How to change the wallpaper on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 proven ways

Why Redmi 9 Wallpapers Are Boring and How to Replace Them

The lock screen of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 is the first thing you see when you unlock a smartphone. But the standard MIUI wallpaper, even with its variety, quickly gets boring: monotonous landscapes, abstractions or banner ads from Xiaomi. Fortunately, the manufacturer provides several ways to personalize, and for advanced users there are also non-obvious tricks.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods for changing wallpaper on the lock screen, from basic MIUI settings to using hidden features and third-party applications. We’ll focus on the nuances for Redmi 9 with different firmware versions (MIUI 12, 13, 14) and explain why some methods may not work on your device.

Important: If you want to install live wallpaper or animation on the lock screen, immediately go to the section about dynamic wallpaper - there are solutions even for budget Xiaomi models.

Method 1: Standard Replacement through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools.It is suitable for all firmware versions on Redmi 9 (including global and Chinese) and does not require superuser rights.

To change the wallpaper:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the Wallpaper section → Lock screen.
3. Select a category (e.g. Nature, Abstraction, or Minimalism).
4. Slip on the image you like and click Apply.

If there are no suitable options in the list, you can download additional topics:

• 🔍 In the Wallpaper section, click on the magnifying glass icon (search) and enter a keyword (e.g., black or gradient).
• 🌐 Go to the Online tab to download wallpaper from the Xiaomi cloud (Internet connection required).
• ⭐ Save your favorite wallpaper in the Favorites to quickly find them.

Update the Themes app on Google Play|Check your internet connection (for online wallpapers)|Release 100.+ MB of memory (cache teh weighs a lot)|Restart your phone if the wallpaper does not apply-->

Method limitation: In MIUI 12 and older, you can't install your image from the gallery directly through the Theme app. This requires a workaround - see Method 3.

Method 2: Install your wallpaper from the gallery

If you want to put a personal photo, an image from the Internet or any other image on the Redmi 9 lock screen, you have to use a little trick. MIUI does not provide a direct option for this, but you can circumvent the restriction through desktop settings.

Instructions:

1. Save the image you want to see to your phone gallery (DCIM folder or Pictures).
2. Click the empty space on the home screen (not on lock!) and select Wallpaper.
3. In the menu, put it on my wallpaper. → gallery.
4. Select your image and click Apply.
5. In the window that appears, select Only the Lock screen (or both screens if you want to sync).

Important: if the image is not suitable for resolution, MIUI will automatically trim or stretch it, which can spoil the quality.The optimal resolution for the Redmi 9 is 1080×2340 pixels (ratio 9:19.5).

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To keep the wallpaper from moving when you update MIUI, save it to /MIUI/theme/.data/ (you will need a file manager with access to system folders).

If the wallpaper has not changed after use:

• ⚡ Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI Does not update the cache immediately.
• 🔄 Try applying the wallpaper to both screens first, then return the old ones to your desktop.
• 📱 Check if the Energy Saving mode is on – it can block changes to theme.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in methods are not satisfied (for example, you want animated wallpaper or more control over cropping), you can use third-party applications.

How to install wallpaper through a third-party application:

1. Download and install one of the apps above.
2. Select your favorite wallpaper and click Set Wallpaper or Set Wallpaper.
3. In the system menu that opens, select Only the lock screen.
4. Confirm the change.

Standard topics MIUI|Personal photos from the gallery|Live wallpaper (animation)|Wallpaper from third-party applications|I rarely change, no matter what.-->

⚠️ Warning: Some apps (like Live Wallpapers) can significantly increase battery consumption on the Redmi 9 due to constant animation. If you notice that the phone has become faster to discharge, check the power saving settings or remove the live wallpaper.

Method 4: Live wallpaper on the lock screen

MIUI doesn't support live wallpaper on the lock screen by default, but there are workarounds. Two methods are suitable for Redmi 9:

Method A: Through the "Live Wallpaper" appendix

Apps like Live Wallpapers or Forest Live Wallpaper can set the animation to lock, but with reservations:

• 🔋 The animation will work only after unlocking the screen (on the lock screen it is static).
• 📱 Some wallpapers require you to turn off battery optimization for the application (in Battery settings) → Optimization).
• ⚙️ In the live wallpaper settings, select Low Power Mode to reduce the processor load.

Method B: Video wallpaper (only for MIUI 13+)

If you have Redmi 9 with MIUI 13 or newer firmware, you can use the video as wallpaper:

1. Download the video (MP4 format, up to 15 seconds) and save it to the DCIM folder.
2. Install the Video Live Wallpaper app from Google Play.
3. Select the video, cut it and use it as wallpaper to block.

Important: Video wallpaper will not play on the lock screen itself (due to MIUI limitations), but will work immediately after unlocking.

Method 5: Advanced Root-Right Replacement (for experienced)

If you’re willing to take the risk of root access on Redmi 9, there are more options:

• 🎨 Installation of any wallpaper without cropping and restrictions MIUI.
• 🔄 Automatic change of wallpaper on schedule.
• 🖼️ Support GIF and APK-wallpaper (e.g. from KLWP).

Instructions (unlocked bootloader and TWRP required):

1. Install Magisk and the MIUI Lockscreen Wallpaper Changer.
2. Download wallpapers in.jpg or.png format and place them in /sdcard/Pictures/Wallpapers/ folder.
3. In the module settings, specify the path to the image and apply the changes.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights will void the warranty on Redmi 9 and may result in data loss or device blink. TWRP.

If you don’t want to take risks, but you need advanced settings, try launchers like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher – they allow you to flexibly customize wallpaper, although they do not affect the lock screen directly.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after a successful wallpaper change to Redmi 9, there may be problems.

If none of these methods worked, check:

• 📵 Is there an active mode of energy saving (it blocks changes in topics).
• 🔒 Are there any child restrictions or corporate policies (in Account settings) → Working profile).
• 📱 Is there a third-party launcher in conflict with MIUI.

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If the wallpaper on the lock screen is reset after the reboot, the problem lies in the failure of the system application com.android.themes. Solution: clear its data in the application settings (Warning: this will reset all the themes!).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions