How to remove or change photos on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi: a detailed guide

The lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is not just a protection against accidental clicks, but also a business card of your device. Many users face a situation when the previously installed photo (or standard MIUI wallpaper) begins to annoy, interferes with privacy or just get bored. Unfortunately, the MIUI interface is not always intuitive: options to change the wallpaper of the lock screen can “hide” in different sections depending on the firmware version.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove photos from the lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi, including models with MIUI 12, 13 and 14. You will learn how to reset wallpaper to standard, replace them with a different image or completely disable the display of personal photos.

Why can’t the photo on the lock screen be deleted?

Before we get to the instructions, it's important to understand why standard methods sometimes don't work.

  • 🔄 Cash system: MIUI actively caches wallpaper, and even after changing them, old images can be displayed before rebooting.
  • 🔒 Security Policy: On some firmware (MIUI Global for EU) limited personalization settings due to GDPR.
  • 📱 Third-party launchers: If you use Nova Launcher or Apex, lock wallpaper settings may conflict.
  • 🛠️ Firmware errors: In versions MIUI 13.0.4-13.0.6 There was a bug that caused the wallpaper to be dropped accidentally.

If you tried to change the wallpaper through Settings → Lock screen, but the photo remained the same, the problem most likely lies in one of the listed items.

📊 What version? MIUI It's using your Redmi?
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
I don't know.
other

Method 1: Standard change of wallpaper through settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most Redmi models (Redmi 9 to Redmi 12 Pro+) and does not require superuser rights.

  1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
  2. Go to the Lock Screen section (in some versions – Wallpaper → Lock screen).
  3. Click on Change Wallpaper or Select a background.
  4. In the gallery that opens, select: 🖼️ Standard wallpaper (category «MIUI» or “Themes») 📁 Your image (from gallery or downloads) 🎨 Color/gradient (Option "Background Color»)

Confirm the choice and wait for the changes to be implemented.

If you have left the old photo after this, try restarting the device, this will clear the wallpaper cache, and check if the system has an energy saving mode: it can block the updating of background images.

Clear the cache of the "Wallpaper" annex"|Turn off the power saving mode|Check the space in your memory (need to be filled). ≥500MB)|Reboot your phone after the changes-->

Method 2: Resetting wallpaper through the “Themes” app

The Themes app in MIUI is responsible not only for icon design, but also for background images, including the lock screen, which is especially useful if the standard method did not work.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush and palette).
  2. Go to the Wallpapers (or Wallpapers) tab.
  3. Select the category of the Lock screen.
  4. Scroll down and click Reset to Standard (or Default).
  5. If there is no reset option, select any other wallpaper and then go back and apply them again - this often resets the cache.

Important: Some of the themes in the MIUI store can automatically set wallpapers on both screens (lock and home), and to avoid this, check the description or reviews before using the theme.

What to do if the “Themes” application is not available?
On some firmware (e.g. MIUI for EU), the Themes app may be hidden. To return it: 1. Install the APK app com.android.themes from APKMirror (select the version for your region). 2. Or activate it through Settings → All apps → Show system → Themes (turn on display).

Method 3: Delete photo via file manager (for power users)

If the wallpaper is stuck and doesn't change through the interface, you can manually remove it through the file manager, a method that requires caution, since it concerns system files.

Step-by-step:

  1. Install a file manager with access to root folders (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
  2. Activate the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
  3. Cross the path: /data/system/users/0/wallpaper_info.xml or (for new versions) MIUI): /data/system/users/0/wallpaper
  4. Delete the files wallpaper_lockscreen* (can have.jpg,.png extensions or be without extension).
  5. Reset the device.

After the reboot, the system will automatically apply the standard wallpaper. If you use Redmi with the unlocked bootloader, you can also clear the wallpaper cache with the command:

adb shell pm clear com.android.wallpaper

💡

Before you delete your system files, back them up! Copy the wallpaper folder to the cloud or on your PC, which will help you recover wallpaper if something goes wrong.

Method 4: Using ADB to reset wallpaper (without root)

If previous methods have failed, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that does not require superuser rights, which is suitable for all Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 11 Pro and Redmi K50.

Instructions:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
  2. Enable USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode) → Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
  3. Connect Redmi to your PC and execute commands: adb shell pm clear com.android.wallpaper pm clear com.miui.gallery
  4. Turn off the phone and restart it.

These commands will clear the cache of the apps responsible for the wallpaper and gallery, and after reloading the photo from the lock screen should disappear, and instead the standard MIUI background will appear.

💡

ADB is the most reliable way to reset wallpaper if the system settings don't work, it doesn't require root rights and it's safe for user data.

Method 5: Disable photo display via privacy settings

If your goal is not just to change the wallpaper, but to completely remove personal photos from the lock screen (for example, for privacy reasons), MIUI has a special option, which hides the preview of photos in notifications and on lock.

How to activate:

  1. Go to Settings. → Confidentiality.
  2. Choose Privacy Protection.
  3. Activate the button Hide the contents of notifications on the lock screen.
  4. Scroll down and turn on the option to Do not show photos in notifications.

If none of these methods worked, check if your Redmi has custom firmware installed (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS).In this case, the wallpaper settings may differ - refer to your firmware documentation.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI China ROM Some personalization options may be blocked without being linked to your Mi Account. If you see a message This feature is not available in your region, try changing the region in your account settings.

Can I remove the photo from the lock screen without resetting the phone?
Yes, all of the methods described in this article (except manual file deletion) do not require factory resets. Start with standard methods (1st or 2nd method), and only if they do not work, go to ADB or file manager.
Why is the old photo still visible on Always-on Display?
Redmi's Always-on Display (AOD) feature uses separate settings. To change the wallpaper for AOD: Go to Settings → Always-on Display and Lock. Select AOD Style. Turn off the Show Wallpaper option or choose another style.
How to remove the profile photo of Mi Account from the lock screen?
The Mi Account profile photo is linked to Xiaomi's account. To remove it: Open Settings → Xiaomi Account. Click on the profile avatar. Select Delete photo or upload neutral image. Reload phone. If the photo is left, untie your account in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out, but note that this will disable data synchronization.
Will ADB work on Redmi with a locked bootloader?
Yes, the ADB commands in Method 4 don't require unlocking the bootloader. They just clear the app cache, which is safe and doesn't affect the warranty. However, unlocking may be necessary to access system files (Method 3).
Can I install animated wallpaper on the lock screen?
In standard MIUI firmware, live wallpapers are not supported on the lock screen, but you can use third-party apps like Video Wallpaper or KLWP, but they consume an extra battery and can conflict with Always-on Display.