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

The boring static wallpaper on Xiaomi’s screen is no longer trending. Current versions of MIUI (12 to 15) offer several ways to dynamically change background images, from built-in tools to third-party apps with advanced settings. But not everyone knows how to activate this feature or why it stops working after an update.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for automatically changing wallpaper on Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones – from standard Theme features to hidden chips through ADB and applications like Wallpaper Changer or Tapet. We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of firmware and models (for example, why the POCO F5 works differently than on the Redmi Note 12).

If you’re tired of manually changing your images, or want the background to adapt to the time of day, weather, or even battery levels, read on. We’ll also reveal the hidden Smart Wallpaper mode, which Xiaomi doesn’t advertise in the settings, but which is available on most MIUI 14+ devices.

1. Built-in "Wallpaperman" function in MIUI

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has added basic support for automatic wallpaper change through the standard Themes app.The feature works on most models (except for the budget series like Redmi A), but has limitations: the change interval is fixed (every 12 or 24 hours), and the selection of images is limited to Xiaomi collections.

To activate:

1. Open Settings → Themes.
2. Select the Wallpaper section → The driver.
3. Activate the switch and specify the source (e.g. Landscapes or Abstractions).
4. Click Apply and confirm the selection for the main screen/lock screen.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) Automan may not be available, in which case try updating the Themes app via Google Play or using alternative methods from the following sections.

2. “Smart Wallpaper” – hidden function MIUI 14+

Exclusive to MIUI 14 and newer: Xiaomi has added an experimental Smart Wallpaper mode that adapts the background to context—time of day, weather, or even user activity—hidden in the settings lab and requires activation via ADB or special commands.

How to turn on:

1. Install the MIUI Labs app (unofficial but secure).
2. Activate the Smart Wallpapers option in the Hidden Features section.
3. Reset the device.
4. Now in Settings → Themes → Wallpaper will appear a new section with dynamic backgrounds.

🔹 What Smart Wallpaper Can Do»:

• 🌅 Day/Night mode: backgrounds automatically darken after sunset.
• ☁️ Weather adaptation: displays sun, rain or snow depending on weather data.
• 🔋 Saving mode: with a low battery charge, the background becomes monochrome.

3. Third-party applications for automatic wallpaper change

If the built-in tools MIUI Not enough, use specialized applications. 5 Popular solutions and selected top-3 Stability and compatibility with Xiaomi:

🔹 How to set up Wallpaper Changer on Xiaomi:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. In the settings, select the source: Local folders or Unsplash.
3. Set a shift interval (recommended 1 hour to start).
4. Activate the option to Apply to both screens.
5. In addition, note Ignore battery optimization (important for MIUI!).

Turn off battery optimization for the app |Give all permissions (storage, overlay)|Check compatibility with MIUI |Create a backup of your current wallpaper

-->

4. Automatic shift through tasks in Google Assistant

Few people know, but Google Assistant can change wallpapers on a schedule or voice command, a method that is suitable for devices with Google services (Xiaomi may not work for China).

Instructions:

1. Open Google Assistant and say, “OK Google, remind me to change the wallpaper every day at 8 a.m..”
2. In the notification that appears, click Add Action → Change Wallpaper.
3. Select the source (e.g. Google Photo or Folder on the device).
4. Save the task.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14+ Assistant may conflict with the system application Themes. If the wallpaper does not change, disable the automan in standard settings Xiaomi (Settings) → Topics → The driver).

💡

To prevent the Assistant from resetting the wallpaper after the MIUI update, add it to the list of Protected Apps in the battery settings.

5. Change of wallpaper by geolocation or weather

For advanced users, you can set up automatic wallpaper changes based on location or weather conditions, for example, showing beachscapes on vacation or snowy ones in winter, and you will need the Tasker app + AutoTools plugin.

🔹 Example of settings for weather:

1. In Tasker, create a problem with the Weather → Temperature < 0°C.
2. Add the action AutoTools → Wallpaper and specify the folder with winter backgrounds.
3. Create a second task for warm weather (Temperature > 15°C) with summer wallpaper.
4. Activate the tasks and give Tasker permission to change system settings.

📌 Alternative without Tasker: App IFTTT (If This Then That can change the wallpaper when triggers are triggered, for example, you can create an applet:

• 📍 If: You are home (geolocation).
• 🖼️ To: Install wallpaper from Home Wallpapers folder.

6. Problem Solving: Why Wallpaper Doesn't Change

If the automatic shift stops working, check these points:

🔹 Typical causes:

• 🔄 Optimizing the battery: MIUI aggressively closes the background processes. Add the wallpaper app to Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications and select No Limitations.
• 📱 Update MIUI: After the update, the permissions are reset.
• 🖼️ Topics Conflict: Disable the Standard Automan in Settings → Topics if you use third-party software.
• 📂 Empty folder: Make sure that the selected directory has at least 3 images with at least a resolution 1080×1920.

🔧 How to Reset Wallpaper Settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find themes or a wallpaper app (like Wallpaper Changer).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Reset the device.

💡

Xiaomi with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 12C) Third-party wallpaper applications may not work as well due to manufacturer restrictions, in which case only use built-in tools. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing wallpaper to Xiaomi