The lock screen of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone, so many users want to personalize it by setting your favorite photo instead of the standard wallpaper. However, depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14), the process may differ, and sometimes even completely hidden behind the non-obvious settings. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the image on the lock screen, including bypassing system limitations, optimizing pictures for better display and solving typical errors.
The Redmi Note 8 Pro is powered by a Mediatek Helio G90T processor, not a Snapdragon like many other Xiaomi models, and it affects support for some features, including wallpaper customization. For example, older firmware versions have seen a bug when installed photos are reset after rebooting.
If you want to make it really convenient, not just change the image, for example, to have weather widgets or notifications on the lock screen without overlaying the image, there is a separate section with layout tips, and you will learn how to get around the MIUI restriction on the use of live wallpapers for the lock screen.
1. Standard method: through MIUI settings
The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It works on all firmware versions, but the interface has changed a little in MIUI 14, so we'll look at both.
For MIUI 12/13:
1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Wallpaper section → Lock screen.
3. Click My Wallpaper and select Gallery to upload your photo.
4. Cut the image from the template (the system will automatically tell you the optimal proportions).
5. Save the changes with the Apply button.
For MIUI 14:
1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Slap on the wallpaper of the lock screen → My wallpaper.
3. Select the Gallery and specify the desired photo.
4. Confirm the cropping and press Ready.
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Note: If after installing the photo on the lock screen appeared black bars on the sides, then the selected image has the wrong aspect ratio. The optimal format for the Redmi Note 8 Pro is 1080×2340 pixels (ratio 18:9).
To avoid stretching or trimming important details, use online framing services like ILoveIMG. Upload your photo there and select Xiaomi Full Screen preset.
Download the original image in high resolution|Cut to the ratio 18:9 (1080×2340 px)|Check that the main object is in the center.|Save it in format. JPEG or PNG|Make sure the file is no more than 5 MB-->
2. Alternative method: through the Gallery appendix
If the standard method didn’t work (e.g., the Apply button is inactive), try installing a photo directly from the Gallery app, a method that is particularly useful for custom firmware users or those who have Xiaomi’s system apps disabled.
Instructions:
1. Open the gallery and find the photo you need.
2.Slip on it, then tap on the three dots in the top right corner.
3. Select Set as → Lock screen wallpaper.
4. Confirm the pruning and save the changes.
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Note: On some firmware, this method can lead to duplication of wallpaper – when the same photo is installed on both the main screen and the lock screen. To avoid this, check the settings in the Topics → Wallpaper section after application and reset the main screen wallpaper if necessary.
If your version of MIUI doesn't have the Set How option, then system constraints block this feature, and then the third way, using third-party applications, will help.
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To prevent the photo from getting darkened on the lock screen, turn off the blur effect in the settings: Settings → Lock screen → Effects → Blurring background (off).
3. Use of third-party applications (if MIUI blocks changes)
Sometimes Xiaomi artificially limits the personalization of its firmware. If none of the previous methods worked, use a third-party application. We recommend Wallpaper Changer or Muzei, which are compatible with the Redmi Note 8 Pro and allow you to bypass system restrictions.
Instructions for Wallpaper Changer:
1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide all the necessary permissions (access to files and system settings).
3. Select Lock Screen Wallpaper (Block Screen Wallpaper).
4. Indicate the path to your photo in the gallery.
5. Confirm the installation and restart the smartphone (required!).
Advantages of this method:
- 🔹 It works even on blocked firmware (for example, with system themes disabled).
- 🔹 Allows you to install animated wallpaper (GIF) lock-screen.
- 🔹 Automatically adjusts the image to the screen resolution.
- 🔹 Save settings after updating MIUI.
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Note: When using third-party wallpaper change apps, Xiaomi may display a warning about "unsafe settings." This is standard MIUI behavior - just click Allow and Continue. However, avoid little-known applications with suspicious permissions (such as accessing SMS or calls).
Why does MIUI limit wallpaper change?
