How to change the screensaver on the Xiaomi TV: all the ways

Why change the screensaver on Xiaomi TV?

The screensaver on the TV screen is the first thing you see when you turn on or in standby mode. Xiaomi's standard wallpaper can get tired quickly, especially if you use the device daily. Changing the screensaver will not only refresh the look of the equipment, but also allow you to personalize the space to your style: whether it's family photos, abstract drawings or thematic pictures.

Depending on the TV model (Mi TV 4S, Mi TV Q1, Redmi Smart TV, etc.) and the version of the MIUI TV firmware, the process may vary slightly. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways, from standard settings to installing third-party applications, and also explain how to avoid common mistakes, for example, when the screensaver does not change or resets after an update.

If you’ve never set up a smart TV wallpaper before, don’t worry: most methods don’t require technical skills, just follow the instructions and take into account the nuances of your model. For example, on Android TVs (such as Xiaomi TV A Pro), the algorithm will be different than on devices with a proprietary PatchWall shell.

πŸ“Š What kind of Xiaomi TV is you?
Mi TV 4S/4A
Mi TV Q1/Q2
Redmi Smart TV
Xiaomi TV A Pro
Another model

Method 1: Change the screensaver through standard settings

The easiest way is to use built-in tools. MIUI TV. It is suitable for most models, including the Mi. TV 4S (2020–2023, Redmi Smart TV X and others, you won't need any additional programs or USB-accumulator.

To change the screensaver:

  1. Turn on the TV and go to the main screen (click the Home button on the remote).
  2. Open the settings (cog icon in the upper right corner).
  3. Select the Screen and Sound β†’ Screensaver (or Wallpaper in some versions).
  4. Scroll through the list of available wallpaper and choose your favorite option.
  5. Confirm the choice with the OK button on the remote.

Depending on the model, you may be able to:

  • πŸŒ„ Standard wallpaper from Xiaomi (landscapes, abstractions, minimalist drawings).
  • πŸ“· Gallery – if you have previously uploaded images through USB cloud.
  • 🎨 Color themes (gradients, monotonous backgrounds).
  • πŸ“… Dynamic wallpaper (changes depending on the time of day).

If your model doesn’t have a Scenario in Settings, try the alternative path: Settings β†’ Device β†’ Screen β†’ Background. On Android TVs (like Xiaomi TV A Pro), this section can be called Themes or Design.

Check out the version of MIUI TV in Settings β†’ About TV

Make sure the TV is connected to the internet (to download new wallpaper)

Prepare. USB-Image storage (if you plan to use your photos)

The charge of the remote must be at least 50% (to avoid interrupting the process)

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Method 2: Install your photos as a screensaver

If the built-in wallpaper isn't enough, you can use personal photos or downloaded images from the Internet. USB-drive or sync with cloud storage (e.g. Mi Cloud or Google Photos).

Instructions for USB-storage:

  1. Copy the photos to a flash drive in JPEG or PNG format (at least 1920Γ—1080 resolution for Full HD).
  2. Connect USB to your TV (use USB 2.0/3.0 port on the back).
  3. Open the File Manager on the TV (the folder icon on the home screen).
  4. Choose yours. USB-drive and find the folder with images.
  5. Click on the photo and in the context menu, select Set as a screensaver.

Important nuances:

  • πŸ“ Resolution: If the photo is smaller than the screen, it stretches (may lose quality). TV 4S 55" optimally 3840Γ—2160 (4K).
  • πŸ”„ Format: Only supported JPG, PNG, BMP. HEIC (Photo from iPhone will not open.
  • πŸ—ƒοΈ Folder: Images must be in the root directory of the flash drive or in a folder with a Latin name (for example, Wallpapers).

If USB-It doesn't work, so try syncing with the cloud:

  1. Install the Google Photos or Mi Cloud app from the MIUI TV App Store.
  2. Log in to your account.
  3. Open the photo and select the option to Set as Wallpaper.
What to do if the TV can’t see USB-accumulator?
Check the file system format of the flash drive β€” Xiaomi TVs only support FAT32 or exFAT (NTFS is not readable). Reconnect USB to another port (some models only work USB 3.0 port). Reboot the TV with the flash drive connected (hold the Power button on the remote for 5 seconds). If the USB is still not detected, try formatting the drive on your computer (save the data in advance!).

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in tools are limited, you can install specialized apps to change screensavers. On Xiaomi TVs with Android TVs (for example, Xiaomi TV A Pro), Google Play Market is available, where there are dozens of wallpaper apps. For models with PatchWall, you will have to use alternative methods.

Top.-3 screen-show:

AnnexFeaturesSuitable for
Wallpapers Craft4K-Wallpaper, categories (nature, cities, abstraction), automatic changeAndroid TV (Mi TV A Pro, Redmi Smart TV)
BackdropsDaily updates to collections, support for Live WallpapersAll models with Google Play
Muzei Live WallpaperDynamic wallpaper, integration with Google Photos, minimalist designAndroid TV 9.0+ only

To install the application:

  1. Open MIUI TV App Store or Google Play Market.
  2. Enter the name of the app in search (e.g. Wallpapers Craft).
  3. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
  4. Open the application, select the screensaver you like and apply it.

On TVs without Google Play (e.g. Mi) TV 4S 2018 can be installed APK-hand-file:

  1. Download. APK applications (for example, from the APKMirror website) USB-accumulator.
  2. Connect the flash drive to the TV.
  3. Open the File Manager, find the APK and start the installation.
  4. In the security settings, allow installation from unknown sources (Settings β†’ Security β†’ Unknown sources).

πŸ’‘

Before installing an APK, check the app's compatibility with the Android version on your TV. For example, Muzei requires Android 9.0+, and Mi TV 4S 2018 has Android 8.0 installed.

Method 4: Configure dynamic screensavers (Live Wallpapers)

Dynamic Wallpapers add life to the screen, which can be smoothly changing colors, weather animations, or even interactive elements. However, not all Xiaomi models support this feature, for example, on Redmi Smart TV X it is available, and on Mi TV 4A it is not.

How to turn on Live Wallpapers:

  1. Install an app that supports dynamic wallpaper (like KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker or Live Wallpapers Now).
  2. Open the app and select the template you like.
  3. Click Apply and select Home Screen or Lock Screen (if available).

Limitations and nuances:

  • ⚑ Performance: Animation can slow down on weak models (e.g. Mi) TV 4S 32").
  • πŸ”‹ Energy consumption: Dynamic wallpaper increases the load on the processor, which can reduce the life of the TV when used around the clock.
  • πŸ› οΈ Manual Update: Some Live Wallpapers require manual updates via Google Play.

If the dynamic screensaver has started to slow down, return the standard wallpaper or select a lighter template, and check if the device is overheating, which may indicate a high load.

πŸ’‘

Dynamic wallpaper looks spectacular, but it doesn't work for all models. On 2GB of RAM TVs (like the Redmi Smart TV X43), it can cause lags.

Problems and Solutions: Why the Screenplay Doesn't Change

Sometimes users find that the screensaver does not install or resets after a reboot, and let's look at the most common causes and ways to eliminate them.

Problem 1: The screensaver is reset to standard after switching off

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV 4C) User wallpaper is reset due to a firmware error, which is corrected by software updates or resetting settings.

  • πŸ”„ Update the firmware: Settings β†’ On TV. β†’ Updating the system.
  • πŸ”§ Reset the screen settings: Settings β†’ Screen and sound β†’ Wallpaper dumping.
  • πŸ“± Reinstall the screensaver through another app (e.g. Wallpapers Craft instead of the standard menu).

Problem 2: TV can't see photos on USB

  • πŸ“ Check the file system format of the flash drive (should be) FAT32 exFAT).
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Make sure that the images are in format JPEG/PNG and their permission does not exceed 8K (Otherwise, the TV won't open the file).
  • πŸ”Œ Try another one. USB-Port or cable (sometimes a problem with contact).

Problem 3: No wallpaper app is installed

  • πŸ“± Check out Android Version: Some Apps Require Android 9.0+.
  • πŸ”“ Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings β†’ Security β†’ Unknown sources.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Clear the Google Play Market cache: Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Google Play β†’ Clear the cache.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your settings to factory settings, and remember that this will delete all the apps installed and the data stored:

Settings β†’ Device β†’ Reset settings β†’ Reset all settings
What if the screensaver does not change after the reset?
This may indicate a hardware problem (damage to the TV memory) or a firmware conflict. In this case: 1. Try to manually flash the TV through USB Recovery Mode (the instructions are on the official Xiaomi website). 2. Contact the service center if the warranty is still valid. 3. Install a third-party firmware (for example, LineageOS for TV), but this is risky and unwarranted.

Additional personalization tips

Changing the screensaver is just part of the way you can customize the look of your TV, and here are some other things that you can do:

  • 🎨 Subjects of registration: In Settings β†’ Themes can be changed to the menu color scheme (dark/light theme).
  • πŸ“Ί Screen saver: Set up a slideshow from your photos in standby mode: Settings β†’ Screen and sound β†’ Standby screen.
  • πŸ”Š Sound effects: Add background music to the screensaver through the Ambient Music Player app.
  • πŸ•’ Schedule: Set up automatic time change (for example, dark in the evening, light in the daytime).

For advanced users, you can manually edit system files, but this requires root rights and can lead to a loss of warranty. If you do decide, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to replace the standard wallpaper:

adb pull /system/media/theme/default_wallpaper/default_wallpaper.jpg


adb push your image.jpg /system/media/theme/default_wallpaper/default_wallpaper.jpg




adb reboot

Important: This method only works on firmware with the bootloader unlocked, and can lead to a TV breeze if you make a mistake. If you're not sure about your skills, it's better to use standard methods.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play a video as a screensaver on Xiaomi TV?
This is not possible on most Xiaomi models by standard means. However, on Android TVs (such as Xiaomi TV A Pro), you can install the Video Live Wallpaper app from Google Play. Note that video wallpaper is very loading and can cause overheating.
Why did the update to the firmware screensaver reset?
This is standard system behavior: for major updates, MIUI TV resets user settings, including wallpaper. To avoid this, back up the settings to Settings β†’ Device β†’ Backup. After the update, restore the data from the backup before updating.
How to return the standard screensaver Xiaomi?
Go to Settings β†’ Screen and Sound β†’ Screensaver and select Default or Standard. If this option is missing, reset the wallpaper settings: Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Gallery β†’ Clear the data.
Can I install a Transparency Screensaver (PNG with Alpha Channel)?
Xiaomi TVs technically support PNG format with transparency, but they won’t display it correctly β€” instead of a transparent background, it will be black or white. To achieve the effect of β€œtransparency”, use wallpaper with a gradient or light colors.
Where to download high-quality wallpaper for a 4K TV?
We recommend the following resources: Wallhaven.cc (filter at 3840Γ—2160 resolution), 4K Wallpapers (app in Google Play), Unsplash (free high-quality photos), InterfaceLIFT (wallpaper specifically for wide screens). Avoid low-resolution sites - stretched images will look blurry.