How to put wallpaper from the gallery on Xiaomi: 3 working ways + problem solving

You can change the standard wallpaper on Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco to your own photo from the gallery in 2-3 minutes - if you know the nuances of the MIUI interface. Many users are faced with the fact that the option "Install as wallpaper" Suddenly disappears from the context menu, and there is no button in the the theme settings to select custom images. The reason lies in the features of the shell and Android versions: since MIUI 12, the algorithm has changed, and now the path depends on the device model and firmware version.

In this article, we’ll look at the current ways Xiaomi uses MIUI 12-14 and Android 11-14, including workarounds for locking devices (like the Redmi Note 12 or Poco X5). We’ll also look at common mistakes: why wallpapers move, lose clarity or don’t install at all. If you tried to do it through Themes and didn’t find the right option, there’s a solution.

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1. Method through the context menu of the gallery (fastest)

This method works for most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 13/14 Android 12/13, It may not be available on some models (e.g. Redmi). 10A POCO M5). Check it first - it takes less 30 seconds.

Open the Gallery app and find the image you want. Tap it once to open it in full size. Then hold your finger in the photo for 1-2 seconds until the context menu appears. It should have an option like "Install as" or "Use as." Click on it and select "Wallpaper" (sometimes called "Desktop background").

If you don’t have an “Install as” option, your model uses a different algorithm (see Method 2). Also check if you have a third-party gallery installed (like Google Photos) that can block this feature.

• 📌 It works on: Xiaomi 13/13T/14, Redmi Note 11/12, Poco F4/F5, Most devices are clean MIUI 13+.
• ❌ Not working on: Redmi 9A/10A, Some firmware for the Poco M-series, if modified MIUI (For example, Xiaomi.EU).
• ⚙️ Nuance: If the photo is in format.HEIC (iPhone, first convert it to the iPhone.JPG through any online converter.

2. Method through theme settings (universal)

If the context menu doesn’t offer wallpaper installation, use the built-in Themes app, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including budget models and custom firmware smartphones.

Instructions:

1. Open the "Settings" (cog icon).
2. Go to the Wallpaper section (or Themes → Wallpaper, depending on the MIUI version).
3. At the bottom of the screen, select “My Wallpaper” or “Gallery”.
4. Find the image you want and touch it, and the system will suggest cropping the photo under the screen, confirm the action.
5. Choose where to apply the wallpaper: “Home”, “lock screen” or “Both”.

If there is no My Wallpaper, update the Themes app via Google Play or install it manually with APKCombo. On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), this section may be called Local or User.

Is the standard gallery open? MIUI (Google Photos)|

Photo in JPG/PNG format (not HEIC or RAW) |

Is the image resolution sufficient (minimum) 1080×1920)|

Power saving mode is turned off (can block background processes)-->

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9C/10C And some other budget models, the "My Wallpaper" option may not be available because of manufacturer restrictions. 3.

3. Method through third-party applications (if nothing works)

If the first two methods didn't work, it was the firmware or the model's limitations, and then a third-party app would help, and we tested 5 popular utilities and we selected the two most reliable ones.

1. "Wallpaper Setter" (from XDA Developers)

Download APK from XDA or Google Play. After installation:

1. Open the app and select “Pick Image”.
2. Find a photo in the gallery.
3. Click on “Set Wallpaper” and select the application area.

2. «Muzei Live Wallpaper»

Both apps are free, but Muzei has paid themes. For Xiaomi with MIUI 14, Wallpaper Setter is better suited, as it bypasses the shell limitations.

4. How to cut the wallpaper correctly (without distortion)

A common problem with wallpaper installation is incorrect cropping: photos are stretched, important details are trimmed or centered off, because MIUI automatically adjusts the image to the aspect ratio of the screen, to avoid distortion:

Step 1. Check the resolution of the photo.

The best options for modern Xiaomi:

Step 2. Use the editor.

If the photo is not suitable in size, cut it in advance in any editor (for example, Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile).The main rule is that the central part of the image should remain intact, as it will be visible on the lock screen.

Step 3. Turn off the automatic fit.

When installing wallpaper through Themes, uncheck the "Fix under the screen" box (if any). In some versions of MIUI, this option is hidden - then use Wallpaper Setter (see method 3), where the trimming is manually disabled.

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If the wallpaper blurs on the lock screen, check the settings in Settings → Lock screen → Additional → Blurr background. Turn off this setting.

5 Why wallpaper is not installed: 5 common reasons

If you followed the instructions, but the wallpaper is still not put - check these points:

• 📱 Memory Lack: The "Failure to install wallpaper" error appears on the screen. Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔒 Firmware restrictions: Some Xiaomi for China (e.g. Mi 11 China) ROM) The solution is to change the region of the firmware.
• 🖼️ Unsupported format: Photo in.HEIC,.WEBP or.RAW They won't show up. Convert to.JPG or.PNG.
• 🔄 Themes app crash: Reinstall it via Google Play or clear the data in Settings → Annexes → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 🛠️ Damaged System Files: If none of these methods work, reset your settings through Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings (data not deleted).

On the Redmi Note 10 Pro and Poco X3 Pro with MIUI 12.5, there is a bug: after installing the wallpaper, they are reset to standard after 1-2 days. This is treated by upgrading to MIUI 13+ or disabling the Adaptive Wallpaper function in the theme settings.

⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party launcher (such as Nova Launcher or Hyperion), wallpaper MIUI In this case, set the background directly in the launcher settings.

6. How to put live wallpaper (video or GIF)

Standard MIUI does not support the installation of live wallpaper (.mp4,.gif) through the gallery, but there are workarounds.

Method 1. Through "Video wallpaper" (built-in solution)

1. Download video at 1080p or higher (e.g., with WallpapersCraft).
2. Place it in the DCIM → VideoWallpapers folder (create it manually if not).
3. Open “Themes” → “Wallpaper” → “Live Wallpaper” and select your video.

Limit: The roller should not last more than 15 seconds, otherwise it will be cut.

Method 2. Application "Video Wallpaper"

The XDA utility allows you to install any video as wallpaper, including 4K.

1. Download APK from XDA.
2. Select the video in the gallery.
3. Set up the playback speed and display area.
4. Use as wallpaper for the main screen or lock.

Cons: increased battery consumption (5-10% more than with static wallpaper).

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Live wallpaper reduces battery life by 15-20%, and if the battery runs out too quickly, turn it off or reduce the brightness of the screen.

7.How to return standard MIUI wallpaper

If you’ve experimented with custom backgrounds and want to go back to factory wallpaper, do the following:

Option 1: Through "Themes"

1. Open the "Themes» → «Wallpaper».
2. Select the “Recommended” or “Popular” tab.
3. Find the wallpaper marked “MIUI” (usually at the top of the list).
4. Tap the option you like and apply it.

Option 2: Reset via settings

If the standard wallpaper is missing from the list:

1. Go to “Settings” → “About the phone”.
2. 7 times press on "Version" MIUI» (Opening a menu for developers).
3. Return to Settings → “Additional” → “Resetting”
4. Select "Resetting wallpaper and themes."

This will return the factory settings to the ones without losing data.

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FAQ: Frequent questions