How to put a few wallpaper on Xiaomi: desktop + lock screen

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones allow you to personalize the look of the device to the smallest detail, from app icons to interface animations. One of the most popular features is the ability to install different wallpapers on the desktop and lock screen. This not only visually separates the two key screens, but also adds convenience: for example, on the desktop you can place a minimalist background, and on the lock – a bright photo to quickly search for the phone in your bag.

In this article, we will discuss all the official and hidden ways to install multiple wallpapers on Xiaomi, including models with a high-end design. MIUI 12–14, and consider alternative methods for older firmware versions, learn how to avoid common bugs (such as cropping images or resolution mismatch), what file formats are supported, and how to sync wallpaper with themes from the Mi Theme Store. Special attention will be paid to solutions for devices without a standard option - using third-party applications and ADB-team.

Why can’t you just choose different wallpapers on Xiaomi?

Unlike pure Android, where the separation of desktop wallpaper and lock screen is implemented by default, MIUI has historically limited this feature.

• 🎨 Uniform visual style: Xiaomi strives for design integrity, where wallpaper is part of the theme, not a separate element.
• 📱 Optimization for AOD: On devices with Always-On Display (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) The background of the lock must be correctly displayed in low power mode.
• 🔄 Sync with Mi Account: Wallpaper can sync between devices via Mi Cloud, which complicates the logic of separate backgrounds.

However, since MIUI 12.5, the split wallpaper feature has been available on most models — but not always obvious to users.

How to put different wallpaper in MIUI 12.5-14

If your smartphone is running MIUI 12.5 or later (e.g. Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11, POCO F4), follow this instruction.

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to Wallpaper section. → My wallpaper.
3. Click on the Lock Screen or the Desktop at the top of the screen.
4. Choose an image from a gallery or standard collection.
5. Confirm the changes with the Apply button.

Important: If the Lock Screen/Desktop option is not active, then your model does not support separate wallpaper at the firmware level, in which case move to alternative methods.

Select a photo with a resolution of at least 1080×2340 (for Full HD+)

Cut the important elements in the center (so that they do not hide under the icons)

Check if the file format is JPG or PNG (WEBP may not be supported)

Save the images in the folder DCIM → Wallpapers for quick access-->

Hidden Settings: How to unlock the feature on older versions of MIUI

On devices with MIUI 11-12 (e.g., Redmi Note 9 Pro or Mi 10 Lite), the option of separate wallpapers can be hidden, but it can be activated through the theme editor:

1. Download and install Mi Theme Editor (the official app from Xiaomi).
2. Open the app and select Create a new theme.
3. In the Wallpaper section, upload individual images for Lockscreen (lock) and Homescreen (desktop).
4. Save the theme and apply it through Settings → Themes.

This method works even on devices where the feature is not in the standard interface, but note that custom themes may be reset after the MIUI update.

Alternative methods: third-party applications and ADB

For devices without support for separate wallpaper

If your Xiaomi does not allow you to set different backgrounds with standard tools, use one of the proven methods:

1. Launcher applications

Launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher replace the standard MIUI shell and offer flexible wallpaper settings.

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Long press on the desktop → Wallpaper.
3. Select individual images for Home Screen and Lock Screen (if supported).

2. ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

With ADB, you can force the hidden MIUI settings to be enabled. Connect your phone to your PC and do:

adb shell settings put global multi_wallpaper_support 1

After rebooting, the wallpaper menu may have a separate background option, and note that this method does not work on all devices and may cause shell failures.

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Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup. This will help restore the system if errors occur after the commands.

Compatibility table: which Xiaomi models support separate wallpapers

Not all Xiaomi smartphones work equally with the function of several wallpapers. Below are the data on popular models (relevant to MIUI 14):

If your model is not in the table, check the support experimentally or check in forums (e.g. 4PDA).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you install multiple wallpapers, users encounter common errors, and here's how to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If after changing the wallpaper on the lock screen appeared artifacts (blurring, pixelation), check the aspect ratio of the image. For most Xiaomi optimal resolution 1080×2340 (for cut-out displays) or 1080×2400 (cut-out).

• 🔄 Wallpaper resets after rebooting: This is typical for devices with custom themes.Solution - apply wallpaper through the standard Theme menu, not through Mi Theme Editor.
• 🖼️ Image is cropped at the edges: In wallpaper settings, enable the option to Fit or Stretching (depending on the model).
• 🔒 You can’t change the background of the lock: On some devices (for example, Redmi). 9A) This function is blocked. Use alternative methods.

If the problem persists, try resetting the Themes app settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Themes → Storage → Clear Data) this will return the standard wallpaper, but may fix the crashes.

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Before resetting the themes, take screenshots of the current wallpaper - after cleaning the data, they will have to be installed again.

How to sync wallpaper with themes from Mi Theme Store

The Mi Theme Store has themes with pre-configured desktop and lock wallpapers to apply:

1. Open Topics → Online topics.
2. Select a theme marked Double Wallpaper (e.g., Nature Dual Wallpaper).
3. Click Apply - the background lock and desktop will be installed automatically.

Note that some themes require a subscription to Mi Account (free of charge), and the themes can be replaced when you update MIUI, in which case you will have to reinstall them.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions