How to Put Wallpaper on Xiaomi So They Don’t Change: The Complete Guide

Are you tired of having your Xiaomi, Redmi or Wallpaper on? POCO Are they resetting after a system update, reboot, or even accidentally pressed? This problem is familiar to many device owners on the Internet. MIUI — The branded shell often ignores the user settings of the background image, returning the standard wallpaper. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to fix wallpaper forever, including hidden settings, ADB-commands and third-party utilities.

It is important to understand that the reason for the wallpaper reset is the MIUI architecture: the system stores user backgrounds in temporary folders that are cleared when updates or crashes. Moreover, some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5) aggressively caches wallpaper, which leads to their accidental replacement. We tested all methods on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14 - the results are summarized in the table below.

If you don't want to waste time experimenting, then you can go to the fifth method, which is the most reliable, but requires root rights, and for other users, the non-super-user methods, albeit with some limitations, are suitable.

Method 1: Use of the standard application "Themes"

To start with, the simplest method is to fix wallpaper through the built-in Themes app, which works on most devices without any additional manipulation, but has a limitation: Wallpaper can reset after a major MIUI update.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
• 🖼️ Go to Wallpaper section. → My wallpaper.
• 🔍 Select the desired image from the gallery or upload a new one.
• ✅ Click Apply, then select Lock Screen + Main screen screen.
• 🔒 Key step: After application, hold your finger in the free space of the desktop → Wallpaper settings → Load the wallpaper (if the option is available).

On some models (for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) the option to fix wallpaper is not available.

1. Apply wallpaper through Themes.
2. Reset the device.
3. Reset the same wallpaper – sometimes the system “remembers” the choice after the second attempt.

⚠️ Note: If you use dynamic wallpapers (such as Earth & Moon or Super Wallpapers), they will be reset with each update. MIUI. In this case, go to method 3 or 4.

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Before using the wallpaper through the "Themes" clear the app cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Themes → Storage → Clear the cache. This will reduce the likelihood of resetting.

Method 2: Manually copying wallpaper to the system folder

This method is suitable for users who are willing to work with the file system through Explorer or ADB. The point is to transfer the selected image to a folder that MIUI does not clean when updating.

Instructions:

1. Download wallpaper in maximum resolution (recommended 1440×3200 for modern models).
2. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).
3. Go to /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/theme/ If theme is not available, create it manually.
4. Inside the theme folder, create a subfolder with any name (for example, my_wallpapers) And you put your image there. Rename it wallpaper.jpg or wallpaper.png.
5. Set wallpaper through Themes by selecting your file from the folder /MIUI/theme/my_wallpapers/.

The advantage of this method is that MIUI rarely touches files in /MIUI/theme/ when it updates, but once it's reset to factory settings, the wallpaper will still disappear.

Method 3: Fixing wallpaper through ADB (without root)

If previous methods have not worked, try using them. ADB-This way, it doesn't require root rights, but it requires you to connect your phone to your computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to become a developer) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack into any folder.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and do:

adb shell settings put global current_wallpaper "/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/theme/my_wallpapers/wallpaper.jpg"


adb shell settings put global current_lock_wallpaper "/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/theme/my_wallpapers/wallpaper.jpg"

Replace the file path with the current one. After you complete the commands, restart the phone. Wallpaper should remain even after the updates.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), these commands may not work due to modified settings. --user 0: adb shell settings put global current_wallpaper "/path/to/wallpaper.jpg" --user 0

USB debugging enabled

Installed ADB drivers on PC

The phone is connected in file transfer mode (MTP).

The path to wallpaper is copied without errors

The command line is open on behalf of the administrator (Windows)-->

Method 4: Using third-party launchers

If you're tired of constantly dumping wallpaper, consider installing an alternative launcher, popular options such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Hyperion Launcher, which allow you to capture wallpaper at the application level, ignoring the MIUI settings.

How it works:

• 📲 Install a launcher from Google Play (for example, Nova Launcher).
• 🎨 Set wallpaper through the launcher settings (Long press). → Wallpaper).
• 🔄 Select the option Apply to the desktop and lock screen (if available).
• 🛡️ In the launcher settings, find the option Block wallpaper or Prohibit wallpaper change and activate it.

Important: When using a third-party launcher, the wallpaper on the lock screen can still be reset, since MIUI manages it separately. To fix this, combine this method with method 2 (copying the wallpaper to the system folder).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Wallpaper is not reset during updates MIUI.
• ✅ More opportunities for customization (animations, gestures, icons).
• ✅ You can return the standard launcher at any time.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Certain functions MIUI (Super Wallpapers will be unavailable.
• ❌ Possible conflicts with branded widgets Xiaomi.

Method 5: Editing system files (root required)

It's the most reliable, but also the most complex, and it involves editing the system files that make up the wallpaper, and it requires root rights, and if you're not sure about your skills, skip this section.

Instructions for experienced users:

1. Get root rights with Magisk (see instructions for your model on XDA Developers).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Cross the path: /data/system/users/0/ Find Wallpaper files, wallpaper_lock and wallpaper_info.xml.
4. Copy these files to a secure location (e.g., on a PC).
5. Set the desired wallpaper through the themes.
6. Return to /data/system/users/0/ and replace the new wallpaper files with the previously copied ones (with your wallpaper).
7. Change the rights to files: chmod 644 /data/system/users/0/wallpaper* chown system:system /data/system/users/0/wallpaper*
8. Reset the device.

After this manipulation, MIUI can't change the wallpaper without your knowledge, but be careful:

• ⚠️ Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop (locked boot).
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI repeat the procedure.

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The Root method guarantees 100% wallpaper fixation, but requires technical skills. Use it only if other methods have not worked.

Additional Advice and Frequent Mistakes

Even after successful wallpaper fixing, users face typical problems, and here's how to avoid them:

• 🔄 Wallpaper is reset after updating MIUI: Before updating, copy the wallpaper files from /data/system/users/0/ (if there is root or from /MIUI/theme/ (method 2). After the update, repeat the fixing procedure.
• 🖼️ Wallpaper stretches or crops: Use images with a resolution matching your screen.For Xiaomi 13 Ultra — 3200×1440, For the Redmi Note 12 — 2400×1080. Check the aspect ratio!
• 🚫 You can not change the wallpaper after fixing: If you used ADB or root method, first undo the changes (return the standard wallpaper files), then apply the new ones.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🛠️ Version MIUI: On some beta versions (for example, MIUI 15 China Beta) wallpapers are being reset due to bugs.Rollback to stable version could help.
• 📱 Model of device: On POCO F1 And other old models do not work all methods due to the stripped firmware.
• 🔧 Mi Account settings: Sometimes synchronizing themes through Mi Account overwrites wallpaper. Turn it off in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization → Topics.

FAQ: Frequent questions