How to change wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi 9: a step-by-step guide

Modern smartphones allow you to personalize the interface beyond recognition, turning a standard “workhorse” into a unique device. For owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9, the issue of visual design is especially acute, since factory settings often seem too conservative or overloaded. The process of replacing the background image is the easiest and fastest way to refresh the perception of the gadget without complex manipulations with firmware.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can change the background of your lock screen and desktop, learn how to work with embedded themes, use your own photos from the gallery, and even activate live animated images. Understanding the intricacies of the MIUI shell will allow you to control the appearance of your smartphone as efficiently as possible.

Many users are unaware of the hidden features of the standard interface, and we'll look at not only the basic settings, but also the nuances that will help avoid common mistakes, such as poor picture quality or incorrect display of icons. Get ready to turn your Redmi 9 into a work of digital art.

Basic settings through the settings menu

The most traditional and reliable way to change the image is to use the system menu, which ensures that the image is stretched correctly and does not conflict with the system widgets, so you first need to unlock the device and find the Settings icon on your desktop, which usually looks like a gear.

In the list of parameters that opens, you scroll down to the Wallpaper section, and this is where the basic customization tools are hidden, and the system will offer several categories: standard static images, dynamic super wallpaper, and the ability to select photos from your personal gallery, and the choice of the specific option depends on your preferences.

Once you select a picture, you'll be asked to use it, and it's important to be careful: MIUI allows you to set the picture separately for the lock screen and separately for the desktop, which gives you flexibility in setting up, for example, allowing you to keep a strict minimalism on the desktop, and on the lock screen - a bright family photo.

⚠️ Note: When choosing too bright or contrasting images for the desktop, application icons may become less noticeable. It is recommended to choose pictures with darkened areas or use the blur feature if it is available in the firmware version.

Don't ignore the possibility of previewing. Before the final application, the system will show you how the image will look in reality, which helps to avoid a situation where a beautiful photo in the gallery on the smartphone screen looks faded or cropped.

Using the “Themes” application for customization

Xiaomi's official theme store is a powerful tool that is often underrated, and you can find not just static pictures, but entire design packages that include icons, fonts and, of course, unique wallpaper.

Inside the app, go to the bottom tab, designated Wallpaper. The matching algorithms will offer you thousands of options, sorted by category: nature, abstraction, cars, celebrities. Special attention should be paid to the HD section, which features high-resolution images that are ideal for the Redmi 9 screen.

The installation process is simple: click on your favorite picture, then click on the download button (usually the arrow down), and after you finish downloading, select Apply. The uniqueness of this method is that many of the wallpapers in the theme store are interactive or have a complex layering structure.

It is worth noting that some themes may include ad integrations or require a subscription to access all features. However, the basic background setting functionality remains free. Regular updates to the Themes app via GetApps or Google Play provide access to newest collections.

Installation of your own photos from the gallery

Personal photos give your smartphone a personality that you can't buy in a store. To set your photo, open the Gallery app and select the picture you want. The quality of the source file is critical: if the photo is low resolution, it can look grainy on the display.

After opening the photo, click on the three dots in the upper right corner or the "More" button. In the drop-down menu, select Set as wallpaper. The system will automatically prompt you to fraternize the image, since the proportions of the photo may not match the proportions of the Redmi 9 screen.

In the framing phase, you can move the image to select the most important part of the frame. MIUI allows you to separately configure the area for the lock screen and for the desktop if you apply the photo to only one of them, which is especially convenient for vertical and horizontal shots.

If you want to use the same photo for both screens, the system will suggest applying it globally, but for best results, it is recommended to still select or crop images individually for each screen, taking into account the location of the clock widgets and dates.

Setting up live and super wallpaper

Super Wallpapers technology brings the screen to life by adding depth and animation when unlocked. Redmi 9 has both classic live wallpapers and new superabstractions that respond to touch. They consume a little more energy, but the visual effect is worth it.

To activate, go to Settings → Wallpaper and select Super Wallpaper, which features planets, mountains and abstract worlds. When you click on the lock screen with this wallpaper, you can smoothly animation the object approaching or rotating, which creates a premium effect of the device.

It's important to remember the balance between beauty and autonomy. Live wallpaper uses CPU and GPU resources. If you're looking at maximum battery savings in standby, you'd better limit yourself to high-quality static images.

When selecting a super wallpaper, the system may suggest downloading an additional data packet. Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi at this point so as not to waste mobile traffic. The amount of files downloaded can range from 10 to 50 MB depending on the complexity of the animation.

The function of "Carousel wallpaper" and slideshow

For those who can’t figure out a single image, Xiaomi offers a “Glance” feature that automatically changes the images on the lock screen at intervals, creating a sense of novelty every time you pick up your phone.

To enable this feature, go to Settings → Lock screen and find the wallpaper carousel. Here you can choose the sources of images: these can be curated collections from Xiaomi partners or your own albums from the gallery.

Setting up the interval allows you to flexibly control the process, so you can set the change of pictures every time you turn on the screen or by timer, and it's a great alternative to static for people who like variety.

⚠️ Warning: The wallpaper carousel may consume additional traffic if you choose to download new images from the Internet. In the settings of the feature, be sure to activate the option “Download only via Wi-Fi” to avoid unexpected costs.

In addition, the carousel can display news widgets or advertising blocks from partners. If you are annoyed by advertising, in the settings of the carousel, you can often find a switch to turn off the news feed, leaving only a change in backgrounds.

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Tip: If you use a carousel with personal photos, create a separate album "Wallpaper" in the gallery and choose its source, so you will be sure that the lock screen will not get random screenshots or unsuccessful footage.

Removing Quality and Artifact Problems

Sometimes, after installing wallpaper, users encounter a problem: the image looks blurry, pixelated, or has strange color distortions, which is often due to the fact that the resolution of the original file does not correspond to the pixel density of the Redmi 9 screen.

The screen of the smartphone has a resolution of 2340 × 1080 pixels. If you download a picture with a lower resolution, the system has to stretch it, which leads to loss of clarity. Always check the properties of the file before installing: the width must be at least 1080 pixels.

Another common problem is the system dimming or lightening the image. MIUI sometimes automatically applies filters to improve the readability of icons. To avoid this, when installed through the gallery, turn off automatic improvement if this option is available in the preview menu.

If you download wallpaper from third-party apps, make sure they are not compressed by an aggressive compression algorithm.It is better to use proven sources or official themes where quality is controlled by moderators.

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The quality of the final image is 90% dependent on the original resolution of the file. Avoid images less than 1 MP for full-screen mode.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)