Owning a modern Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone offers users a wide range of customization options. One of the easiest ways to personalize a device is to set up dynamic or automatically changing background images, which not only improves visual perception, but also allows them to enjoy new emotions every time you turn on the screen.
However, the standard gallery doesn’t always offer the tools to automate the process, and many users are faced with manually switching pictures, which takes time. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS shells provide built-in mechanisms, as well as support third-party solutions for implementing the live desktop feature.
In this article, we will take a look at all the methods available, from native wallpaper carousel to advanced widgets, learn how to adjust the intervals of image change and choose content sources. Follow our recommendations to turn the lock screen and desktop into an ever-updating gallery.
Use of the built-in function of the Wallpaper Carousel
The most efficient and energy-efficient way to implement image change is to use the system app Glance, which is pre-installed on most modern Redmi Note and Xiaomi models, and works directly on the lock screen, uploading new images from the Internet every time the device wakes up.
To activate the function, go to the system settings. Find the Lock Screen or Always on the screen and the Lock screen. Inside the menu, select the Wallpaper Carousel. Here you can turn on the "Enable Wallpaper Carousel" switch and set preferences by image categories such as nature, cars or art.
⚠️ Warning: Wallpaper carousel requires an active internet connection to upload new images. If you are roaming or using limit traffic, it is better to turn off automatic download via mobile network in the app settings.
Importantly, this method only changes images on the lock screen, not on the desktop, and this is done to save CPU and battery resources. If your goal is to diversify the home screen, you will need to use widgets or third-party software, which we will talk about in the next sections.
Setting up the wallpaper widget on the desktop
For those who want to see the change of images directly on the desktop, the MIUI shell offers a full-time widget, which allows you to create a slideshow from your chosen photos or download content from online services, a solution ideal for static scenes where the phone is on the table, or for fans of frequent change of decor.
To add a widget, do the following: press the empty space on your desktop or pinch it with two fingers. In the bottom menu, select Widgets. In the list that opens, find the Tools or System category and select the Wallpaper element. Drag it to the free screen space.
Once you have installed the widget, click on it to set it up, you will be asked to select the source of the images, you can specify a specific folder in the gallery, a subscription in the Topic app or an online album, and you can also choose the shift interval from 15 seconds to 24 hours.
☑️ Setting up the wallpaper widget
Consider that the widget takes up a certain amount of screen space and can overlap application icons. The optimal size is 2x2 or 4x2, depending on the version of the interface. If you use large watch or weather widgets, space becomes critical for usability.
Use of live wallpaper through the store Topics
The third option is to use animated Live Wallpapers. Unlike static image change, it uses video sequences or interactive graphics that respond to touch or tilt of the device. The MIUI Themes store contains thousands of such options created by both Xiaomi and independent designers.
To install, go to the Topic app. In the bottom navigation bar, select the Wallpaper tab, then the Live filter. Here you will find animated backgrounds. After selecting the option you like, click "Download" and then "Apply." The system will alert you to possible increase battery consumption.
| Wallpaper type | Battery consumption | RAM loading | Interactivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static (Gallery) | Minimum | Absent. | No. |
| Carousel (Glance) | Low. | Low. | Swipe. |
| slideshow widget | Medium. | Medium | No. |
| Live (Live) | High-pitched | Tall. | Tall. |
The use of live wallpaper can significantly affect the autonomy of the device, especially on models with a AMOLED-If you notice that the phone is starting to discharge or heat up faster, consider returning to static images or using dark themes.
How to turn off the wallpaper to save energy?
Third-party applications for shift automation
If Xiaomi's standard functionality isn't enough, Google Play apps come to the rescue, offering more flexible settings, such as changing wallpapers on schedule, depending on location or weather conditions, and popular solutions are Wallpaper Changer, Murano or Backdrops.
The way these programs work is the same: you install an app, you give it access to storage, you select folders with images, you set up a timer, and some apps can even download pictures from Reddit or Unsplash automatically, creating an endless stream of content.
However, installing third-party software carries risks: Apps may request excessive permissions, such as access to contacts or a microphone, which is not necessary to change pictures. Always check developer ratings and user reviews before installing.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party launchers or wallpaper applications on MIUI 13/14 And HyperOS can aggressively close their backgrounds. To make the switch work, go to the battery settings, find the app, and select "No Limits" mode".
Also, some smart wallpapers may conflict with system themes. If the interface is unstable or artifacts appear after installing a new application, remove the newly installed software.
Optimization and Impact on Productivity
Constantly changing images, especially in high resolution, requires resources: the processor needs to decode the picture, and the graphics accelerator needs to draw it; on older Redmi models with little RAM, this can cause micro-twitching of the interface when unlocked.
To minimize the load, it is recommended to use images with the optimal resolution corresponding to the matrix of your screen. There is no point in putting a photo of 4000x3000 pixels on a screen with a resolution of 2400x1080.
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Use moderately compressed JPG images instead of heavy PNGs unless transparency is required, which will speed up wallpaper loading and reduce RAM consumption.
Also, pay attention to the refresh rate: setting a 10 second shift interval will create an unnecessary load; the optimal value is a change every 15-30 minutes or every time the screen is turned on (for the Carousel), which is enough to feel new, but not overload the system.
Solving Display Problems
Users often encounter a situation where the wallpaper does not change or is displayed with black fields.This may be due to the wrong aspect ratio.Modern Xiaomi smartphones have elongated screens, and classic 16:9 photos can be cropped or stretched.
To avoid distortion, use the "Preview" function before use. The wallpaper selection menu usually has a button to see how the image will lie on the lock screen and desktop. If the image clips important details, select "Blurr" or "Scale" in the display settings.
Another problem is de-synchronizing the shift time. If the widget is not updated, try clearing its cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Wallpaper or Themes and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with Clear Data, as it will reset your settings.
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The stability of the changing wallpaper depends on the availability of free space in the memory of the phone. It is recommended to keep free 2-3 GB for the correct operation of the image cache.