Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have high-resolution screens that can reproduce content of exceptional detail. Standard static images, while beautiful, no longer elicit the excitement of dynamic live wallpaper that responds to touch or just pleases the eye with movement. Device owners often look for a way to personalize the gadget, turning the lock screen into a mini gallery or a cinema.
But the process of installing a video file as a lock background is not always obvious to beginners. There are nuances in the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS that distinguish them from pure Android. Some methods require an Internet connection, others allow you to use local files from the device's memory. It is important to understand the difference between system functions and third-party solutions so that you do not overload the phone's RAM.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can do it, and we will look at the built-in Wallpaper Carousel service, which offers a huge library of content, and how to install your own video files through special launcher applications. We will also discuss battery optimization, as constant animation can affect the autonomy of the work.
Use of the built-in Wallpaper Carousel service
The easiest and most legal way to bring the lock screen to life is to use a regular shell app, Wallpaper Carousel (formerly known as Glance) pre-installed on most Redmi and Xiaomi models, which automatically uploads high-quality images and videos, changing them every time you turn on the screen.
To set up the service, go to your smartphone's Settings menu. Find a section that may be called Wallpaper or Lock Screen. In some firmware versions, access to control the carousel is via Settings path β Always on screen and lock screen β Wallpaper Carousel. Here you need to activate a switch that allows content updates.
β οΈ Warning: Wallpaper Carousel requires a constant internet connection to download new content. If you have limited traffic, configure the download only via Wi-Fi in the app's parameters.
Inside the app, you can choose from thematic categories like nature, technology, sports or art. Algorithms will offer content that matches your preferences. In addition, videos are often accompanied by information widgets showing the weather, news or steps, making the lock screen not only beautiful, but also a functional element of the interface.
- π± Open your phone settings and find the "Wallpaper" itemΒ».
- π Activate the Wallpaper Carousel or Wallpaper Carousel functionΒ».
- π‘ Set up download options (wi-fi or mobile data only).
- π¨ Choose the categories you are interested in to personalize the tape.
Importantly, this method does not allow you to upload arbitrary video files from your gallery directly to the system carousel without using additional tools. It works as a streaming service. If your goal is to see a particular clip or recording you made, you will have to consider other options, which will be discussed below.
Install your own video through third-party apps
If you want to put your own video on the lock screen, like a live video or a funny moment with a pet, Xiaomi's regular tools make it harder. Here, specialized lock-out applications come to the rescue, and they intercept the standard MIUI lock screen and replace it with their own interface that supports video playback.
One of the most popular solutions is the Video Locker app or analogues like Lock Screen & Wallpaper HD. Once you install it in the Google Play store, you will need to give it a number of permissions. Android security will warn you that the application accesses the display on top of other windows and lock control.
βοΈ Preparation for installation of video wallpapers
The setup process is usually as follows: you open the application, select the tab "My videos" or "Gallery", and indicate the path to the file, then you need to adjust the display parameters: whether the video will play in a circle, whether it will sound (usually the sound on the lock is turned off to save resources), and how the system will behave when unlocked.
| Annex | Support for formats | Impact on the battery | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Locker | MP4, AVI, MKV | Average. | Available (in the free version) |
| Lock Screen & Wallpaper | MP4, GIF, WebM | High. | There is. |
| GIF Live Wallpaper | GIF, MP4 | Low. | No. |
It is worth considering that the use of third-party lock launchers may conflict with some system security features, such as a fingerprint scanner or facial recognition, if implemented at the system level.
Customization of live wallpaper through the MIUI Gallery
Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often overlook the capabilities of the standard gallery. Some versions of the MIUI shell feature video installation as live wallpaper, which can be displayed on the lock screen, although more often they are used for the desktop. However, if video wallpaper is installed on the desktop, when swipe to the left (if the carousel is included), or under certain settings, they can be visible when blocked.
To implement this method, open the standard Gallery app. Find the video you want to use. Click on three dots in the corner of the screen or the "More" button in the bottom menu. In the action list that appears, select Set as Wallpaper. The system will suggest you choose where the video will be displayed: on the lock screen, on the desktop or anywhere.
β οΈ Attention: Video format should be optimized. too high resolution (e.g., video format, 4K) or a rare codec can lead to the fact that the system will offer to convert the file or even refuse to install.
If the "Install as wallpaper" option is not available for video, it means that your firmware version does not support native installation of video files directly from the gallery without converting to a special live wallpaper format, in which case you can use the feature of creating live wallpaper from video, which is sometimes built into MIUI themes.
Also worth remembering is battery optimization: live wallpaper, even system wallpaper, consumes more power than static, and if you notice that the phone is running faster on standby, you might want to go back to static or shorten the video cycle.
Why is the video not locked?
Application of those from the Mi Themes store
The Mi Themes store is a storehouse of personalization for Redmi devices. Thousands of designers create themes that completely change the interface, including the lock screen. Many of them contain animated elements, watches with video backing or unlock effects that mimic video.
To find the right theme, open the Themes app on your device. Search for the keywords video lock screen, anime lock, dynamic or live. In search results, pay attention to the preview: if you see movement in the thumbnail, then the theme contains animated elements. Before installing, you can click "Preview" to evaluate how the the theme will look on your device.
After applying the theme, the lock screen will change, and some themes offer deep customization, such as changing fonts, icons, and even notification sounds, but be careful: some topics may be overloaded with graphics, leading to slowdowns on less powerful smartphones.
- π Launch the βThemesβ app on the home screen.
- π Use search for βvideoβ, βliveβ, βanimeΒ».
- ποΈ Click on βPreviewβ to check the animation.
- β¬οΈ Download and apply your favorite theme, confirming the replacement.
It is important to understand that Mi Themes themes often only work in conjunction with system components. If you decide to remove the theme, remember to return the standard theme "Classic" or "Default" to avoid visual bugs in the interface.
Technical Limitations and Impact on Productivity
Installing video on a lock screen is not just a matter of aesthetics, it's also a matter of resources. Constantly decoding the video stream, even when the phone is in your pocket (if the proximity sensor didn't work correctly), puts a strain on the processor and graphics accelerator. On today's Xiaomi flagships, this may be invisible, but Redmi's budget models can respond with reduced performance.
The battery takes the brunt. The screen is the most energy-intensive element in a smartphone, and video playback keeps the processor from going into deep sleep. If you're an active user and your phone is often on the lock screen with notifications, battery consumption can increase by 10-15% per day, critical for those who don't have the ability to recharge the device during the day.
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To minimize battery consumption, use short video cycles (up to 5-10 seconds) and reduce the brightness of the screen. Also turn off the sound in the live wallpaper settings, as the speaker also consumes energy.
Another aspect is heating. With prolonged use of video wallpaper, the phone can get warmer than usual, especially in the summer or when using the phone in the sun, and overheating can lead to trotting, which makes working with the phone less comfortable.
Also worth mentioning is compatibility. Not all video formats are supported by a smartphone hardware decoder. If you try to put a video with a rare codec (for example, HEVC in a certain configuration or AV1 on older models), the phone will decode it programmatically, which will cause a big drop in FPS (frames per second) and a jerk image.
Decision (Frequently Asked Questions)
Users often face the same problems during the setup process, and here are the answers to the most popular questions to help avoid common errors and quickly customize the desired functionality on your Xiaomi or Redmi device.
Why does the phone quickly discharge after installing video wallpaper?
Can I play my video without installing third-party apps?
Will a fingerprint scanner with video wallpaper work?
How to remove ads in Wallpaper Carousel?
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Using video on the lock screen is a balance between beauty and autonomy. For everyday life, optimized live wallpaper from the theme store is better than heavy video files.
To sum up, it's possible to put a video on the lock screen of Xiaomi Redmi. The choice of method depends on your goals: whether you want variety through the cloud service, a specific video through the launcher or just beautiful animation through the themes. Experiment with settings, but monitor the battery status, so that the device will please you not only visuals, but also stable operation.