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

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones allow you to personalize the interface by installing different wallpapers on the desktop and lock screen, but not all users know how to properly configure this feature — especially if it comes to non-standard solutions like dynamic wallpaper or third-party launchers. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, including hidden MIUI settings, circumventing restrictions and solving typical errors.

It’s important to understand that the customization options vary with the shell version. For example, in MIUI 14, the wallpaper selection algorithm differs from MIUI 12, and on some budget models (for example, Redmi 10A), some functions can be reduced. We will look at universal methods that work on most devices, and also point out nuances for specific lines - Poco, Redmi Note and Xiaomi 13/14 flagships.

Does your Xiaomi support multiple wallpapers at the same time?

Before you start setting up, check if your device supports split wallpaper. This depends on two factors:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Starting with MIUI 10 it became possible to install different wallpaper on the desktop and lock screen, but in early versions (for example, MIUI (9) this option is not available.
• 🔧 Smartphone model: On budget devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A) The function can be disabled by the manufacturer to save resources.
• 🛠️ Third-party launchers: If you use Nova Launcher or Hyperion, wallpaper settings are managed through these apps, not through standard menus MIUI.

To determine exactly what support is, perform a simple test:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to Wallpaper.
3. If the option Apply to... appears when selecting an image with a choice between Desktop and Lock Screen, the function is supported.

If you don’t have an option, don’t worry: in the following sections, we’ll explain how to get around this restriction with third-party tools.

Method 1: Standard settings through the “Themes” app

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 10 and newer.

1. Open the Themes app (if it is not on the desktop, search through the system search).
2. Go to Wallpaper section. → My wallpaper.
3. Click Add Wallpaper and select an image from the gallery or standard MIUI collections.
4. After the selection, a window will appear with the question Apply to... Here you can select: Desktop Lock screen Both screens (if you want the same wallpaper)

Apply

If the Apply to... option does not appear, your version of MIUI does not support separate wallpapers by standard means, in which case move to Method 3 using third-party launchers.

Choose two different images (for desktop and lock screen)

Check the resolution (1080×2400 is recommended for most Xiaomi)

Cut the wallpaper under the screen (use the "Scene" or "Photo" app).

Save the images to the Wallpaper folder for quick access-->

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Poco) X3 Pro after updating to MIUI 13 separate wallpaper option may go missing. This is a firmware bug - try resetting the Themes app settings in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Method 2: Using dynamic wallpapers with different modes

MIUI offers dynamic wallpapers that automatically change the look of the device depending on the time of day or gesture, and few people know that they can be customized to display different phases of the same theme on the desktop and lock screen.

How it works:

• 🌄 Earth and Mars wallpaper: You see Earth in the daytime, Mars at night, you can put Earth on your desktop, Mars on your lock screen.
• 🌌 "Space travel: Changes planets over time. Choose different planets for different screens.
• 🌊 "Ocean waves: Dynamic waves with different intensity on different screens.

Instructions for setting:

1. Open Topics → Wallpaper. → Dynamic.
2. Choose a theme you like (such as Earth and Mars).
3. Click Set up (the gear icon in the lower right corner).
4. Enable the option Different wallpaper for the desktop and lock screen.
5. Select which phase of the theme will be displayed on each screen (e.g. Earth – desktop, Mars – lock screen).

On devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), dynamic wallpaper runs smoother and supports more phases for separate display.

Method 3: Third-party launchers for full wallpaper control

If standard MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party launchers, which not only allow you to set different wallpapers on different screens, but also offer additional features like adaptive icons, gestures and concealment of interface elements.

The best launchers for Xiaomi:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher: Supports separate wallpaper, adaptive icons and backup settings. The free version has limitations, but it will suffice for wallpaper.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher: Optimized for MIUI, Offers dynamic wallpaper and integration with Xiaomi services.
• 🎨 Lawnchair: Lightweight launcher with support for Android 12+ style and split-wallpaper.
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher: Good for synchronizing wallpaper between Xiaomi and Windows PC.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it to the default launcher (at the first start, an offer will appear).
3. Press the finger free space on the desktop → Wallpaper settings.
4. Select Desktop Wallpaper and set the first image.
5. Return to the settings and select Lock screen Wallpaper → set the second image.
6. Save the changes.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Poco) F3) after installing a third-party launcher, gestures may disappear MIUI. To return them, go to Settings. → Additionally. → Full screen mode → System navigation and select Gestures MIUI.

💡

If Xiaomi’s weather widgets stopped working after the launcher change, install the Miui Home app from APKMirror and enable the option to Show widgets on other launchers in its settings.

Method 4: Manual editing of system files (for advanced ones)

This method is suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and root rights. It allows you to manually write paths to wallpaper in system files, bypassing the limitations of MIUI. Use it at your own risk!

It will require:

• 🔓 Unlocked loader (official instruction).
• 🛠️ Root rights (e.g. via Magisk).
• 📁 File Manager with root access (e.g., Solid Explorer or Root Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Copy the wallpaper for the desktop and lock screen into the folder /data/system/users/0/ (for example, wallpaper_lock.jpg and wallpaper_home.jpg).
2. Open the file. /data/system/users/0/settings_system.xml text-edit.
3. Find the lines: wallpaper_lock="/path/to/your/wallpaper_lock.jpg" wallpaper_home="/path/to/your/wallpaper_home.jpg" If they are not, add them manually.
4. Save the file and restart the device.

If the wallpaper has not changed after the restart, check the file rights:

chmod 644 /data/system/users/0/wallpaper_*.jpg


chmod 644 /data/system/users/0/settings_system.xml

Solving problems: Wallpaper is not applied or reset

Sometimes, after setting up, different wallpapers on Xiaomi screens may be reset or not applied. Let’s consider the typical reasons and ways to eliminate them:

If the problem persists, try resetting the Topics app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Topics.
2. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
3. Reboot the device and reapply the wallpaper.

💡

On devices with AMOLED-With static dark wallpaper (such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro), you can save up to 15% of battery power compared to light or dynamic screens.

How to make wallpaper adaptive for a dark and light theme

MIUI 13 and later supports automatic wallpaper change when switching between dark and light theme, a feature that only works with standard MIUI wallpaper, but can be emulated for your images.

Instructions for standard wallpaper:

1. Open Topics → Wallpaper.
2. Select wallpaper marked Adaptive (e.g., Abstraction or Gradient).
3. Apply them to both screens or selectively.
4. Enable automatic theme switching to Settings → Screen → Dark Theme → Automatically.

For his wallpaper:

• Create two versions of the image: dark and light.
• Use the Tasker or MacroDroid app to automatically change the wallpaper when you change the theme: Profile: If [Dark theme] = On] → Action: Set wallpaper [file: dark_wallpaper.jpg] Profile: If [Dark topic] = Off] → Action: Set wallpaper [file: light_wallpaper.jpg]

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper on Xiaomi