UI personalization is the first thing a Xiaomi or Redmi owner does after unpacking. Standard images preinstalled by the manufacturer often seem boring or don't reflect the user's personality. Fortunately, MIUI's shell and its successor HyperOS provide powerful tools to deeply customize the look of the lock screen and desktop.
The process of replacing a static image or installing complex animations can seem confusing due to the abundance of built-in themes and applications. In this article, we will examine all available methods, from standard system settings to the use of hidden functions and third-party software, you will learn how to manage high-resolution images and optimize their display.
Don't underestimate the impact of graphics on your device's perception. A well-chosen background can visually enlarge the space or, conversely, hide unnecessary icons. Let's look at the main ways to introduce new visual elements into your smartphone system.
The simplest and most obvious way to replace the background is to use the Gallery's built-in app. This is ideal if you download an image from the Internet or get it through a messenger. The system will suggest framing the image to your screen resolution. Once you open the desired file in the gallery, you need to find a menu button, which is usually hidden under three dots or an "More" icon. In the action list you open, you should select "Set as wallpaper." The system will suggest applying the image to the lock screen, desktop or both at once. However, this method has a nuance: it is important to avoid the right cut-out area on the screen, especially to save the image at the edges, in order to correct image in order to save the image in the image image image image in the image image image. 📸 Open the photo and click “More” to access the full action menu. 🖼️ Select the installation point and specify the target area (lock or desktop). ✂️ Manually adjust the frame boundaries so that important details do not block the "bangs». ✅ Confirm the action with the “Apply” button or tick in the corner. ⚠️ Note: When installing wallpaper through the gallery, the system may suggest "improve" the image. MIUI. If you’re using the Redmi Note or older models, the interface may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same. 📊 What type of wallpaper do you prefer?Static pictures Live wallpaper (video)3D-Black and White Minimalistic Animation
Unlike a simple gallery, the Wallpaper system app (or Settings section) provides access to Xiaomi's library. It's got thousands of images sorted by categories: nature, architecture, abstraction and cosplay. It's a great source of inspiration. To enter this section, you need to go to Settings → Wallpaper. Here the interface is divided into tabs: "Online", "Local" and "Horizon." The Online tab requires an Internet connection and Mi Account, but offers content in high resolution, you can change your screen to a specific feature. ☑️ Setting up the carousel Go to Settings → Wallpaper. → CarouselSelect the source of images (online or locally)Set up the refresh rateEnable display of the picture description: 0 / 4 Using the built-in directory ensures that the picture resolution will match perfectly with the matrix of your Xiaomi Mi or Poco. you do not have to worry about pixelation or black fields around the edges of the screen.
Installation of live wallpaper and video backgrounds Owners of smartphones with AMOLED-Matrices like the Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12 Pro often want to use live wallpaper. They add speakers, but they can consume more power. Setup a video background requires several specific steps. You first need to find the right video. It could be a short clip from a phone's memory, or a file downloaded from the network, and it would have to be compatible with the system, usually it's a computer. MP4. Once you select a video from the gallery, the action menu will include the option “Set as live wallpaper.” If the standard means of installing the video fails, you can use a topic with a live background. In the “Themes” app, you need to add a filter or a keyword “Live” when searching. After installing such a theme, the video background will apply automatically. ⚠️ Attention: The use of complex live wallpaper can significantly reduce battery life. If you notice a quick discharge, go back to the static image. It's also worth considering the CPU load. On budget Redmi A-series models or older devices, animated backgrounds can cause micro-delays when unlocked. How to turn off live wallpaper to save energy?Go to Settings → Wallpaper. Select the current background and click "Change." In the source list, select "Local" and select the normal static image, which will instantly stop the video playback and reduce the load on the video. GPU. The Mi Themes store is the heart of personalization in the Xiaomi ecosystem, where you can download not just a picture, but a whole visual style that includes wallpaper, icons, sounds and fonts. This is the most radical way to change the appearance of the interface. You can search for a store in English or Russian. Many authors