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

Xiaomi’s lock screen is the first thing you see when you unlock a smartphone, and it’s not just aesthetics that depend on its design, but also usability. Many MIUI users face the problem that standard wallpaper is quickly boring, and changing them is not as easy as the desktop background. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to change the picture on the lock screen, from basic settings to advanced methods using ADB and third-party applications.

The MIUI feature is that the interface may vary depending on the firmware version and the smartphone model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, the wallpaper settings will be one path, and on the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5, we took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will be suitable for most of the brand’s devices, including POCO and Black Shark.

If you want to not just change the image, but make the lock screen really unique — with animation, a weather widget or personalized text — there's a section on advanced customization, and we'll also talk about how to get around the limitations of MIUI if the system doesn't allow you to install the image you've chosen.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The easiest method to change wallpaper on the lock screen is to use built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, but may vary depending on the shell version.

Open the Topic (Brush Icon) app on your desktop. If it's not available, search the menu for all the apps. In some firmware, this section is called Wallpaper or Personalization.

📱 Go to Wallpaper or Lock Screen (depending on version) MIUI).
🖼️ Select Local to upload your image, or Online to download wallpaper from Xiaomi collection.
🔍 If you choose your photo, click Select from the gallery and specify the desired file (formats are supported). JPG, PNG, WEBP).
✅ Click Apply and select Only Lock Screen or On Both Screens (if you want to change the desktop too).

An important nuance: MIUI automatically crops images to screen resolution. If your picture has non-standard proportions (for example, a vertical photo from social networks), the system can stretch it or cut the edges. To avoid distortion, use images with a resolution close to the native resolution of your smartphone (for example, 1080×2400 for the Redmi Note 12).

Download the picture in high resolution (minimum 1080p)

Cut it in a 9:20 ratio (for most modern Xiaomi)

Make sure the file is no more than 10MB (otherwise MIUI will not accept it)

Save the image in the folder DCIM Downloads for quick access-->

2.Why does MIUI not allow you to change the wallpaper on the lock?

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the Apply button is inactive or the system gives an error such as "Failure to install wallpaper", the reasons can be different:

🚫 Firmware limitations: On some versions MIUI (especially global) the function of changing the wallpaper lock is disabled by default. A3 Android One.
🔒 Parental Controls: If the device is enabled with Child Safety, some personalization settings may be blocked.
📱 Image incompatibility: MIUI It doesn't support animated GIF or transparent files (PNG alpha-channel) for lock screen.
🔄 Cache failure: If you previously tried to change the wallpaper and the process was interrupted, the cache of the Themes app could get damaged.

Decisions:

Reboot your smartphone – it will reset temporary system errors.
Clear the app cache Topics: Settings → Apps → Application Management → Topics → Storage → Clear the cache.
Try another image (for example, download wallpaper from the standard MIUI collection and then replace it with your own).
If nothing helps, upgrade to the latest version or use alternative methods (described below).

MIUI 14

MIUI 13

MIUI 12.5 or older

I don't know my version.

Other firmware (e.g. LineageOS)-->

Alternative method: through the annex "Gallery"

If the standard method doesn't work, try changing the wallpaper through the Gallery. This method often works on devices with MIUI 12-14, where the interface of the Themes application is simplified.

Open the gallery and find the image you want.
Slip it, then click on the three dots in the upper right corner (or the More button).
Select the item Set as → Wallpaper lock screen.
Adjust the scale and position of the picture (if available) and click Ready.

On some models (e.g., the POCO X3 Pro), this path may look different: after pressing three dots, select Share, then Set as Wallpaper, and if there is no such item, then your version of MIUI does not support this method.

💡

If the Gallery does not have the option "Install as wallpaper", try to open the image in viewing mode, click on the icon "Share" and find there the item "Wallpaper" or "Themes".

Advanced Customization: ADB and Third Party Applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don’t allow you to change the lock wallpaper, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or third-party applications, which require more effort, but give you full control over the appearance of the screen.

Method 1: Use of ADB (for power users)

This method is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader and enabled debugging over USB. Warning: the wrong commands can disrupt the system!

⚠️ Attention: Before use ADB Make a backup of the data. Changing the system files can cause shell malfunctions. MIUI.

Instructions:

Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global lock_screen_wallpaper /storage/emulated/0/Download/your_image.jpg (replace the path with the current one).
Reset the device.

Method 2: Apps from Google Play

Some applications allow you to bypass the limitations of MIUI, for example:

📲 Wallpaper Changer for MIUI — Specialized tool for changing lock wallpaper on Xiaomi.
🎨 KWGT Kustom Widget Maker – to create custom widgets on the lock screen (requires permission to overlay).
🖥️ Nova Launcher (paired with Nova Lockscreen) – an alternative launcher with advanced settings.

Warning: Third-party apps may request permissions to access notifications or system settings, and install them only from trusted sources (e.g. Google Play or APKMirror).

