How to remove wallpaper from the lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi Note: all working methods

The lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi Note smartphones is not just a protection against accidental clicks, but also a business card of the device. However, standard MIUI wallpaper or randomly installed pictures can get boring, especially if they interfere with the perception of time, notifications or simply do not fit into your style. Unlike replacing the wallpaper on the home screen, working with the lock background often raises questions: where to look for settings, why some images are not deleted, and what to do if the system ignores changes.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to remove wallpaper from the lock screen for the Redmi Note 8/9/10/11/12 and other MIUI 12-14 models. From simple actions on the phone’s menu to advanced methods using ADB, you’ll find a solution for even the most stubborn cases. And we’ll explain why some wallpapers (such as branded from Xiaomi or themed from GetApps) may not be amenable to standard removal and what to do about it.

If you've tried to change the background through the gallery, but it didn't work, don't rush to reset the settings. Most likely, the problem lies in the features of the MIUI shell, and it can be solved without radical measures. Next, you will find step-by-step instructions with pictures (for visual understanding), a table of methods compatibility with firmware versions, and answers to frequent questions - for example, why after the MIUI update, wallpapers appear again by themselves.

1. Standard method: through lock screen settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for most users and require no additional knowledge, but there are nuances: some wallpapers (such as preinstalled themes) can be "protected" by the system and not removed in the standard way.

To try this method:

1. Unlock the phone and go to Settings (cog icon).
2. Select the Lock Screen section (in some versions of MIUI it is called Lock and Protection).
3. Slip on the item Wallpaper lock screen or background lock.
4. In the menu that opens, select the Gallery or the Color of the background if you want a monochromatic background.
5. Select the desired image (or color) and confirm the choice with the Apply button.

If you're offered only pre-installed themes instead of a gallery, then the system limits your choice, and then move on to the next method.

Make sure your phone is over 20% charged.

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (to download themes)

Close all background applications (especially launchers)

- Check the space in the memory (needs at least 100 MB)-->

2. Remove via MIUI Launcher (if the wallpaper does not change)

Sometimes the lock screen wallpaper sticks to the system due to malfunctions in the MIUI Launcher, Xiaomi's standard launcher, in which case it will help to reset its settings or forced reboot.

Follow the instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter Launcher (or MIUI Launcher).
• 🔄 Select the app and click Storage → Clear the data (not to be confused with "Cache Clearing"!).
• 🔙 Return to the main screen – the launcher will reboot, and the lock wallpaper will reset to standard.

Attention! Clearing the launcher data will also reset the home screen icons and widgets. Take a picture of the current location in advance if it's important to you.

3.Use of MIUI themes for wallpaper dumping

The MIUI shell is tightly integrated with GetApps, and sometimes lock wallpapers are tied to the set theme. If you can't remove them, try changing themes to standard ones.

How to do this:

• 🎨 Open the Themes app (brush icon on the home screen).
• 🔍 In the search, enter Standard or Default.
• 📥 Download and apply the first standard theme you find (usually free).
• 🔄 After application, restart the phone - the lock wallpaper should reset.

If this method didn’t work, check to see if you have a children’s theme or a fixed wallpaper theme (such as from Xiaomi’s holiday collections) that often blocks the background from changing.

4. Advanced method: removal via ADB

If the lock wallpaper is “sewed” into the system (for example, after updating MIUI or installing a proprietary theme), manual removal through ADB may be required. This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires a connection to a computer and knowledge of commands.

Step-by-step:

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on PC and enable Debugging on USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).
2. 📱 Connect Redmi Note to your computer and confirm debugging permission.
3. 💻 Open the command line (or Terminal) Mac/Linux) and type: adb shell pm clear com.android.themes This command will reset the theme settings, including lock wallpaper.
4. 🔄 Reboot the phone.

Important! ADB commands can affect other MIUI functions if entered incorrectly, for example, misusing pm clear for system applications will cause a failure. If you're not sure, skip this method.

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Before working with ADB, back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will take 5-10 minutes, but save your contacts, messages and photos when you crash.

5 Manual deletion of wallpaper files (for root users)

If you have root rights, you can manually delete wallpaper files from your system folders, a method that is risky but effective for undeleteable images.

Instructions:

• 📁 Install a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Cross the path: /data/system/users/0/ or /system/media/theme/default/wallpaper/ Look for files with.jpg,.png, or names like lockwallpaper.
• 🗑️ Delete the files you find (pre-copy them elsewhere in case of an error).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention! Deleting system files without root rights or through unverified managers can lead to bootloop.

6.Why is the wallpaper coming back after the MIUI update?

Many Redmi Note users are faced with the fact that after updating the firmware, the lock screen wallpaper reappears, which is due to Xiaomi’s policy: the system automatically applies the standard theme for large updates.

How to avoid this:

• 📵 Before updating, back up your current wallpaper (copy it to the cloud or PC).
• 🔧 After the update, do not click "Apply Standard Theme" in the welcome window - immediately go to the lock screen settings and restore your background.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic application of themes in Settings → Topics → Settings of topics → Auto-update themes.

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If the wallpaper returns after each update, it is not a bug, but a feature of MIUI. The only reliable way to avoid this is to turn off auto-update themes and manually restore the background after updates.

7.Alternative solutions: third-party launchers and applications

If none of these methods worked, you can go around the way of using third-party apps to customize the lock screen.

• 🔐 Always on Display for models with AMOLED-screens – allows you to adjust the appearance of the locked screen, including the background.
• 🎨 KLWP Live Wallpaper – creates custom wallpaper that can be applied to the lock screen (requires settings).
• 🔒 Lockscreen Customizer – a specialized application for changing backgrounds, fonts and notifications on a locked screen.

Before installing, check the app’s compatibility with your Redmi Note model and MIUI version. Some programs may conflict with system services, causing lags or overheating.

⚠️ Attention! Lock screen customization apps often request permissions to Overlay over other windows and the Device Administrator.Do not install them from unverified sources - this can lead to data leakage or locking the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about lock screen wallpaper