How to install your photo on the lock screen Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi’s lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone, and many users want to personalize it by setting a favorite photo or picture. However, not everyone knows how to do this correctly, especially if you are talking about new versions of MIUI or specific models like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO F5. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the wallpaper on the lock screen, from standard tools to hidden features and third-party applications.

It's important to understand that the process can vary depending on the firmware version and device model. For example, in MIUI 14 the algorithm differs from MIUI 12.5, and on some budget models (for example, Redmi A2) some functions can be reduced, we took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will be suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices.

1. Standard method through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It works on most modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 11) and does not require installing additional applications.

• 📱 Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
• 🎨 Go to the Lock Screen (or Wallpaper) section → Lock screen in some versions).
• 🖼️ Click Change Wallpaper and select the source: Gallery, Live Wallpaper or Super Wallpaper.
• ✅ Confirm your choice and apply the changes.

If your MIUI version doesn’t have a separate lock screen option, try the alternative path: Settings → Display → Wallpaper → Lock screen. On some devices (e.g. POCO X5 Pro), this section may be called Personalization.

Make a backup of your current wallpaper (if necessary)

Check the resolution of the selected photo (recommended 1080×2400 pixels)

Make sure that the photo is saved in the gallery

Close all background applications for smooth operation-->

Limitation: Some versions of MIUI do not allow you to set different wallpapers for the home screen and lock screen — the changes apply to both. If you need to separate them, read the next section.

2. How to install different wallpaper on the main screen and lock

By default, MIUI syncs wallpaper for the home screen and lock screen, but there is a workaround that works on most devices:

1. Open the gallery and select the photo you want.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Set as.
3. In the menu that appears, select Lock screen Wallpaper (if there is no such item, go to method 3).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the changes to be applied.

If this method doesn’t work, try using the developer mode:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to Allow different wallpaper (or similar) and turn it on.

MIUI 14

MIUI 13

MIUI 12.5 or older

I don't know my version.-->

Important: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, the split wallpaper function can be blocked at the firmware level, in which case only third-party software will help (see method 5).

3.Use of the "Themes" application for unique wallpaper

The Themes app (pre-installed on all Xiaomi) not only allows you to download ready-made themes, but also set your wallpaper on the lock screen. This method is suitable for those who want to use dynamic or animated wallpaper.

• 🎭 Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
• 🔍 Go to Wallpaper and select Lock Screen.
• 📁 Click My Wallpaper and select a photo from the gallery.
• 🔄 Apply changes and restart the device (sometimes required to display correctly).

The advantage of this method is access to live wallpaper and 3D-For example, you can set wallpapers with paralax effect (background movement when the phone is tilted) or animations when unlocked.

Please note that some of the wallpapers in the Topics section may contain ads or require an internet connection to download. To avoid this, use only My wallpaper with local files.

4 Manual wallpaper modification via file manager (for advanced)

This method is suitable for users who want to manually replace system wallpaper or install custom images without restrictions. MIUI. Root rights or access to the ADB.

Instructions for devices with unlocked loader:

1. Download wallpaper in.jpg or.png format with the resolution corresponding to your screen (for example, 1080×2400 for Redmi Note 11).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and use it ADB To copy the file to the system folder: adb push /path/to/your/wallpaper.jpg /data/system/users/0/wallpaper_locked
3. Reset the device.

For devices without root, you can use the workaround through the Activity Launcher app:

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Find the activity com.android.wallpaper.livepicker.LiveWallpaperPreview.
3. Select it and manually point the way to your image.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly changing system files can cause a lock screen to malfunction or even a device to "brick.

5. Third-party applications for flexible settings

If you don't like the built-in MIUI tools, you can use third-party apps, which offer more features: animations, lock-screen widgets, dynamic wallpapers, and even interactive elements.

When using third-party applications, consider:

• 🔋 Some wallpaper can drain the battery faster (especially live wallpaper).
• 🛡️ Before installing, check the application permissions (some request access to the app). SMS or contact without cause).
• 📱 On devices with MIUI 14 may need to disable battery optimization for wallpaper application.

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If after installing third-party wallpaper, the lock screen begins to slow down, try turning off animation in the developer settings (Settings → For developers → Animation = Off).

6. Problem Solving: Wallpaper does not apply or is confused

Sometimes users find that the wallpaper on the lock screen is reset after rebooting or not applied at all, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

⚠️ Note: If you use dual applications (the function "Duplicate" in the "Duplicate" function) MIUI), Wallpapers may be reset due to cache conflict. Try disabling duplicates or clearing the cache of the Topics app".

• 🔄 Wallpaper resets after update: This is a known problem MIUI. Before updating, make a backup of the wallpaper through Settings → Annexes → Topics → Backup.
• 📵 Wallpaper not applicable: Check if the power saving mode is on (it can block wallpaper change). Turn it off in Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime.
• 🖼️ Photo cropped or stretched: Make sure the image resolution matches your screen resolution.For most, Xiaomi is suitable 1080×2400 (Full HD+).

If the problem persists, try resetting the lock screen settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find System Settings (or Lawnchair if you use custom launcher).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Restart the device and reset the wallpaper.

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If wallpaper is not applied through standard settings, try using the Themes app first, which solves the problem 80% of the time without resetting the settings.

7. Optimization of wallpaper for the lock screen

To make the wallpaper look perfect, you need to prepare it properly.

• 📏 Resolution: Use images with a resolution that matches your screen. For most Xiaomi, it's 1080×2400 (20:9), for POCO F4 GT — 1080×2460.
• 🎨 Format: Preferred format:.png (without loss of quality) or.jpg with maximum quality.
• 🖼️ Composition: Important elements of the photo (e.g. faces) should be in the center, as the edges of the image can be cut off.
• 🌈 Colors: Avoid too dark wallpapers – they can blend in with interface elements (times, notifications).

To trim wallpaper under the desired resolution, you can use:

• 📱 Photo & Picture Resizer app (Google Play).
• 💻 Online services like iLoveIMG.
• 🖥️ Programs for PC: Photoshop, GIMP or Paint.NET.

If you want your wallpaper to automatically adjust to the time of day, use the Muzei app with the Muzei with Google Photos plugin. It will change the background depending on time or your location.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper on the lock screen Xiaomi