Xiaomi’s replacement wallpaper is an easy way to personalize your smartphone to your style, but many users face challenges: standard wallpaper quickly gets boring, live wallpaper slows down the system, and downloaded from the Internet is not installed. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change wallpaper on devices with MIUI 12-14, including hidden features and circumvention of restrictions.
It's important to understand that it depends on the firmware version and the smartphone model. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14, the algorithm is different from the Poco X3 Pro on MIUI 13. We'll look at universal methods, as well as nuances for specific devices. If you want to change the background, and adjust the dynamic wallpaper, dark themes or animated screensavers, here you will find the answers.
Before you start, check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This will help you avoid errors when choosing a method. Also note that some methods require an unlocked bootloader or root rights - we will mark them separately.
1. Standard method: through MIUI settings
The easiest method is to use built-in tools, which is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 11 and Poco F5.
- Open Settings → Wallpaper (or Settings → Screen → Wallpaper on new versions).
- Select a section: 🖼️ Standard wallpaper - preset static backgrounds. 🌌 Live wallpaper - animated options (not available on all models). 📷 My wallpaper is the images you uploaded.
Lock screen
Main screen screen
Both screens.
If the image is not in the gallery, download it and save it to the DCIM → Wallpaper folder (create it manually if it is not available). MIUI will automatically scan this directory.
⚠️ Warning: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Lite), live wallpaper can increase battery consumption by 10-15.
2.Installation of wallpaper through MIUI Themes
MIUI Themes is Xiaomi’s branded theme store, where you can find thousands of free and paid wallpapers, which is suitable for all devices with MIUI 12+, but requires an Internet connection.
Instructions:
- Open the Themes app (if not, download it from Google Play).
- Go to the Wallpaper tab (or Wallpapers in English).
- Select a category: 🎨 Popular - trendy wallpaper. 🌙 The dark ones are optimized for AMOLED-screen. 📱 For locking - special options for lockscreen.
Apply
If the wallpaper does not apply, check:
- 🔄 Update the app MIUI Themes to the latest version.
- 🌍 Switch to another region in your Mi Account settings (some wallpapers are only available in China or India).
- 📥 Free up space in memory – it takes at least 500 MB of free space to load them.
☑️ Preparation for the installation of topics
On global firmware devices (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro Global), some of the MIUI Themes wallpaper can be hidden. To see all the options, change your account region to India or China in your profile settings.
3. Live wallpaper: how to install and customize
Dynamic wallpapers add interactivity, but they have limitations. On MIUI 14, they work in a stable way, and on MIUI 12, they can cause lags. Here's how to activate them:
Method 1: Through standard settings
- Go to the settings → Wallpaper → Live wallpaper.
- Choose one of the options offered (for example, Weather, Hours or Abstraction).
- Set the parameters (speed of animation, color scheme).
Method 2: Party of annex
If there are few standard options, use:
- 📱 Wallpapers Craft - customization of live wallpaper.
- 🌊 KWGT Kustom Widget – to create animated wallpaper widgets.
- 🎮 3D Parallax Background - The Parallax Effect.
⚠️ Warning: Live wallpaper from third-party sources (e.g, APK-files) may contain malicious code. Only download from Google Play or verified repositories.
| Xiaomi model | Support for live wallpaper | Recommended annex |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro | Yeah (no lags) | Wallpapers Craft |
| Redmi Note 12 | Yes (possible slowdowns) | KWGT |
| Poco X4 Pro | Partially (standard only) | 3D Parallax |
| Xiaomi 11T | Yes (optimized for AMOLED) | Muzei Live Wallpaper |
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If the live wallpaper is slowing down, reduce the screen refresh rate to 60Hz in Settings → Screen → Update frequency.
4. Installation of wallpaper via ADB (for power users)
If standard methods don’t work (for example, on custom firmware), you can apply wallpaper through ADB. This method requires a PC and basic command line knowledge.
Instructions:
- Download ADB Tools and unpack it on PC.
- Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on version → Back to Additional → For Developers).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: Adb devices adb shell cmd wallpaper set --file /sdcard/DCIM/Wallpapers/your_image.jpg Replace the path with the actual one.
For live wallpaper, use:
adb shell cmd wallpaper set-live --package com.example.livewallpaper --component ComponentInfo⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB Before experimenting, make a backup copy through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
5. Problems and Solutions: Wallpapers are not installed
If the wallpaper is not applied or dropped, check these points:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper is reset after resetting | Cache failure MIUI Launcher | Clear the cache in Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage |
| You can't pick out the wallpaper from the gallery. | Damaged image | Resave the file in JPG/PNG format with a resolution of 1080p+ |
| The live wallpaper doesn't work. | There is no support on the model | Use third-party applications (see Section 3) |
| Wallpaper is only used on the main screen | Limitation of MIUI for certain topics | Set wallpaper separately for locking in Settings → Lock screen |
If the problem persists, try:
- 🔄 Reset the settings MIUI Launcher (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Reset).
- 📥 Reinstall the update MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🛠️ Install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher or Hyperion).
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On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13+, lock wallpaper and home screen are set up separately.
6.The Best Wallpaper Sources for Xiaomi
Where to download quality wallpaper optimized for Xiaomi?
- 🌐 Officially: 📱 MIUI Themes (built-in application). 🌍 themes.xiaomi.com (web version).
- 🌐 Third-party: 🎨 Wallhaven – High-quality static wallpaper. 🌌 Zedge - live wallpaper and screensavers. 📱 Wallpaper Studio – Creating custom wallpaper.
For AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi) K60 Pro) choose a black wallpaper, which will reduce battery consumption. Optimal resolution:
- 1080×2400 for most models.
- 1440×3200 for flagships (Xiaomi 14, Mix Fold 3).
7.Alternative launchers: more opportunities for wallpaper
If standard MIUI settings limit you, install a third-party launcher.
- 🔄 Change the wallpaper on schedule.
- 🎨 Apply different wallpaper to each screen.
- 🖼️ Use adaptive wallpaper (changing depending on the time of day).
Top.-3 launcher for Xiaomi:
- Nova Launcher – flexible configuration and gesture support.
- Hyperion Launcher is optimized for MIUI.
- Lawnchair is lightweight with support for Android 13+.
To set the wallpaper through the launcher:
- Download the launcher from Google Play.
- Hold your finger on the main screen. → Wallpaper.
- Select the source (gallery, built-in wallpaper, online directories).
⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, Poco M3) Third-party launchers can turn off gestures MIUI. To return them, switch back to the standard launcher in Settings. → Home.