How to change photos on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

The lock screen Xiaomi Redmi is the first thing you see when you turn on the smartphone, and its design depends not only on the visual perception, but also on the usability. Many users face difficulties when trying to change the background image: somewhere lost the desired menu item, somewhere new wallpaper is not used, and sometimes the system returns the standard background after the reboot. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the photo on the lock screen for Redmi devices (including Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C and others) based on MIUI 12, 13 and 14.

It's important to understand that the process can vary depending on the firmware version and regional build. For example, in the global version of MIUI, some options are hidden, and in the Chinese version, you need additional manipulation. We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will help even if your Redmi is running on custom firmware, and you will learn how to avoid common mistakes, for example, when new wallpapers are displayed only on the home screen, but not on the lock.

Before you start, check your firmware version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If you have MIUI 14 or later, some menu items may be called differently — we will specify alternative ways. Are you ready to update the appearance of your smartphone? Then we will!

1. Standard method: through the theme settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for most Redmi models and do not require additional applications.

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Go to the Wallpaper section (in some versions - Lock screen).
3. Select My Wallpaper or Gallery if you want to upload your own photo.
4. Click on the image you like and select the option Apply to the lock screen (or Set wallpaper with screen selection).

If you have a MIUI 14, the path might look like: Topics → Wallpaper → Lock screen → My wallpaper. Note that some firmware limits the ability to set live wallpaper to lock — in which case you have to use static images.

Backup of current wallpaper (if necessary)

Check the resolution of a new photo (recommended 1080×2340 pixels)

Close background applications to speed up the process

Reboot the phone after use (if the wallpaper has not changed)

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Why wallpaper might not apply? Most often it is due to the system cache. Try clearing the cache of the Topic: Settings → Apps → Application Management → Topics → Storage → Clear the cache. If the problem persists, check if you have a theme that blocks wallpaper changes (for example, some premium themes from Xiaomi fix the background of the lock).

2.Using a gallery: a quick way to get your photos

If you want to put a personal photo from a gallery on the lock screen, you don't have to go through Topics. There's a more direct way to MIUI:

1. Open the Gallery app and find the image you want.
2. Slip it, then click on the three dots in the upper right corner (or the More button).
3. Select Set as → Lock screen wallpaper.
4. If necessary, cut the photo (the system will offer optimal proportions).
5. Confirm the choice by clicking Install.

This method works on all Redmis with MIUI 12 and later, but there is a caveat: if you use dual wallpaper (different backgrounds for the home screen and lock), the system may suggest applying the image to both screens. To avoid this, disable the synchronization of wallpaper in the theme settings in advance.

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If your photo looks blurry on the lock screen, check its resolution. The optimal ratio for most Redmi is 1080×2340 pixels (for models with a cutout under the camera).

On some firmware (for example, MIUI for Russia) the item "Install as may be missing", in this case, use an alternative method:

1. Open the photo in the gallery.
2. Click on the Share icon (arrow up).
3. In the list of applications, select Wallpaper or Themes.
4. Follow the system instructions for applying the image.

3. Change wallpaper through lock screen settings

The latest versions of MIUI have a separate section to adjust the lock screen, which simplifies the process.

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen (or Settings → Display → Lock screen in MIUI 14).
2. Select the lock screen wallpaper.
3. Click Add New Wallpaper and select the source: Gallery, Themes or Live Wallpaper.
4. After selecting the image, confirm the changes.

This method is especially handy if you want to adjust dynamic wallpaper (e.g., changing depending on the time of day) or paralax effects (when the background shifts slightly when the phone is tilted). Note that some effects are only available on Redmi flagship models (e.g., Redmi K50 or Note 12 Pro+).

If you don't have the Depth Effect on your menu, your Redmi model doesn't support this feature, so you can use third-party apps like 3D Parallax Background, but they consume an extra battery.

Third-party applications: enhanced capabilities

If embedded tools MIUI You don't like it, you can use third-party apps, and they offer more customization options, including animated wallpapers, lock screen widgets, and even interactive elements.-3 tested applications:

• 🎨 Zedge is a huge library of wallpaper and live wallpaper with preview capability, supports automatic background changes on schedule.
• 🖼️ WallpapersCraft – high-quality wallpapers sorted by resolution (there is a separate section for Xiaomi).
• 🔄 Muzei Live Wallpaper — creates dynamic wallpaper based on your photos or artwork. MIUI, but requires you to adjust the permissions.

To install wallpaper through a third-party application:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and select the image you like.
3. Click Install or Apply and select the Lock Screen.
4. If the system requests permissions, provide them (especially access to storage and wallpaper settings).

Built-in MIUI Themes

Zedge

WallpapersCraft

Muzei Live Wallpaper

Other (write in the comments)

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Important point: some applications (such as Muzei) may conflict with battery optimization in MIUI. To keep wallpapers updated correctly, add the app to the exceptions:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Find your wallpaper app and select No Limits.

5 Problems and Solutions: Why the Wallpaper Doesn't Change

Even following the instructions, you may find that new wallpapers do not apply or are reset after rebooting.

Critical information: If after changing the wallpaper, the lock screen began to brake or quickly discharge the battery, most likely the problem is in the animated wallpaper or widgets on the lock. Disable them and check battery consumption in Settings → Battery → Battery Use.

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If the wallpaper is not applied despite all efforts, try resetting the lock screen settings to the standard: Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting the lock screen settings. This will delete all user settings, but return the functionality to work.

6. Additional chips: widgets and dynamic wallpaper

The Xiaomi Redmi lock screen supports not only static wallpaper, but also interactive elements, such as adding weather widgets, music or quick action.

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select Lock Screen Widgets (or Additional Settings in MIUI 14).
3. Activate the desired widgets (for example, Weather, Music, Camera).
4. Set up their display by dragging elements on the layout.

For dynamic wallpapers (such as those that change every few hours), use the Wallpaper Changer or Tapet app.

• 🕒 Set a timetable for changing wallpaper (for example, every morning).
• 🌄 Select thematic collections (nature, cities, abstractions).
• 🔄 Automatically adjust colors to the theme of design.

Note that dynamic wallpaper can increase battery consumption by 5-10%. To minimize the impact, adjust the shift interval no more than once every 6 hours and turn off animations in the application settings.

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If you use Always On Display (AOD), the wallpaper on the lock screen will be visible even when it is off. To save charge, select dark wallpaper or turn off AOD overnight: Settings → Lock screen → Always On Display → Schedule.

7.Safety: How to protect wallpaper from resetting

Sometimes, after updating MIUI or resetting the settings, the lock screen wallpaper is reset to standard. To avoid this, follow these tips:

• 🔒 Save a copy of the wallpaper to the Mi Cloud cloud or to the memory card. path: Files → Images → Wallpaper.
• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates to topics → Settings → Auto-update.
• 📱 Use backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🚫 Do not install unofficial firmware unless you are ready to reset your settings.

If you change wallpaper frequently, create a separate folder in the gallery (like Wallpaper for locking) and save all the images you like there, so you can quickly restore the background even after resetting.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions