How to change the screensaver on the Xiaomi TV: all the ways with photos and videos

The screensaver on a Xiaomi TV is the first thing you see when you turn on the device. A standard brand logo or abstract background quickly becomes boring, especially if the technique is used daily. Fortunately, the manufacturer has envisaged several ways to personalize the greeting screen, but not all of them are obvious to the user.

In this article, we will discuss all available methods of changing the screensaver, from basic settings in the menu to hidden features for advanced users. You will learn how to install your own image, animation or even video, as well as what restrictions PatchWall imposes on different models of Xiaomi TVs (including Mi TV 4S, Mi TV 5 Pro, Redmi Smart TV and others).

Why you can’t just replace the screensaver through settings

Many users find that there is no explicit “Change the screensaver” item on Xiaomi TV menu, which is because of the company’s policy: since PatchWall 3.0 (2021), most models have lost this option in the public interface, but the feature itself remains – it was simply moved to hidden settings for developers or made available only through third-party applications.

Here are the key limitations you may face:

• 🔄 Models up 2020 years (e.g. Mi) TV 4A, Mi TV 4S 55") Often allow you to replace the screensaver through the standard Settings menu → Screen. → Screensaver, but with a format limitation (only) JPG/PNG, permitting 1920×1080).
• 🚫 New TVs (2021-2026, including Xiaomi) TV Q2 Redmi Smart Fire TV) Requires developer mode activation or installation of additional applications.
• 🎬 Video screensavers are not officially supported on any model, but they can be emulated through apps like Daydream (manual customization is required).

⚠️ Note: On TVs with PatchWall 4.0 firmware+ (After 2022, trying to replace the screensaver through an engineering menu can cause you to reset your settings to factory settings. → Account and security → Backup.

Method 1: Replace the screensaver through standard settings (for older models)

If your TV is released before 2021, try this method.It works on Mi TV 4A, Mi TV 4S (all sizes), and some versions of Mi TV 4X.

1. Open Settings (cog on the home screen or the Settings button on the remote).
2. Go to Screen and Sound → Screen → Screensaver (on some models, the path may differ: Settings → Preferences → Screen).
3. Select the Custom Savage or Change the background.
4. Click Select an image and specify a file from internal memory or connected USB-storage.

Image requirements:

⚠️ Attention: If after replacement the screensaver is displayed stretched or cropped, check the aspect ratio of the original image. Xiaomi TVs automatically scale the background to the screen resolution, but sometimes this leads to distortions. Solution: trim the image manually to the ratio 16:9 (for example, 1920×1080 full HD).

Save the file in PNG/JPG format

Cut to a 16:9 ratio

Reduce the size to 2-5 MB

Check the color profile (sRGB)

Copy on USB-accumulator (FAT32)

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Method 2: Activate the Developer’s Hidden Menu

For PatchWall 3.0-4.0 TVs (2021-2026), the standard screensaver replacement path is blocked, but it can be unlocked through developer mode, a method that works on the Mi TV 5 Pro, Xiaomi TV Q2 and other modern models.

Steps for activation:

1. Open the Settings. → On TV.
2. Find the line Build Number (or Software Version) and click on it 7 times in a row with an interval of no more than 1 second.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).
4. Activate the switch Allow debugging over USB and Allow installation from unknown sources.

Now you can:

• 📁 Install third-party launchers (for example, ATV Launcher) that supports the change of screensavers.
• 🔧 Use it. ADB-commands for manual replacement of system files screensaver (see the next section).
• 🖼️ Upload images through apps like Screensaver Changer (available on Google Play for Android) TV).

Method 3: Replace the screensaver through ADB (for advanced users)

This method is suitable for all Xiaomi models, but requires command line skills.The essence is to replace the system file of the screensaver through Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 📁 Image for screensaver in format PNG, Renamed bootlogo.png (the resolution must match your screen resolution) TV).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the TV to your computer via USB and enable USB Debugging in the developer settings.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and execute: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (its serial number should appear).
3. Copy your image to your TV memory: adb push bootlogo.png /sdcard/
4. Replace the system file of the screensaver (root rights required, which can be obtained through Magisk): adb shell su mount -o rw, remount /system cp /sdcard/bootlogo.png /system/media/bootanimation/bootlogo.png chmod 644 /system/media/bootanimation/bootlogo.png reboot

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect replacement of system files can lead to a blink (inoperability) of the TV. If after rebooting the screen does not turn on, try resetting the settings via Recovery Mode (press the Power Mode). + Menu on the remote when switched on).

adb pull /system/media/bootanimation/bootlogo.png bootlogo_backup.png

This will allow you to restore the original screensaver if something goes wrong.-->

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If you don’t want to mess around with ADB, you can install special apps from Google Play (available only on Android TVs, such as Mi TV 5 or Xiaomi TV Q2).

Instructions for Daydream (the most reliable option):

1. Install the app via Google Play on your TV.
2. Open Settings → Screen and Sound → Dormant Screen (or Daydream).
3. Choose Daydream as your source.
4. In the app settings, upload your images or select ready-made themes.

Limitations:

• 🕒 The screensaver is activated only after 5-10 minutes of inactivity (configured in Settings). → Screen. → Screen timeout).
• 🎵 Some animations may slow down on weak models (e.g. Mi). TV 4A 1GB of RAM).

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The app side is the safest way to change the screensaver, but they only work in dormant screen mode (if inactive).

Method 5: Alternative solutions (if nothing works)

If your TV model doesn’t support any of the above methods, try workarounds:

• 📺 Use it. TV-Boxing: Connect external Android TV-boxing (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Box S) HDMI. You can set up any screensaver on it, and use the TV as a monitor.
• 🖥️ Emulation through Ambilight: If you have LED-Xiaomi Yeelight tape, set it to display colors from the screen. When you turn off the TV, the tape will work as a dynamic screensaver.
• 🔄 Firmware rollback: On some models (e.g. Mi) TV 4S) You can bring back the old version of PatchWall, where the screensaver change function was still available.

For firmware rollback:

1. Download the desired version of the software from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive and place the file update.zip root USB-storage device (format) FAT32).
3. Connect the flash drive to the TV and go to Settings → About TV → System Update → Local Update.

⚠️ Note: Firmware rollback may result in loss of warranty and unstable TV performance. Before the procedure, check the compatibility of the software version with your model in forums (for example, before the procedure, 4PDA).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When replacing the screensaver, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to eliminate them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📋 Model TV: Some budget series (e.g. Redmi Smart) TV X) have a stripped firmware without customization.
• 🔄 System Updates: Newer PatchWall versions may have features appearing or disappearing. Check the software's relevance in Settings → Updating the system.

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If the screensaver dropped after updating the TV, try to repeat the procedure of replacing it. Often system updates overwrite user files, but do not block the very possibility of customization.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions