How to change the desktop on Xiaomi smartphone: from standard wallpaper to custom themes

The desktop on Xiaomi smartphones is the first thing you see when you unlock the screen, and it's not just aesthetics that depend on its design, but also the usability of the device. MIUI This is a problem where you can swap boring wallpapers for something more original without resorting to radical measures like flashing. In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can do it, from basic settings to hidden shell features to third-party solutions.

It is important to understand that the process may differ depending on the version. MIUI (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS) and smartphone models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 Ultra et al. We'll take these nuances into account and provide universal instructions that work on most devices released after 2020. If you want to change the background, and completely transform the interface, here's the solution.

Before you start, check the version of your shell: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. This will help avoid confusion with the location of menu items, and note that some ways require superuser rights (root), but we will specify such points in advance.

1. Standard wallpaper change via MIUI settings

The easiest way to do this is to work on all Xiaomi smartphones without any additional apps, and here you will find both static Xiaomi wallpaper and dynamic (live) backgrounds. The interface may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.

To change the desktop:

• 📱 Long pressing on the free space of the desktop → Select "Wallpaper" (or "Themes" in some versions).
• 🎨 In the menu that opens, select the Wallpaper tab (not to be confused with Themes, where the entire style of the interface changes).
• 🖼️ Scroll down the collection – there are categories: “Nature”, “Abstraction”, “Gradients” etc. Click on your favorite background.
• 🔄 In preview mode, you can zoom in with two fingers. Click "Apply» → Select “Desktop” or “Desktop and Lock Screen».

If you lacked standard wallpaper, in the same menu there is a button “More” (or “Download”), which leads to the store. MIUI. There you can download free and paid wallpaper, but be careful: some themes change not only the background, but also icons, fonts, animations - this can slow down the smartphone on weak models (Redmi). 9A, POCO M3).

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 and HyperOS, when you select wallpapers over a long press, you can open the "Edit the main screen" menu instead of "Wallpapers." In this case, go to Settings → Personalization → Wallpaper.

2.Use of the Theme Store MIUI: pros and cons

The theme store is Xiaomi's branded service, where you can find not only wallpaper, but also full themes, but it has its pitfalls, which you should know about in advance.

How to use the store:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush and palette).
2. In the bottom menu, select "Wallpaper" (not "Themes!").
3. Use filters: “Free of charge», «4K», «Live Wallpaper, "Dark" and others.
4. Click on your favorite background → «Download» → «Apply».

Advantages of this method:

• 🌄 Wide selection of high quality wallpapers, including animated.
• 🔄 Automatic fit to the resolution of the screen of your smartphone.
• 🎨 Ability to download entire themes (icons, fonts, sounds).

Disadvantages:

• 💰 Some wallpaper and themes are paid (price from 50 to 300 rubles).
• 🐢 The store can slow down on budget models (Redmi) 8A, POCO C31).
• 📴 Some content is only available to users in China (regional restrictions).
• 🔋 Live wallpaper increases battery consumption by 5-15%.

⚠️ Note: If after applying the theme, the smartphone began to slow down, return the standard design: Settings → Personalization → Topics → Some themes are optimized for flagships only (Mi 13 Pro, Xiaomi) 12S Ultra).

3. Installation of wallpaper from the gallery or uploading of your images

If you don't like standard wallpaper, you can use any image you want from your gallery or downloaded from the Internet, and it's universal and works even on the oldest versions. MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Download your favorite image to the gallery (permission at least) 1080×2340 modern smartphones).
2. Make a long press on the desktop → «Wallpaper» → «My Wallpaper (or The Gallery»).
3. Choose the image you want. If it's not the right size, MIUI propose to cut him off.
4. Set the scale and position, then click "Apply".

Tips for choosing images:

• 📏 Optimum resolution: 1440×3200 For the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, 1080×2400 for POCO X4 Pro.
• 🖼️ For screens with a cutout (notch), choose wallpaper with a dark upper edge - so the cutout will be less noticeable.
• 🎨 Avoid too colorful pictures – they tire the eyes and make it difficult to read icons.
• 🔍 For wallpaper with fine details, use.png formats (without loss of quality).

Download the picture in maximum resolution

Cut to 9:20 aspect ratio (for most Xiaomi)

Remove watermarks (if any)

Convert to.png format for better quality-->

If you want to use live wallpaper (for example, animated) GIF or video), you will have to use third-party applications - standard tools MIUI We'll talk about it in the next section.

4. Third-party applications for desktop customization

When opportunities arise MIUI Not enough, but Google Play apps come to the rescue, and they allow you not only to change the wallpaper, but also to completely transform the interface: add widgets, change animations, customize gestures.

Top.-5 Applications for changing the desktop on Xiaomi:

• 🎨 Nova Launcher is the most popular launcher with gestures, adaptive icons and a dark theme, and the free version is limited, but it’s enough for basic customization.
• 🖥️ Microsoft Launcher is a minimal launcher with Office 365 integration and calendar.
• 🌌 KWGT Kustom Widget Maker – to create unique widgets (weather, battery, music.
• 📱 Action Launcher – supports adaptive icons, shortcuts and quick settings in the drop-down menu.
• 🎭 Lawnchair 2 is an open-source launcher that mimics Google's Pixel Launcher. lightweight and ad-free.

How to install a third-party launcher:

1. Download an app from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. Open it and follow the setup instructions.
3. When the system asks which launcher to use by default, select the one installed.
4. In the launcher settings (Long press) → Settings) you can change wallpaper, icons, animations and even hide unnecessary interface elements.

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If after installing the launcher wallpaper is lost, return them through the settings of the launcher itself (section "Desktop style" or "Wallpaper"). MIUI.

For live wallpaper, it's fine:

• 🌊 WallpapersCraft - a collection of animated backgrounds with animated speed setting.
• 🎮 3D Parallax Background – creates a depth effect when tilting the phone.
• 🌌 Muzei Live Wallpaper – Automatically changes wallpaper from art collections.

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (such as Nova Launcher) may conflict with proprietary features MIUI, If you lose these features after installation, return the standard launcher to Settings. → Annexes → By default. → Launcher.

5. Hidden functions MIUI: super-wallpaper and dynamic backgrounds

Xiaomi hides some design features that aren't obvious at first glance, one of them is Super Wallpapers, which create a new design. 3D-The effect of switching between the desktop and the lock screen is only available on some models and versions. MIUI.

How to turn on Super Wallpaper:

1. Long press on the desktop → «Wallpaper».
2. Scroll down to the Super Wallpaper section (if it isn’t, your model doesn’t support this feature).
3. Choose one of the themes: Earth, Mars, Moon, or abstract options.
4. Click "Apply" - the system will automatically fit the wallpaper under your screen.

Super wallpapers Earth and Mars use gyroscope data to create a paralax effect, so they consume 10-20% more battery than conventional backgrounds.

Another hidden feature is dynamic wallpaper, which changes depending on the time of day or the weather, to activate them:

1. Go to Settings → Personalization → Wallpaper.
2. Select the Dynamic tab (if not, update it). MIUI last-minute).
3. Adjust the settings: For example, the wallpaper may get darker in the evening or show cloudiness from the Weather app.

6. Problems with changing wallpaper and their solutions

Sometimes users encounter bugs when trying to change desktop, and let's look at some of the most common problems and ways to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your personalization settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset Personalization Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. After the reboot, try changing the wallpaper again.

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If the problem with the wallpaper appeared after the update MIUI, Try to roll back to the previous firmware version through Settings → Updating the system → Sometimes bugs are only fixed in the following patches.

7.Castomization for advanced: ADB root-access

If you are willing to go beyond standard settings, you can use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge, or get root rights for deep customization, are suitable for advanced users and allow them to use the software:

• 🔧 Change the system wallpaper by default.
• 🎛️ Adjust the transparency of panels and animations.
• 🖥️ Install custom firmware with unique themes.

Example of a team to change wallpaper through ADB:

adb shell cmd wallpaper set --live-wallpaper com.example.wallpaper/.MyLiveWallpaperService

To work with ADB you will need:

1. Enable Debugging on USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times on "Version" MIUI», Then go back to "More» → «For developers»).
2. Install Platform Tools on PC and connect your smartphone USB.
3. Use commands to change system parameters.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB or root can cause a device to break down. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

For root-right users, apps like Substratum or Synergy are available, which allow you to change system themes at a deep level. MIUI (13+) These methods may not work due to tightening security policies.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the desktop to Xiaomi