Smartphone personalization is not just a fashion homage, but a way to make the device more comfortable and aesthetic. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face the desire to change the standard boring interface to something unique. The lock screen is the first thing you see when you activate the display, so its appearance sets the tone for all interaction with the gadget.
MIUI and the new HyperOS offer users a huge customization experience that is often hidden in the depths of menus or requires additional components. Standard settings allow you to change wallpaper, fonts, watches and even add widgets, but many features go unnoticed. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to change the lock screen on Xiaomi, from basic methods to advanced solutions.
It’s important to understand that the process may vary depending on the version of the operating system and the region for which the smartphone is released. Some features may only be available in the Chinese version of firmware or require you to sign in to your Mi Account. We’ll look at universal methods that work on most current models, including the Note series, Pro and flagship lines.
Standard design settings in MIUI and HyperOS
To start changing the appearance, you need to go to the basic tools built into the system. The manufacturer has provided a fairly flexible mechanism for changing the wallpaper and style of the watch without the need to install third-party software. To access these settings, you need to go to the Settings menu and find the Wallpaper and personalization section (or just Wallpaper in older versions).
Here, users can choose a static image from the gallery or use the built-in Themes catalog. Special attention should be paid to the Wallpaper Carousel feature, which automatically changes images every time the screen is turned on, a dynamic way to see new photos daily without manual intervention.
But just changing the image is just the tip of the iceberg, and in the same section, you can customize the style of displaying time and date, some themes completely change the architecture of the lock screen, adding animations or interactive elements, and if the standard set does not suit you, the system will suggest you go to the theme store for a deeper modification.
⚠️ Warning: When installing themes from third-party sources or unofficial stores, always check the permissions that the theme requests.Some modifications may attempt to access contacts or geolocation.
Don’t ignore the brightness and time settings before the screen is turned off, as they directly affect the perception of the locked state. In the Lock Screen section inside the settings, you can find the item “Use Wallpaper for the lock screen”, which allows you to separate the background of the desktop from the background of the locked phone.
Using the Topics application for deep customization
The most powerful interface change tool is the standard Themes app, which is preinstalled on all smartphones of the brand. This is where the features are not available in the usual settings menu. To change the lock screen on Xiaomi through this application, open it and go to the Profile tab (human icon), and then select Themes.
There are thousands of design options in the catalog, filtered by Lock Screen or searched by Lock Screen tags. When choosing a theme, pay attention to the preview: often you see unlock animations, watch style and notification behavior. Once the theme is loaded, the system will only ask for wallpaper, the theme or all at once — choose the option you want.
Compatibility is an important aspect. Not all themes work correctly with camera cutouts (bangs) or curved edges of the screen. Before using, be sure to review screenshots in the description of the topic left by other users, this will help to avoid situations where important interface elements are overlapped by system indicators.
If you want to create a unique design, some themes allow you to edit components. Once you install the theme, go to its settings and look for the option "Tune the theme" where you can change the color of the dial, font, or even replace the unlock icon, which gives you a sense of uniqueness without having to be a programmer.
Customize wallpaper carousel and Always on Display
The Glance feature deserves special attention because it dramatically changes the experience of using a locked smartphone. It not only changes pictures, but can display news, weather and notifications in a special format. To activate, go to Settings → Lock Screen → Wallpaper Carousel.
Inside the carousel menu, you can choose the sources of images: these can be recommended selections from Xiaomi, your personal albums or even images from social networks. Adjusting the frame rate allows you to adjust how often the picture will be updated – at each screen turn on or at a certain interval of time.
☑️ Set up the perfect lock screen
It is also a feature called Always On Display (AOD), accessible AMOLED-It allows you to display the time and date on the screen off, using minimal energy, and you can configure it in the Always On and Lock section, and you can find a variety of styles, from simple digital watches to animated characters.
Users often complain about intrusive ads on the wallpaper carousel. Fortunately, it can be turned off. In the carousel settings, find "Receive recommendations" or "Show ads" and deactivate it, which will restore the cleanliness of the interface and remove unnecessary clickable elements that prevent quick access to the phone.
Installation of third-party applications for blocking
If MIUI isn’t built in, apps from the Google Play Store will come to your aid. There are many programs that completely replace the standard lock screen, offering functionality comparable to Android widgets, examples of which are Hi Locker, KLCK or Acme.
Once you install such an app, you’ll need to give it a number of permissions, including access over other apps and permission to work in the background. Without this, Android can force the blocker process to close, and you’ll see Xiaomi’s standard screen again. In the battery settings, be sure to set the “No Limits” mode for the selected application.
The advantage of third-party solutions is that you can output information from other services, you can see currency rates, traffic jams, steps or quotes directly on a locked screen, and some applications allow you to create your own widgets using JavaScript or pre-built templates.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party blockers may consume more battery power than standard ones, and they may conflict with system unlock gestures, so test them carefully.
The launchers stand out, which can also mimic the lock screen, although this is a less common method. Using KLCK Kustom Lock Screen Maker gives you complete creative freedom: you can draw your design from scratch, add layers, animations and interactive zones. This is a choice for advanced users who want maximum detail.
Solving problems with applied topics
It often happens that after installing a new theme, the lock screen behaves incorrectly: the fingerprint scanner does not work, buttons disappear or the clock is displayed incorrectly. First of all, try to reboot the device. This resets the GUI cache and often eliminates visual bugs.
If the problem persists, it may be that the theme is not optimized for your version of Android or screen resolution. In the Themes app, go to profile, select the problem theme, and click "Delete." Then apply the default theme to return the system to stability.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The print is not working. | Conflict of thematic layers | Change the topic to standard or update the software |
| No notification sound. | Theme redefines system sounds | Check the sound settings in the section "Sound and vibration" |
| Black screen on the call | Approximate sensor error in the topic | Clear the cache of the “Phone” and “Themes” application |
| Low brightness | Theme forcibly reduces brightness | Turn off autobrightness or change the subject |
Another common problem is time desynchronization. If the clock on the lock screen is lagging or rushing, check the Autodate and Time setting in the main system settings. Network synchronization usually solves this problem instantly.
How to reset all the theme settings?
Optimization and Impact on Autonomy
A beautiful lock screen should not cause a quick discharge of the smartphone. Live wallpaper, constant operation of sensors for the carousel and complex animations in AOD consume battery life. If you notice that the phone began to discharge faster after changing the design, analyze the installed components.
Owners of models with LCD-The Always On Display function should be especially careful with screens, as it requires the entire matrix field to be illuminated, which significantly increases energy consumption. In such cases, it is better to use the “Lift to Turn” or “Double tap” function, which activate the screen only when necessary.
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To save charge on AMOLED screens, use completely black static wallpaper for the lock screen - the black pixels on such arrays are simply turned off and do not consume energy.
Also, limit the background activity of applications that update widgets on a locked screen, and in the battery settings, you can see the consumption statistics and, if necessary, limit the background work for specific personalization services.
Regularly cleaning the cache of the Theme app helps keep the system running, and over time, it accumulates data about the views and installations that can slow down the interface, do this through the memory management menu in the smartphone settings.
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Balancing beauty and performance is key to comfortable use. Don't overload the lock screen with heavy widgets if you care about the device's autonomy.