How to make wallpaper for Xiaomi phone: from creation to installation

Creating your own wallpaper for Xiaomi smartphone is not only a way to stand out, but also the ability to adapt the device to your style. MIUI, Custom wallpaper allows you to take into account the screen resolution, the color gamut of the interface and even hidden firmware functions.+ Xiaomi 13 Ultra with AMOLED-displays black wallpaper saves battery power, and dynamic background images can interact with the light sensor.

In this article, we’ll take you through all the steps from preparing the original image to installing it through hidden MIUI settings. You’ll learn how to avoid stretching on 20:9 screens, what formats are supported (including.heic on new models), and how to get around the system’s limitations when using animated wallpaper. And if you want to go further, at the end, there’s a bonus about creating MIUI themes based on your wallpaper.

1. Wallpaper requirements for Xiaomi: permission and formats

The first thing to consider is the screen resolution of your Xiaomi model. HD+ (for example, POCO X5 Pro) require wallpaper 1080×2400 pixels, and flagships like Xiaomi 14 s 2K-screen — 1440×3200. If you use a smaller image, the system will automatically stretch it, which will lead to a loss of quality. Too much resolution, on the contrary, will increase the weight of the file and can cause lags when scrolling the desktop.

MIUI officially supports formats:

• 🖼️.jpg/.jpeg is a universal option, but with loss of quality when compressed;
• 🎨.png – maintains transparency (useful for wallpaper with the effect of a “floating widget");
• 📱.heic/.heif – modern format with better compression (supported on Xiaomi with a better compression) MIUI 12.5+);
• 🎞️.gif.mp4 — for live wallpaper (requires installation through Topics).

Important: on devices with AMOLED-The black pixels on the wallpaper are not illuminated by screens (for example, the Black Shark 5 Pro), which saves charge, so for such models it is better to choose dark tones or use tools like the Wallpaper Engine to create "true black" (#000000000) backgrounds.

2. Where to get the original image for wallpaper

There are many sources for wallpaper, but not all are suitable for Xiaomi, for example, Pinterest pictures are often low resolution, and stock photos from Unsplash may not take into account the aspect ratio of 20:9.

• 📸 Your photos: use the photos from the Xiaomi camera (they are automatically saved in screen resolution). For best results, crop them in the Gallery app, taking into account the widget zone.
• 🎨 Wallpaper generators: services like WallpaperBatch or Backiee allow you to create abstract patterns with exact parameters for your model.
• 🖥️ Screenshots: If you play Black Shark or POCO F5, Take a screenshot of the game (e.g. Genshin Impact) and trim it under the background.
• 🌌 4K-Textures: Wallhaven or Alpha Coders sites offer resolution wallpaper 3840×2160, which can be scaled without loss.

Tip: Avoid wallpaper with small details around the edges – on Xiaomi with cutouts for the front camera (for example, Redmi Note 11) they will be cropped. Better place key elements in the center or use templates with notch in mind.

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To check how the wallpaper will look, taking into account the camera cutout, turn on the preview mode in the Wallpaper app (long press on the desktop → Wallpaper → Preview).

3. How to crop and fit the wallpaper under the screen Xiaomi

Even if you have a picture of the right resolution, you need to crop it properly. On Xiaomi, the desktop and lock areas are different: the first usually houses widgets, and the second usually houses hours and notifications. To make the wallpaper look harmonious, follow these steps:

1. Open the image in the Gallery app and click Edit → Trimming.
2. Choose the ratio 18:9, 19.5:9 or 20:9 (depending on the model). Check the specifications of your device on mi.com for accuracy.
3. Make sure that key wallpaper elements do not fall into the zones: 🕒 Top edge (10% height) – there will be a clock and a status bar; 📱 Lower edge (15% height) – gesture or navigation buttons; 🔄 Side edges (5% width) – can be cut when scrolling.

.png

For models with curved screens (such as the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3), standard trimming will not work, in which case use specialized tools like Wallpaper Cropper for Curved Screens (available on Google Play).

Make sure the resolution is correct |Turn with aspect ratio |Check widget and notification areas |Save in PNG/JPEG format with 100% quality |Transfer the file to the DCIM/Wallpapers folder

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4. Methods of installing wallpaper on Xiaomi

There are a number of ways to install wallpaper on Xiaomi, from the standard method through the Gallery to manually replacing system files. Consider all options, including hidden MIUI features.

Standard method through "Wallpaper"

The easiest way is:

1. Long press on the desktop → Wallpaper.
2. Choose My Wallpaper → Gallery and find your image.
3. Click Apply and select where to install: Lock screen, Home screen or both.

Limitation: This method does not support animated wallpaper (.gif/.mp4).

Installation through the annex "Themes"

If you want to use live wallpaper or apply it globally (including the app menu), do the following:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to Wallpaper section. → Mine.
3. Click + and select your image or video.
4. For animated wallpaper, click Setup and select the playback speed.

On models with MIUI 14+, live wallpaper consumes 10-15% more battery than static ones. If you notice a quick discharge, turn them off via Settings → Battery → Optimization.

Manual replacement of system wallpaper (for advanced)

This method allows you to replace the standard MIUI wallpaper with your own, but requires root rights or ADB.

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/Download/my_wallpaper.jpg /system/media/theme/default_wallpaper/




chmod 644 /system/media/theme/default_wallpaper/my_wallpaper.jpg




reboot

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly changing system files can lead to bootloop (loop reboot).Before executing commands, make a backup through TWRP.

5. How to make dynamic wallpaper for Xiaomi

Dynamic (live) wallpapers respond to time of day, weather or gestures, and on Xiaomi, they can be created in two ways: through built-in MIUI tools or third-party apps.

5.1 Built-in dynamic wallpaper in MIUI

Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi has introduced support for Super Wallpapers (such as scrolling animations of Mars or Earth) to create its own version:

1. Download the.mtz template (theme for the game) MIUI) from miui-themes.com.
2. Unclick it and replace the wallpaper files in the wallpaper folder with yours (with the same name!).
3. Pack back to.mtz and import through Topics → Mine → Import.

If the wallpaper refuses to be installed through the Gallery, try:

1. Move the file to the DCIM/Wallpapers folder.
2. Rename the file in English (without Cyrillic and spaces).
3. Use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager) to install: long press file → Install as wallpaper.

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If the wallpaper doesn't apply, check the resolution and format first, and 90% of the time, the problem is solved by converting to.png or changing the file name.

7. Bonus: How to Create a MIUI Theme Based on Your Wallpaper

If you want to go further and make a full MIUI theme that includes wallpaper, icons and fonts, follow this instruction:

1. Prepare materials: Wallpaper for desktop and lock (in.png format, 1080×2400); icons in.png format (size 192×192 pixels); Font in.ttf format (optional).

GitHub

MIUI-Theme-Template

• wallpaper - your wallpaper;
• icon - icons;
• font is font.
• Edit the description.xml file by specifying the title of the topic, the author, and the version of MIUI it is intended for.
• Pack the folder into the.mtz archive (use 7-Zip with the Save compression settings).
• Import theme through themes → Mine → Import.

Ready themes can be published on forums like XDA Developers or 4PDA, but remember: MIUI has strict rules for themes in the official store.

• Brand logos (except for Xiaomi)
• Images with violence or political motives;
• Animations that consume more than 5% of the battery per hour.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper on Xiaomi