Personalizing the MIUI or HyperOS interface is the first step that makes a new smartphone truly yours. Standard images preinstalled by the manufacturer often seem boring or simply do not match the mood of the owner. Fortunately, the shell from Xiaomi provides ample opportunities for visual customization, allowing you to change not only the background of the desktop, but also the image you see every time you turn on the screen.
The process of replacing a static image or adjusting a dynamic carousel takes only a few minutes, but there are many nuances in the settings menu that not all users know about. The lock screen is the first thing you see when you take a phone in your hands, so its design plays a key role in the perception of the device. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for changing the visual design.
You don't have to be a technician to change the background, but it offers an intuitive interface where the basic functions are set in a separate section, and we'll look at both basic settings for setting a single photo, and advanced features like Wallpaper Carousel, which turns the lock screen into a source of useful information and new experiences.
Basic setting through the design menu
The easiest and fastest way to change an image is to use a standard theme menu, which is suitable for those who want to install one particular photo and do not need to automatically change pictures. First, you need to unlock the device and find the Theme app on the desktop, which has a characteristic icon with the letter “T” and is usually located in the Tools folder or on the home screen.
When you start the app, look at the bottom navigation bar, and you're interested in the Profile tab, which is often marked by the little guy icon, and when you go to this section, you'll see a list of all the themes and designs you've installed, and you'll select Wallpaper, and then you'll switch to the Lock Screen tab, and that's where all the available system images are stored.
When you select your favorite image from the galleries, click Apply. The system can suggest you choose where to apply the image: only on the lock screen, only on the home screen, or both. It is important to select the Lock screen option so that the changes take effect exactly where you planned, and once confirmed, the image instantly replaces the standard screensaver.
⚠️ Note: When downloading new themes or wallpapers through the Themes app, make sure you are using Xiaomi's official storage.Third-party sources may contain malicious code or display incorrectly on your screen resolution.
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Using the built-in Themes app is the safest and most stable way to install static images, ensuring that the picture is properly scaled for your screen model.
Using your own photos from the gallery
Often users want to see on the lock screen photos of loved ones, pets or landscapes from vacation, which are stored in the memory of the phone. MIUI makes it easy to install any image from the gallery as a screensaver. To do this, open the Gallery app and select the desired photo. The quality of the source file matters: for modern high-resolution screens, it is recommended to use shots of at least 1080×2400 pixels.
Once you open a photo, click on the "More" button (three dots in the corner) or swipe up to open the lower action menu. In the list of options, find the "Install as wallpaper." The system will offer two options: "Lock screen" and "Home screen." Select the first option. If the photo has a different format, such as horizontal, the system will suggest framing the image.
Move the framing frame to pick the best composition, and click Ready. Now your personal photo is set. This is ideal for static images that don't require constant updating. You can repeat the procedure as many times as you want to create a mood for a particular day or event.
- 📸 Open the necessary photo in the app "Gallery».
- 🖱️ Press the menu button or swipe up to call options.
- 🔒 Select "Install as wallpaper» → «Lock screen».
- ✂️ Scan the image and confirm the action.
It should be noted that when you install a photo from the gallery, the system automatically applies depth or blur effects if the smartphone model supports the Always On Display function with parallax effect, which adds dynamics to the static picture when unlocked.
Setting up the wallpaper carousel (Glance)
One of the most popular but sometimes annoying features is the Wallpaper Carousel (formerly known as Glance), which automatically changes the images on the lock screen while the phone is in sleep mode. Many users like variety, but others are annoyed by ads or inappropriate images.
To activate or disable the carousel, go to Settings → Lock screen. Here you will find the wallpaper carousel. Inside this menu you can turn on the function by selecting image sources (for example, Travel, City, Nature). If you want to completely remove the automatic shift, just switch the slider to the off position.
Inside the carousel settings, you can also have a refresh rate feature, so you can adjust how often images will change, whether it's at each screen turn on or at a set time interval, which allows you to control traffic and battery power, because constantly loading new images can be a waste of resources.
If you decide to keep the carousel active but only want to see certain categories, carefully select the tags in the settings menu. Disabling unnecessary categories such as Advertising or News will make the feed more enjoyable and relevant to your interests.
⚠️ Warning: Wallpaper carousel requires an active internet connection to upload new images (4G/5G) Make sure that the carousel settings have a limit on downloading only through Wi-Fi, so as not to waste traffic.
Live wallpaper and animated screensavers
For owners of smartphones with AMOLED-And if you look at a screen like the Xiaomi Mi or Redmi Note series, you'll find a great option, which is a live wallpaper, which is short video cycles or complex animations that bring the lock screen to life, and unlike static images, they respond to touch or time of day, creating a premium effect.
You can find live wallpaper in the same Themes app by going to Wallpaper and selecting Live. When choosing a screensaver, look at the battery icon in the preview corner, which indicates approximate energy consumption. Some complex animations can consume more resources, although MIUI optimization usually minimizes this effect.
Once you have a live wallpaper, it will play every time you turn on the screen, and it's important to understand that some models may not have a live wallpaper if the battery is below 20 percent or if the "Energy Saving" mode is on, in which case the system will automatically switch to a static image.
| Wallpaper type | Battery consumption | Screen requirements | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static | Minimum | Anybody. | Gallery/Themes |
| Live (Live) | Medium. | Desirable AMOLED | Section "Live" in Topics |
| carousel | Depends on the network. | Anybody. | Lock screen settings |
| Video wallpaper | High-pitched | High resolution. | Third-party annexes |
Using live wallpaper is a great way to set your smartphone apart from a host of other devices, but if autonomy is a priority, stick to high-quality static images is a good idea.
Third-party applications and widgets
If Xiaomi’s standard functionality isn’t enough, Google Play offers a variety of customization apps, popular solutions like the Wallpaper Engine that sync live wallpapers to your PC or use interactive backgrounds, and can greatly enhance your experience.
However, installing third-party launchers or wallpaper managers requires permissions to be considered. The application may request access to the gallery, location and background activity.Be sure to read reviews before installing and check developer ratings to avoid installing adware.
For advanced users, it is possible to create their own wallpaper packages using MIUI development tools. This requires knowledge of file structure and work with archives, but allows you to create a unique design that no one else has.
How to install video wallpaper without root rights?
Remember that third-party apps may conflict with the system theme. If the interface becomes unstable after installing new software, try uninstalling the application or resetting the theme to a standard one.
Frequent problems and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation when after changing the picture it does not appear or looks stretched. Most often the problem lies in the discrepancy between the aspect ratio of the image and the screen of the smartphone. Modern Xiaomi phones have elongated screens, and ordinary 16:9 photos can be cut off at the edges.
Another common problem is resetting settings after rebooting. This can happen if the device memory is full or the theme system cache is damaged. In this case, it is recommended to clear the theme app cache through the application management menu. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Themes → Memory → Clear the cache.
If the problem persists, check if the Simplified Mode (for older people) mode is turned on, which limits the possibility of personalizing the interface.
☑️ Checklist
It’s also worth mentioning that on some global firmware versions, wallpaper carousel functionality can be limited or replaced with Glance with regional content features, which is normal and depends on the region specified when you first set up the phone.
Optimization and Impact on the Battery
The question of power consumption is always relevant for smartphone owners. Static wallpaper has little or no effect on charge consumption. The main consumption occurs when using live wallpaper or an active carousel that constantly accesses the network. If you notice that the phone discharges faster after changing the design, analyze the type of wallpaper used.
For maximum autonomy, use dark static wallpaper, especially if you have an AMOLED screen. The black pixels on these screens are simply turned off, which saves energy. Avoid bright, light static images if you want to extend the battery life for an hour or two.
The wallpaper carousel can also consume traffic. In the carousel settings, be sure to turn on the option “Download only over Wi-Fi” to prevent unexpected consumption of mobile Internet packets, especially if you are often in an uncertain reception zone, where the phone is constantly looking for a network to update content.
⚠️ Attention: Installation of high-resolution video wallpapers (4K) It can heat up the processor when you turn on the screen often. If you value performance in games, it's better to use static graphics.