How to install live wallpaper on Xiaomi with MIUI: 5 Proven Methods

Live wallpaper on Xiaomi smartphones with a shell MIUI They transform the look of the device by adding dynamics and interactivity to the lock screen and the main screen, and unlike static images, animated background images respond to touch, change color depending on the time of day, or even synchronize with the weather. However, the standard set of live wallpapers in MIUI limited, and many users have difficulty in trying to install third-party options.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to install live wallpaper on any Xiaomi models - from the flagship Xiaomi 14 The Redmi Note budget and POCO. You'll learn how to get around system constraints, where to download secure animations, and how to avoid common errors that leave wallpaper unused or slowing down. MIUI 14/15 The new security rules that Xiaomi has implemented 2023–2026 years.

1. Standard live wallpaper in MIUI: where to look and how to turn on

Shell MIUI The box offers a limited set of animated wallpapers, but many users are not even aware of their existence:

Settings → Wallpaper → Live wallpaper

Here you'll see categories like Dynamic, Interactive and Weather, like Earth's wallpaper showing the planet's rotation in real time, and Forest changing shades depending on the lighting.

Important: on some models (e.g, POCO X5 or Redmi 12) the "Live Wallpaper" section can be hidden to activate it:

1. Open the Settings. → About the phone and 5 times click on "Version" MIUI» plug-in.
2. Return to the main settings, find a new section for developers and turn on the option to show live wallpaper.

⚠️ Attention: Built-in live wallpaper MIUI They can drain the battery 5-15% faster than static ones. If you notice a strong heating of the device, roll back to the usual backgrounds.

If you don't like the standard options, we'll move on to third-party solutions, but first, an important safety warning.

2.Security: What live wallpapers can not be installed on Xiaomi

The live wallpaper side is executable files that run in the background. Some of them can:

• 🔍 Collect data about your activities (for example, weather wallpapers requesting access to a location).
• 🦠 Contain malicious code masquerading as animation (especially relevant for the use of APK unverified).
• 🔋 Overload the processor causing lags and overheating (a common problem with Unity or Unreal Engine-based wallpapers).

In 2026, Xiaomi will block the installation of live wallpaper from unknown sources at the level of the MIUI Security. That means even if you download APK, The system can block it from starting with the error "Installation is prohibited by the administrator of the device.

Verified sources for downloading:

⚠️ Note: If after installing live wallpaper smartphone began spontaneously restart or show advertising in the curtain notifications – immediately delete the application through Settings → Annexes → App management and check your device with antivirus (e.g. Malwarebytes).

3. Method 1: Install live wallpaper from Google Play

The easiest and safest method is to download wallpaper from the official store.

Download the app (e.g. Live Wallpapers Now)|Open it and select the animation you like.|Click “Install” and confirm permissions|Go to Settings. → Wallpaper. → My wallpaper and pick a new background-->

Problems that may arise:

• 🚫 Wallpaper does not apply: Try restarting your phone or clearing the Wallpaper app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Wallpaper. → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• ⚙️ Lags when scrolling: Turn off animation in the settings of the running application (usually there is an option “Optimize performance»).
• 🔒 MIUI Blocks installation: Enable permission for unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications).

Recommended applications from the Play Market:

• 🌌 Live Wallpapers 4K & Backgrounds - more than 1,000 HD-animations with categories (space, nature, abstraction).
• ⚡ Electric Live Wallpaper – interactive wallpaper that responds to touch (ideal for the user) AMOLED-screen).
• 🎨 Wallpapers Craft - a designer of live wallpaper with the ability to adjust the speed of animation.

💡

If the wallpaper from the Play Market is slowing down, try in their settings to reduce the render resolution to 720p or turn off background animation when blocking the screen.

Method 2: Installation of live wallpaper through APK (power-user)

If the Play Market does not have suitable options, you can install live wallpaper from the APK-This method is suitable for advanced users, because it requires disabling the protection of files. MIUI and virus-checking files.

Instructions:

1. Download. APK From a trusted source (e.g. APKCombo or APKPure) avoid sites like apk-mirror, which are often modified files.
2. Transfer the file to the phone’s memory (for example, to the Download folder).
3. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Conductor → Allow installation from this source
4. Install APK through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).
5. After installation, go to Settings → Wallpaper. → Live wallpaper and select a new background.

Popular APK lively:

• 🌊 3D Ocean Live Wallpaper – realistic animation of water with fish and bubbles.
• 🚀 Space Live Wallpaper - Space with Earth in real time (using data) NASA).
• 🎶 Music Visualizer – Wallpaper synchronized with music played.

⚠️ Attention: Some APK-Wallpapers require permission to access notifications or administrative rights. Never grant them - this can allow attackers to delete data or block the device.

5. Method 3: Live wallpaper through dark mode MIUI (covert)

Few people know, but in MIUI There's a hidden feature that allows you to use video as live wallpaper, and this method works on most devices, including Xiaomi. 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro and POCO F5.

How to activate:

1. Download any short video (up to) 15 second MP4 or GIF (permission 1920×1080).
2. Put the file in the folder. DCIM → LiveWallpapers (if you don’t have a folder, create it manually).
3. Go to Settings. → Wallpaper. → My wallpaper. → Video and select your file.
4. Adjust the playback speed and cropping area (if the video doesn't fit the screen size).

Limitations of the method:

• 🔋 Video wallpaper strongly planted battery (up to 20% per hour with active use).
• 📱 In some models (for example, POCO M6 Pro) video is cut at the edges due to the aspect ratio of the screen.
• 🎥 Maximum video duration – 30 seconds (long videos are cut automatically).

💡

Video wallpaper through MIUI — The only way to install fully custom animations without third-party apps, however, they only work on the home screen, and on the lock screen, the images are displayed as static.

6. Method 4: Live wallpaper through KWGT and Tasker (for advanced ones)

If you like customization, you can create unique live wallpaper with the help of apps KWGT (widgets and Tasker (automation) This method takes time to set up, but allows you to make wallpaper with a different set of widgets:

• 📊 Dynamic weather (data from AccuWeather or OpenWeatherMap).
• 📅 Calendar and events from Google Calendar.
• 🎵 Music visualizer (reacts to the current track).

Step-by-step:

1. Install. KWGT Pro and Tasker from Play Market.
2. Download the ready-made wallpaper template (for example, on Kustom Rocks).
3. Import the pattern into KWGT and configure data sources (weather, time, etc.).
4. Create a task in Tasker to automatically update the widget (e.g., every 30 minutes).
5. Apply the widget as wallpaper through Settings → Wallpaper. → Widgets.

Examples of ready-made templates:

• 🌦️ Weather Live KLWP — Animated weather with a forecast for 5 days.
• ⏰ Minimal Clock Live – watch with smooth animation of hands.
• 📈 System Monitor Live – wallpaper with battery charge data, usage RAM and CPU.

⚠️ Attention: Widgets KWGT may conflict with MIUI Optimization, which will make the wallpaper disappear after the reset. To avoid this, turn off the optimization for the rest of the day. KWGT battery-setting.

7. Method 5: Live wallpaper through ADB (circumvention MIUI)

If MIUI It blocks the installation of live wallpaper, you can use it ADB-This method is suitable for users who have already worked with adb and know how to enable debugging on the system. USB.

Instructions:

1. Put the debugging on. USB: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 5 times) → For developers → Debugging by USB
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1 It unlocks the hidden. API, which MIUI uses to limit live wallpaper.
3. Set up a live wallpaper in any of the ways described above.
4. Return the standard settings: adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 0

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works even on locked devices (without unlocking the bootloader).
• ✅ It allows you to set up wallpapers that MIUI Security is usually blocked.

Risks:

• ⚠️ Incorrect use of adb can disrupt the system.
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI The settings may be reset and the procedure will have to be repeated.

adb shell pm clear com.miui.securitycenter

But keep in mind that this will reset some security settings.-->

8 How to Remove Live Wallpaper and Return Standard Wallpapers

If animated wallpaper began to slow down or just got tired, you can return standard background images in several ways:

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

Settings → Wallpaper → Standard wallpaper

Choose any static background from a gallery or collection MIUI.

Method 2: Removal of a third-party application

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find an app with live wallpapers (like Live Wallpapers Now) and click Delete.
3. After removal, the system will automatically return to the standard wallpaper.

Method 3: Resetting wallpaper settings

• Open the Settings. → Wallpaper. → Reset to factory.
• Confirm the action – this will return the standard background images for the home screen and lock.

⚠️ Warning: If after removing the live wallpaper screen began to blink or slow down, clear the cache system: Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Cash system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about live wallpaper on Xiaomi