How to change wallpaper to Xiaomi Redmi: from standard themes to custom backgrounds

Changing the wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter the nuances of why the background is cut curved, how to put live wallpaper on the lock screen or why some images refuse to install. In this article, we will analyze all the ways from basic MIUI settings to hidden chips using ADB and third-party launchers.

The feature of MIUI firmware is that it offers several levels of customization at once: you can limit yourself to standard themes from the store, download wallpaper through the Gallery, or go further - customize animation when unlocked, install dynamic wallpaper from Google or even create your own background using Canva. We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10C and POCO X5 Pro models (on MIUI 13/14), so the instructions are relevant for most devices of the line.

Important: If you use Redmi with MIUI below 12.5, some features (such as live wallpaper on the lock screen) may not be available. Check the firmware version at Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

1. Standard method: change through "Themes"

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Themes app, which offers thousands of free and paid wallpapers optimized for your Redmi screen resolution.

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
• 🔍 In the lower menu, select the Wallpaper section.
• 🖼️ Scroll through collections or use search (e.g., type in «4K», «AMOLED» or dark»).
• 👆 Click on your favorite background → Apply → Select Lock Screen, Desktop or Both.

The advantage of this method is automatic adjustment to the screen resolution. For example, for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with a resolution of 1080×2400, theme offers wallpaper without cropping.

⚠️ Warning: Some store wallpaper Themes contain watermarks or require high-resolution download fees.Always check other users' reviews before installing.

If you want to use your own image but don’t see it in the gallery when choosing wallpaper, the problem may be in the format. MIUI works best with.jpg or.png files at no higher than 4K. Images in.webp or.heic may not show.

2. Installation of wallpaper through the "Gallery"

If you want to use a personal photo or an image downloaded from the Internet, do the following:

1. Download wallpaper to your phone (for example, from Wallhaven or Unsplash sites).
2. Open the gallery and find the image you want.
3. Put it on him. → button ⋮ (three-point) → Set up how → Select Desktop Wallpaper or Lock Screen Wallpaper.
4. Adjust the scale and position (swipe on the screen) → Ready.

Tip: For AMOLED screens (like the Redmi K50 Pro), choose dark wallpaper, which will reduce battery consumption. To check the screen type, go to Settings → Display → Screen Type.

Download the image in resolution not lower than Full HD (1920×1080)

Convert the format to.jpg or.png (if the source is.webp)

For AMOLED-Select the dark background screens

Cut important details in the center (the edge may be cut)

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If you install the wallpaper that looks blurry or pixelated, the problem is the aspect ratio. For example, for the Redmi Note 11 at 1080×2400 resolution, the ideal ratio is 9:20. Use online services like Photopea for cropping.

3. Live wallpaper on the lock screen

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Redmi can install animated wallpaper on the lock screen.

• 🌊 Open Topics → Wallpaper. → tab Live.
• 🎞️ Choose the animation you like (for example, Ocean Waves or Starry Sky»).
• 🔄 Click Apply → Lock screen.
• ⚙️ In some themes, you can adjust the animation speed (Settings button in the lower right corner).

Limitations:

• Live wallpaper doesn’t work on the desktop – only on the lock screen.
• The animation consumes an extra battery charge (up to 5-7% per day with active use).
• On budget models (Redmi 10A, Redmi 9C) there may be a slowdown.

To install custom live wallpaper (for example, from the Wallpaper Engine app) you will need:

1. Download APK-wallpaper file (for example, with APKMirror).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Appendices → Special Rights.
3. Install APK and apply wallpaper through the application settings.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK Third-party sources may violate security policies MIUI. Before that, back up the data in Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.

4.Use of third-party launchers

If standard MIUI features do not suit you, you can install an alternative launcher, for example:

• 📱 Nova Launcher – flexible customization of icons and wallpaper.
• 🌈 Action Launcher – Support for Adaptive Wallpaper.
• 🎨 Lawnchair is an open source lightweight launcher.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Press long on the desktop → Wallpaper.
3. Choose the source: Gallery, Nova Wallpapers or Live Wallpaper.
4. Apply the changes. If necessary, zoom in Nova Settings → Desktop → Wallpaper Scale.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

Disadvantage: Some features (such as MIUI gestures) may conflict with launchers. To return the standard interface, go to Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher and select System Launcher.

5. Hidden chips: ADB and system wallpaper

For advanced users, there is a way to install wallpaper directly into MIUI system files via ADB. This is useful if you want to:

• 🔒 Lock the wallpaper (so that it cannot be changed without a password).
• 📁 Use wallpaper from other topics without fully installing the theme.
• 🔄 Automate the change of wallpaper on a schedule.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times according to version, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.SET_WALLPAPER
3. Select an image from the gallery and apply it.

This method allows you to bypass the MIUI limitations on file size (the standard Wallpaper application does not accept images weighing more than 10 MB).

To automatically change the wallpaper by time of day, you can use the script on Tasker:

1. Install Tasker and AutoInput plugin.
2. Create a task with the Set Wallpaper action (by pointing the path to the wallpaper folder).
3. Set the trigger by time (for example, 7:00 and 19:00).

⚠️ Note: Modifying system files through ADB You can crash the theme. Before you experiment, back up your folder. /data/system/users/0 (wallpaper settings).

6. Problem Solving: Wallpaper is not installed

If you see an error or the image does not apply when you try to change the wallpaper, check the following:

If the wallpaper is set but looks blurry, try:

• 🔍 Increase the resolution of the original image (minimum) 1080p).
• 📏 Manually adjust the scale during installation (stretch the image with your fingers).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes MIUI preview.

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If the wallpaper is not applied due to the error "Can not install", try to move the image to the folder. DCIM/Wallpapers It's on the internal drive. MIUI Most often they look for wallpaper there.

7.The best wallpaper sources for Xiaomi Redmi

Where to download high-quality wallpaper optimized for Redmi screens:

• 🌄 Wallhaven – filter by resolution and aspect ratio (wallhaven.cc).
• 📱 Backdrops – an application with wallpaper for AMOLED-screen.
• 🎨 Unsplash – Free High-Resolution Photos (unsplash.com/wallpapers).
• 🖼️ Zedge – live wallpaper and animations (available on Google Play).
• 🔍 Reddit (r/Amoledbackgrounds) — wallpaper AMOLED.

Tip: For models with a camera notch (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro), look for wallpaper with a indentation at the top. On Wallhaven, use notch or cutout tags.

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For screens with high refresh rates (90/120/144 Hz), choose static wallpaper – animation can cause microstuttering due to unsynchronized refrash.

FAQ: Frequent questions