create themed packages where the wallpaper on the desktop and lock screen is matched in the same style. When previewing a topic, be sure to check whether it changes the system wallpaper or only icons. After downloading the theme, it appears in the profile. When you click on it, you will see the "Apply" button. The system will suggest you choose which components of the the the theme to activate. If you only need wallpaper, check the "Icon" and "System" boxes, leaving only "Wallpaper". Content type Where to find Battery Impact Requires Internet Static Wallpaper Gallery / Settings No Only to Download Live Wallpaper Gallery / Topics Average No (after download) Carousel Settings / Wallpaper Low Yes (constant) Full theme Mi Themes Depends on theme Yes (for download) Use A great way to refresh the interface if your POCO Or Redmi runs on an older version of Android. Visual updates are often perceived as a new phone. 💡If you like the theme but the icons look weird, try the System Icons option in the theme settings (profile) to keep the theme wallpaper but bring back the usual look of the apps. When built-in capabilities are not enough, Google Play apps come to the rescue. Market leaders are Wallhaven, Zedge and Backdrops. They offer studio-quality content that is often not available in standard Xiaomi directories, and once installed, the installation process is not much different from the standard one. You pick an image, you click the download or install button, and Android takes over, and the advantage of these apps is that they have resolution and aspect ratio filters, and some apps, like the Wallpaper Engine, allow you to synchronize live wallpaper with your PC. It requires you to install an extra client on your computer and create a local network, but you get access to thousands of interactive scenes. 📲 Download a proven app from the Play Market (e.g. Zedge). 🔍 Use filters to search by resolution (for example, 1080x2400). ⬇️ Save the image in the memory of the device. ⚙️ Apply through the standard Android menu "Install as wallpaper». Be careful with applications that require excessive permissions. For a simple background change, the program does not need access to contacts or a microphone. Always check access rights before installing. ⚠️ Warning: Third-party "live wallpaper" from unverified sources may contain hidden ads or miners.Use only popular high-rated apps. 💡Third-party apps give access to unique content, but consume more resources when searching and downloading than embedded tools. MIUI. Fixing quality and display issues A common problem for users is blurring the image after installation, which occurs when the original file resolution is less than the screen resolution. 1280×720 screen 2400×1080, The system stretches the pixels, which leads to soap. Modern smartphone screens are elongated (20:9 or 21:9). Standard 4:3 photos are cut at the edges when installed. To avoid this, you either need to choose vertical images or frame them in advance in the editor. AMOLED. If you are always using the screen on (AOD), The black color in the picture can merge with the pixels off, creating a dip effect. Better use the images with a light gradient at the bottom. Recommended minimum resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels file format: JPG (photo), PNG (graphical), MP4 (for video) Maximum file size: 20 MB (for live wallpaper) If the wallpaper looks dull after installation, check the brightness and display settings in the Settings section → Screen.Sometimes the "Paper" or "Read" mode distorts the background colors. Owners of devices with a camera cutout ("hole" in the screen) should avoid placing important details of the image (faces, logos) in the upper central part. Otherwise, the camera will constantly overlap the key element of the composition. Why do the wallpaper change themselves? It is activated by default on many new Xiaomis. You can turn it off in Settings. → Wallpaper. → The wallpaper carousel, switching the slider to off. How do you set your live wallpaper if the button is not active? In some regions or versions? MIUI The installation function of video from the gallery can be hidden, so download the Video Wallpaper app from Mi Themes or use a third-party launcher that supports video backgrounds, such as Nova Launcher with a plug-in. Can you put different wallpapers on the home screen and lock screen? Yes, it is possible. When installing from the Gallery, the system will ask where to apply the image. Select Lock Screen for one photo, then repeat the procedure for another by selecting Home Screen. Why did my wallpaper disappear after the MIUI update? When major system updates (e.g., switching from MIUI 13 to 14) personalization settings can be reset to factory ones. This is standard behavior. Just reset your favorite image through the Gallery. Does complex 3D wallpaper affect game speed? The mere presence of 3D wallpaper on the desktop does not affect FPS in games, since when a game is launched, the desktop is off memory. However, if the process of changing the live image starts, it can cause a short-term warming in the background.