How to change the picture on the lock screen Xiaomi: 5 working ways

The lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on Xiaomi, and its appearance directly affects the experience of using a smartphone. Standard wallpaper from MIUI quickly squash, and the desire to personalize the device to your style arises in most users. However, not everyone knows that Xiaomi can change not only the background of the desktop, but also the image on the lock — in several ways, including hidden system functions.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of changing wallpaper on the lock screen for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices based on MIUI 12/13/14. You will learn how to use standard system tools, where to find hidden settings, how to circumvent manufacturer restrictions and what to do if new wallpapers do not apply.

Why Xiaomi can not simply change the lock wallpaper as on the desktop

Many users are faced with the fact that the MIUI gallery does not have the option "Install lock on the screen", which is, for example, in pure Android or Samsung One UI. This is not an accident, but a conscious decision by Xiaomi:

• 🔒 Security: The manufacturer believes that the wallpaper should be moderately checked for compliance with the content policy (no violence, pornography, etc.).
• 🎨 Uniform design: Xiaomi promotes corporate identity MIUI, where the lock wallpaper is often tied to the themes of the system.
• 📱 Performance optimization: The system caches lock wallpaper in a special way to reduce battery consumption when the screen is turned on frequently.

But these limitations are easy to get around, both with built-in MIUI tools and third-party methods, and the key is to know where to look for the settings you want.

Method 1: Standard Shifting Through “Themes” (Works on All Xiaomi)

The most obvious and safe method is to use the built-in Themes app, which is available on all Xiaomi devices and allows you to change lock wallpaper without risk to the system.

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the Wallpaper tab in the lower menu.
3. Select the Lock category at the top of the screen.
4. Scroll down to the My Wallpaper section or select your favorite image from the suggested ones.
5. Click on the wallpaper and select Apply → Lock screen only.

⚠️ Note: In some regional versions MIUI (For example, for Europe, the "Blocking" section may not be available. In this case, use Method 3 with the file system.

Download your favorite image to the memory of the phone (resolution at least 1080×1920)

Make sure the file is JPG or PNG format

Check that the "Temas" includes access to storage (permissions in Android settings)

Close all background applications for proper system operation-->

Method 2: Use of the Gallery application (hidden function)

Few people know, but MIUI has an undocumented ability to set lock wallpapers straight from the Gallery, which works on most devices, but requires you to follow the steps precisely:

1. Open the gallery and find the image you want.
2. Slip it on it, then press the button. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner.
3. Select Set How → Lock wallpaper.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Install.

If you don't have "Block Wallpaper" on the menu, you've disabled the feature on your device through system flags. ADB-commands (see Method 5).

This method is convenient because it allows you to use any of your photos, not just wallpaper from the MIUI collection.

• 📏 The image will be automatically cropped to screen resolution (the aspect ratio depends on the model).
• 🔄 When changing the theme of the system, the wallpaper locks can be reset to standard.
• 🔒 Some wallpapers with animation (for example, live wallpaper) are not supported.

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If they are blurred after installing the new wallpaper, check the resolution of the original image. The optimal ratio for most Xiaomi is 1080×2340 pixels (for models with a cutout under the camera).

Method 3: Manually place a file in a system folder (for advanced ones)

For those who are not afraid to work with the Android file system, there is a method to replace the standard background lock through Explorer. MIUI, but requires root rights or ADB-access.

Instructions:

1. Download wallpaper in.jpg or.png format (the file name should be in Latin, for example). lockscreen_wallpaper.jpg).
2. Connect to your device via ADB or use Root Access Explorer.
3. Cross the path: /data/system/users/0/ Find the files here: lockscreen_wallpaper.jpg lockscreen_wallpaper_thumb.jpg
4. Replace them with your files (require to save the originals!).
5. Restart the device or execute the command: adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.WALLPAPER_CHANGED

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect replacement of system files can cause a cyclical reboot of the device.Before actions, back up the folder /data/system/users/0/.

This method allows you to install any wallpaper, including animated ones (if supported by the device).

• 🔄 After updating MIUI file-discard.
• 🛠️ Repeat the procedure after resetting the settings.
• 🔒 On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) folder protected by additional rights.

Method 4: Use of third-party launchers (without root)

If you don't like standard methods, you can use third-party launchers that allow you to customize the lock screen.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher + Nova Lockscreen plugin (paid, but with trial period).
• 🎨 Action Launcher (built-in support for lock customization).
• 🔧 C Lockscreen (specialized application for lock screen).

Example of settings through Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Download the Nova Lockscreen plugin (requires a premium version).
3. In the launcher settings, select Lockscreen Settings.
4. Upload your image to the Wallpaper section.
5. Activate the Override MIUI Lockscreen option (you may need to disable the standard MIUI launcher).

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ No need for root rights.
• ✅ Supported live wallpaper and widgets on the lock.
• ✅ It works even on Xiaomi with a blocked bootloader.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Paid functions in premium versions.
• ❌ It may conflict with corporate functions MIUI (For example, with Always-on Display).
• ❌ In some models (POCO X3 Pro) battery optimization for launcher required to be disabled.

Method 5: ADB-commands to unlock hidden functions

For the most experienced users, there is a method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) that allows you to unlock hidden MIUI settings, including the ability to set any wallpaper to lock.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shoot 7 times) → Additional → For developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global lock_screen_wallpaper_enabled 1
3. Reset the device.
4. Now in the Gallery, when selecting "Install as" will appear Wallpaper lock.

Additional useful commands:

• Enable animated wallpaper on lock: adb shell settings put global lock_screen_animation_enabled 1
• Reset wallpaper settings to standard: adb shell cmd wallpaper clear

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Commands that change system settings can cause unstable firmware. Before experimenting, back up your device via Mi Cloud or TWRP.

On devices with HyperOS (new firmware from Xiaomi) part ADB-In this case, use an alternative syntax: adb shell am broadcast. -a miui.intent.action.LOCKSCREEN_WALLPAPER_CHANGE.

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ADB-It's the most powerful way to customize, but it takes care to get around the limitations. MIUI, But it can cause failures if you use the wrong commands.

Problem Solving: Wallpapers are not changed or reset

Sometimes, after the wallpaper changes, it doesn't apply or it goes back to the standard wallpaper.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: On some regional firmware (for example, for India), the lock customization functions are limited.
• 🔒 Application Rights: Make sure Themes and Gallery have access to the repository.
• 🔄 Cash Systems: Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

For devices with HyperOS, you may need to additionally customize your user profile. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Sync and enable the Sync Theme option.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the lock wallpaper to Xiaomi