How to change the wallpaper on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi 9T: all ways in 5 minutes

Why Change Wallpaper on Lock Screen and What You Need to Know Before Starting

The lock screen Xiaomi Redmi 9T is the first thing you see when you turn on the smartphone. standard wallpaper from the manufacturer quickly become boring, and personalized background not only uplifts, but also makes it easier to find the phone in the bag or on the table. However, not all users know that MIUI (Xiaomi firmware) has several ways to change the background, from basic to hidden features.

Before you start setting up, note: Redmi 9T runs on MIUI 12/13 (depending on the firmware version), and the interface may vary slightly. Also, if you like to change the design often, prepare a folder with your favorite pictures in advance - this will save time.

In this article, we will analyze all current methods: from standard change through settings to the use of third-party applications and even the use of other methods. ADB-And if you encounter a "failed to use wallpaper" error, there's a section at the end that solves typical problems.

πŸ“Š How often do you change your smartphone wallpaper?
Once a week.
Once a month
Only when you buy a phone
Never changed.

Method 1: Standard wallpaper change via MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which do not require super-user rights (root) and is suitable even for beginners.

  1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
  2. Go to Lock Screen (or Wallpaper β†’ Lock Screen in some versions of MIUI).
  3. Click Change Wallpaper or Select Wallpaper.
  4. Select the source: πŸ“ Gallery - your personal photos. πŸŒ„ Wallpaper. MIUI β€” built-in collection from Xiaomi. 🎨 Live wallpaper – animated background images (not available on all versions).

Apply

Set the lock screen

If you don't have the right partition in the settings, try an alternative way: pinch the free space on the home screen β†’ select Wallpaper β†’ go to the Lock Screen tab. This method works on MIUI 12.5+.

Upload your favorite image to the gallery

Check the resolution of the photo (optimally 1600Γ—720)

Close the background applications to speed up the process

Make a backup of your current wallpaper (if necessary)

-->

Method 2: Using the Themes app for unique wallpaper

The Themes app (Brush icon) is Xiaomi’s branded style store, where you can download not only wallpaper, but also full themes. There are both free and paid options, with many wallpapers optimized specifically for the Redmi 9T.

How to install wallpaper through "Themes":

  1. Open the Themes app (if not, download it from Google Play).
  2. Go to the Wallpaper tab in the lower menu.
  3. Select a category (e.g. Abstraction, Nature, Minimalism).
  4. Slip on the image you like and click Apply β†’ Lock screen only.

The advantage of this method is access to exclusive wallpapers that are not available in the standard gallery. However, be careful: some themes can change not only the background, but also icons, fonts, animations. If you need to change only the wallpaper, after applying the theme, return the standard design through Settings β†’ Themes β†’ By default.

πŸ’‘

If the wallpaper from the Themes app doesn’t apply, try clearing the app’s cache in your phone’s settings (Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Themes β†’ Storage β†’ Clear the cache).

Method 3: Change wallpaper through file manager (for power users)

This method is suitable for those who like complete control over system files. MIUI The lock screen wallpaper is stored in a hidden folder, and it can be replaced manually. ADB-commands, otherwise the system will not allow you to edit system files.

Instructions for users with root:

  1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
  2. Cross the path: /data/system/users/0/ There are files here. lockscreen_wallpaper (current wallpaper) and lockscreen_wallpaper_original (original).
  3. Copy your image into this folder by renaming it in lockscreen_wallpaper (The format should be.jpg or.png).
  4. Change the access rights to 644 (rw-r----).
  5. Reboot the phone.

If you don’t have root, but you do have a computer, you can use ADB:

adb pull /data/system/users/0/lockscreen_wallpaper


adb push your image.jpg /data/system/users/0/lockscreen_wallpaper




adb shell chmod 644 /data/system/users/0/lockscreen_wallpaper




adb reboot

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly changing system files can cause phone malfunctions. If the lock screen turns black or artifacts appear after rebooting, return the original file. lockscreen_wallpaper_original place.

Method 4: Third-party applications for flexible settings

If the built-in MIUI tools don't suit you, you can use third-party apps that offer additional features such as:

  • πŸ”„ Automatic change of wallpaper on schedule.
  • 🎭 Overlaying widgets (time, weather, notifications) over wallpaper.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Support for animated.gif and video wallpapers.
  • πŸ”’ Blocking changes without password.

Top.-3 Proven applications for Redmi 9T:

AnnexFeaturesCons
WallpapersCraftBig base. HD-Wallpaper, categories by style, support 4KAdvertising in the free version
KLWP Live WallpaperCreating live wallpaper with animation and widgetsA complex interface for beginners
ZedgeWallpaper + sounds + notifications, weekly updatesIt takes a lot of permission.

To install wallpaper through a third-party application:

  1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
  2. Select the wallpaper and click Install.
  3. In the window that appears, select the Lock Screen (not the main screen!).
  4. Confirm the change.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (e.g, KLWP) Require additional settings in the settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Special access β†’ Overlaying on top of other apps. Without that, they can't change the wallpaper.

Solving problems: Wallpaper is not applied or reset

Sometimes Redmi 9T users experience wallpaper changes, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

  • 🚫 Failed to use wallpaper error: Check if the image is damaged (open it in the gallery). Reboot the phone. Clear the cache of the Themes or Gallery app.
  • πŸ”„ Wallpaper resets after rebooting: This may be due to optimization MIUI. Turn off the Settings function β†’ Battery β†’ Optimizing the battery β†’ Select the app (Gallery/Themes) β†’ No restrictions. If you use a third-party app, add it to Auto Run.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Wallpaper clipped or stretched: Use resolution images 1600Γ—720. In the wallpaper settings, select Fit instead of Stretching.

If the problem persists, try resetting the lock screen settings:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ System β†’ Resetting settings.
  2. Select Reset the lock screen settings (not a full reset!).
  3. After the reboot, try changing the wallpaper again.
What to do if the password is lost after changing the wallpaper?
If you used root or ADB to change system files, you may damage the gatekeeper.pattern.key file or gatekeeper.password.key. In this case, only a Fastboot reset (data loss!) will help. To prevent you from always backing up /data/system/ before editing.

Additional tips: how to make wallpaper perfect

To make the wallpaper on the lock screen look as effective as possible, follow these recommendations:

  • πŸ“ Permission: For Redmi 9T optimally 1600Γ—720. Images with greater resolution will be cropped, with less stretched.
  • 🎨 Color gamut: Avoid too dark or light wallpapers – they can make it difficult to read times and notifications.
  • πŸ•’ Widgets: If you use widgets on the lock screen (weather, steps), choose wallpaper with free space at the top or bottom.
  • πŸ”‹ Energy consumption: Live wallpaper and animations increase battery consumption by 5-15%.Switch them off if the phone runs out too fast.

To create unique wallpaper can be used:

  • πŸ“± Collage apps (like PicsArt or Canva) – to combine multiple photos into one.
  • 🌌 Wallpaper generators (for example, Wallpaper Engine on PC) – to create animated backgrounds.
  • πŸ€– AI tools (e.g, DALLΒ·E or MidJourney – for generating wallpaper according to text description.

If you change wallpaper frequently, create a separate folder in Google Photos and enable automatic sync, so you can quickly find and install your favorite images from any device.

πŸ’‘

For the best result, use.png wallpapers – they support transparency and do not lose quality when compressed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the wallpaper to Redmi 9T

Can I put different wallpaper on the main screen and lock screen?
Yes, in MIUI, it's possible. When you select wallpapers in the settings or through the Themes app, you'll be asked to apply them to: Home screen, Lock screen, Both screens at the same time. Choose the right option.
Why did the MIUI update drop the wallpaper?
When major system updates (e.g., from MIUI 12 to MIUI 13) are frequently reset by custom settings, including wallpaper. This is due to a change in the structure of the system folders. To avoid loss: Save your favorite wallpaper to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud). Before updating, back up through Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ Backup.
How to return the standard wallpaper Xiaomi?
To restore the default wallpaper: Go to Settings β†’ Wallpaper. Select the MIUI Wallpaper tab. Scroll down to the Standard or Default section. Apply the option you like. If the standard wallpaper is not on the list, try resetting the theme settings through Settings β†’ Themes β†’ Reset to the standard theme.
Can I put the video on the lock screen?
On Redmi 9T, you can't install full-fledged video wallpaper on the lock screen without root rights. However, there are workarounds: Use apps like Video Wallpaper (requires Nox Player or similar emulators to bypass restrictions); Convert the video to.gif (maximum 10 seconds) and install it via KLWP. Note that video wallpapers drain the battery and can cause lags.
Why does the wallpaper on the lock screen look blurry?
Blurrency is usually associated with: Incorrect resolution of the original image (use 1600Γ—720); Automatic optimization of MIUI (disables in gallery settings); compression when downloading from instant messengers (download the original photos); try editing the image in Lightroom or Snapseed, increasing the sharpness before installation.