Personalizing the look of a smartphone is the first thing that many users start to see. For owners of budget but powerful devices like the Xiaomi Redmi 9, the issue of visual adjustment is especially acute, since the standard interface can seem boring. Changing the screensaver allows not only to stand out from others, but also to make the use of the gadget more enjoyable and ergonomic. The MIUI operating system on which this phone operates has many customization tools that not everyone knows about.
The process of replacing a background image or animation with Redmi 9 does not require root rights or deep technical knowledge. All the necessary functions are built into the system or available through official applications from the developer. However, there are several nuances associated with the firmware versions (Global or China) and the presence of advertising in standard themes, which is worth knowing in advance.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to change the design of the screen, you will learn how to install a static photo from your gallery, how to activate live wallpaper and even how to set up automatic change of images through the Wallpaper Carousel function. We will also touch on optimization issues, since incorrectly selected graphics can affect the autonomy of the device.
Use of built-in themes and theme store
The easiest and most obvious way to change your visual style is to use the standard Themes app. On Xiaomi Redmi 9, it is pre-installed by default and offers a huge catalog of free and paid solutions. When you first start, the system can suggest choosing a region, which is important for the correct display of content. Inside the application, you will find not only wallpapers, but also entire packages that change icons, sounds and fonts.
To access the directory, you need to open the app and go to the appropriate section. The interface may be overloaded with recommendations, but the navigation remains intuitive. You can sort themes by popularity, novelty or rating. It is important to note that some topics can be heavy on the Helio G80 processor installed in Redmi 9, which will lead to micro-interface delays.
- 🎨 Open the “Themes” app on your desktop.
- 🔍 Search for Wallpaper or Wallpaper».
- ⬇️ Select the option you like and click the “Download” button».
- ✅ After downloading, click “Apply” to activate the changes.
⚠️ Warning: When downloading themes from third-party sources or unofficial directories, always check the permissions the file requests.Some modified themes may contain malicious code or redundant advertising.
It's also worth mentioning the "Mix Themes" feature, which allows you to combine elements from different packages, for example, you can leave system sounds from one theme and take wallpaper from another. This gives you the flexibility to customize that is not available in many other Android shells. However, when you change system components often through the "Mix" display conflicts can occur, so after experiments, it is recommended to do a complete reset of style.
Installation of image from the gallery
Often users want to see personal photos, nature shots or screenshots from the Internet on their lock screen or desktop. MIUI has a convenient mechanism for installing images directly from the gallery, bypassing complex settings menus. This method is ideal for those who value uniqueness and do not want to depend on online directories, while the quality of the image depends solely on the source file.
To set your photo, open the Gallery app and select the image you want. It is important that the photo resolution is high enough, preferably at least 1080×2340 pixels, to avoid stretching and loss of clarity on the Redmi 9 display. After opening the photo, click on the menu (usually three dots or the “More” button) and select “Install as wallpaper”.
The system will suggest you choose the framing area, because the proportions of the photo may not match the proportions of the screen. You can move the frame, choosing the best angle. Then you will choose the installation location: lock screen, main screen or both. This algorithm works consistently on all versions of firmware, including Android 10 and newer.
☑️ Checking the image before installation
If you want to set different images for the lock screen and desktop, you have to repeat the procedure twice, choosing the appropriate destinations. There is also an alternative way through the settings: go to Settings → Wallpaper, select Local or Gallery and follow the system prompts. This method gives more control over the preview.
Setting up a live screensaver and video wallpaper
Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners can access not only static images, but also dynamic screensavers. Live Wallpapers are short animations that are played when unlocking the device or constantly on the desktop. This adds to the device’s personality, but it is worth remembering the increased battery consumption.
To activate this feature, go to the wallpaper selection menu and find the category Live Wallpaper or Video. Here you can find standard MIUI animations or content from the theme store. Some themes contain high-quality video backgrounds that can weigh tens of megabytes. Before installing, make sure that the device has enough free memory.
| Wallpaper type | Impact on the battery | RAM load | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static photo | Minimum | Low. | For maximum autonomy |
| Live wallpaper (systemic) | Average. | Medium | Balance beauty and speed |
| Video wallpaper (from themes) | High. | Tall. | Only for short cuts. |
| 3D-animation | Very high. | Very high. | Not recommended for Redmi 9 |
Using video wallpaper can cause the case to heat up when the screen is running for a long time. If you notice that the phone has become slower or discharge faster, it is better to return to a static image. Optimizing background processes in MIUI can sometimes incorrectly close the application of live wallpaper, which leads to their disappearance after rebooting.
Why can live wallpaper slow down?
The function of the wallpaper carousel (Glance)
One of the most prominent features of MIUI is the Wallpaper Carousel (known in some regions as Glance), which automatically changes the image on the lock screen every time you turn on the screen. The images are sourced from an online directory that is updated regularly. For many, it is a way to always see fresh content without unnecessary action.
However, this feature has its critics: first, it requires a constant Internet connection to download new images; second, the carousel can consume traffic and battery power, albeit in small volumes; and third, sometimes the images may not match your taste preferences or contain advertising integrations.
You can control the settings of the carousel through the Settings menu → Lock screen → Wallpaper carousel. Here you can select the categories of images (nature, technology, art), change rate and quality. If you do not need the function, you can completely turn it off in the same menu by switching the corresponding switch to the switch to off position.
- 🔄 Automatically change the picture at each screen turn on.
- 🌐 Requires an active internet connection to update content.
- ⚙️ Flexible Category and Update Frequency.
- 🔋 It may slightly increase the battery consumption.
⚠️ Note: In some firmware versions, turning off the wallpaper carousel may be hidden or require removing wallpaper carousel updates through the app menu.
Third-party customization applications
If Xiaomi's standard features aren't enough, Google Play offers thousands of screensaver change apps, popular services like the Wallpaper Engine, Zedge or Backdrops provide access to exclusive collections, and installing third-party software gives you more freedom, but requires attention to permissions.
When installing a wallpaper replacement app, the system may request permission to either "Change System Settings" or "Above Other Windows" to allow preview and automatic change functions to function properly. Always check the ratings of the apps before installing so that you don't load any advertising debris onto the device.
Some apps allow you to sync wallpaper with your PC or create your own designs, which opens up a lot of opportunities for creative users. However, it is worth remembering that the background processes of such applications can remain active, which will affect the performance of Redmi 9.
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Use apps with Image Compression before installing wallpaper to save space in your phone’s memory and speed up the interface load.
Optimization and problem solving
After changing the screensaver, users sometimes face problems: the image is stretched, the colors look faded or the phone started to work slower. Often the reason lies in the discrepancy between the resolution of the picture and the screen. The Redmi 9 display has a resolution of 1080 × 2340 pixels, and these are the files that will look best.
If you notice a slowdown, try clearing the theme cache. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Themes and select Clear Data. This won’t delete your downloaded themes, but will reset temporary files that may have accumulated errors. It’s also helpful to check if too many live widgets on your desktop are running.
If icons are lost after a theme change or text becomes unreadable, go back to the standard MIUI theme. This is the basic theme that is always present in the system and ensures that all interface elements are correctly displayed. Reset to the standard often solves visual bugs that arose after customization experiments.
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The optimal balance between beauty and performance on Redmi 9 is achieved by using static high-resolution wallpaper and a minimum number of widgets on the desktop.