How to quickly and easily change wallpaper on Xiaomi phone: all the ways

Changing wallpaper on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most sought-after personalization features. Even if you just bought a new Redmi or POCO, standard background images quickly become boring. Fortunately, the MIUI shell offers several ways to change the look of the lock screen and the home screen - from built-in collections to uploading your own photos.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of changing wallpaper on Xiaomi phones in 2026, including the features of the latest versions of MIUI 14 and MIUI 15. You will learn how to install static and live wallpaper, where to download high-quality background images, and what to do if the system does not allow you to change the picture.

Preparation: what wallpaper supports your Xiaomi

Before you change the background, it’s important to understand what types of wallpaper are compatible with your model. Modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the Redmi Note 10 and POCO X3) support:

• 🖼️ Static wallpaper - classic JPEG/PNG Images (permission from the 1080×2340 most models)
• 🎞️ Live wallpaper - animated background pictures (format.mp4 or.gif, lasting up to 15 seconds)
• 🌄 Super wallpaper -- interactive. 3D-Xiaomi backgrounds (available only on the flagships of the Mi series) 11/12/13 and POCO F4/F5)
• 🔄 Dynamic wallpaper - changing depending on the time of day (requires) MIUI 14+)

You can find out the supported resolution for your model in the characteristics on the official Xiaomi website or through the Settings app → About phone → Specifications. For example, for the Redmi Note 12 Pro + the optimal resolution of wallpaper is 1080×2400, and for Xiaomi 13 Ultra – 1242×2772.

⚠️ Warning: Live wallpaper significantly increases battery consumption. on budget models (Redmi) 10A, POCO M4) Their use can reduce the time of autonomous operation on the 15-20%.

Method 1: Standard wallpaper change via MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use built-in shell tools, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models regardless of the MIUI version.

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on the home screen).
2. Go to the Wallpaper tab in the lower menu.
3. Select a category: 📱 Lock screen – for background on locked screen 🏠 Main screen - for the desktop 🔄 Both screens synchronize background

My wallpaper.

Apply

If you want to use your own photo:

1. In the section My wallpaper click Add ("+" icon).
2. Select the source: Gallery, Downloads or File Manager.
3. Find the desired image and cut it to the size of the screen (you can scale with two fingers).
4. Press Ready → Apply.

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T or POCO F4 GT), there is an option on the wallpaper menu called Paralax Effects, which adds light animations when the phone is tilted, creating an illusion of depth.

Topics → Wallpaper → Select wallpaper → Magic icon (✨) in upper right corner → Include paralax

Method 2: Installation of live wallpaper (including third-party)

Live wallpaper makes the screen more dynamic, but its installation has nuances. MIUI has built-in animated backgrounds, but their choice is limited.

Built-in live wallpaper

To set up standard animation:

1. Open Topics → Wallpaper.
2. Go to the Live tab (or Dynamic in MIUI 15).
3. Choose your favorite animation (for example, Ocean Waves or Starry Sky).
4. Click Apply and select which screen to install.

Third-party live wallpaper

For the installation of custom animations:

1. Download the app from Google Play, for example: 🌊 Live Wallpapers & Themes (from Live Wallpapers & Themes) 5G Wallpapers) 🎨 KWGT Kustom Live Wallpaper (for advanced users) 🌌 3D Parallax Backgrounds

Open the app and select the animation you like.

Install

MIUI

Confirm the selection and adjust the parameters (speed of animation, brightness, etc.).

⚠️ Note: Some live wallpapers from third-party sources may contain ads or collect data. Before installing, check the reviews and permissions of the app on Google Play. APK-files from unknown sites – they can be infected with viruses.

On Xiaomi models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5 Pro), live wallpaper runs smoother thanks to improved MIUI optimization for Qualcomm. On budget chips (such as the Snapdragon 480 in the Redmi Note 11), animation can slow down.

Method 3: Super-wallpaper and hidden MIUI features

Super wallpaper is a Xiaomi signature feature available on flagship models. 3D-For example, Mars wallpaper shows the surface of the Red Planet with realistic craters, and Earth shows the rotating Earth.

To set up super wallpaper:

1. Open Topics → Wallpaper. → Super wallpaper.
2. Choose a collection (e.g., Space or Nature).
3. Download your favorite option (weight of one set is 50-150 MB).
4. Apply the wallpaper to the main screen or lock screen.

Some models (Xiaomi 12S Ultra, POCO F4 GT) have super wallpapers that maintain depth of field, so when you scrolle through the desktop, you create a paralax effect.

Topics → Wallpaper → Settings (⚙️) → Depth effect → Include

Another hidden feature is adaptive wallpaper, which changes the color scheme depending on the weather or time of day, to activate:

1. Set wallpaper from the Dynamic category.
2. In the wallpaper settings, turn on the option Adaptive Color.
3. Allow access to the location (for weather synchronization).

Method 4: Change wallpaper through file manager (for experienced)

If standard methods don't work (for example, after resetting or updating MIUI), you can manually change the wallpaper through the system folders, which requires caution, but sometimes helps to return functionality.

Instructions:

1. Open the File Manager (or any other file manager, such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go on the path: /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Wallpapers User Wallpapers are stored here.
3. Copy your image into this folder (JPG/PNG format, at least 1080p resolution).
4. Back to Topics → Wallpaper → My Wallpaper – your image should appear in the list.

To change the wallpaper of the lock screen through system files:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and use it. ADB, to replace the system wallpaper (command: adb shell cp) /sdcard/Download/my_wallpaper.jpg /data/system/users/0/wallpaper

⚠️ Warning: Manually modifying system files can cause malfunctions MIUI, Including cyclical reboot. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Themes → Storage → Clear cache

Problem Solving: Wallpapers are not changed or reset

Sometimes users find that the wallpaper is spontaneously reset to standard or not installed at all.

If the wallpaper doesn’t change after the MIUI update, try:

1. Remove the update for the application Topics: Settings → Annexes → Topics → ⋮ → Remove updates
2. Reset theme settings to standard: Topics → Profile → ⚙️ → Reset the settings
3. Reinstall MIUI Theme Editor (if installed)
4. Import the video to the app and cut the desired snippet.
5. Set up the parameters: 🔊 Turn off the sound (by default it is played when unlocked). 🔄 Select cycle mode (Cycle or Once). 🎛️ Reduce quality to Medium to save battery.

Apply wallpaper through the app menu.

Online services can be used to create live wallpaper from GIF, for example:

• 🌐 EZGIF — trimming, optimization and conversion of gifs.
• 🎨 GIPHY — animation-base.

⚠️ Warning: Live wallpaper from video may conflict with Always On Display (AOD) on AMOLED-If you're installing the screens, AOD stopped working, turn off animations or reset the lock screen settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing wallpaper to Xiaomi