desired image is already stored in your device’s memory. The system must have access to the file to display it correctly on the lock screen. If you just downloaded the image from your browser, it is likely already in the desired folder.
Standard way to change through settings
The most reliable and proven method of changing the background is available through the system menu, which is universal for most models, whether it is a budget Redmi Note or flagship Xiaomi 14.
First, you need to unlock the device and find the Settings icon, which is usually located on the home screen or in the menu of all apps. Find a section called Always on Screen and Locking or just Screen Lock. The name may vary slightly from one firmware version to another, but the essence remains the same.
Inside this menu, you'll see wallpaper. You'll click on it and tell it to select the source of the image, you can select preset themes, you can go to the gallery, you can select the photo you want from your album list, and the system will suggest framing the image if its proportions do not match the resolution of the display.
- 📸 Click “Install” to apply the changes immediately.
- 🖼️ Select the Lock Screen option if the system asks where to apply the background.
- ⚙️ Check the result by blocking the screen with the power button.
⚠️ Note: Some global versions of firmware may call the menu “Wallpaper and personalization”, which combines the settings of the home screen and lockscreen in one place.
And it's important to note that when you choose an image, the system might suggest that you use the parallax effect, which is a function where you shift the image slightly when you tilt the phone, creating a depth effect, and if you want a static picture, you better turn it off.
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Use high-resolution images (at least 1080p) so that no pixelation or blur is visible on the lock screen.
Using the “Themes” application for installing wallpaper
The official Themes app on Xiaomi smartphones is a powerful tool that is often underestimated, allowing you not only to change icons and fonts, but also to download high-quality wallpapers specially adapted for lock screens.
Run the Themes app on your device. In the bottom menu, look for the Wallpaper tab, and here's a huge catalog of images, divided into categories: nature, abstraction, cars, animals, and more. You can search popular works or search by keyword.
When you find the right image, click on it to view it in full size. At the bottom of the screen will be the Download button or download icon. After downloading, the application menu will appear where you need to select "Install lock screen." This method is good because the images are already optimized for size and quality.
The app also lets you create slideshows, so you can pick out a few of your favorite images and add them to your favorites, and then set up an automatic shift every few minutes or hours, which makes every unlocking of your phone a little different and interesting.
Setting up wallpaper carousel and slideshow
The Glance feature, or the standard slideshow in settings, allows you to automatically change the image on a locked screen, a great way to always see something new without wasting time manually searching for pictures.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Lock screen. Find wallpaper carousel or slideshow on lock screen. Depending on the region and version of MIUI, the functionality may be called differently. Turn on the activation switch.
In the carousel settings, you can choose how often you change images, and you can choose when you turn on the screen, once an hour or once a day, and you can also choose the categories of images that you will display, such as landscapes only or architecture only.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Shift frequency | How often does the picture change? | Each time you turn on |
| Wi-Fi only | Upload new photos only over Wi-Fi | Included (saves traffic) |
| Notifications | News coverage in the photo | At your discretion. |
| Categories | Types of images (sports, cars) | Choose 2-3 favorites |
Consider that using the carousel function may slightly increase battery consumption, as the screen and processor are more active in processing new images, but for most users, this is not noticeable in everyday use.
Why isn't the carousel working?
Changing photos through the Gallery directly
There is a faster way to set your photo to lock, bypassing complex settings menus, and this method is ideal when you just took a great picture or saved a picture from the messenger and want to see it immediately when you unlock it.
Open the standard Gallery app on your Xiaomi or Redmi. Find the photo you want to use. Open it to the full screen. At the bottom of the interface or in the "More" menu (three dots), find "Install as wallpaper" or "Use as wallpaper."
The system will open the framing editor. Make sure that an important part of the image is not cut off by the frame. Once the selection is confirmed, the system will ask whether to apply the wallpaper to the home screen, the lock screen, or both.
- 🖼️ Open the photo in the gallery.
- 🔽 Click the “More” menu or three dots.
- 🔒 Select "Install on the lock screen».
This is particularly useful because you can see the full size of the picture right away, and you can make a decision without going through system settings, which saves time and makes the process more intuitive.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Solving problems with image installation
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the photo is not installed or displayed incorrectly, this may be due to the file format, application access rights or errors in the operation of the MIUI shell.
One of the common problems is the unsupported file format. JPG and PNG. If you are trying to install an image in a format WEBP (frequently found on Telegram, or HEIC (Apple's formon, the system may not recognize it or crop it. JPG before installation.
Another common issue is the lack of memory or cache of the Gallery or Themes app. If you try to install an error or the app just closes, try clearing the cache. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Gallery and click Clear Cache.
⚠️ Note: If you use live wallpaper (video background), make sure it is compatible with your version of Android.On newer versions, support for some types of live wallpaper may be limited.
The problem can also be in the resolution of the screen: If you try to put a very small picture on a high-resolution screen (like 2K or 4K), it will look blurry. Try to use images that are the same size as or larger than your display resolution.
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The most common cause of errors is an incompatible file format or a damaged cache of the Gallery system application.
Features of the interface in HyperOS and new versions of MIUI
With the release of the HyperOS shell and the updated versions of MIUI 14/15, the settings interface has changed, the logic has remained the same, but the location of the elements may have shifted, causing confusion among users who are accustomed to the old menus.
Newer versions often combine the settings of the “Always on screen» (AOD) Now, when you select an image, the system can suggest that you adapt it to the wallpaper. AOD, It's done to save energy by dimming the background or removing unnecessary parts. AMOLED-screen.
There's also a smart wallpaper feature that can change color or style depending on the time of day or the app you're running. Although this is more about the home screen, some elements can overlap with the lock screen, creating a single visual style.
For users who have recently updated, you should pay attention to the new wallpaper editor, which allows you to add time and date widgets directly to the lock image, changing the font and color, which makes the standard photo more functional without losing aesthetics.