Personalizing the look of a smartphone is the first thing many new tech owners start with: Changing a standard image to a unique image allows you to make the device truly yours, reflecting tastes and preferences. In Xiaomi smartphones running on MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, this process can seem confusing due to the abundance of features and hidden menus.
Users often find that standard methods running on “pure” Android fail or lead to directories with paid content. Xiaomi’s theme system actively promotes its resources, sometimes hiding simple ways to install local files. However, there are several proven ways to quickly change the background of the lock screen or desktop without unnecessary costs.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to replace background images, learn how to use the built-in gallery, system settings and even special applications to create live scenes, and also touch on the topic of optimization so that beautiful pictures do not consume battery power faster than necessary.
Using the built-in Gallery to set the background
The fastest and most logical way to change the image is to use the standard Gallery app, which works equally well on older firmware versions as well as on fresh updates, and you don’t have to look for complex settings if the image is already stored in the device’s memory.
Just open the photo and look at the bottom toolbar, and there's usually a "More" button (three dots) or a menu icon, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of actions that you can take, which will be "Install as Wallpaper," and the system will tell you to choose where to apply the image: to the lock screen, the desktop, or to both screens at the same time.
Sometimes, after a choice of application area, a framing interface appears. The MIUI interface allows you to move the image, resize it, and even apply simple filters before the final save, which is especially convenient if the original photo has the wrong resolution or proportions.
☑️ Pre-installing check
It's worth noting that when you install it on your desktop, it might suggest adding widgets or changing the icon grid. Don't ignore this step, because positioning the image correctly will help make the interface more ergonomic. If you want to install the video, the algorithm will be slightly different, which we'll talk about in the next sections.
Configure through the system menu Wallpaper
If you want to select an image from a pre-installed collection or download a new one from an online catalog, you'll need the Wallpaper system app, which you can find in the Tools folder or by searching the app menu, which is your Redmi or POCO visual style control center.
Inside the app, you'll see several tabs: Recommended, Categories, Local and Mine, and the Local tab is especially important because it gives you access to all the images stored in your phone's memory without going through third-party galleries, and you can sort files by folder, making it easier to find the right shot from thousands of photos.
⚠️ Note: In some regions, the Wallpaper app may require you to log in to a Mi Account or offer paid themes.Look for the Normal Wallpaper button or switch at the bottom of the screen to navigate to free content and local files.
To install, just click on the image you like and select the Apply button. The system will again ask where to set the background. In new versions of HyperOS, a real-time preview feature is added, allowing you to see how the picture will look along with the widgets and icons until the changes are fixed.
- 🖼️ Online directory: A huge database of images, updated daily but requiring the internet.
- 📂 Local folder: Access to your personal photos and downloaded images without restrictions.
- 🎨 Super wallpaper: Special format of animated backgrounds with high detail (available on flagships).
- ⏱️ Wallpaper carousel: Function of automatic change of pictures on the lock screen at each turn on of the screen.
The system app also allows you to activate the wallpaper carousel feature, which automatically uploads beautiful new images to the lock screen when you turn on your smartphone, and you can adjust the change rate and image sources in the Wallpaper app settings.
Installation of live and video wallpaper
Dynamic backgrounds make smartphone use more interesting, but they require a more cautious approach. Installation of video as wallpaper is possible with regular means, but often users turn to third-party solutions to expand the functionality. The standard Wallpaper application supports the format of live wallpaper, which are short cyclic animations.
To install videos from your gallery, you may need a third-party app, as direct import of MP4 files into standard wallpaper is sometimes limited. One of the most popular solutions is the Video Live Wallpaper app. Once installed, the algorithm is simple: select a video file, customize the sound (usually it is better to turn it off for resource savings), and apply.
Effect of live wallpaper on the battery
Owners of AMOLED devices should be especially careful. Although black on these screens does not consume energy, bright dynamic video can cause uneven wear of pixels over long-term use.
Also, consider that live wallpaper can consume RAM. On budget models of the Redmi Note series or POCO M, this can lead to more frequent unloading of background applications. If you notice a slowdown in the interface, it is better to return to a high-quality static image.
Working with themes and third-party launchers
Xiaomi’s theme ecosystem is a powerful customization tool that is often underrated. Themes app doesn’t just feature a set of icons, but entire packages that include unique wallpaper, fonts and sounds, and once you download the theme, you can only use the wallpaper from it without changing the rest of the interface.
For those who lack the standard shell, there are alternative launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher that allow you to set wallpaper with a parallax effect, when the image moves at different speeds relative to the icons when the phone is tilted, which creates a depth and three-dimensional effect.
| Wallpaper type | Source | Impact on the battery | Complexity of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static (JPG/PNG) | Gallery/Settings | Minimum | Low. |
| Live (Systemic) | Tham's shop | Average. | Low. |
| Video (MP4) | Third-party annexes | High. | Medium |
| Super wallpaper. | Systemic/Mods | High. | Low. |
When installing a third-party launcher, the system can request permissions to display over other windows and access storage. To properly operate live wallpaper through third-party launchers, you need to turn off energy savings for a particular launcher application in the battery settings. Without this, the system will force the background rendering process to save charge.
Remember, you can edit themes. Themes app has a Mine section where you store the downloaded packages, and by clicking on a pencil next to the theme, you can replace a specific item, like desktop wallpaper, with your picture, while still retaining the icon style.
Optimization and resolution of images
The quality of the final image depends on the resolution of the original file. Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with screens with a resolution of 2400×1080 and above. If you try to put a picture of poor quality, it will stretch and look blurry, which will spoil the impression of even the most beautiful interface.
When choosing an image, pay attention to its proportions. Vertical photos are best. Horizontal images will have to be heavily cropped, cropping important details. You'd better look for images marked "Mobile Wallpaper" or at least 1080p.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid using images with watermarks or text at the bottom of the screen.In the lock screen area, there are often clocks and notification widgets that will block the bottom third of the image, making the text unreadable.
For owners of devices with a camera cutout or a hole in the screen (hole-punch), it is important to consider the location of this element. Dark wallpaper around the cutout helps to visually hide the camera, making it less noticeable in everyday use, while light colors, on the contrary, emphasize the presence of the cutout.
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Advice for AMOLED screens: Use mostly dark wallpaper with a black background. This will not only save battery power, but also make the cutout for the front camera almost invisible, creating an infinite screen effect.
Solution and resetting of settings
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the wallpaper is not installed, fly off after a reboot or displayed in a black square. Most often the problem lies in the lack of free memory or cache of the Themes application.
To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find “Themes” or “Wallpaper” and select “Clean” → “Clean it all.” This won’t delete your personal photos, but will reset directory settings and cache of downloaded themes. After that, try installing the image again.
Another reason could be the file format, although the system supports the file format. JPG and PNG, certain specific formats (e.g, HEIC iPhone or WebP may not be properly processed by standard means. JPG before installation.
Why are the wallpapers reset after rebooting?
How to remove the inscription "Mi Store" or the advertisement on the lock screen?
Can I put a different wallpaper for each desktop?
Where to find hidden wallpaper in MIUI 14 and HyperOS?
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Main conclusion: For stable operation and battery savings, use high-resolution static images, and for video backgrounds, be sure to adjust the power consumption exceptions.
In conclusion, Xiaomi personalization is a fascinating process that allows you to adapt your device to your own needs, and using these methods, you can easily change the mood of your smartphone every day, and the key is to strike a balance between the beauty of the interface and the performance of the device.