How to install wallpaper from the gallery on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 working methods + error solving

Want to personalize your Xiaomi Redmi 9, but don’t know how to properly install your favorite photo from the gallery as wallpaper? MIUI — The interface offers several non-obvious ways, and sometimes the image is also cropped or blurred. In this article, we will discuss all current methods of wallpaper installation (including hidden functions), explain why errors occur, and show how to fix them.

Whether you want to put a family photo on a lock screen or an abstract drawing on the home screen, after reading this manual, you can do it in less than a minute. MIUI 12/13/14 (For example, when the wallpaper moves or loses clarity, you can find ready-made solutions here. Even if you're a beginner, don't worry: each step is illustrated in detail and checked on Redmi. 9 latest-update.

1. Standard method: through the wallpaper menu

The easiest method is to use the built-in Wallpaper app (or Themes in English) which is pre-optimized for Xiaomi Redmi. 9 and automatically adjusts the images to the screen resolution (720×1600 pixels. Here's how it works:

Open the Wallpaper app (the icon with the brush on the desktop or in the app menu). At the bottom of the screen, select the tab My Wallpaper. → Gallery. This is where you'll see all your photos, sorted by date, and find the image you want and tap it.

• 📌 The next screen will have a preview, and use the slider at the bottom to zoom in or move the image, so you can avoid trimming important details.
• ✅ Click Set Wallpaper and choose where to apply: on the lock screen, the main screen or both at once.
• 🔄 If the image looks blurry, try enabling the option Adaptive blur (available in the app). MIUI 13+). It smooths the edges, but can worsen clarity.

⚠️ Note: If the gallery does not have a button to Set Wallpaper, update the Wallpaper app via the Play Store. MIUI (below 12.5) this function was not stable.

This method is suitable for most users, but it has a limitation: not all image formats are supported. For example,.webp or.heic may not appear in the list, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.

2. Alternative method: through screen settings

If Wallpaper doesn't work for some reason (e.g., you deleted it or it freezes), you can install wallpaper directly through the system settings, which is a little longer, but it's guaranteed to work even on custom firmware.

Go to Settings. → Screen. → In the menu that opens, select My Wallpaper. → Gallery: The next step is the same as the first one: select a photo, edit its position and apply it:

• 🎨 Effects of paralax: in MIUI 14 is an opportunity to add an additional 3D-The effect of tilting the phone (works only on the phone) AMOLED-The Redmi 9 is equipped with screens. IPS, So the option will be inactive).
• 🔍 Preview: Here you can see how the wallpaper will look on the lock screen with widgets and notifications in mind.
• 📱 Separate Wallpaper: If you want different pictures on the home screen and lock screen, select Set up separately.

If after installation, the wallpaper looks stretched or pixelated, the problem may be in the resolution of the original image.Optimum size for Redmi 9 — 720×1600 If your photo is smaller, the system automatically zooms in, resulting in a loss of quality.

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Before installing wallpaper, open a photo in the gallery, click Edit → Cut and set the aspect ratio 9:20 (for full screen display without black bars).

3.For Advanced: Manual installation via file manager

This method will be useful if:

• 🖼️ You want to use wallpaper in.webp,.heic or.avif formats that don’t show up in the standard gallery.
• 🔄 You need to use wallpaper that cannot be cut (for example, with the exact location of the elements).
• 📁 You prefer to keep the wallpaper in a separate folder for quick access.

Instructions:

1. Open any file manager (such as Google Files or Mi File Manager).
2. Go to the wallpaper folder (usually this one) DCIM → Camera or Pictures).
3. Find the desired image and pinch it with your finger to appear context menu.
4. Select Set How → If you don't have that option, copy the file to a folder. MIUI → Wallpaper (Create it by hand if it doesn’t exist).
5. Restart the phone – after turning on, new wallpaper will apply automatically.

⚠️ Note: When manually copying wallpaper to folder MIUI/wallpaper Don't change file names. The system may not recognize an image if the name has Cyrillic characters or spaces. Use the format. wallpaper1.jpg, wallpaper2.png etc.

This is especially useful if you've downloaded wallpaper from the Internet in a non-standard format, like many wallpapers from sites like Wallhaven or Wallhaven. 4K Wallpapers are saved in.webp, which MIUI It doesn't support as a background by default. Manual copying solves this problem.

