UI personalization is the first thing that many owners of new Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones start with. Standard images bundled with MIUI or HyperOS firmware often seem boring or simply don’t fit the user’s mood, which is why the question of how to quickly and correctly put wallpaper on the lock screen remains one of the most popular in the community.
The process of changing the background may seem trivial, but the Chinese giant’s ecosystem offers many hidden possibilities that are not obvious at first glance: you can use high-resolution static pictures, dynamic scenes, or even adjust automatic image change through the wallpaper carousel service. Understanding the nuances of working with a gallery and theme will create a unique visual style.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to replace the background of the lock screen. We will touch on the installation of live wallpaper, configure the Always On Display function and solve typical problems when the image is not applied or cropped. Follow the instructions to make your smartphone look truly individual.
Basic installation of static images through the Gallery
The simplest and most common method available to every user immediately after purchasing a device is to use the standard Gallery app, which is ideal if you have already downloaded your favorite image from the Internet or taken a high-quality photo that you want to see every time you turn on the screen, and the algorithm is as simple as possible by developers for convenience.
To start, open the Gallery app and select the photo you want. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner or the "More" button in the bottom menu, then find the "Install as Wallpaper" item. The system will suggest you choose whether to apply the image to the lock screen, desktop or both screens at once. Select the lock screen to complete the procedure.
However, it should be borne in mind that when installing a static image, the system may suggest framing the picture. The screen resolution of modern Xiaomi smartphones often differs from the standard proportions of photos, so part of the image at the edges can be cropped. It is recommended to select pictures with a margin around the edges in advance or use a built-in editor for correction.
⚠️ Warning: If the image looks blurry after installation, check its original resolution. AMOLED-Xiaomi screens require files of at least lower quality 1080×2400 pixels, otherwise the compression artifacts will be visible to the naked eye.
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Use PNG images without strong compression for the best quality on high-pixel density screens.
Using the Themes app to search for a new design
The Themes is a powerful, often underrated MIUI tool that contains not just icons, but thousands of professionally designed packages that include unique lock screen wallpapers with animations, watch widgets and unlock effects, and it goes much beyond just changing the picture.
To find the right design, run the Themes app and go to Wallpaper or search for Lock screen, and you can filter the results by categories: Nature, Abstraction, Technology, or Anime. Many packages are free, but there are premium options that require payment or viewing ads.
After downloading the selected package, click Apply. In the menu that appears, ask where to use new resources. Select the option Apply lock screen wallpaper so that you do not change the icons on the desktop if you only need a new screensaver. This method guarantees the perfect positioning of elements, since the theme is created for a specific screen resolution.
- 🎨 Thousands of author designs not available in a standard gallery.
- ⏱ Possibility of installing live watches and animated elements.
- 🔄 Regular updates to the collection by Xiaomi editors.
Setting up the wallpaper carousel for automatic change
One of the most interesting features that came from Android and was redesigned in MIUI is the Wallpaper Carousel, which allows you to automatically change the images on the lock screen every time you go to the device, creating a sense of novelty and allowing you to enjoy a huge library of professional photos without manual replacement.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Wallpaper → Wallpaper Carousel. Here you need to turn on the service activation switch. Once turned on, you can adjust the refresh rate (each time you turn on the screen or every few hours) and select the categories of images that you are interested in, such as Travel or Space.
An important benefit of the Carousel is the ability to interact with content, and the lock screen often displays "Like" or "Detail" buttons that allow you to save a favorite image to the gallery or read an article about the location of the picture, which turns the lock screen into a source of inspiration, rather than just an obstacle to accessing the phone.
⚠️ Warning: Activation of the wallpaper carousel may slightly increase battery consumption, as the system requires periodic download of new images over the Internet.
☑️ Setting up the Carousel
How to install live wallpaper and video backgrounds
Live Wallpapers are dynamic backgrounds that respond to touch, device tilts, or are simply video playable. On Xiaomi smartphones, this functionality is implemented through the Live Wallpaper app, which is often included in system utilities. These screensavers look spectacular, but require more CPU resources.
To set a video background, open the Live Wallpaper app from the Tools folder or through settings. Choose your favorite animation from the list of available animations. Some of them are interactive: for example, when you tilt the phone, the perspective changes, or when you touch your fingers on the screen, particles fly away. Press Apply and confirm the installation on the lock screen.
There is also a way to set your own video as a background, but it is difficult to do this with regular means. Users often use third-party applications from Google Play, such as Video Live Wallpaper, which allows you to select any video from the gallery and assign it to the system background.
| Wallpaper type | Battery consumption | Impact on memory | Effectivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static (JPG/PNG) | Minimum | Low. | Medium |
| Live (Systemic) | Medium. | Average. | Tall. |
| Video (Third-party) | High-pitched | High. | Maximum |
| carousel | Medium (traffic) | Caching | diverse |
Why can live wallpaper slow down?
Always on Display (AOD) as part of the style
The Always On Display technology allows you to display the time, date and notifications on the screen off without the risk of burning out the matrix, thanks to the features AMOLED-Although it's not technically "wallpaper», AOD is a visual continuation of the lock screen and sets the tone for the entire design of the smartphone.
You can set up AOD through the Settings → Wallpaper → Always on screen, and you can choose from a variety of styles, from classic digital watches to animated characters or even your own photos, and you can set your schedule to keep the screen on only at certain times or when you pick up your phone.
Using custom images in AOD allows you to harmoniously combine the background of locking and stub. For example, if you have black wallpaper with a minimalist design, you can choose the appropriate typeface of watch in AOD. This creates a sense of a coherent, thoughtful product, rather than a set of random settings.
- 🕒 Possibility to set up the power schedule to save energy.
- 🖼 Support for uploading your own images to the format AOD.
- 🔔 Display icons of missed calls and messages.
It is worth noting that on some models of the budget segment, the AOD function may be hardware-free or software-limited, in which case the system will offer an alternative - turning on the screen by double tapping, which is also a convenient feature, but consumes more power with frequent use.
Solving the problem: why not put or cut wallpaper
Despite the simplicity of the interface, Xiaomi users sometimes face problems when setting the background, most often complaining that the image is stretched, cut at the edges or not applied at all after choosing. Understanding the causes of these failures will help quickly return the aesthetic of the device to normal.
One common reason is conflict with an active theme, which is that if a third-party theme is installed, it can dictate its settings for the lock screen, ignoring your attempts to put a standard photo, in which case you either need to change the theme to a standard one (Classic), or look for the Wallpaper Lock screen function inside the the theme settings, not the system.
Another problem is the file format. The system may not properly process HEIC images (standard for iPhone) or files with a non-standard color profile. Converting an image to a universal JPG or PNG through any online service or editor usually solves the problem instantly. It is also worth checking whether the “Simplified Mode” mode for older people is turned on, which limits the possibilities of personalization.
⚠️ Warning: If you use live wallpaper and the phone starts to discharge or warm quickly, the system can automatically return the static screensaver. MIUI, overheating.
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Resetting the theme to the factory ("Classic") solves 90% of problems with incorrect display or use of wallpaper on the lock screen.
So in conclusion, fine-tuning visuals is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to make your smartphone experience more enjoyable: experiment with combinations of static and live elements, use Carousel for inspiration, and remember AOD to complete your image. Your Xiaomi should look the way you like.