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

The lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone, and the look of it sets the mood for the whole day. There are plenty of ways for owners of Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO or Black Shark devices to personalize this interface element, but not everyone knows how to change the lock wallpaper correctly without losing quality or crashing the system. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from standard MIUI settings to advanced tricks using ADB.

It's important to understand that the wallpaper options are different from the firmware version and the device model. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14 has some options, and the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5 has other options, and we've taken these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will work for most of the modern gadgets of the brand. If you want to not just change the picture, but make the lock screen really unique, read on.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI shell tools. It does not require super-user rights (root) or additional applications, but has limitations: for example, you can not install live wallpaper or animations on all models.

To change the lock wallpaper in a standard way:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush) on the home screen.
• 🖼️ Go to Wallpaper section. → Lock screen.
• 🔍 Select category: My Wallpaper, Popular or Live Wallpaper (if supported).
• ✅ Click on the picture you like and confirm the application button Install.

On some devices (e.g. POCO F5), the path may be slightly different: Settings → Screen → Wallpaper → Lock screen. If there is no suitable option on the list, you can download wallpaper from the MIUI Themes Store, but this will require a Xiaomi account.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global some themes and wallpapers may be blocked due to regional restrictions.To access all options, switch to MIUI China (requires unlocking of the bootloader).

If the lock screen is not displayed correctly after changing the wallpaper (for example, the picture is cut or stretched), try:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📏 Select wallpaper with the resolution corresponding to your screen (for example, 1080×2400 For the Redmi Note 12).
• 🛠️ Reset the application settings Themes in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the data.

2.Use of MIUI-deep-customization topics

If standard wallpaper seems boring to you, you can install a full-fledged wallpaper. MIUI-A theme that will change not only the background of the lock, but also icons, fonts, animations, and is suitable for users who want to radically transform the interface.

Instructions for the installation of the topic:

1. Download the.mtz theme file from trusted sources (e.g. miuier.com or Telegram channels).
2. Move the file to the MIUI/theme folder on the internal drive (create it if it is not available).
3. Open the Topics → My Themes → Import and select the downloaded file.
4. Apply the theme and restart the device.

Some themes may conflict with system applications, so check before installing:

If after applying the theme, the lock screen began to lag or notifications do not appear, return the standard theme to Settings → Themes → Standard.

3. Change of wallpaper through third-party applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don’t suit you, you can use third-party apps from Google Play, which offer more features: live wallpaper, animations, automatic background changes on a schedule, and even integration with weather widgets.

Top.-3 applications for customizing the lock screen on Xiaomi:

Before installing third-party applications, consider:

• 🔒 Some programs require permission to overlay other applications (included in Settings) → Special facilities).
• 📴 Live wallpaper can increase battery consumption by 5-15% (depending on model).
• 🚫 Apps like Lock Screen & Wallpaper may be in conflict with the MIUI and malfunction.

💡

If after installing third-party wallpaper, the lock screen began to slow down, try turning off animations in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then Settings → Additional → For developers → Animation and set a factor of 0.5x).

4 Manually modifying wallpaper through file manager

For power users, there is a way to manually change lock wallpapers by replacing system files, a method that works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires caution – wrong actions can lead to interface failure.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Cross the path: /data/system/users/0/ Here you will find files: wallpaper - desktop wallpaper, wallpaper_lock — lock-screen, wallpaper_lock_temp — temporary file (can be deleted).

wallpaper_lock

Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: If you don't have root permissions, this method won't work, and it's also not recommended to change other files in the folder. /data/system/ — This can cause system failure on some devices (e.g. Xiaomi). 12T) after manual replacement of wallpaper can reset the theme of design.

If the wallpaper has not changed after the file replacement, check:

• 📌 File access rights (wallpaper_lock Must have rw-r rights--r--).
• 🔄 Cash systems (clean up in Settings) → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 📏 Image resolution (should match the screen resolution, for example, 2400×1080 for POCO X5 Pro).

5. Advanced method: changing wallpaper through ADB

For users who want to automate the process or change wallpaper on multiple devices at the same time, the method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is suitable. This method does not require root rights, but you need a computer and enabled debugging over USB.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack into any folder.
4. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with ADB and execute commands: adb devices adb shell cmd overlay enable-exclusive com.android.systemui --user current cmd overlay set-priority com.android.systemui 100 settings put global wallpaper_lock /sdcard/your_wallpaper.jpg (substitute your_wallpaper.jpg on the way to your file).
5. Reset the device.

Advantages of this method:

• ⚡ Quick change of wallpaper without manual intervention.
• 🔄 Ability to Automate Through Scripts.
• 🛡️ Doesn't require root rights.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI wallpaper installed through ADB, They may reset. Some commands may not work on devices with MIUI 14 due to changes in security policy.

💡

Method ADB It is suitable for mass deployment of wallpaper (for example, in corporate devices) or for automating the process through scripts. MIUI-topic.

6 Problem Solving: Wallpapers do not change or are displayed incorrectly

Sometimes, after a change of wallpaper, you have problems: the picture is not applied, the image is displayed blurred or the lock screen starts to slow down.

Problem 1: Wallpaper does not change after choosing in the settings.

• 🔹 Check if a third-party screen locking app is installed (e.g. LockScreen Pro).
• 🔹 Clear the cache of the Themes and Launcher app.
• 🔹 Restart the device in Safe Mode (press the power button) → Restart in Safe Mode and try changing the wallpaper again.

Problem 2: Wallpaper is stretched or cropped.

• 🔹 Use images with the resolution that matches your screen. For most, Xiaomi will do. 1080×2400 (Full HD+) or 1440×3200 (2K).
• 🔹 In the Gallery app before installing the wallpaper, click Cut and manually adjust the picture under the screen.
• 🔹 Turn off the auto-selection option in wallpaper settings (if available).

Problem 3: The wallpaper doesn't work.

• 🔹 Make sure your device supports live wallpaper (on Redmi) 9A Budget models may not work).
• 🔹 Check battery settings: Live wallpaper can be blocked by Battery Optimization (include exception for wallpaper app).
• 🔹 Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI (below 12.5) animation support is limited.

7. Alternative ways: widgets and Always-On Display

If you don’t need to change your wallpaper easily, you can go further and customize your lock screen with widgets or the Always-On Display (AOD) feature, which are available on flagship models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO F4 GT) and some mid-range devices.

Setting up Always-On Display:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Always-On Display.
2. Choose the display style: Digital watch, Analog watch or Custom watch.
3. Customize the color, font and additional items (date, notifications, battery).
4. Activate the option to show when blocking.

Add widgets to the lock screen:

• 🔹 Nana MIUI 14 widgets are added through a long press on the lock screen → Widgets.
• 🔹 Available widgets: weather, calendar, music player, fast action.
• 🔹 On budget models (Redmi) 10A) Widgets on the lock screen may not be available.

If the AOD drains the battery quickly, try:

• 🔋 Reduce display time (e.g., with Always by 10 seconds).
• 🌓 Use dark themes (AMOLED-screens consume less energy when displaying black).
• ⚡ Shut down. AOD at night through settings → Screen. → Always-On Display → Schedule.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the lock wallpaper to Xiaomi