Download the wallpaper in maximum resolution (minimum) 720×1600)

Check the file format (supported.jpg,.png,.bmp)

Cut the image to a ratio of 9:20 (for full screen display)

Make sure the file is not damaged (open it in the gallery)

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4. Problem Solving: Wallpapers move, blur or not installed

Even after installing the wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi 9 can behave strangely: shift when scrolling, become blurry or even drop on the standard ones.

🔍 Problem 1: Wallpaper moves when scrolling the desktop

This is due to the paralax effect function, which is enabled by default in the MIUI. To turn it off:

1. Hold your finger on the empty spot on the main screen.
2. Select Screen Settings → Wallpaper effects.
3. Turn off the Paralax option when scrolling.

🖼️ Problem 2: Wallpaper blurred or pixelated

Guilty:

• 📏 Inappropriate resolution: if the original image is smaller 720×1600, system stretches it.
• 🔘 Switched blur: in MIUI 13+ Default activated option Adaptive blur.
• 📱 Hardware acceleration: on some firmware, wallpaper is compressed to save resources.

Solution: Turn off blur in wallpaper settings or use images with at least a resolution 1080×2340 (stock-in).

❌ Problem 3: The “Set Wallpaper” button is inactive

This is a typical mistake when:

• 🗃️ Use of unsupported formats (.heic,.tiff).
• 📁 Storing a file in a secure folder (for example, Android/data).
• 🔄 Damage to the file (try opening it in another application).

If.heic wallpaper is not installed, convert it to.jpg using the app. HEIC to JPG Converter (available on the Play Store).

5. How to install live wallpaper from the gallery

Xiaomi Redmi 9 supports live wallpapers, but with limitations: the standard gallery does not allow you to install them directly.

If you have.mp4 or.gif file that you want to use as a live wallpaper:

1. Download the Video Live Wallpaper app or GIF Live Wallpaper from Play Store.
2. Open the application and select the desired file from the gallery.
3. Customize the viewing area (save the video so that important details are not hidden under the icons).
4. Apply wallpaper through the Install button in the application.

Please note:

• 🎬 The video wallpaper will only be played on the lock screen. It's static on the home screen.
• 🔋 Battery consumption will increase by 5-10% (live wallpaper constantly uses the processor).
• ⚙️ In the live wallpaper settings, you can turn on the option to Play only when charging to save charge.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9 with 4GB of RAM, live wallpaper can cause slowdowns when opening heavy apps (such as games.

Resetting wallpaper to standard

If the wallpaper experiments ended unsuccessfully (for example, the screen began to flicker or the wallpaper is displayed curved), return the standard background images:

Method 1: Through the Wallpaper Appendix

1. Open the wallpaper. → Categories.
2. Choose the Standard or MIUI.
3. Use your favorite option (usually abstract patterns or landscapes).

Method 2: Resetting the screen settings

1. Go to Settings. → Screen. → Wallpaper.
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Reset to standard.

If after resetting the wallpaper has not changed, clear the cache of the Wallpaper application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Wallpaper (or Themes) and select Clear Cache.
3. Reboot the phone.

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Resetting wallpaper to standard doesn't remove your personal photos from the gallery; it only returns the system settings of the background.

7. tips for choosing wallpaper for Xiaomi Redmi 9

To make the wallpaper look perfect on Redmi 9, follow these guidelines:

• 📏 Permission: minimum 720×1600, optimally — 1080×2340 (stock-in).
• 🎨 Color: Avoid too dark wallpapers IPS-Redmi 9 will look gray, better to choose contrasting colors.
• 🔍 Details: important elements (faces, text) are placed in the central part - at the edges they can be cut off.
• 📱 Adaptability: if you use widgets (weather, watch), choose wallpaper with a monochromatic background in the widget zone.

Where to download the appropriate wallpaper:

• 🌐 Wallhaven.cc – filter by resolution 720×1600 tag MIUI.
• 📱 Zedge – an app with wallpaper optimized for Xiaomi.
• 🎨 Backiee – wallpaper with support for dark theme (relevant to the MIUI 14).

If you want to create wallpaper yourself, use Canva or Photoshop with a template. 720×1600. Add a transparent area to the image at the bottom (100–150 pixels – there will be placed icons dock-panel.

FAQ: Frequent questions