How to make the wallpaper automatically change on the Xiaomi desktop: all ways

Boring static wallpaper on a smartphone screen is the last century. Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI shell offer a bunch of ways to make the desktop dynamic, from built-in features to smart AI apps, but not everyone knows how to enable automatic background change — especially if it comes to hidden settings or non-obvious chips.

In this article, we'll break down 5 working methods, including little-known tricks for advanced users: you'll learn how to adjust wallpaper changes by time of day, when the weather changes, randomly from a gallery or even synced with Google Photos; and what apps are best used if standard MIUI capabilities are not enough.

Spoiler: One way to change the background every 5 minutes without installing additional software is to do so even on budget models like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO M5.

1. Built-in Dynamic Wallpaper function in MIUI

Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has introduced a tool for automatic wallpaper change, though with limitations. The feature is hidden in the theme settings and works only with official backgrounds from Xiaomi, but does not require the installation of third-party applications.

To activate it:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to Wallpaper section. → Dynamic.
3. Choose your favorite collection (e.g., “Nature” or “Cities”).
4. Click Apply and turn on the Automatic Shift option.

By default, wallpaper will change every 6 hours, but this interval can be reduced to 1 hour in additional settings.Unfortunately, the feature does not support custom images from the gallery - only standard sets from Xiaomi.

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If there is no automatic change option in the Dynamics section, update the Themes app via Google Play or the MIUI App Store.

2. Automatic change of wallpaper by time of day

One of the most useful uses of dynamic wallpaper is time-of-day binding, such as setting a dark background for the night and a light background for the day. In MIUI 13/14, this is done through Adaptive Wallpaper, but it doesn't work on all models.

Check the support on your device:

1. Hold your finger on the empty space on the desktop.
2. Choose Wallpaper. → Adaptive.
3. If there is a section, turn on the Auto Switch option and select a theme (for example, “Sunset-With Dawn”).

If there is no adaptive wallpaper, use the workaround:

• 🌅 Install the Wallpaper Changer app (free on Google Play).
• 🕒 In the settings, select the Schedule → Timely.
• ⏰ Set intervals (for example, 7:00 – light wallpaper, 20:00 – dark).
• 📁 Add your images to Day and Night folders.

3. Accidental change of wallpaper from the gallery

Do you want your desktop background to be updated randomly from your photos? Standard MIUI doesn't have this feature, but it's easy to add with third-party utilities.

1. Wallpaper Changer (Auto Wallpaper)

• 📱 It works for all Xiaomi companies, including POCO X5 Redmi 12.
• 🔄 Changes wallpaper by timer (from 5 minutes to 24 hours).
• 📂 Supports Google Photos and Local Storage.
• 🎨 There are blur and dimming filters for better readability of icons.

2. Muzei Live Wallpaper

• 🖼️ Uses a neural network to select wallpaper for your style.
• 🌄 Automatically downloads beautiful backgrounds from open sources (Flickr, 500px).
• 🔄 Updates the background every day or when unlocking the screen.

3. Tapet (for advanced users)

• 🤖 Generates unique wallpaper using AI based on your preferences.
• 🎨 Customizable patterns, colors and styles.
• 🔄 Automatic updates on schedule.

Download the app from Google Play|Create a folder with backgrounds in the gallery|Change a shift interval |Cryp permissions for the app-->

4. Change of wallpaper by weather or location

Imagine if your Xiaomi 13 Ultra screen automatically displays rain wallpaper when it’s raining or snowy in winter, thanks to apps that integrate weather services.

The best weather applications for wallpaper:

To set up via IFTTT + Tasker:

1. Install both applications.
2. In IFTTT, create an applet with the “Weather Changed” trigger.
3. In Tasker, set up the “Change Wallpaper” action when you receive a notification from IFTTT.

5. Hidden MIUI features for advanced users

Few people know, but MIUI has hidden commands to manage wallpaper through ADB or engineering menus, and these methods are suitable for advanced users who are willing to dig into the system settings.

Method 1: ADB commands for forced wallpaper change

If you need to programmatically change the background (for example, to automate through Tasker), use these commands:

adb shell am broadcast -a com.miui.home.CHANGE_WALLPAPER --es path "/storage/emulated/0/Download/your_wallpaper.jpg"

Where /storage/emulated/0/Download/your_wallpaper.jpg — path to your image.

Method 2: Engineering menu (only for MIUI 14+)

1. Enter the phone code in the app: ##4636##.
2. Go to Testing. → Wallpaper Manager.
3. Activate the Auto Change Enabled option.
4. Set the interval in seconds (for example, 3600 for shifts every hour).

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Using an ADB or engineering menu can cause shell malfunctions. Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup.

Method 3: Modified firmware

XDA Developers forums have patches for MIUI that add advanced wallpaper settings, such as MIUI EU firmware that allows:

• 🔄 Change the wallpaper by gesture (shake the phone).
• 📱 Apply different backgrounds for the home screen and lock screen.
• 🎨 Use Live Wallpapers without restrictions.

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial firmware will void the warranty and may result in a blockage of the bootloader on models with Locked Bootloader (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) This will require unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool, which takes up to 720 hours of waiting time!

6 How to Avoid Common Mistakes

When setting up automatic wallpaper change, Xiaomi users often face typical problems.

Problem 1: Wallpapers do not change on schedule

• 🔋 Check if the system kills the wallpaper change app. Add it to battery exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Choose yours. → No restrictions.
• ⚙️ Make sure that the application settings enable Auto Start and Work in the background.
• 📶 If you use Google Photos, check your Internet connection – without it, the wallpaper will not be updated.

Problem 2: New Wallpapers are not used

• 📂 Make sure the images have a resolution compatible with your screen (e.g, 1080×2400 For the Redmi Note 11).
• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI «forgetting to apply the changes.
• 🛠️ Clear the app cache Topics: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Problem 3: The battery goes down quickly

⚠️ Attention: Dynamic wallpaper applications (especially those with animation) can increase battery consumption by 10-15%. To reduce consumption: Turn off animation in wallpaper settings. Increase shift time to 6-12 hours. Use static images instead of Live Wallpapers.

7. Top.-5 Applications for automatic wallpaper change on Xiaomi

If standard MIUI features aren’t enough, these apps will help you adjust wallpaper changes as flexibly as possible:

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing wallpaper to Xiaomi