How to install wallpaper on Xiaomi phone: all the ways from standard to hidden

Changing the wallpaper on Xiaomiโ€™s smartphone is a task that seems easy only at first glance. MIUI, non-obvious settings for AMOLED-This article covers all the relevant ways, from basic actions in the gallery to using hidden features of the Theme and third-party applications with support 4K-permitting.

We will not only learn how to change the background to the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro, but also how to avoid typical mistakes: why wallpaper moves when scrolling, how to keep clarity on screens with resolution FHD+, And why some live wallpapers are slowing down on budget models, with a particular focus on dark-themed optimization and energy saving on devices with low-end designs. AMOLED-display.

The most obvious method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for static images and works on all models, from the Redmi A2 to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. The main advantage is that it does not require the installation of additional applications and retains the original picture quality (if it does not exceed the screen resolution).

To put the wallpaper through the gallery:

  • ๐Ÿ“ท Open the Gallery app and select the desired image.
  • ๐Ÿ” Click on the icon. โ‹ฎ (three points) in lower right corner โ†’ Choose Set How to Install.
  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ In the menu that appears, tap Wallpaper and select the screen area: Home screen, Lock screen or Both screens.
  • ๐ŸŽจ If necessary, adjust the scale and position of the picture, then click Apply.

An alternative way through settings:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Wallpaper.
  2. Choose My Wallpaper tab (for uploaded images) or Live Wallpaper (for animation).
  3. Slip on the desired image and confirm the installation.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the wallpaper moves away when scrolling the desktop, turn on the option Fixed wallpaper in the launcher settings (long press on the desktop โ†’ Settings โ†’ Additional).

2. Live wallpaper: how to install and why they brake

Live wallpapers (or Live Wallpapers) add dynamics to the lock screen or desktop, but on Xiaomi, they have several nuances. First, not all models support smooth animation: on the Redmi 9A or POCO M4 Pro with a Helio G88 processor, live wallpaper can slow down. Second, they consume an additional battery โ€” up to 5-7% per hour when used actively.

To set up a live wallpaper:

  • ๐ŸŒŠ Go to Settings. โ†’ Wallpaper. โ†’ Live wallpaper.
  • ๐ŸŽž๏ธ Choose one of the standard animations (e.g. Ocean or Clock).
  • โš™๏ธ Press Preview, then Apply.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ To save charge, turn off animation on the lock screen: Settings โ†’ Lock screen โ†’ Live wallpaper โ†’ Off.

If there are few standard options, download third-party live wallpapers from Google Play (for example, KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker or Wallpapers Craft).

โš ๏ธ Attention: Live wallpaper apps often request permissions to Overlay over other windows and Auto Run.Fust if unsure of security - this can lead to ads being displayed over the interface.

๐Ÿ“Š What wallpaper do you prefer on Xiaomi?
Standard static
Live (animated)
Dark for AMOLED
Own photos
The MIUI side of the theme

3. Optimization of wallpaper for AMOLED-screen

Xiaomi devices with AMOLED-displays (e.g., Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50 or POCO F5) The main feature of these screens is the true black color, which is not illuminated by pixels (unlike the pixels). IPS). This saves battery power and improves contrast, but only if the wallpaper is properly optimized.

Recommendations for AMOLED:

  • ๐Ÿ–ค Use wallpaper with a predominance of black (for example, from the collection) AMOLED Black on Google Play).
  • ๐Ÿ” Avoid light backgrounds with small details โ€“ they increase energy consumption.
  • ๐ŸŽจ Manually edit the brightness of the wallpaper in Photoshop Express or Lightroom Mobile, reducing exposure.
  • โšก Enable Dark Theme in Settings: Settings โ†’ Display. โ†’ Dark subject.

On AMOLED and QHD+ devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), 4K wallpaper can be trimmed. To avoid this, use 20:9 aspect ratio images with 1440ร—3200 resolution.

Xiaomi modelScreen typeRecommended wallpaper permitOptimal format
Redmi Note 12 Pro+AMOLED, 120Hz1080ร—2400PNG (transparency for widgets)
POCO X5 ProAMOLED, 90 Hz.1080ร—2460JPEG (low weight)
Xiaomi 13 UltraAMOLED 2K, 120Hz1440ร—3200WEBP (high detail)
Redmi A2IPS, 60 Hz.720ร—1600JPEG (memory savings)

4 Hidden wallpaper in MIUI themes: how to find and apply

MIUI hides dozens of exclusive wallpapers in the Topics section that are not displayed in the standard gallery, which are optimized for the system interface and are often updated with the firmware to access them:

Instructions:

  1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
  2. Go to the Wallpaper tab in the lower menu.
  3. Scroll down to Exclusive or Popular.
  4. Select your favorite background and click Apply.

Some wallpapers are blocked by subscription to MIUI Theme Store, to circumvent this restriction:

How to download paid wallpaper for free?
1. Open the wallpaper in the Topics app and take a screenshot (Simultaneously Volume Down) + Power). 2. Cut the screenshot in any editor by removing the top and bottom panels. 3. Set the resulting image as wallpaper through the gallery. โš ๏ธ Quality will be lower than the original due to compression when screenshot.

You can also download dynamic wallpapers to Themes, which vary depending on the time of day or the weather, to activate them:

  • ๐ŸŒ… Choose a wallpaper marked Dynamic.
  • โฐ Set up a background change schedule in Wallpaper Settings โ†’ Dynamic settings.

Downloaded file weighs no more than 10MB|The aspect ratio corresponds to the screen |The background does not contain watermarks |Colors are not distorted when previewed-->

5. Third-party apps: top-5 Xiaomi-style

If built-in options aren't enough, use specialized apps. 4K/8K-Wallpaper, interest categories (auto, space, abstraction) and tools for fine-tuning the screen.

The best apps for Xiaomi:

AnnexFeaturesCons
ZedgeMore than 1 million wallpapers, live backgrounds, notification soundsAdvertising requires a lot of permissions
BackdropsMinimalist wallpaper optimized for AMOLEDPaid collections
WallpapersCraftBackgrounds up to 8K, color filtersNo Russian localization
AbstructAbstract wallpaper generator with color settingLimited functionality in the free version

How to install wallpaper through Zedge:

  1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
  2. Select a category (such as AMOLED or Games).
  3. Slip on your favorite image. โ†’ Set Wallpaper.
  4. Select the application area (Home Screen, Lock Screen or both).

โš ๏ธ Note: Apps like Zedge can request access to Warehouse and Camera, and refuse if you don't plan to upload your backgrounds, which will reduce the risk of data leakage.

6. Problem Solving: Wallpapers move, blur or not installed

Xiaomi users often face typical wallpaper changes, and here are the most common cases and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Wallpapers come off when you scroll through the desktop.

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Enable Fixed Wallpaper in Launcher Settings (long press on desktop) โ†’ Settings โ†’ Additionally).
  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Use wallpaper with a resolution above native (for example, use the wallpaper with a resolution above native, 1200ร—2600 screen-wise 1080ร—2400).

Problem 2: Wallpaper blurs or pixelates.

  • ๐Ÿ“ Check the aspect ratio: for most Xiaomi fits 20:9.
  • ๐Ÿ” Set wallpaper through Settings โ†’ Wallpaper, not through the gallery โ€“ so the system does not compress the image.
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Use formats PNG or WEBP instead JPEG.

Problem 3: No live wallpapers are installed.

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Restart your phone โ€“ sometimes helps with crashes MIUI Launcher.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฅ Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI 12 or below live wallpaper may not be supported.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) that supports third-party live wallpaper.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the wallpaper is not installed through the gallery, try transferring the file to the folder. DCIM/Wallpapers โ€” The system recognizes it as a trusted source.

7. Creating your own wallpaper: from collage to AI-generation

If you want unique wallpaper, you can create it yourself, from simple collage to AI generation. Xiaomi will do the following:

Method 1: Collage in Google Photos

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Open Google Photos and select a few images.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Press Create. โ†’ Collage.
  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Edit the location of the photo and save the result.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ Set the collage as wallpaper through the gallery.

Method 2: Generate with Bing Image Creator or DALLยทE

  • ๐Ÿค– Go to the Bing Image Creator website.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Enter the request in English, for example: "4K AMOLED wallpaper cyberpunk city at night, ultra-detailed, dark colors".
  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Download the generated image and trim to the resolution of your screen.

Method 3: Editing in Canva or Photoshop Express

  • ๐ŸŽจ Use Smartphone Templates in Canva (Wallpapers section).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง In Photoshop Express, use Vignette or Duotone filters for stylish AMOLED-wallpaper.

When creating the wallpaper, consider:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ The screen resolution of your model (see table in section 3).
  • ๐Ÿ–ค For AMOLED Use dark tones and minimalist elements.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Avoid small text โ€“ it will be unreadable on the lock screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper on Xiaomi

Can I put a video like a wallpaper on Xiaomi?
Yes, but only with third-party applications like Video Live Wallpaper or KLWP. Video wallpapers consume a lot of battery (up to 10-15% per hour) and can lag on weak processors (for example, Snapdragon 4 Gen 1). To save energy, reduce the brightness of the screen and turn off the video on the lock screen.
Why are the lock screen and desktop different?
V MIUI You can set different backgrounds for locking and desktop by default. To sync them: Go to Settings โ†’ Wallpaper. Select an image and in the application menu, mark both screens. If the option is not available, update the firmware or reset the launcher settings (Settings). โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management โ†’ Launcher โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the data).
How to return standard MIUI wallpaper after resetting?
Standard wallpaper is stored in the system folder and is not deleted when reset. To return it: Open Settings โ†’ Wallpaper โ†’ Standard. Select wallpaper marked MIUI (usually abstract patterns or landscapes). If standard wallpaper is lost after updating the firmware, download it from the theme archive on the XiaomiEU forum.
Can I use the wallpaper when unlocking?
Yes, but only on devices with MIUI 14 and later. To do this: Set up live wallpaper via Settings โ†’ Wallpaper โ†’ Live Wallpaper. Enable Animation when unlocked in lock screen settings. On older versions of MIUI, this effect is only available through third-party launchers (e.g., Before Launcher).
Why do the walls become dull after installation?
This is because the Protective Filter or Adaptive Brightness is turned on in MIUI. To return the original colors: Go to Settings โ†’ Display. Turn off the Protective Filter and Adaptive Brightness. Turn on Live Colors (if available for your model). Also check if Reading Mode is set (Settings โ†’ Display โ†’ Read Mode).