Changing the visual design of a smartphone is the first step to personalizing the device, making the interface unique and pleasing to the eye. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face the question of how to change the standard image to a more interesting or dynamic one, the process is not complicated, but has its own nuances depending on the version of the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS.
The Chinese-made shell provides users with a wide range of customization options that go far beyond simply replacing a static image: You can install live wallpaper, set up automatic image changes, or even use your own photos from the gallery. Understanding the design theme will help you manage the look of your smartphone more efficiently.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to change the screensaver, from the basic settings of the system to advanced methods through the theme store. Also, we will consider the typical problems when the image is not used or reset after a reboot, and how to solve them.
Basic configuration through the system menu
The easiest and fastest way to change the background of your lock screen or desktop is to use the standard Android settings integrated into the manufacturer’s shell. This does not require an Internet connection or installing additional software, since all the necessary tools are already built into the system.
To get to the desired section, you need to open the Settings app and scroll down to Wallpaper. In some versions of the firmware, this section can be hidden inside the Lock Screen or Personalization menu, and this is where the preinstalled collections are located, which can be activated in a single click.
Once you select the desired image, the system will suggest you to determine whether to apply the changes to the lock screen, the main screen, or both. It is important to note that for the home screen, the image will automatically scale and can be slightly cropped when you flip the pages, so you should choose a photo with a margin around the edges.
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Use high-resolution images (at least Full HD) to avoid loss of quality when scaling the system.
If you want to use your photo, the same menu often has a Local Wallpaper button or a plus icon that allows you to download a file from the gallery, ideal for installing family photos or snapshots taken on the camera of the smartphone itself.
Using the “Themes” application for enhanced features
Themes is the central hub for customizing Xiaomi devices, not only storing entire themes, changing icons and fonts, but also individual wallpaper packages, including animated and interactive options.
To find the content you want, go to the app and select the Wallpaper tab at the bottom menu, and you can sort it by category: nature, abstraction, technology, animals, and more. The recommendation algorithms can suggest options based on your browsing history, making it easier to search.
- 🎨 Static wallpaper – classic high quality images that do not consume battery power.
- 🎬 Video wallpapers are short cyclical videos that animate the screen, but require more resources.
- 🌀 Live effects – respond to touch or tilt of the device, creating a depth effect.
When downloading paid elements, the system can request authorization through the Mi-account. There are also quite a lot of free options, but you should pay attention to the rating of the theme and the number of downloads to make sure that it is quality.
Once you download the wallpaper pack, the Apply button will be active, and the system will alert you to the possible impact of video wallpaper on autonomy, suggesting you confirm the action, a standard warning that can be ignored if your battery charge is not critical.
Setting up wallpaper carousel (Glance/The tape)
One of the most popular features in Redmi and Xiaomi devices is the Wallpaper Carousel (formerly known as Glance), which automatically changes the image on the lock screen every time you wake up a smartphone while downloading new content from the internet.
To activate or configure this feature, go to Settings → Always on screen and lock → Wallpaper carousel. Here you can enable automatic download via Wi-Fi to avoid wasting mobile traffic, and also select categories of interest: sports, art, nature or technology.
How to turn off advertising in the carousel?
Users often confuse carousel with regular live wallpaper, but the difference is significant: the carousel only works on the lock screen and requires a network connection to update content, whereas live wallpaper works autonomously after loading.
If the feature stopped working or images stopped updating, try clearing the wallpaper carousel app cache through the app management menu.This often solves tape hanging problems.
Installation of your own photos and creation of collages
Personal photos make your smartphone truly yours, and the MIUI shell allows you not only to put one photo, but also to create slideshows or collages for the lock screen without installing third-party programs.
To install a photo from the gallery, open the desired image in the Gallery app, click on three dots in the corner or the "More" button and select "Install as wallpaper". The system will suggest cropping the frame if its proportions do not match the screen, and apply changes.
A more advanced method is to create an album to lock, and the lock screen settings have a feature called "Must display photo from the album," and you can select this option, you can specify a specific folder in the phone's memory, and the phone will randomly select images from it every time you turn on the screen.
☑️ Preparation of wallpaper photo
Using dark photos on AMOLED screens achieves significant energy savings because the black pixels simply turn off, a great way to combine aesthetics and energy efficiency.
Comparison of installation methods
The choice of installation method depends on your goals: whether you need static, dynamic or constant variety. Below is a table comparing the main ways to personalize the screen in Xiaomi devices.
| Method | Impact on the battery | Network requirement | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static wallpaper | Minimum | Not required | Low. |
| Video wallpaper | High. | Only when loading. | Medium |
| Carousel (Glance) | Average. | Constantly (for updates) | Low. |
| Living themes | High. | Only when loading. | Medium |
As the table shows, classic static images remain the most reliable option for those looking to maximize device life.Video formats and complex themes can increase CPU heat when they are frequently accessed by the screen.
Consider that on older smartphones, heavy video wallpaper can lead to micro-latency in the interface, and in such cases, it is better to limit yourself to high-quality static images.
Solution: if the screensaver does not change or is reset
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the selected image is not applied, a black screen is displayed or after a while the standard screensaver returns. This can be caused by cache errors, conflicts, or lack of memory.
The first thing to do is check for updates for the Themes app and the Wallpaper system component. Google Play or the built-in updater often release patches that fix graphics bugs.
⚠️ Note: If you downloaded a theme from a third-party source (not through an official store), it may conflict with the system files.
Another cause may be a crowded system UI cache. Cleaning the cache through Settings → Apps → All Apps → Topics → Cleaning often helps to reset the application error.
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Resetting all design settings to factory values through the themes menu solves 90% of problems with "gliastic" wallpaper.
Also make sure that the device has enough free memory. If the storage is full, the system may not physically have room to process and save a new wallpaper file, especially if it is a video format.