How to install your screensaver on a Xiaomi TV: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV, Redmi TV, Mi TV A, and others) offer users flexible personalization options, including the ability to change the standard screensaver to their own image or video. However, not all owners know how to do this correctly — especially if we are talking about models with MIUI TV or Google TV (on new devices).

It's important to understand that the process differs depending on the firmware version and the TV model. For example, on Xiaomi Mi TV 4S (2018-2020), the algorithm is one, and on Redmi Smart TV X (2022-2026) with Google TV - a completely different one. We'll look at universal methods, as well as nuances for specific lines. If you want to not just replace the picture, but set up a dynamic saver (for example, a slide show of personal photos), here too, you will find a solution.

Before you start, check:

• 📺 Model TV (find on the box or in Settings) → On TV).
• 🔄 Firmware version (is it relevant? Update if there are new versions).
• 📁 File format for screensaver: supported.jpg,.png (up to) 10 MB) and.mp4 (before 50 MB, resolution no higher 3840×2160).

1. Method for MIUI TV: Replace the screensaver through the "lock screen"

This method works on most Xiaomi TVs with MIUI TV firmware (until 2022), where the screensaver is equated with lock screen wallpaper, so the algorithm is similar to setting up wallpaper on a smartphone.

Steps:

1. Connect the flash drive with the image (folder) DCIM or root catalogue) to USB-television-port.
2. Open Settings → Personalization → Lock screen.
3. Select Local Wallpaper and indicate the path to your file.
4. Confirm the selection and restart the TV (Settings → About TV → Reboot).

⚠️ Note: If the screensaver has not changed after the reboot, check it out:

• 🔍 Image resolution – it must match the screen resolution (e.g, 3840×2160 for 4K-model).
• 📂 The file format is.jpg or.png only (without transparency!).
• 🔌 Connecting a flash drive - some USB-port on Xiaomi TV They only work NTFS (not FAT32).

Resolution matched to TV screen | File in JPG/PNG| The size does not exceed 10 MB| The flash drive is formatted in NTFS/FAT32

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2.The way for Google TV: using the Photos app

On Xiaomi TVs with Google TV (such as Mi TV Q2 2023 or Redmi Smart TV X Pro), the standard method through Settings is often not available.

Instructions:

1. Open the Photos app (if not, install it from Google Play).
2. Upload your image to the album "Wallpaper" (can be through the cloud or locally from the flash drive).
3. Return to the home screen, press the Home button on the remote and select Change Wallpaper.
4. In the My Wallpaper section, select the uploaded image.

💡 Useful tip: If the TV can not see the flash drive, try to connect it through USB-Hub with external power - some models Xiaomi TV They do not provide sufficient current for the storage.

3. Installation of video screensaver (dynamic wallpaper)

If you don't like a static picture, you can set up a video screensaver, which works on most models, but requires additional manipulation.

Algorithm:

• 🎥 Prepare the video in format.mp4 with a resolution corresponding to the screen (e.g, 1920×1080 full HD). Duration is no more 30 seconds, bitrate, till 5 Mbit/s.
• 📁 Place the file in the root directory of the flash drive under the name bootanimation.zip (Yes, exactly. ZIP, despite the video format!).
• 🔧 Connect the flash drive to the TV and go to Settings → On TV. → Update of the PO → Local Update.
• 🔄 Select a file bootanimation.zip — The system will unpack it and use it as a screensaver.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may disappear after installing a video screensaver. This is a well-known bug - resetting will help to return the sound (Settings) → System system → Reset).

4. Resetting the screensaver to factory settings

If experiments with screensavers have caused failures (for example, the TV freezes when turned on or shows a black screen), you can return the standard picture in two ways:

Method 1. Through the menu:

1. Go to Settings → Personalization → Lock screen.
2. Select the default wallpaper or the standard wallpaper.
3. Confirm the reset and restart the TV.

Method 2: Hard reset (if menu is not available):

• 🔌 Turn off the TV for 1 minute.
• 🔄 Hold the Source button (or Menu) + Volume Down) on the remote when turned on until the recovery menu appears.
• 📛 Choose Wipe. Data/Factory Reset (use volume buttons for navigation).

💡

Hard reset deletes all user data, including installed apps and accounts. Use it only as a last resort!

Alternative methods: third-party applications

If the standard methods don’t work (for example, on Mi TV Stick or Mi Box), you can use third-party utilities from Google Play:

Top.-3 screen-switch:

• 🖼️ Wallpaper Changer for TV — Supports slideshows from local photos.
• 🎬 Live Wallpaper for Android TV — for dynamic wallpaper (requires Root on some models).
• 📱 TV Launcher – replaces the standard launcher, allowing you to customize the background.

🔧 Technical nuance: on the Mi Box and Mi TV Stick for some applications requires the developer mode to be enabled:

1. Go to Settings. → About the device.
2. 7 times click on the build number (the notification “You became a developer”).
3. Go back to Settings → For developers and enable USB debugging.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users face problems. Consider typical cases:

Problem 1: The TV doesn't see the flash drive.

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi TV It does not support the exFAT file system. FAT32 (up to 32 GB or NTFS (over 32 GB).

Problem 2: The screensaver is displayed stretched or cropped.

• 📏 Check the aspect ratio: for most Xiaomi TV 16:9 is the best.
• 🖼️ Use editors (such as Photoshop or GIMP) screen-shoot.

Problem 3: After the firmware update, the screensaver dropped.

⚠️ Attention: Updates MIUI TV They often reset user settings. Before updating, back up your images on a flash drive or in the cloud.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions