How to install your wallpaper on the lock screen Xiaomi: all ways and life hacks

The lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on a smartphone, and many Xiaomi users want to personalize it by setting their favorite photos, arts or minimalist pictures instead of standard wallpaper. However, not everyone knows that MIUI (the branded shell of Xiaomi) has nuances when changing the background exactly on the lock — sometimes the system limits the choice or resets the settings after the update. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to put your wallpaper on the lock screen, including hidden functions, circumventing restrictions and solving typical problems.

It’s important to understand that the process may differ depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and the smartphone model — for example, on the Redmi Note 12 and Xiaomi 13 Pro, the paths in the menu may slightly differ. We’ll look at universal methods that work on most devices, as well as alternative solutions for cases where standard settings do not work. If you have previously tried to change the background of locking and encountered errors like “failed to apply wallpaper” or automatic return to the standard image, here you will find an explanation of the reasons and ways to fix them.

Why can’t you just change the lock on Xiaomi?

Unlike many other Android smartphones, where the wallpaper of the desktop and lock screen change synchronously, MIUI separates these settings. This is done so that the user can use different images — for example, a minimalist background on the lock and a bright photo on the home screen. However, this flexibility has the opposite side: the system often limits the choice of wallpapers to lock, offering only preinstalled options from the Xiaomi gallery.

The main reasons why you may face problems:

• 🔒 Limitations MIUI: In some versions of the shell (especially on budget models like Redmi). 10A) There is no option to select custom wallpaper to lock.
• 📱 Security Policy: Xiaomi blocks blocking background changes on devices with unlocked bootloader or unofficial firmware.
• 🔄 Resets after update: After installing new versions MIUI The system can reset the wallpaper lock to the standard.
• 🖼️ Inappropriate image format: Photo with resolution below 1080×1920 or in.webp format may not appear in the list of available wallpapers.

Fortunately, most of these restrictions can be circumvented – we will explain how to do this in legal ways and without root rights.

Method 1: Standard Replacement through theme settings (for MIUI 13/14)

It’s the simplest method that works on most modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with the latest firmware versions. It doesn’t require additional apps or technical skills.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush and palette).
2. Go to the Wallpaper section → Lock screen.
3. Click My Wallpaper (or Gallery, depending on version).
4. Select the image you want from the device's memory. If it's not in the list, tap More → Select from the gallery.
5. Adjust the scale and position of the picture, then click Apply.

If you don't have a Lock Screen option on your menu, then your MIUI version doesn't support separate wallpaper change, in which case you go to Method 2.

Check the resolution (minimum 1080×1920 pixels)

Convert to.jpg or.png format

Cut the important elements in the center (the edges may be cut)

Make sure the file is not in the archive (unpack if necessary)

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⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F4) After using the wallpaper through the "Themes", the background lock can be reset in a few hours, this is due to memory optimization».

Method 2: Using a gallery to circumvent restrictions

If the Themes menu doesn’t have the option to change the lock wallpaper, try an alternative path through the standard Gallery, which works on most devices, including older models like the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Gallery app and find the image you want.
2. Slip the photo, then press the button. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner.
3. Select Set as → Lock screen wallpaper.
4. Edit the position and scale if necessary, then confirm the choice.

If the lock screen wallpaper is not in the menu, then your version MIUI This will help to install a third-party launcher or use it. ADB-team.

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If the wallpaper doesn't show through the Gallery, restart your smartphone. Sometimes the changes only take effect after the reboot.

Method 3: Applications for customization (without root rights)

If the standard methods don't work, third-party apps will come to the rescue, and we recommend two proven options:

1. Wallpaper Changer for MIUI (available on Google Play): 📥 Download and install the application. 🖼️ Select an image from the gallery. 🔒 Press Set as Lockscreen. ⚙️ If necessary, disable battery optimization for this application in the settings.

KWGT Kustom Widget Maker

• 🎨 Allows you to create custom widgets, including the background of locking.
• 🔧 Requires setting rights Overlay over other applications.
• ⚠️ It may conflict with some versions. MIUI (Test your fears and risks).

Advantages of this method:

• 🎨 Total freedom in the choice of wallpaper (including animated.gif).
• 🔄 No resets after updates MIUI.
• 📱 It works even on devices with stripped-down versions of firmware.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ The launcher consumes additional RAM.
• 🔋 It can reduce the time of autonomous operation (on the 5-10%).
• Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global lock_screen_wallpaper /storage/emulated/0/Download/your_image.jpg (replace the path with the current one).
• Reset the device.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.SET_WALLPAPER

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This may cause system failures. Before executing commands, back up your data through Settings. → Memory. → Backup.

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ADB-The most reliable way to get around the restrictions MIUI, If you are not sure what you are doing, use Method 3 or 4.

Solving problems: Wallpaper is not applied or reset

Even after a successful wallpaper change, you may find that:

• 🔄 Background resets after reset - this is due to optimization MIUI. Solution: Use third-party launchers (Method 4) or turn off battery optimization for the Themes app (Settings) → Annexes → Battery management → Optimizing the battery).
• ❌ Wallpapers don’t appear in the list of available ones – check the file format (should be.jpg or.png) and resolution (minimum). 1080×1920). Move the file to the folder DCIM/Camera.
• 🖼️ Image is cropped or stretched – edit it in any graphics editor (like Snapseed or Photoshop Express) so that important elements are in the center.
• 🔒 The option “lock screen” is not in the menu – update MIUI before the latest version or use it ADB (Method 5).

If the problem persists, check if the following are installed on your device:

• 🛡️ Antivirus applications (such as Avast or 360 Security) that can block changes to system files.
• 🔧 Modified firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience) where the logic of the wallpaper may differ.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the lock wallpaper to Xiaomi