Modern Smart TVs have long gone from simple devices for watching terrestrial TV to full-fledged multimedia centers, where the visual design of the interface plays a role. When you turn off the Xiaomi Mi TV or put it in standby mode, the screen often displays a standard image that eventually becomes annoying with monotony. Changing a static background or a dynamic screensaver is the easiest way to personalize the device to your taste and make the interior of the living room more unique.
However, many users have difficulty trying to change standard screen settings, as the interface of Android TV or proprietary shell PatchWall does not always offer obvious solutions. Unlike smartphones, where the wallpaper changes in a couple of touches, on TVs, the process may require a deeper immersion in the system menus or the use of third-party applications. Understanding the logic of the operating system will allow you to avoid unnecessary actions and quickly achieve the desired result.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to change the background image, from standard system tools to advanced methods using third-party software, learn how to set up automatic image change, why settings may not be saved and what file formats are supported by your TV model without loss of quality.
Differences between the lock screen and the main menu
Before making any changes, you need to clearly understand the difference between the types of content displayed on Xiaomi TVs. The system distinguishes between the “screensaver” that appears when it is simple and the “background” of the main menu that is visible when navigating through applications. Standard Android TV tools most often change the screensaver that is activated by the idle timer.
PatchWall’s user interface, which is often pre-installed on the brand’s devices, has its own design settings other than pure Android. Here, the background image can be tied to a content recommendation tape or banner ads, which limits the ability to manually set a personal photo as a permanent background.
For those who want to see their photos when the TV is turned on or when they are paused, the most relevant feature is the standby mode setting, which is responsible for displaying images when the device is formally on but not playing video or applications. Separating these concepts will help you choose the right instruction for your specific purpose.
Use of built-in Android TV features
The most reliable and safest way to change the visual design is to use the standard operating system settings. You do not need to install additional software or connect flash drives if you plan to use images from the Internet or Google Photos. The algorithm of actions is universal for most models running on Android TV 9.0 and higher.
You need to go to the settings menu, select the Device and Preferences section, and find the Saverser. Inside this menu, the system will suggest choosing the source of images. This can be a built-in Google Gallery, Google Photos service or special backgrounds from Google. The choice of the source of Google Photos is the most flexible, because it allows you to sync your TV with your personal album in the cloud.
☑️ Setting up the screensaver
Once you select the source, the system will suggest setting the time to go into screensaver mode. You can set the timer to 1.5, 15 minutes or select the "Never" option to keep the screen black. You can also adjust the display style: photos can appear with panning effect or just static. Remember to activate the time and date option if you want to use the TV as a stylish wall clock when turned off.
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Use albums in Google Photos called Screensaver or ScreenSaver so that the TV automatically selects images from that folder without mixing them with other photos.
Personalization through PatchWall
Owners of Xiaomi Mi TV Stick and newer models may encounter PatchWall, which is significantly different from standard Android.In this shell, the process of changing the background can be hidden or limited. Often users see advertising images that change automatically and can not find a button to install their picture.
However, in some versions of the firmware, you can disable or replace the ad saver by going to the profile settings or the General section of the PatchWall menu. If the Standby mode option is active, try switching the source to My Photos. In some cases, you need to pre-authorize to the Mi Account acca and sync with the Mi Cloud storage.
⚠️ Note: Some PatchWall TVs may have their background change completely blocked by the manufacturer in certain regions. If you don't find the appropriate settings, your version of the software probably doesn't support this option.
Alternatively, PatchWall owners may want to install a third-party launcher that replaces the standard interface with a more flexible one, but this action requires more knowledge and can affect the voice control or the built-in remote hotkeys. When deciding on such changes, weigh the pros and cons, as returning to the factory interface may require resetting.
Installation of wallpaper using third-party applications
If you don't like standard functionality, the Google Play Store offers a variety of apps specifically designed to customize Android TV. One of the most popular and functional solutions is the Wallpaper Engine app or the dedicated TV Wallpaper utility, which allows you to install not only static images, but also live, animated wallpaper, which turns the TV into a real digital art object.
The installation process is simple: find the app in the store, download it and launch it. Most of these programs have a user-friendly interface adapted to control from the remote control. You can download pictures directly from the TV's memory if you first flip them there, or use built-in directories with high-resolution images. Some applications even allow you to stream wallpaper from your smartphone to your TV in real time.
When using third-party software, consider resource consumption. Animated wallpaper can increase the load on the TV processor, which theoretically can lead to a slight heating of the device or slowdown of the interface when switching between applications. For older TV models, it is recommended to use only static images.
Where can I find APK files?
Working with local files and USB-accumulator
For users who prefer to store media files locally, the method of installing wallpaper with the media is relevant. USB-This way you can ensure that your images are in their original quality, without compression by algorithms of online services. FAT32 or NTFS, and record pictures on it.
The critical parameter is resolution and proportions. Xiaomi TVs usually have matrices with a resolution of 1920×1080 (Full HD) or 3840×2160 (4K). If you upload a vertical photo, the system will either crop it or add black fields to the sides, which looks unaesthetic.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Minimum value | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permission | 3840×2160 (4K) | 1920×1080 | For 4K TV, it is better to use 4K photos. |
| File format | JPG / JPEG | PNG | PNG is heavier but better quality |
| Relationship of parties | 16:9 | Anybody | Otherwise, there will be black stripes. |
| File size | 10MB | - | Large files can be loaded for a long time. |
After connecting the flash drive to USB-In port TV, run any file manager or gallery. Find the image you want, click the menu button (three dots or similar), and select the option "Use as" or "Install on the home screen." If there is no direct option, some gallery apps allow you to set the picture as a background through the “Share” button» -> «Set as wallpaper».
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Using a flash drive is the only way to get an image without losing quality due to Internet compression, which is especially important for large screen diagonals.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users may encounter a number of technical difficulties during the setup process, such as the TV may refuse to save new wallpapers by returning to the standard image after rebooting, often due to a lack of free memory in the system partition or cache of the Screensaver application, in which case it is recommended to clear the cache of the corresponding system component through the application settings menu.
Another common problem is low quality photos, compression artifacts, or “pixelation” that occurs when a low-resolution image is stretched across the entire screen. Always make sure the source file matches the native resolution of your Xiaomi TV matrix. Using an 800×600 picture on a 50-inch screen will inevitably give a poor result.
⚠️ Warning: If after installing a third-party launcher or wallpaper app, the TV starts to work unstable or a “bootloop” appears (cyclic reboot), press the power button on the remote or case before the recovery menu appears and try resetting the settings.
Also worth mentioning is the time-date desynchronization problem, which may cause the screensaver to not turn on on schedule. Make sure that the Date-Time settings automatically sync over the network. Without the correct time, the standby timer may not work properly.
Optimization and saving of screen life
Using bright static images as a screensaver for OLED or some LED The matrix carries the risk of burning out pixels in long-term downtime. Although modern Xiaomi TVs are equipped with protection systems, this factor should not be neglected. 5-10 minutes if you do not use the clock function.
Dynamic screensavers that constantly change images or use the effect of “smooth movement” are safer for the matrix, because the load is distributed evenly. If you use a static picture with bright logos or text, the risk of residual image is higher.
Regularly update your TV firmware. Xiaomi engineers are constantly improving the algorithms for working with the display and optimizing the work of background processes. New versions of the software may contain bug fixes associated with the display of graphics in standby mode.