4.Photo optimization for the lock screen: 5 key rules
Even if you successfully installed your photo, it may look blurry, cropped or too dark. To avoid these problems, follow the optimization guidelines:
Table: Optimal settings for photo on the lock screen Redmi Note 8 Pro
| Parameter | Recommended value | Why is it important? |
|---|---|---|
| Permission | 1080×2340 px | It corresponds to the native resolution of the smartphone screen (FHD+). |
| Format | JPEG or PNG | MIUI does not support HEIC, WebP or other formats. |
| File weight | 5MB | Large files can slow down the unlock animation. |
| Color scheme | Bright tones, no gradients | Dark photos merge with black interface elements (time, notifications). |
| Subject of the survey | Downtown, no important details around the edges | MIUI automatically crops ~10% of the image on each side. |
What not to do:
- 🚫 Choose a photo with a black background - on AMOLED-Redmi Note 8 Pro will create the effect of "leaky" wallpaper.
If you want weather widgets or calendars to appear on the lock screen, select a photo with a homogeneous background (such as an abstraction or gradient) so that the notification text will be better read.
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For best results, use a photo with a resolution of 1080×2340 px and bright colors. Avoid dark tones and small details around the edges - they will be cropped or lost when compressed.
5. Problem Solving: Photos are not installed or reset
Sometimes users of the Redmi Note 8 Pro find that the installed photo disappears after a restart or update, and here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:
Problem 1: Photo resets to standard wallpaper after reboot
Decision:
1. Check if the battery settings are power saving mode enabled, and it can block background processes, including wallpaper use.
2. Set the photo through a third-party application (for example, Wallpaper Changer) - it saves the settings deeper than the system menu.
3. Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
Problem 2: Apply button is inactive in the themes menu
Decision:
- 🔧 Check if the system application Themes in settings is disabled (Settings) → Annexes → Application management).
- 🔧 Reset the theme settings to standard: Themes → Settings → Reset the settings.
- 🔧 Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) that supports lock wallpaper change.
Problem 3: Photos are blurred or pixelated
Decision:
1. Make sure that the original image has a resolution of at least 1080×2340 px.
2. Turn off the blur effect in the lock screen settings (Settings → Lock screen → Effects).
3. Try saving the photo in PNG instead of JPEG, which is better for clarity.
If none of these methods worked, you may have modified firmware with remote features installed on your device, in which case only flashing to the official global version of MIUI will help.
6. How to install live wallpapers on the lock screen
By default, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro does not support animated lock screen wallpaper in most versions of MIUI. However, there is a workaround using the Video Live Wallpaper or KLWP app.
Instructions for Video Live Wallpaper:
1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Select the video or GIF you want to use.
3.Push Set as Wallpaper and select Lock Screen.
4. Confirm installation and restart the phone.
Limitations:
- 🔴 The animation will only play when the screen is turned on (not in the background).
- 🔴 Increased battery consumption (up to 5-10% per hour with active use).
- 🔴 On some firmware, animation can slow down.
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Attention: Live wallpaper on the lock screen may conflict with Always-on Display (if activated through third-party Magisk modules).In this case, the screen will flicker or display artifacts. To avoid this, turn off Always-on before installing the animated wallpaper.
For more flexible customization, we recommend using KLWP (Kustom Live Wallpaper), which allows you to create your own animated themes, including wallpaper for the lock screen, but takes time to learn the interface.
7 How to return standard wallpaper if something went wrong
If after experimenting with wallpaper, the lock screen starts to glitches (for example, a black screen or artifacts are displayed), return the standard settings.
Method 1: Through the Topic Menu
1. Open the Topic app.
2. Go to Wallpaper → Lock screen.
3. Select one of the standard themes (e.g. MIUI Default).
4. Apply the changes and restart the phone.
Method 2: Resetting the launcher settings
If standard wallpaper does not apply, reset the launcher settings:
1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2.Look for MIUI Launcher (or POCO Launcher if you use it).
3. Press Warehouse → Clear the data.
4. Reset the device.
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Warning: Clearing the launcher data will not only reset the wallpaper, but also the location of the icons on the home screen, as well as the folder. Take screenshots of the current layout in advance to quickly restore it.