Personalization of the smartphone interface begins with choosing the right image on the desktop. Owners of budget devices often wonder how to change the wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi 9A to make the use of the gadget more enjoyable and personal. Standard settings of the system allow you to quickly change the static picture, but hidden functionality opens up access to live wallpaper and complex themes.
The screen background replacement procedure does not require root rights or third-party launchers. The built-in MIUI 12 shell tools (which run 9A) provide a powerful image catalog. However, to really make the most of a 6.53-inch screen, it’s worth considering all the available methods, from simple gallery to deep customization via the Themes app.
In this article, we will take a closer look at each step of installing static and animated images, learn how to avoid common zooming errors and where to find quality source codes that won’t be “soaped” on your smartphone’s display.
Use of the built-in Themes application
The richest source of visual content for your device is the official Theme app, preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones, and is the main customization tool, and you need to run a shortcut called "Themes" on your desktop or find it in the Tools folder to get started.
The interface offers many categories, but we're interested in the wallpaper section. At the bottom of the screen is the navigation bar where you select the Wallpaper tab. Here, the content is divided into subsections: Recommended, Categories and Local. The system automatically offers selections that are popular in your region.
⚠️ Note: When downloading new themes or wallpapers via the mobile network, a significant amount of traffic may be consumed. It is recommended to connect to Wi-Fi before downloading heavy files with animation.
Once you select your favorite image, click on the Apply button, and the system will offer two options: install only on the lock screen or on both screens (lock and desktop). 9A Better choose the second option.
Importantly, the catalog includes not only static images, but also video wallpapers, which bring the screen to life but consume more battery power. If you're in a critical position for autonomy, choose high-resolution static images. The app also allows you to filter content by color gamut, which is convenient for matching the background to the style of the smartphone case.
Installation of image from the Gallery
Often users want to put a personal photo or a picture downloaded from the Internet that is not presented in the standard directory, in which case the standard Gallery application comes to the rescue, the algorithm of actions here is as simple as possible and does not require an Internet connection after downloading the file.
Open the image in the gallery. At the bottom of the screen, look for the "More" button (usually indicated by three dots or the word "More"). In the drop-down menu, select "Install as wallpaper." The system will suggest setting the display area, as the proportions of the photo may not match the screen resolution of the Redmi 9A (720x1560 pixels).
☑️ Pre-installing check
Then there's the important step in setting up the display, and you'll be asked to choose where to apply the image: "lock screen," "desktop" or "both screens." If you want the background to be the same everywhere, choose the third option. If you have many widgets on your desktop, you'll better put a neutral background there, and a bright photo on the lock screen.
You should pay special attention to the "Screen Rotation" function. If you set a horizontal photo, it can be ugly cropped when the smartphone is vertical, and in the display settings you can fix the orientation or allow the system to automatically rotate the image after the device turns.
Setting up live wallpaper and super wallpaper
The MIUI shell is famous for its visuals, and live wallpaper is one of the key features. On the Redmi 9A, it works quite smoothly, but it's worth considering the load on the processor. Live wallpaper responds to touch, device tilts or time of day, creating a dynamic picture.
To activate them, go to "Settings" →"Wallpaper. At the top of the screen, you'll see a switch or a separate tab called "Live Wallpaper." Here's the standard animations from Xiaomi: floating planets, flowing water, abstract geometric shapes. There's not much choice, but the quality of the performance is high.
⚠️ Attention: Using complex live wallpaper can reduce battery life of a smartphone by up to 15% per day.If you notice a fast discharge, go back to the static background.
There's also the concept of superwallpapers, which were introduced in MIUI 12, which are highly detailed images of planets (Earth, Mars, Saturn) that change their angle when you unlock the screen. On Redmi 9A, they're available through the Topics app in the Superbugs section. They require a little more resources to install, but the visual effect is worth it.
Where to download additional live wallpaper?
For minimalist lovers, there are black live wallpapers that use AMOLED technology (although the screen here is IPS, black still looks deeper), which help save energy and reduce eye strain in the dark.
Creating a slideshow from photos
The unique feature of MIUI is the ability to set a slideshow to a lock screen, which allows you to change images automatically at specified intervals, so every time you pick up your phone, you see a new picture from your collection or subscription.
To set up, go to Settings → Always on screen and lock screen. Find wallpaper carousel (or slideshow). Activate the switch. Now the system will offer you sets of images (nature, architecture, art) or use your personal photos from selected albums.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Shift frequency | Image update interval | Every 15 minutes. |
| Source | Where to get a photo | Local gallery |
| Network | Using traffic | Only Wi-Fi. |
| Notifications | Screening news in the background | Shut down. |
In the carousel settings, you can choose whether images will only change on the lock screen or also on the desktop, the second option is less convenient, since constantly changing the background can distract from finding app icons.
If you get tired of automatic shifting, it's easy to turn off with a single click. It's a great way to refresh the experience without manually changing files every couple of days. It also can download new themed sets over the Internet if you let it access the network.
Working with widgets and a desktop grid
Beautiful wallpaper can be spoiled by chaoticly scattered icons. To make the Redmi 9A look stylish, you need to properly adjust the desktop grid. Clutch the empty area on the screen or pinch with two fingers to go into editing mode.
In the bottom menu, select Settings. You can change the size of the grid here. The standard value is often 4x6, but for better visual perception of wallpaper, it is recommended to reduce the number of icons, for example, to 4x5 or even less, if the launcher allows, this will open up more space for contemplating the background.
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Use the watch widget with a transparent background so that it harmoniously fits into any image, without overlapping important details of the picture.
Also available in this menu is the ability to hide unnecessary widgets or change their size. Large weather or news widgets can cover the center of the image. Move them to the top or bottom of the screen, leaving the center free to view key elements of your wallpaper.
Remember, "Continuous Wallpaper." Some versions of MIUI have an option that allows you to stretch the image directly onto the lock screen and desktop so that when you unlock it, you create a parallax effect. This adds depth to the interface.
Solution and optimization
When you install wallpaper, users may encounter a number of technical nuances, such as the image may look blurry or have incorrect proportions, this is due to the fact that the Redmi 9A screen resolution is 720 by 1560 pixels. If you try to put a horizontal photo with a resolution of 1920x1080, the system will either crop it or stretch it, losing quality.
For the perfect result, use images with a vertical orientation and a resolution of at least 1080x1920 pixels. Even if the screen of the smartphone is smaller, the stock of pixels will allow the system to scale the picture qualitatively without the appearance of “ladders” and compression artifacts.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing wallpaper with very small details or bright dot elements in the locations of application icons, this will make it difficult to visually perceive the interface and make the phone less user-friendly.
Another problem is that the battery is running fast when using live wallpaper, so if you notice that your smartphone is running less than usual, check if you have heavy animations, and you should also turn off the Adaptive Brightness function in conjunction with bright white backgrounds, since the backlight will work at its maximum.
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The quality of the original image directly affects the perception of the interface: use vertical photos in high resolution to avoid blurring.
If the wallpaper is "flying" after a system reboot or update, check for updates for the Themes and MIUI Services. Sometimes a conflict of versions of system components leads to a reset of personalization to standard values.