Personalizing the smartphone interface is the first step that makes a new device truly yours. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco equipment often face the desire to replace the standard screensaver with their own photo or a high-quality downloaded image. The MIUI shells and the new HyperOS offer flexible tools to control the appearance of the system, but the algorithm of actions may not be obvious to the beginner.
In this detailed guide, we’ll take a look at all the nuances of setting background images, how to set up individual images for lock screen and desktop, how to avoid zoom problems, and where to look for hidden theme settings. It’s important to know that the latest versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS have partially redesigned the wallpaper settings menu, so old instructions may not be true. We’ll look at current methods running for 2026.
Image Preparation and File Requirements
Before you start installing, you need to make sure that the source file meets the technical requirements of the system. Modern displays of Xiaomi smartphones have a high density of pixels, so using low-resolution images will lead to the appearance of “grain” and artifacts. The optimal choice will be files in JPG or PNG format with a resolution of at least 1080×2340 pixels.
If you plan to use live wallpaper or transparent images, the PNG format will be preferable. However, it is worth remembering that such files take up more space in the memory of the device. For static photos, it is better to use high-quality compression, so as not to waste system resources.
- 📸 Use source materials with full resolution HD+ (1080p) or 2K clear-cut.
- 🗂️ Format JPG It's perfect for photos, but PNG — graphics and logos.
- 💾 Make sure there is free space on the internal drive for the theme cache.
- 🎨 Avoid too bright and contrasting images for the lock screen so as not to overlap the time widgets.
⚠️ Note: When using very high-resolution images (e.g., images from professional cameras of 50 MP and above), the system can automatically compress the file, which sometimes leads to loss of color reproduction.
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For best quality, edit the photo in a third-party editor before installing it, cropping it to your screen’s aspect ratio (usually 19.5:9 or 20:9).
Basic method of installation through the Gallery application
The simplest and most common method is to use the built-in Gallery app, which is universal for all models, from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 14. The algorithm of actions is intuitive, but has its own features depending on the firmware version.
Open the Gallery app and find the image you want. Tap the full screen image. You need to find the installation button at the bottom of the screen or in the Three Dots menu. In MIUI, it's often called "Install as" or has a three-dot icon.
Once you click, the system will suggest you to choose the application area, you can put the picture on the desktop, on the lock screen or on both screens at the same time. If you choose the option "Both screen", the system will try to adapt the image, but the result can be unpredictable due to the different positions of the interface elements.
☑️ Installation algorithm through the Gallery
The interface of choice may vary. Some devices open the framing editor first, and only after confirmation, you choose the type of screen. Be careful: if nothing happened immediately after the photo was selected, check the notifications — sometimes the system waits for confirmation in the curtain.
Setting up through the menu Themes and Wallpaper
The central hub for visual style management in Xiaomi smartphones is the Themes app. This is where all preinstalled options and user-uploaded files are stored. This method gives you more subtle control over display, especially if you want to create a slideshow or use Wallpaper Carousel.
To get to the right section, run the Topic app. In the lower right corner or in the side menu (depending on version), find the profile icon or Wallpaper section. Here you will see categories: Recommended, Video, Horizon and most importantly, Local or Mine. Going to the local file section, you will access the images stored in the phone's memory.
Select the Image tab. This will show all the photos in your gallery. The system allows you not only to set a static picture, but also to adjust its behavior, for example, you can turn on the parallax effect, where the image shifts when you tilt the smartphone, creating a depth effect.
| Parameter | Description | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Static | Common JPG/PNG images | Minimum battery consumption |
| Video wallpaper | Animated MP4 rollers | Increased charge consumption of the battery |
| carousel | Change of pictures when the screen is turned on | Average spending required by the Internet |
| Super wallpaper. | Interactive live scenes | High load on the GPU |
⚠️ Attention: The use of video wallpapers and “Super-wallpapers” can significantly reduce the battery life of the smartphone, especially on models with a high-performance model. AMOLED-screens where each pixel burns independently.
Separate setting of the lock screen and desktop
One of the most popular features is the ability to set different images for the lock screen and desktop, which allows you to keep the aesthetic of locking with watches and widgets without cluttering the app icons on the home screen. In pure Android, this is simple, but in the shell of MIUI there are nuances.
If the standard method installs one photo on both screens via Gallery, use an alternative path through settings. Go to Settings → Always on screen and lock (or just Lock Screen). Here you can select a separate image specifically for the screensaver. After that, through Gallery, set another photo for your desktop.
There is also a trick with the use of “Wallpaper Carousel.” If you turn on this feature, the images from the Xiaomi collection or your gallery will constantly change on the lock screen, while the desktop will remain static. This is achieved by activating the corresponding switch in the Settings → Wallpaper menu.
- 🔓 For the lock screen, select images with a dark bottom so that the time is readable.
- 🏠 For the desktop, abstract or blurred backgrounds are better suited, not distracting from icons.
- ⚙️ Don’t forget to turn off the carousel if you want a static picture on the lock.
- 🔄 When changing the theme of the design wallpaper can be automatically replaced by thematic.
It is important to consider that some third-party launchers installed on top of the MIUI can intercept control of the desktop wallpaper, in which case the configuration must be done through the settings of the launcher itself, not the system.
The secret of double tap
Working with live and video wallpaper
Owners of smartphones with AMOLED-They often want to take advantage of Always-On Display and live wallpaper. Installing video as a background is more resource-intensive, but the result is worth it. Video wallpaper can be embedded in themes or uploaded by the user.
To install your video, it must be stored in the device's memory. Go to the Themes app, go to Profile → Wallpaper → Video. The system will prompt you to select a file from the gallery. Pay attention to the duration of the video: videos that are too long (more than 15-20 seconds) can be automatically cropped or compressed by the system.
HyperOS and newer versions of MIUI support live wallpaper with interactive elements that respond to touch or time of day changes, but finding quality sources of wallpaper is more difficult, often only available through the official Xiaomi theme store in the “Paid” or “Recommended” section.
⚠️ Warning: When installing video wallpapers, the system can warn of increased battery consumption, which is a normal reaction, since video decoding occurs in the background constantly.
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Video wallpaper looks best on the AMOLED-screens where black is not illuminated, which creates a depth effect and saves energy.
Removal: Why Wallpapers Don't Change or Stretches
Users often experience a situation where the image is stretched, cropped or not applied at all after installation, the main reason being the aspect ratio mismatch: screens of modern smartphones are elongated (20:9), and photos are often 4:3 or 16:9 standard.
When you install it, the system suggests framing the image. If you ignore this step or select the wrong area, part of the picture may go beyond visibility. Also, the problem may be in the cache of the Themes app. If the wallpaper "fly" after the reboot, try clearing the cache of the Theme app through the Settings menu → Apps → All applications.
Another common problem is the Simplified Interface (for older people) mode, which has limited customization options, and gallery wallpaper installation can be blocked by the manufacturer to make navigation easier.
- ✂️ Always check the framing area before confirming.
- 🧹 Clear the Themes app cache if settings are not saved.
- 📱 Make sure that the simplified or children mode is not enabled».
- 🔋 Turn off energy saving mode if live wallpaper doesn't work.
If nothing works, check the access rights. The Gallery and Themes app must have permission to change system settings and access memory. Without that, Android's security system can block new files from being used.
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In conclusion, customizing a personalized interface on Xiaomi is a creative process that allows you to fully adapt the gadget to your taste. Use high-quality images, monitor the aspect ratio and do not be afraid to experiment with live options if the battery allows. Competent customization of the visual part makes a utilitarian tool into a pleasant addition to the lifestyle.