How to check the security of the application before installation?

Before downloading, check: 1. Ranking and number of reviews on Google Play (suspicious if the app has 5 stars with 10 reviews). 2. Date of the last update (if it hasn't been updated for more than a year, this is a risk). 3. Request permissions in the description (for example, access to SMS or geolocation for wallpaper is abnormal). 4. Presence of mentions on forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA-Developers).

5. Animation and dynamic wallpaper on the lock screen

The standard wallpaper on the Xiaomi lock screen is static, but with additional tools you can add animation or interactive elements.

1. Live Wallpapers (Live Wallpapers)

MIUI supports live wallpaper, but not all of them work on the lock screen.

Download live wallpapers from Google Play (like Live Wallpapers 4K or WallpapersCraft).
Open the app Themes → Wallpaper → Live wallpaper.
Select the downloaded version and apply it to the lock screen.

Limitation: On some models (e.g. Redmi 9A), live wallpaper on the lock may not be displayed due to hardware limitations.

2. Widgets on lock screen

With the KWGT or UCCW app, you can add weather, time, or even custom buttons to the lock screen.

Install KWGT Kustom Widget Maker from Google Play.
Download a suitable widget (e.g. Minimal Lockscreen).
In the widget settings, select the Lock Screen as the target area.
Set up transparency and arrangement of elements.

⚠️ Note: Widgets on the lock screen may conflict with MIUI Before using, check compatibility with your smartphone model in forums (for example, 4PDA).

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you change the wallpaper on the lock screen, users often face typical problems, and we've collected the most common ones and ways to fix them:

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
The "Apply" button is inactive	Firmware restrictions or regional settings	Use ADB or third-party apps
Wallpaper is reset after resetting	Failure of the “Themes” application	Clear the cache and data of the "Themes" application
Image stretched or cropped	Inappropriate image resolution	Use images with a resolution that matches your screen
You can not install GIF or APNG	MIUI does not support animation on lock	Convert GIFs to Video and Set as Live Wallpaper
The wallpaper does not change on the second user.	Restrictions of Multiplayer Mode	Set up wallpaper for each profile separately

If none of these methods worked, perhaps the problem lies deeper, such as in corrupted system files, in which case resetting (but remember to back up the data!) or flashing the device will help.

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Before resetting your settings, try updating your MIUI to the latest version – new firmware often fixes bugs with lock screen personalization.

7.How to return standard lock wallpaper

If after experimenting with customization you want to return the standard wallpaper MIUI, do the following:

Open the Topic app.
Go to the Wallpaper section → Lock screen.
Choose the standard category or MIUI.
Use your favorite option (usually abstract patterns or landscapes from Xiaomi).

If standard wallpaper doesn’t appear on the list, try:

Reset the settings of the Themes app (Settings → Applications → Themes → Storage → Reset).
Install an official theme from MIUI Theme Store (e.g. Default or Stock).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I install a video on the lock screen Xiaomi?

Yes, but not directly. You'll need to: Convert video to MP4 at the resolution that matches your screen. Use the Video Live Wallpaper or Wallpaper Engine app (requires root or ADB). Apply the video as live wallpaper through Settings → Wallpaper → Live wallpaper. Note: video on lock will severely drain the battery.

Why did my wallpaper on the lock disappear after the MIUI update?

With major MIUI updates (e.g., version 12 to version 13), wallpaper settings may reset, due to a change in the structure of system files. To return your wallpaper: Check if the image is saved in the gallery. Reapply it through Topics → Wallpaper. If the wallpaper is gone, restore it from a backup (e.g., from Google Photos).

How to make different wallpaper on two screens (lock and desktop)?

In MIUI, it's simple: Open Themes → Wallpaper. Select an image and click Apply. In the window that appears, uncheck the Desktop or Lock Screen, depending on which screen you don't want to change. If you don't have that option, use third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher) that allow you to customize wallpaper separately.

Can I install a lock without cutting?

Unfortunately, MIUI always adjusts images to the screen resolution, but you can minimize cropping: Use images with a resolution that matches your display exactly (e.g., 2400×1080 for Xiaomi 12T). Hand-stripped the image in the editor (e.g., Photoshop or Snapseed) so that important elements are centered. Try apps like Wallpaper Set & Save that allow you to fine-tune the position of the wallpaper.

Does this work on POCO and Black Shark?

Yes, all of the methods described are suitable for POCO and Black Shark devices, as they work on MIUI (or its modifications, for example, POCO Launcher). Exceptions: Black Shark with a branded JoyUI shell may have a different path to wallpaper settings. Some POCO models (for example, POCO F1) require unlocking the bootloader to change the lock wallpaper. If your device is running on “pure” Android (for example, POCO X3 NFC with Android One), use methods for standard Android (via Settings → Wallpaper).