How to change the screensaver on Xiaomi Mi 9: 5 proven ways

Why and when to change the screensaver on the Mi 9

Screensaver (or screensaver) on Xiaomi Mi 9 — It's not just a lock screen decoration, it has a few important functions: it protects. AMOLED-It's a pixel burnout matrix, it saves battery life, and it can even display useful information like time, notifications, or weather. MIUI through 2-3 months of use begin to bother, and some users are faced with a bug when the screensaver does not turn on at all.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the screensaver on the Mi 9 (including the Mi 9 SE and Mi 9T models), taking into account the features of the MIUI 12/13/14 firmware. You will learn how to install a static image, dynamic animation or even a screensaver with a watch from third-party developers.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which doesn't require super-user rights and is suitable for 90 percent of users.

1. Open the Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select the Saversaver option (in some versions of MIUI it may be called Screensaver or Blocking Animation).
3. Slip through the Gallery to select your own image, or select one of the preset animations (such as Clock or Weather).
4. Set the time of activation of the screensaver (by default - after 30 seconds of inactivity).

An important caveat: on the Mi 9 with MIUI 14 firmware and later, some screensavers (such as Earth or Sea Waves) may be missing, due to the optimization of the system for new models, in which case, try updating the Themes app through Google Play.

Make a backup copy of important data|Check the version. MIUI at the Settings → The phone.|Connect to Wi-Fi to download new themes|Close background applications for stable operation-->

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If the screensaver list shows a "No Internet connection" error, restart your phone and check the date and time settings. Often the failure is due to the wrong time zone.

Method 2: Install the screensaver through the application "Themes"

Xiaomi's Themes app allows you to download not only wallpaper, but also dynamic screensavers from the developer community, and this method gives you access to thousands of options, including animations from the developer community. 3D-Effects and interactive elements.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (if not, download from Google Play).
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the request: screensaver Mi 9 or screen saver MIUI.
• 🎨 Choose your favorite theme and click Apply. Some screensavers require additional settings in the Lock Screen → Screenshot.
• ⚙️ If the screensaver does not apply, check if the option to Show the screensaver in the lock screen settings is enabled.

On the Mi 9 with firmware below MIUI 12.5, some of the animations from the Themes app may not work correctly - the image is twitched or not displayed completely, in which case resetting the launcher settings (see Method 4) will help.

Standard watches MIUI|Dynamic animation (waves, fire)|My own photo from the gallery|Screensaver with weather and notifications|Other-->

Method 3: Using third-party applications (without root)

If the built-in options are not enough, you can install the screensaver through third-party utilities. We tested 5 popular apps and selected the two most stable for Xiaomi Mi 9:

To install the screensaver through Daydream:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open Settings → Display → Additional → Daydream.
3. Select a source (e.g. Google Photos or Colors).
4. Activate the option to Start when charging or when connecting to a docking station.

Method 4: Resetting the MIUI launcher to restore screensavers

If the screensavers are missing or are not displayed correctly after the system update, the launcher reset will help, which will return the standard settings of the MIUI Launcher without losing data.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or Lawnchair if you use a custom launcher) in the list.
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.
4. Reboot your phone. Once you turn on, the screensaver should appear in the lock screen settings.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting the launcher will remove the desktop settings (location of icons, widgets.

If the reset didn’t work, check if system applications are disabled through Settings → Apps → Permissions → Special Accesses → Disabled Apps. Sometimes users accidentally deactivate the System Gallery or Themes, which causes screensavers to crash.

Method 5: Manually add a screensaver through ADB (for advanced)

This method is suitable for those who are ready to work with ADB and have basic command line skills, and allows you to install a custom screensaver, even if the MIUI blocks third-party applications.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on Mi 9 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📁 Screensaver file in format.mp4 or.gif (permission not higher than 1080×2340).

Command sequence:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/Download/my_screensaver.mp4 /system/media/




chmod 644 /system/media/my_screensaver.mp4




setprop sys.screensaver.path /system/media/my_screensaver.mp4

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause a system failure. Before executing commands, create a backup copy through MIUI Backup (Settings) → Additionally. → Backup and reset. Also make sure that the saver file is optimized for AMOLED-screen (black background, no artifacts).

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The ADB method is only suitable for MIUI firmware based on Android 9-11. On Android 12+, Xiaomi blocks changing system files without unlocking the bootloader.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after a successful screensaver change, Mi 9 users are plagued by bugs, and we've collected some of the most common bugs and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check your phone for viruses (for example, through Malwarebytes) – some malware blocks system services, including screensavers. It is also worth updating your firmware to the latest version of MIUI through Settings → About Phone → System Update.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions