How to install your photo on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi 8: all the ways and nuances

The lock screen Xiaomi Redmi 8 is the first thing you see when you turn on the smartphone, so many users want to personalize it by setting your favorite photo instead of the standard wallpaper. However, not everyone manages to do this the first time: the MIUI interface is regularly updated, and settings can be hidden in non-obvious menu sections. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the background on the lock screen, including nuances for different versions of the firmware and solving typical problems.

The Redmi 8 is unique in that it was released in 2019 and has received several major MIUI updates (from 10 to 12.5+) since its inception, which means that the path to wallpaper settings may vary depending on the software version. We have considered all the options and prepared a universal guide that will be suitable for both stock firmware and custom builds, and you will learn what image formats are supported, how to circumvent the system limitations and what to do if a new photo is not displayed.

Preparation: which photos are suitable for the lock screen

Before you start changing the wallpaper, it is important to make sure that the image you choose meets the specifications of Xiaomi Redmi 8. MIUI automatically crops and zooms the photo, but some formats can lead to artifacts or installation errors.

Optimal parameters for the background of the lock screen:

• 📏 Resolution: At least 1080×2340 pixels (the aspect ratio 18:9, like the Redmi 8 screen) Higher resolution (e.g., 1440×3040) will do, but the system will reduce it to the desired size.
• 🖼️ Format: JPEG, PNG or WEBP Avoid GIF and BMP — these are not supported.
• 🎨 Color gamut: bright and contrasting images look better. Dark or monochromatic photos can merge with interface elements (watches, notifications).
• 📁 Storage: Photos should be stored in the phone's memory (internal or microSD card), not in the cloud. /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/ or /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/.

If your image does not meet the recommended parameters, it can be adjusted using the standard application Gallery (Mi Gallery):

1. Open the photo in the gallery.
2. Click on the edit icon (📝).
3. Select Cut and set the ratio 18:9.
4. Save the modified version.

⚠️ Warning: If you use a dark theme MIUI, note that the dark wallpaper on the lock screen can make the clocks and notifications invisible, in which case add light elements to the photo or select an image with a contrasting background.

Method 1: Change the background through the theme settings

The easiest and most official way to set your photo to the lock screen is to use the built-in theme menu, which works on all versions of MIUI 10 to 13, but the path to settings may vary slightly.

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi 8:

1. Open the Themes app (brush icon 🖌️). If it's not on the home screen, search the system.
2. Go to my wallpaper (or wallpaper in the old versions).
3. Select the Lock screen tab.
4. Click Add Wallpaper → From the Gallery.
5. Select the desired photo and confirm the installation.

After the changes are applied, the system will suggest choosing the display style of the watch and notifications, you can leave the standard version or experiment with the arrangement of the elements.

Photo saved in the phone's memory|Permission not less 1080×2340|Format JPEG/PNG|The phone is connected to the charger (recommended)-->

⚠️ Warning: Some firmwares MIUI 12.5+ may reset the unlock animation after installing custom wallpaper. To return it, go to Settings → Lock Screen → Unlock animation and select the desired option.

If the Topics menu does not have the option of changing the background for the lock screen, this can mean:

• 🔄 You have a lightweight version of MIUI (e.g. MIUI Lite) installed, where some of the features are disabled.
• 🔒 The phone activates a child mode or guest mode that limits personalization.
• 🛠️ The firmware has been modified (castom build) and some system applications have been removed.

Method 2: Using a Standard Gallery

An alternative method is to set the photo directly from the Gallery app, which is convenient if you change the wallpaper often and do not want to go into the theme settings every time.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Gallery app and find the photo you need.
2. Tap the image to open it in full screen mode.
3. Click on the three dots (⋮) in the lower right corner and select Set as.
4. In the menu that appears, select the Lock screen Wallpaper.
5. Adjust the position of the photo (if necessary) and click Apply.

This method works faster, but has a limitation: MIUI can automatically crop the image at the edges if it does not match the aspect ratio of the screen. To avoid losing important details, crop the photo in the 1080×2340 editor beforehand.

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If you have black bars on the sides of the lock screen after you have installed the photo, it means that the image has the wrong aspect ratio. Correct this in any graphics editor (for example, Snapseed or Lightroom).

On some versions of MIUI (e.g. 12.0.3), the Install as may not be available.

1. Open the photo in the gallery.
2. Click on the Share icon (📤).
3. In the list of applications, select Themes.
4. The system will automatically redirect you to the wallpaper change menu.

Method 3: through the file manager (for power users)

If standard methods don't work (for example, due to custom firmware or a MIUI failure), you can manually replace the wallpaper file through the file manager, which requires root rights or ADB, but gives you full control over the process.

Instructions for users with root access:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/system/users/0/.
3. Find files: lockscreen_wallpaper (current lock screen wallpaper) wallpaper (main screen wallpaper)

lockscreen_wallpaper

lockscreen_wallpaper.jpg

644

Reboot the phone.

For users without root, you can use ADB (debugging over USB):

adb shell


su




cp /sdcard/DCIM/your_photo.jpg /data/system/users/0/lockscreen_wallpaper.jpg




chmod 644 /data/system/users/0/lockscreen_wallpaper.jpg




reboot

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly changing files in the /data/system/ folder may cause malfunctions in MIUI. Before experimenting, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

Table: comparison of methods of setting the background on the lock screen

Solving the problem: why the photo is not installed or displayed

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, Xiaomi Redmi 8 users may encounter common errors.

Problem 1: The photo does not appear after installation, the lock screen remains black or standard.

• 🔄 Solution: Reboot the phone. Sometimes MIUI doesn't apply the changes right away.
• 🖼️ Check that the photo is stored in the phone’s memory (not in the cloud or on an external drive that is not connected).
• 🛠️ Remove the app cache Topics: Settings → Apps → Application Management → Topics → Clear the cache.

Problem 2: When installing the photo, the error “Could not apply wallpaper” appears.

• 📏 Make sure the photo resolution is not higher than 5000×5000 pixels (MIUI may not handle too large images).
• 🔄 Try converting the photo to another format (e.g., from PNG to JPEG).
• 🛠️ Update the Themes app via Play Market or App Store MIUI.

Problem 3: Wallpaper is reset after restarting or updating the system.

• 🔒 This is a typical MIUI error on some firmware. Solution: Reset the wallpaper and turn off automatic theme updates in the settings.
• 📁 If you use the manual method (via file manager), make sure that the file lockscreen_wallpaper.jpg is not deleted when the cache is cleaned.

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If none of these methods worked, try resetting the lock screen settings to the standard: Settings → Lock screen → Additional → Reset. After that, reset the background.

Third-party wallpaper change applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party apps that offer additional features like animation wallpaper, automatic background changes on a schedule, or integration with cloud services.

Popular applications for Xiaomi Redmi 8:

• 🌄 Wallpapers Craft — more than 100,000 HD- wallpapers with the ability to crop under the Redmi 8 screen.
• 🎨 Zedge – wallpaper and ringtones with support for dark theme.
• 🖼️ Backdrops are minimalist wallpapers with adaptive design.
• 🔄 Muzei Live Wallpaper - Automatic background change (requires MIUI 11+).

How to install wallpapers through Wallpapers Craft:

1. Download and install the app from the Play Market.
2. Choose your favorite photo in the catalog or upload your own.
3. Click Set and select the Lock screen.
4. Confirm application.

⚠️ Warning: Some applications (e.g., Zedge) may request permissions to access notifications or geolocate. waive unnecessary permissions to avoid data leakage.

Important: On Xiaomi Redmi 8 with MIUI 12.5+, third-party wallpaper change apps can be blocked by the security system. To fix this, add the app to the exception list: Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autostart and Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.

Additional lock screen settings

Once the background is set, you can customize other lock screen elements for maximum convenience. Here's what's available on Xiaomi Redmi 8:

Changes in watch style:

• Go to Settings → Lock screen.
• Choose a watch style and experiment with fonts, color and layout.

Configuring notifications:

• In the same menu, find Notifications on the lock screen.
• Choose which data to display: Hide content, Show icons, or Full text.

Addition of widgets:

• On the lock screen, swipe your finger to the right.
• Click Add widgets and select the right ones (weather, calendar, music player).

Animation of unlocking:

• In the lock screen settings, find the unlock animation.
• Choose between Standard, Horizon Effect or No.

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If you use a flashlight often, add a shortcut to the lock screen: Settings → Lock screen → Shortcuts → Flashlight. Now you don't have to unlock your phone to turn on the light.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions