When your Xiaomi receives an incoming call, the standard black screen with a subscriber number looks boring and uninformative. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided the ability to customize this interface — you can set any image, gif or even video as a background. This will not only make the phone more personalized, but also help to identify important calls by visual tags faster.
In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to change the background on the call screen, from standard MIUI settings to hidden functions and third-party applications. We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of firmware (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14) and smartphone models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13, etc.).
Why Xiaomi can’t just change the background of a call through the gallery
Many users try to set the background to the call in the same way they do on the lock screen or desktop, through the standard wallpaper menu, but in MIUI, this process is organized differently.
- 📱 The call screen is a separate system module (com.android.incallui) that is not associated with desktop wallpaper.
- 🔒 Limitations MIUI: Xiaomi blocks direct background replacement for some regions (for example, in global firmware, the option may not be available).
- 📁 File format: The system does not support all extensions – for example, animated.gif only works on the computer. MIUI 13+.
Moreover, after upgrading to Android 13/14, some users are faced with the fact that previously worked methods no longer work, this is due to the tightening of Google’s security policy, which restricts the access of applications to system windows.
Official method: setup via "Phone" (works on MIUI 13-14)
The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in settings of the Phone app, which is suitable for most modern models (Xiaomi 12/13/14, Redmi Note 11/12, POCO F4/F5) with MIUI firmware 13 and later.
- Open the phone application (pipe icon).
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
- Go to the Incoming Call Screen (or Incoming Call Screen in English).
- Slip the Call Screen Background option.
- Choose one of the proposed options: 🖼️ Gallery - upload your own image (supported.jpg,.png). 🎥 Video – set a dynamic background (not available on all models). 🌈 Color - monochromatic background with gradient.
Save.
If the call screen background option is not on the menu, then your model or firmware region does not officially support this function, in which case, move to alternative methods (described below).
Upload the desired image to the phone memory (DCIM folder or Downloads)|
Check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI | version
Make sure the Phone app is updated to the latest version|
Make a backup of contacts (in case of failure)
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Alternative method: using MIUI themes
If the phone’s settings don’t have a direct option to change the background of a call, you can bypass this restriction with customized themes. Many themes from the official Xiaomi Themes store change not only the desktop wallpaper, but also the design of system windows, including the incoming call screen.
Here's how to do it:
- Open the “Themes” app (brush icon).
- In the search bar, enter the query in English: call screen or incoming call.
- Select your favorite theme marked Custom call UI (for example, iOS Call Screen, Dynamic Call).
- Click Apply and confirm installation.
- Reboot your phone to make the changes take effect.
Instructions:
- Connect your phone to your PC and confirm ADB access on your smartphone screen.
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
- Enter the command to copy your image to the system folder: adb push your image.png /sdcard/MIUI/wallpaper/call_background.png
- Set file rights: Adb shell chmod 644 /sdcard/MIUI/wallpaper/call_background.png
- Reboot your phone: adb reboot
After the reboot, your image should show up on the incoming call screen. If the background hasn't changed, try clearing the phone app's cache (Settings → Apps → Phone → Storage → Clear cache).
adb shell mount -o rw,remount /But remember: this can cause system security problems!-->
Third-party applications for customizing the call screen
If you don't like standard solutions, you can use Google Play apps that offer advanced customization options.
| Annex | Features | Cons | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call Screen Customizer | Support for video background, animations, changing fonts | Advertising requires permission to overlay | Play Market |
| Cally – Call Screen | Themes for different contacts, widgets on the screen | Paid features may conflict with MIUI | Play Market |
| Truecaller | Automatic call detection + background customization | Collects call data that is heavy on the system | Play Market |
Before installing third-party applications, consider:
⚠️ Attention: Call screen customization applications require permission Drawing over other apps, which can create security breaches if the app is malware!
Also, some apps (like Truecaller) may conflict with Xiaomi’s standard Phone app. If call notifications stop coming after installation, return the default app to the settings.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When the background on the call screen changes, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:
- 🔄 Background does not change after saving Solution: Clear the cache of the Phone application (Settings) → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Clear the cache and restart the phone. If it doesn't work, check if the antivirus (e.g. Mi Security) blocks access to system files.
- 📵 Video background is not played Solution: Make sure the video has no higher resolution 1080p format.mp4 (codec H.264). Nana MIUI 12 video backgrounds not supported.
- 🔒 Call Screen Background option is not available in the Solution: Update the Phone app via Play Market or install APK The latest version is manual. If it doesn't work, use the method of using the ADB orthodox.
- 🖼️ Image cropped or stretched Solution: Prepare background with aspect ratio 9:20 (for example, 1080×2400 Use tools like Photoshop or Pixlr to trim.
⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) If you change the background, the vibration may disappear when the call is incoming. → Sound and vibration → Vibration when calling and turn on the option again.
How to Set Different Background Pictures for Different Contacts
You want each contact to have a unique background? Unfortunately, standard MIUI settings don't support this feature, but you can do it with workarounds:
Method 1: Use the Truecaller application
- Install Truecaller and allow access to contacts.
- Open the contact card → click Edit.
- Select the option to Change the background of the call and upload the image.
- Save the changes.
Method 2: Google Contacts (not working on all models)
- Open Google Contacts (not the standard Xiaomi app!).
If none of these methods work, then only manual background replacement via ADB is left with contact ID binding – but this requires deep knowledge and can disrupt system stability.
💡
For different backgrounds on different contacts, Truecaller is the easiest to use, but be aware of the privacy risks: the app collects data about your calls and contacts.