How to change the screensaver on the Xiaomi phone when you turn on

The personalization of a mobile device begins when it is activated, and the boot screen is the first visual element that a user sees. Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often seek to change the standard image that appears at the start of the system to express their individuality. However, the MIUI system and the new HyperOS have their own features with a graphical interface that differ from pure Android.

The process of replacing a static logo or animation can vary depending on the version of the shell and the region for which the device is released. Some methods require simple switching of settings in the menu, while others involve installing third-party themes or using special tools. It is important to understand the difference between the lock screen saver and the boot screen itself, since users often confuse these concepts.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to change the visual design when starting a device, how to safely install custom images, what risks exist when modifying system files, and why standard tools do not always work, we will look at both standard theme tools and more advanced methods for advanced users.

Differences between Lock Screen and Boot Screen

Before you make any changes, you need to be clear about the terminology, because it affects how you set up, and the lock screen is the interface that comes right after you press the power button when the phone is still in sleep, and that's where you usually display the time, notifications and the unlock slider, and you can play the wallpaper carousel.

By contrast, the boot screen is a Mi or Redmi logo image that appears in the first seconds of a device turning on, before the desktop appears. The standard Android system uses this element often locks the manufacturer to preserve the integrity of the brand. Changing this particular screen requires more in-depth intervention or use of specific theme features.

⚠️ Warning: Attempting to modify a bootlogo system file without having superuser (Root) rights and understanding the structure of memory partitions can result in a cyclic device reboot (bootloop).

Users often look for a way to change the image when turned on, meaning the setting of "Wallpaper carousel" This feature allows you to change the images on the lock screen automatically, but does not affect the initial logo of the system. For most smartphone owners, it is the setting of the lock screen is a safe and desirable goal, not requiring risky manipulation of firmware.

Using the “Themes” application to change the design

The safest and most official way to change the visual style, including some elements of the boot screen, is to use the built-in Themes app. The MIUI Themes catalog has thousands of designs created by both Xiaomi and independent designers, some of which contain modified boot screens that are activated after the theme is applied.

To find the right design, you need to open the app, go to the "My" section and select "Themes"; you can search for queries like "Custom Boot", "Logo" or the name of the desired anime, game or brand. Once the theme is installed, the system can suggest using all the components or select only certain elements, such as wallpaper, icons or lock screen.

It is worth noting that global firmware versions may have limited theme functionality compared to Chinese versions, and if a standard store doesn’t offer the right options, users sometimes change the region in their phone settings to India or China to access an extended directory, although this may affect the performance of some system services.

Setting up the wallpaper carousel on the lock screen

Wallpaper Carousel is one of the most popular features of the MIUI shell, allowing you to automatically replace the image on the lock screen every time you turn on the screen, creating a constant novelty effect and actually changing the screensaver every time you use the phone, which for many users is an acceptable alternative to changing the boot logo.

To activate or configure this feature, you need to go to the settings menu. The path usually looks like this: Settings → Lock screen → Wallpaper Carousel. Here you can select the refresh rate, the subject of images, and even upload your own photos from the gallery. The system itself scales the images to the resolution of your display.

An important advantage of the carousel is the ability to download content via Wi-Fi, which saves mobile traffic. In addition, some images have interactive elements or links to articles, which turns the lock screen into an information portal. However, if the goal is to change the static logo when you start the system, this method is not suitable, since it only works after the initial boot of the OS.

Manual installation of your images and photos

If the themes don't meet your aesthetic needs, you can set your own photo as the basis for the lock screen. This won't change the Mi logo when power is turned on, but will personalize the moment you unlock. To do this, open the gallery, select the photo you want, click on three dots in the corner and select "Install as wallpaper" or "Install as lock screen."

When selecting an image, the system will suggest framing it. Since the aspect ratios of modern Xiaomi smartphones are often elongated (for example, 20:9), horizontal photos may be cropped incorrectly.

You can also use live wallpaper that is animated when you touch or unlock it, it consumes more battery power, but it looks spectacular. There's a separate section for them to be installed in the Themes or Wallpaper app. When you install live wallpaper, make sure your CPU and RAM can handle rendering animations without interface delays.

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Use images with a resolution of at least 1080x2400 pixels to avoid loss of quality on high-pixel density screens.

Table of methods compatibility depending on the version of MIUI

The effectiveness of different personalization methods depends on the version of the shell installed, and the following table shows the availability of features for different versions of MIUI and HyperOS.

As you can see from the table, Chinese firmware owners have more customization options, including rare themes with a modified download logo. Global versions are more conservative in this regard. If you are an advanced user, you may want to consider flashing the device, but this will take away your warranty and require deep knowledge.

Advanced methods: Root rights and modification of Bootlogo

For those who are determined to change the Mi logo, the only way to get Root rights (usually through Magisk) and unlock the bootloader is to unlock the bootlogo, a complex process that carries risks. Once you unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website and install a customized Recovery (such as TWRP), you can replace the bootlogo system file.

The procedure requires converting the desired image to.png format with the correct compression and size, then renaming it to.png format. mi_logo.png An error in file size or format can cause the phone to stop loading, and it is also worth considering that unlocking the bootloader resets all data from the phone and activates the waiting timer (usually a timer). 7 days).

⚠️ Note: Unlocking the bootloader and obtaining Root rights voids the manufacturer's warranty. Banking applications and services with a high degree of protection (Google Pay, Mir Pay) can stop working without additional complex configuration.

If you're not confident, you might want to limit yourself to installing themes that mimic the desired effect, or use desktop widgets, and data security and smartphone stability should be a priority over system-level visual changes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Changing the system logo boot on Xiaomi is possible only if you have an unlocked bootloader and Root-rights, while the personalization of the lock screen is available to all users through the standard settings.