How to install your photo on the lock screen Xiaomi: 3 working ways

Xiaomi’s lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone, and personalizing it can make your device more comfortable. Many Redmi, POCO or Mi users want to replace the standard wallpaper with their favorite photo, but they don’t always know how to do it correctly. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to change the image on the lock screen, including hidden MIUI settings, bypassing system restrictions and solving typical problems.

It’s important to understand that the process can vary depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13 or 14) and the device model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12, the algorithm will be slightly different from on the old Mi A2 with pure Android. We’ve taken all the nuances into account and prepared a universal guide that will suit most of the brand’s modern smartphones, and you’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes, such as when the image is cropped or loses quality.

Why can’t you just replace the lock screen?

Unlike the main screen, where changing the wallpaper takes a couple of clicks, the lock screen in MIUI has additional limitations.

• 🔒 Security: The system protects access to personal data, so not all images can be used without confirmation.
• 🎨 Optimization of the interface: MIUI automatically adjusts the wallpaper to the theme of design, which sometimes leads to cropping or changing colors.
• 📱 Hardware features: on devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) The wallpaper may be displayed differently than on IPS-matrices (Redmi) 10C).

Also, in some versions of MIUI (especially on budget models like the POCO M5), the lock wallpaper change function can be hidden or disabled by default, which is done to save resources, but users often perceive this as a bug. In fact, just know where to look for the right settings - and we will show this later.

Method 1: Standard Replacement through theme settings

The easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices is to use a built-in theme menu.It is suitable for smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 12 Lite and other popular models.

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on the home screen).
2. Go to the section My wallpaper → Lock screen.
3. Click Add Wallpaper and select the source: 📷 Gallery – to upload your photo. 🌄 Online topics – if you want to download the finished image from the collection MIUI.

Adjust the framing area (if necessary) and save the changes.

If you don't have a Lock Screen option on your menu, the manufacturer has disabled that option for your model, in which case you can go to Method 2 or Method 3.

Resolution of at least 1080×1920 pixels

JPEG or PNG format

Contrast colors (for AMOLED-screen)

Cut important details in the center (so that they do not hide under widgets)

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⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO X5 Pro) the path to settings may be different. Instead of the Themes app, use Settings → Screen. → Wallpaper. → Lock screen.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Applications

If the standard settings do not allow you to change the lock wallpaper, third-party utilities will come to the rescue.

• 📱 Wallpaper Changer (available on Google Play) – supports automatic wallpaper change on schedule.
• 🖼️ Muzei Live Wallpaper – allows you to use dynamic wallpaper, including images from Google Arts & Culture.

Instructions for Wallpaper Changer:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the Gallery and System Settings.
3. Select the Lock Screen section.
4. Upload the desired image and apply it.

The advantage of this method is that it works even on devices with limited MIUI settings (e.g. Redmi 9A with lightweight firmware). However, beware: some applications may request redundant permissions, such as access to SMS or Geolocation - they are better disabled manually.

Method 3: Manually modifying through the file system (for advanced ones)

This method is suitable for users who are willing to work with system files. It requires root rights or access to ADB, but allows you to install any image without the limitations of MIUI. Important: incorrect actions can lead to a system failure, so back up the data before you start.

Instructions for devices with unlocked loader:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to activate the developer mode).
2. Download. ADB The command is: adb shell settings put global lock_screen_wallpaper /sdcard/your_image.jpg (substitute your_image.jpg on the way to your file).
3. Reset the device.

If you don’t have root rights but have access to ADB, you can use the Activity Launcher app to workaround:

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Find the activity com.android.themes or com.miui.home.
3. Run the hidden wallpaper settings menu and select the image to lock.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and newer Xiaomi tightened control over system files.Attempt to change wallpaper through ADB without root can cause the lock screen settings to reset to standard.

How to Avoid Image Quality Problems

A common complaint of users is that the wallpaper on the lock screen looks blurry or cropped. This is due to automatic MIUI optimization. To avoid such problems, follow the advice:

For devices with AMOLED-It is recommended to use dark wallpaper in screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) to reduce battery consumption. If you want to achieve a perfect display, try tools like Wallpaper Engine (requires root) or Zedge (free wallpaper with adaptive resolution).

💡

Before you upload the wallpaper to the lock screen, check it in the Gallery app in preview mode, so you will see how MIUI will crop the image, and you can adjust it in advance.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even after successful wallpaper changes, users face unexpected challenges, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

• 🔄 Wallpaper resets after rebooting: This is due to a conflict with the Topic app.The solution is to clear its cache (Settings) → Annexes → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 📵 Unlock gesture not working: Some wallpaper covers the swipe area. Try changing the image to a lighter one or disable the Effects when unlocked in the screen settings.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: Dynamic wallpapers or live wallpapers consume more energy. Replace them with static ones.

If the widgets (weather, steps, notifications) are missing after the wallpaper change, they can be returned manually:

1. Click the empty space on the lock screen.
2. Select Widgets and add the desired items back.
3. If necessary, change their location.

💡

On devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14), lock screen wallpaper is tied to a user profile. If you use multiple accounts, the wallpaper settings may differ for each of them.

Additional Customization Opportunities

Changing the wallpaper is just the beginning, and there are other ways to personalize the lock screen in MIUI:

• 🎶 Music widgets: Show the track you play right on the locked screen. Included in Settings → Lock screen → Widgets.
• 📊 Step statistics: If you have a Mi Band or other fitness device, activity data can be displayed on the lock screen.
• 🔐 Dynamic Password: Some firmwares have a change function PIN-code or pattern lock depending on the time of day.

For owners of POCO F5 or Xiaomi 13T Pro, the "Always-on Display" (AOD) feature is available, which allows you to display the time, date and notifications even on the screen off.

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Always-on Display.
2. Choose the display style (digital or analog clock).
3. Activate the option to Show Wallpaper so that the background image is displayed in AOD mode.

If you want to go even further, consider installing custom firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS, which offer more freedom in setting up the lock screen, but require unlocking the bootloader and technical skills.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions