How to change the screensaver on the Xiaomi TV: the complete guide

Modern Smart TVs from Xiaomi function not just as signal receivers, but as full-fledged multimedia centers running on the Android TV operating system or its own PatchWall shell. By default, the device often offers standard images from Google or brand logos, which can seem boring after prolonged use. Personalization of the interface allows you to make interaction with the equipment more pleasant and visually adapted to the interior of your room.

The process of changing the screensaver, or screensaver, does not require deep programming knowledge or superuser rights. However, the menu interface can vary significantly depending on the year of the model and the firmware version. Owners of older versions of MIUI for TV will have to act differently than users of fresh updates with a pure Android TV. Understanding these differences is the key to successful configuration.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of replacing background images, you will learn how to use the built-in functions of the system, how to upload your own photos through the use of the system. USB-The drive and what third-party applications will help implement complex visual effects will also be considered the frequent problems that users face when trying to change the system wallpaper.

Built-in screen settings and standard themes

The easiest and safest way to change the visual design is to use the operating system’s regular functionality. Most Xiaomi and Redmi TVs focus on the device’s overall settings menu, and access them by pressing the menu button on the remote control (often indicated by three dots or a gear) and going to Settings.

The path can vary. On PatchWall devices, you should look for Wallpaper or Themes right in the main menu. If you have a version with a pure Android TV, the algorithm will be: select Device and Preferences, then go to Screensaver, where the system will offer several preset options, including the famous panoramas of Google Earth or abstract patterns of Google Arts & Culture.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi TVs, especially in the budget segment, the manufacturer can block the choice of arbitrary images, leaving only one static brand logo. This limitation is software-based and is often only removed after a firmware update or third-party launcher installation.

Selecting a standard theme ensures that the system runs smoothly without the risk of compatibility errors. Hardware acceleration is optimal, which is important for TVs with a small amount of RAM. If the standard set of images does not suit you, then we move to more flexible setting methods.

Installation of your own images through USB-accumulator

Uploading personal photos is the most popular request among users who want to see family or high-resolution landscapes on the screen. USB-flash drive formatted in the file system FAT32 or NTFS. Xiaomi TVs usually read both formats without any problems, but FAT32 It is considered more universal for media content.

First, prepare the images on the computer, with the best resolution for modern computers. 4K-models 3840×2160 If the image is smaller, the system will stretch it, which can lead to loss of clarity. Copy files into the root folder of the drive or create a separate directory with an understandable name, such as "Wallpapers».

After connecting the storage device to USB-When you are on the TV port, the system should automatically start the Media Player or Gallery app. If this does not happen, look for a file viewer program (often called File Manager or Explorer) in the application menu. Open your drive, select the image you want, and click the menu button on the remote. In the context menu that appears, look for the option "Install as wallpaper" or "Use as a screensaver».

It's important to consider the aspect ratio of your photos. TVs are 16:9, while many smartphone photos are 4:3 or 16:9 (vertically) and when you set up a vertical shot, the TV will either cut the edges or add black fields to the sides, which looks unaesthetic.

Using apps from Google Play Store

The Android TV ecosystem allows you to expand the functionality of your TV by installing third-party apps. The official Google Play store has a lot of software that specializes in displaying slideshows, watches or even interactive widgets during downtime, which turns a turned-off screen into an information bar or a digital photo frame.

One of the most popular solutions is the "Ambient Mode" app or various versions of "Screensaver." To install them, go to the "Apps" section on the home screen, open the Google Play Store and search for "screensaver." Select a high-ranking app and click "Install." After installation, you need to launch the program and provide it with the necessary permissions to access files.

⚠️ Note: Installation of applications from unknown sources (side-loading) can carry security risks.Try to use only proven programs from the official Google Play store to avoid the introduction of malicious code that can slow down the processor of the TV.

Some apps allow you to stream photos directly from cloud storage, like Google Photos or Dropbox, and that eliminates the need to plug in a flash drive every time you log in to an app on your TV, and your albums will be available for display, but it requires a stable, high-speed Wi-Fi connection to work properly.

Setting up the screensaver Google Photos (Art Gallery)

One of the most functional features built-in is integration with Google Photos, which allows you to use the cloud library of your photos as a screensaver. First, make sure that your Google account is added to your TV and sync is enabled. This is done through the Settings → Accounts menu.

Then go to the settings of the screensaver (Settings → Device and Preferences → Screensaver). From the list of available sources, select Google Photos. The system will suggest selecting specific albums or people whose photos will be displayed. This is ideal for those who want images to be updated automatically without your input.

The advantage of this method is that it supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) if your photos meet this standard and the TV has the necessary matrix, the picture will look as bright and contrasting as possible, and Google Photos can automatically select images, analyzing their composition and content to show only the best shots.

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Use the “Partner Sharing” feature in Google Photos to automatically show new photos taken by your family members, even if they are in another city.

Comparison of Content Display Methods

The way you choose to install the screensaver depends on your goals and technical equipment, and to help you decide, we have compiled a basic method comparison table that takes into account the complexity of the setup, the quality of the result and the necessary resources.

As you can see from the table, USB is the easiest way to change a static image at a time. If you want dynamic content that changes daily, Google Photos is the best choice. Store apps are useful for specific tasks, such as retro-style displays or weather data.

It is also worth mentioning the effect of the screensaver on the screen life. If you have a TV with an OLED matrix, a static image left for a long time can cause pixel burnout. In such models, it is strongly recommended to use screensavers that periodically change or have darkened areas, or activate the automatic image shifting function.

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For OLED-Xiaomi TVs are critically important to use dynamic screensavers or turn on a screen-off timer to prevent the matrix from burning out.

Possible problems and solutions

Users may encounter various technical difficulties in setting up the drive, and one of the most common problems is that the TV can't see the flash drive, which often involves formatting the drive. As mentioned earlier, the exFAT file system may not be supported by older TV models, so perform the drive in FAT32.

Another issue is the poor quality of the images you display. If the picture looks blurry or "pixelated," check the resolution of the original file. TVs 50 inches or higher ruthlessly reveal compression flaws in JPEG files. Try to use the PNG format for lossless graphics or JPEGs with minimal compression.

⚠️ Warning: If after installing a third-party app, the TV starts to run slower or spontaneously restart, immediately remove this software. MIUI TV Or consumes too much RAM.

And sometimes you have a screensaver that gets installed, but then it gets reset to the standard one, and that can happen after you update the system, and then you reset to the factory settings, and you have to re-select the source of the images in the screensaver menu, and to avoid that, you have to take a screenshot of your settings before you update the firmware.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions