How to change the wallpaper on the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Introduction: Why is it so hard to change the background on Redmi?

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones often face a paradoxical situation: seemingly basic function like changing wallpaper turns into a quest with a lot of restrictions. It’s all about the MIUI proprietary shell, which imposes its own themes and limits the flexibility of customization. For example, in a standard launcher, you can not just download a picture from the gallery – the system offers only preloaded wallpaper or purchased themes from the Mi Theme Store.

But it’s not all bad: there are at least 5 ways to get around these limitations, from official (via shell settings) to “hacks” using ADB or third-party launchers. In this article, we’ll break down each method in detail, taking into account the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and Redmi models (Redmi Note 10 to Redmi 13C).

Before you get to the instructions, check the version of your shell: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This is important because in MIUI 14 the theme algorithm is different from MIUI 12, and some devices (for example, Redmi K50) have additional options for dynamic wallpaper.

Method 1: Standard change through MIUI settings

The most obvious, but not always convenient, method is to use built-in shell tools, which is suitable for those who do not want to install third-party applications or dig into the developer settings.

1. Open Settings and select Wallpaper (or Screen → Wallpaper in new versions).
2. The system will offer you three tabs: 🌄 My wallpaper - here are stored previously uploaded background images. 🎨 Theme – wallpaper from the current theme of design (change with the theme). 📱 Dynamic - animated background pictures (not available on all models).

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Add wallpaper

gallery

Downloads.

File manager

An important nuance: MIUI automatically trims the wallpaper to the screen resolution, and sometimes this leads to distortion of proportions. To avoid problems, before downloading, cut the picture manually in any graphics editor (for example, in Snapseed or Lightroom) to the resolution of your screen. For most Redmi it is 2400×1080 (Full HD+) or 2460×1080 (on new models like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A s MIUI 12.5) After changing the wallpaper through the settings, the location of the widgets may be lost. Before the procedure, take a screenshot of the current desktop or write down the location of the icons.

If you don't like the options offered by the system, you can download additional themes from the Mi Theme Store.

1. In the Wallpaper section, click Topics → Online.
2. Choose your favorite theme (pay attention to the rating and number of downloads).
3. Click Apply - the system will automatically install both wallpaper, icons, and fonts.

Installation and configuration:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play (links: Nova, Apex, Lawnchair).
2. After installation, press the Home button and the system will prompt you to select the default launcher.
3. To change the wallpaper, make a long tap on the free space of the screen → Wallpaper → select the source (gallery, built-in wallpaper or online directory).

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• ✅ Ability to install live wallpapers (e.g. from Wallpapers Craft or Kappboom).
• ✅ Configure the transparency of the notification panel and docking station.
• ✅ Support for adaptive icons (all icons will be the same size and shape).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro) may lose access to branded features after installing a third-party launcher MIUI, To return them, temporarily switch back to the standard launcher in the App settings. → By default.

Make sure your phone has enough memory (minimum 200MB)

Backup your current screen settings

Turn off battery optimization for launcher (in the app settings)

Restart the phone after installation-->

Method 3: Change wallpapers through ADB (for advanced users)

If you’re not afraid of the command line and want to have full control of system settings, you can change the wallpaper via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works even on locked devices and allows you to install wallpapers that MIUI normally blocks (for example, animated.gif or wallpaper with a resolution above 4K).

What you'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (path: Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version → Come back to the extra. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🖼️ Prepared image in.png or.jpg format (preferably with a resolution multiple of your Redmi screen).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
3. Copy wallpaper to your phone (e.g. /sdcard/Pictures): adb push C:\path\to\your\wallpaper.jpg /sdcard/Pictures/wallpaper.jpg
4. Set the wallpaper through ADB: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.SET_WALLPAPER -d file:///sdcard/Pictures/wallpaper.jpg

If you want to install wallpaper on both screens (lock and desktop), use the command:

adb shell cmd wallpaper set --file /sdcard/Pictures/wallpaper.jpg --crop 0 0 1080 2400

(Replace 1080 2400 with your screen resolution)

⚠️ Note: After changing the wallpaper through ADB widgets may be reset on the desktop, also on some firmware (e.g, MIUI Global) This method only works after the Mi-Cloud function is disabled → Synchronization of topics.

Method 4: Wallpaper applications (Zedge, Walli, Backdrops)

If you are too lazy to bother with settings or ADB, You can use customized wallpaper apps, which offer millions of free images, automatically adjust them to screen resolution, and even offer dynamic background images.-3 applications:

• 🌅 Zedge is the largest database of wallpaper and ringtones, categorization by subject (space, nature, abstraction) and support. 4K-permitting.
• 🎨 Walli is wallpaper by independent artists, all images are unique and optimized for mobile screens.
• 🖼️ Backdrops are minimalist wallpapers with a focus on quality color reproduction. AMOLED-screens (for example, on Redmi) K60).

How to use (in the example of Zedge):

1. Install the app from Google Play (link).
2. Launch Zedge and select the Wallpaper section.
3. Find your favorite image (you can search for keywords like dark amoled or minimalist redmi).
4. Click on wallpaper → Install → Select Desktop, Lock Screen or Both.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Automatic fit to screen resolution (no need to be cut manually).
• ✅ Possibility to download wallpaper for later use (save in the Gallery) → Zedge).
• ✅ Regular updates to the collection (new wallpapers are added daily).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ There are ads in the free version of Zedge.
• ❌ Some Walli wallpapers are paid (cost - from 50 rubles).
• ❌ On weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 7A) Applications may be slowing down.

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If you use AMOLED-screen (for example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro)+), Choose a wallpaper with a predominance of black color - this will reduce battery consumption.

Method 5: Manually copying wallpaper to the system folder (root access)

This method is only suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and root rights. It allows you to replace the default system wallpaper, but requires caution - wrong actions can lead to a shell failure. If you are not sure of your skills, you better use other methods.

What you'll need:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader and root access (for example, via Magisk).
• 📂 Root-access file manager (e.g., Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🖼️ Prepared wallpaper in.jpg or.png format (resolution must match the screen).

Instructions:

1. Copy your wallpaper to your phone (for example, in /sdcard/Download folder).
2. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/media/theme/default/wallpapers
3. Make a backup of the current wallpaper (copy them to another folder).
4. Remove old wallpaper (for example, default_wallpaper.jpg) And put your own, and rename them the same way.
5. Change the rights to new files: chmod 644 /system/media/theme/default/wallpapers/your_wallpaper.jpg
6. Reboot the phone.

Important: Once the system wallpaper is replaced, it will appear in the default selection menu, but when you reset your settings or update your MIUI, your files may be overwritten.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU) folder /system/media/theme It can be protected from records even with root access, and you have to mount the system partition in write mode using the command: mount. -o rw,remount /system But it's risky - it could lead to a bootloop (a looped reboot).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successfully changing the wallpaper, Xiaomi Redmi users are faced with bugs, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If after changing the wallpaper, the phone began to brake, try the following actions:

1. Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache.
2. Turn off animations: Settings → Additional → For developers → The scale of animation (turn off).
3. Switch to another launcher (like Lawnchair) and check if the problem persists.

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If the wallpaper is not installed by any method, check whether the power saving mode is turned on - it can block background processes, including changing the background.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions