How to install a photo on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi 9

Personalization of the smartphone interface begins with a visual component, and the lock screen is the first thing that the user sees after pressing the power button. Standard wallpaper preinstalled on Xiaomi Redmi 9, often seem boring or quickly boring, so the desire to replace them with a personal photo or high-quality art arises for most owners. The process of changing the image in the shell of MIUI is intuitive, but has its own nuances that should be considered to achieve the perfect result.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to install a static image, as well as the functions of dynamic wallpapers that may be of interest to users of Redmi 9. You will learn how to properly fram a picture so that faces are not cut off by system widgets, and where to look for hidden design settings. A deep understanding of these processes will allow you to make using the gadget more enjoyable and personalized.

Before you start, make sure that your desired image is already stored in the device memory or available in the cloud. The quality of the final picture depends on the resolution of the original file, so it is recommended to use a photo with parameters at least 1080Γ—2340 pixels. This will ensure clarity and no compression artifacts on the display of your smartphone.

Image Preparation and Format Requirements

The quality of the graphics displayed on the lock screen depends not only on the display matrix, but also on the characteristics of the original file. 9, fitted IPS-resolution-screen 1080Γ—2340 The best choice is to use images with similar or higher resolution, and using low-quality images will lead to "grain" and blurring, which is especially noticeable in bright and contrasting images.

The Android system and MIUI shell support most popular graphics formats, including JPG, PNG and WEBP. The PNG format is preferred for images with text or clear geometry, as it uses compression algorithms without loss of quality. The JPG format is better suited for photos due to the smaller file weight, which saves the device's internal memory.

πŸ’‘

Use 19.5:9 aspect ratio images to avoid automatic framing by the system, which can cut off important parts of the composition.

If you plan to use a dark theme, which is now very popular for saving battery power and reducing eye strain, choose dark-colored images. The light elements in these pictures will look more contrasting and attractive. Also, you should consider that there is always a clock and date on the lock screen, so the center of the image should not be overloaded with detail.

The fastest and most common way to put your photo on the screensaver is to use the built-in Gallery app, which requires no internet connection and works even in flight mode, making it a universal solution in any situation. The algorithm of actions is simple and takes only a few seconds if the image is already downloaded to the device.

Open the Gallery app and find the photo you want in the Camera or Downloads album. Click on the image to open it up to the full screen, then tap the More button (usually indicated by three dots in the bottom right corner or swipe up).

β˜‘οΈ Installation algorithm through the Gallery

Done: 0 / 1

The system will tell you to choose whether to apply the image to the lock screen, the main screen or both. For our task, we will select the first option. Then an editor will open where you can move the picture, selecting the optimal area for display. Once you make sure that the composition looks harmonious, click "Apply" or "Ready".

⚠️ Note: When you install a photo through the Gallery, the system can automatically apply a color enhancement filter. If the colors look unnatural, turn off the photo enhance option in the top corner of the edit screen.

Setting up through the menu Design and Wallpaper

More flexible customization options are provided by the Themes system app or Wallpaper settings section, where Redmi 9 users can not only select a picture from the gallery, but also use an online directory or customize a slideshow. To enter this section, go to Settings β†’ Wallpaper or find the Themes app in the menu.

At the bottom of the screen, select the Profile tab or immediately go to the Wallpaper section. Here you will see several categories, including "Recommended", "Landscapes", "Abstraction" and, most importantly, "Local" or "My". It is in the "Local" section that all images that the system recognizes as suitable for installation as a background are stored.

  • πŸ”„ Wallpaper carousel: automatic change of pictures at each screen turn on.

By selecting an image from the local gallery through this menu, you can access additional preview tools, and you can see how the image will look with widgets and icons before the final confirmation, which helps to avoid the situation where the text in the photo merges with the system clock.

πŸ“Š Which source of wallpaper do you prefer?
Personal photos from the gallery:Ready pictures from the MIUI catalog:Live video wallpaper: Black static wallpaper for AMOLED

For those who can’t figure out a single image, Xiaomi offers a wallpaper carousel feature that automatically updates the image on the lock screen every time you wake up the device. On Redmi 9, this feature works steadily, allowing you to download themed collections from the Internet or use your own albums.

To activate this mode, go to Settings β†’ Lock screen and find the wallpaper carousel. Turn on the switch and select image sources. You can subscribe to the categories Nature, Technology, Cities or Art. The system will regularly upload new high-quality images over Wi-Fi or mobile network.

Traffic consumption by Carousel Wallpaper
The feature consumes mobile traffic only when new images are uploaded. One high-resolution photo weighs about 2-5 MB. With a daily change of 10 wallpapers, the consumption will be approximately 30-50 MB per day. It is recommended to enable download only over Wi-Fi in the Carousel settings.

And the big advantage is that you can add your own folders to the carousel, so you can create a screensaver album, you can put your favorite family photos or inspirational quotes in there, and the system will cycle them when you lock them, and this creates a live frame in your pocket.

⚠️ Warning: Wallpaper Carousel may consume additional battery power due to periodic network access and rendering. If you notice an accelerated discharge, try turning off automatic mobile download.

Comparison of background setting methods

Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the user's goals: for quick results, the Gallery is suitable, for aesthetics and diversity - the Theme app, and for dynamism - the Carousel. Below is a comparison table that will help determine the choice of method.

MethodDifficultyAdvertisingFlexibility of settings
Through the GalleryLow.No.Basic
Annex TopicsMediumPossible.Tall.
Wallpaper carouselMediumNo.Automatic.
Third-party launchersTall.Depends on the software.Maximum

Using third-party launchers or specialized applications from Google Play gives maximum control, but can conflict with the system shell of MIUI. Standard tools Xiaomi Redmi 9 optimized by developers and ensure stable operation without interface lags.

Solution and optimization

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the installed photo looks blurry or misaligned. This is often due to the discrepancy of the resolution of the picture with the proportions of the screen. Redmi 9 has an elongated format, and square or horizontal photos will be automatically cropped by the system. To avoid losing important details, use the built-in cropper when installing.

Another common problem is the presence of a black background around the image, which occurs if the aspect ratio of the image does not match the screen, in such cases it is recommended to use the "Blurring Background" function in the wallpaper editor (if available in your version of MIUI) or pre-process the photo in a third-party editor, adding blurred margins at the edges.

πŸ’‘

For the perfect display, always choose vertical images with a resolution of at least 1080 pixels on the short side.

Also worth mentioning is the impact of Do Not Disturb mode and screen switch schedules. In some versions of firmware, when active night mode, wallpaper can become darker or replaced with black to save energy. Check the settings in Settings β†’ Lock screen β†’ Do not disturb if you notice strange background behavior.

Why does it look worse after installing a photo than in a gallery?
MIUI uses image compression for wallpaper to optimize interface performance, and the gallery preview can show a thumbnail in full resolution, and the lock screen renders the layer that has already been processed. Use the PNG format to minimize compression quality loss.
Can I install the video on the Redmi 9 lock screen?
Officially, Xiaomi standard means installation of video wallpapers on the lock screen is not supported without the use of third-party applications from the Play Market. However, such "live wallpaper" can significantly load the processor and discharge the battery faster, especially on budget models.
How to return the standard wallpaper if you do not like the new ones?
To return to the factory design, just go back to Settings β†’ Wallpaper and select the category "Standard" or "Recommended." There is always the original set of images that the phone came with. Click on any of them and select "Apply".
Does the color of the wallpaper affect the approach sensor?
No, static images on the lock screen do not affect the performance of hardware sensors, including the proximity and light sensor, but using bright white wallpaper in the dark can create eye discomfort and temporarily impair night vision.