Personalizing the look of a smartphone is the first thing many users start with after buying a device. Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face the desire to replace the standard image coming out of the box with something more personal. The MIUI shell or the new HyperOS provide ample opportunities for customizing the visual style, but menus sometimes hide the desired options in an unobvious way.
The process of changing the background of the desktop or lock screen can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and regional firmware. Global versions often differ from Chinese counterparts in a set of preinstalled functions and access to certain services. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to install static images, live wallpaper and themes to make your smartphone look unique.
We will also discuss battery optimization when using animated backgrounds, as this is a frequent issue among budget model owners. Proper brightness and image type settings can extend the battery life of the device. Let's move on to practical steps that will help you quickly change the interface.
Using a standard gallery to install static wallpaper
The easiest and fastest way to install a picture you like is to use the built-in Gallery app, which is universal and works on all current firmware versions, whether it is an old MIUI 12 or a fresh HyperOS. You do not need to download additional applications if the photo is already stored in the device's memory.
To start, open the Gallery app and navigate to the album where the image is located. Click on the picture to open it on the full screen, then tap the "More" button (usually three dots in the bottom corner or swipe up).
The system will tell you to choose where the image will be installed. You can only put it on the lock screen, only on the desktop, or on both screens at the same time. If you choose to install on the desktop, the system can suggest that you automatically apply the parallax effect when the image is slightly shifted when you tilt the smartphone.
⚠️ Note: When installing high-resolution images (e.g, 4K) On budget models of smartphones, there may be micro-delays when scrolling through desktops, this is due to the lack of RAM for rendering heavy graphics.
Once you select the target screen, the system will show a preview, where you can shift the image a little or zoom in to get the key objects into the visible area that is not covered by widgets or clocks, and complete the process by pressing the "Apply" button or ticking in the upper right corner.
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Use images with dark tones to make AMOLED-screens to save battery power significantly, as the black pixels on such arrays are simply turned off.
Customization of live wallpaper and themes through Mi Themes
The Mi Themes store is a powerful tool in the Xiaomi ecosystem that allows you to change not only wallpaper, but also the style of icons, fonts and system sounds. To access Wallpaper Carousel or static art from the catalog, you do not need to install the whole theme, you can download only the desired component.
Open the Themes app on your desktop. In the bottom navigation bar, select the Wallpaper tab. There's a huge selection of both static images and animated options. Live wallpaper can respond to touch, time of day, or simply contain complex animations.
When choosing live wallpaper, look for a battery icon or a "HD" tag, which indicates that you've optimized your resource consumption. After clicking on your favorite option, click "Download" and then "Apply" and the system will warn you that it may take some time to apply.
- 🎨 Categories: Use Landscape, Abstraction or Anime filters for quick search.
- 🔋 Optimization: Live wallpaper can consume up to 5-10% Battery charge per day is more active than static.
- 🌍 Region: In some regions, the theme catalog may be limited, try changing the region in your smartphone settings.
It's important to understand the difference between a Wallpaper Carousel and a regular live wallpaper. The carousel automatically changes the images on the lock screen every time you wake up the phone. This is a separate feature that can be found in the lock screen settings or through the Themes app in the Wallpaper Carousel section.
Installation of wallpaper on the lock screen separately from the desktop
Many users want to see one image on their desktop and another on their lock screen, such as a family photo or motivational text, and in MIUI and HyperOS shells, this is done through system settings rather than through a gallery, which allows for more flexible management.
Go to the Settings menu and find the Always on and Lock section (or simply Lock screen). Inside this menu, find the Wallpaper item. Here you will see a preview of the current lock image. Click on it to open the selection gallery.
The system will suggest you choose a source: an online directory, a local gallery or live wallpaper. If you choose a local photo, you can crop it specifically for the lock screen format, where large clocks and dates are often located. Be sure to click "Apply to the lock screen" so that the changes do not affect the desktop.
If you use the wallpaper carousel function, then the static background setting may not be available while the feature is active. You will need to turn off the carousel first. To do this, in the same settings menu, find the wallpaper carousel switch and turn it to the off position.
☑️ Checking the lock screen settings
Working with widgets and their impact on the display of the background
Modern interfaces Xiaomi heavily rely on widgets that can overlap a significant part of the wallpaper. to look organic, you need to consider the location of system elements such as a clock, weather widget or quick access panel.
In MIUI 13 and later, we have the Big Widgets feature, which occupy space in 2x2 or 4x2 cells. When choosing wallpaper, try to avoid the key objects of the image being in the central top of the screen, where the clock usually is located, otherwise the meaning of the picture will be lost.
Also worth mentioning is the transparency of widgets. Some third-party launchers or themes allow widgets to be made translucent, which creates a depth effect. However, with standard Xiaomi tools, the transparency of widgets is limited, so it is better to choose wallpaper with a gradient or blur in the areas where the icons will stand.
| Type of widget | Recommended background | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Standard icons | Any, contrasting. | Low. |
| Weather widget (animation) | Static, dark. | Average. |
| Music widget (cover) | blurred or abstract | Average. |
| Live wallpaper | It is not recommended to combine | High. |
If you notice that after installing the new wallpaper icons became difficult to read, use the function "Discoloration of wallpaper." It is located in the editing menu of the desktop (two fingers pinch on the desktop) -> "Additional" -> "Discoloration of wallpaper." This will add a translucent layer on top of the image.
Resolving image quality and stretching problems
A common problem for users is the deterioration of image quality after installation, the system can aggressively compress graphics to save space or speed up the interface, especially in images with fine details or gradients, where compression artifacts appear (posterization).
To minimize losses, use images in JPG format with a quality of 90-100% or PNG format. PNG format is preferable for graphics with clear boundaries, but it takes up more space. Avoid using images with a resolution significantly higher than the screen resolution of your smartphone (for example, putting 4K photos on the screen FullHD+).
Another common mistake is the incorrect framing: if the proportions of the image do not match the proportions of the screen, the system will trim the edges. For large-format Xiaomi smartphones (ratio 19.5:9 or 20:9) standard 4:3 photos will have to be cropped, which can spoil the composition.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid using images with watermarks or logos in corners if they fall under the camera's notch area or dynamic island, as this creates visual noise.
To preview how the image will appear on the screen, you can use the built-in editor in the gallery, and there's a Wallpaper feature that overlays the interface grid over the photo, helping you position the subject correctly before the final installation.
High quality secret
Third-party applications and advanced customization
If standard MIUI functionality isn’t enough, Google Play offers a variety of solutions, with apps like the Wallpaper Engine allowing you to stream live wallpaper from PC to smartphone, and Backdrops offering exclusive high-quality artwork.
When using third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher), the installation process of wallpaper may be different. The launcher can intercept control of the desktop, and the system wallpaper will be visible only on the lock screen or in the application menu.
Also worth mentioning are collage-making apps that allow you to combine multiple photos into one, which is a great way to make a unique background that tells a story, but remember that a collage overloaded with detail will distract from the interface and make it difficult to find icons.
- 📱 Wallpaper Engine: The Best Choice for PC Owners with Steam, Syncs Animations.
- 🎨 Canva: Allows you to create your own wallpaper designs with text and graphics.
- 🖼️ Google Wallpaper: Offers high-quality static images from Google, updated regularly.
When installing apps from unverified sources, be careful. Some wallpapers may request excessive permissions, such as access to contacts or a microphone, which is a sign of malware. Always check ratings and reviews before installing.
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Using verified applications from the official Google Play store guarantees the security of your data and the stable operation of the system without hidden miners or advertising.