Personalizing the smartphone interface is the first step that the owner takes after buying a new device. Xiaomi Redmi offers ample opportunities for visual adjustment, allowing you to turn a standard lock screen into a unique gallery. You can install your own image on the screensaver in several ways, using built-in system tools or third-party applications.
The process of replacing standard wallpaper with personal photos takes only a couple of minutes, but there are nuances in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS. Users often confuse the settings of the lock screen and the main screen, which leads to the fact that the picture is displayed in the wrong place, in this article we will discuss all the available methods in detail.
We will also look at the Wallpaper Carousel feature, which automatically changes images every time you turn on your smartphone, and understanding these mechanisms will allow you to flexibly manage the appearance of your gadget, making it more convenient and aesthetic. Below is a step-by-step guide for current firmware versions.
Preparation of the image for installation
Before you start setting system parameters, you need to properly prepare the source file. The quality of the final picture on the display depends on the resolution and proportions of the original photo. Modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are equipped with high-resolution screens, so using low-quality images will lead to artifacts and “grain”.
The best solution would be to use the photos in a vertical orientation. Horizontal images, when installed on the lock screen, will either be cropped at the edges or displayed with black stripes on the top and bottom, which looks unaesthetic. If you plan to use a horizontal photo, it is better to pre-crypt it in any graphic editor.
- 📷 Use images with at least a resolution 1080×2400 pixel.
- ✂️ Cut the photo in proportions of 9:16 or 20:9 to avoid biasing the composition.
- 💾 Save files in format JPG or PNG for maximum compatibility.
It's also important to consider the weight of the file. Too heavy photos, like uncompressed ones. RAW-High resolution files or images 4K And above, they can slightly, but they can increase the response time of the system when the screen wakes up. JPEG medium-sized.
⚠️ Note: Do not use images with sensitive information (passwords, card numbers, addresses) as wallpaper, as the lock screen can be visible to others on public transport.
Once you have the image saved in the smartphone gallery, you can go directly to the installation procedure, and there are several ways to do this, each of which has its own advantages depending on whether you want to set one static photo or set up automatic change of pictures.
Installation of photos through a standard gallery
The fastest and most intuitive way to set a picture on the lock screen is to use the built-in Gallery app, which does not require going into deep system settings and allows you to immediately assess how the image will fall on the screen, taking into account the time widgets and notifications.
To start, open the Gallery app and find the photo you want, click on it to open in full screen, then call the context menu, depending on the version of the MIUI shell, this is done either by swiping up the photo or by clicking on the "More" button (three dots) in the lower right corner.
In the menu that opens, select Set as Wallpaper. The system will offer several uses for the image. You need to select the Lock Screen option. If you select "Main Screen and Lock Screen", the picture will be installed everywhere, but on the desktop it can be darkened or blurred depending on the topic.
☑️ Installation algorithm through the Gallery
Once selected, the system may suggest framing the image. By moving the frame, you can shift the focus to the desired part of the photo. Make sure important details are not overlaid by the watch widget, which is usually located at the top or center of the screen. Once confirmed, a new image will immediately appear when the device is locked.
This method is ideal for quickly changing the design of the here and now, but it does not allow you to create complex scenarios or customize slideshows from many photos without using additional system features, which will be discussed below.
Setting up the wallpaper carousel (slideshow)
Known as Wallpaper Carousel or Wallpaper Carousel, the feature is one of the most popular features of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones. It allows you to create dynamic collections of images that automatically change every time you turn on a smartphone.
To activate this mode, go to Settings and select Wallpaper. At the top of the screen, you'll see a switch or a separate button to log into Wallpaper Carousel. Turn on this feature. By default, there are already loads of professional photos from Xiaomi, but you can replace them with your own.
To add personal photos to the carousel:
- 🖼️ In the Carousel menu, click on the profile icon or settings (usually in the corner).
- 📂 Select My Albums or Add Photos.
- ✅ Check the boxes from the gallery you want to see in the rotation.
The system allows you to flexibly adjust the frequency of changes in images. You can choose to update each time you turn on the screen or at certain intervals. Also, additional widgets are often available in the Carousel settings, such as daily quotes, weather or news that can be superimposed over your photos.
⚠️ Note: When activating the wallpaper carousel, energy consumption may increase slightly due to constant graphics processing and, in some cases, downloading new images over the Internet, if a mixed subscription is selected.
Where are the pictures from the Carousel kept?
Using the Carousel is a great way to refresh the experience of the interface, but it’s worth remembering that if you use live wallpaper or heavy graphics themes, running the Carousel at the same time can put a strain on the device’s RAM, especially on entry-level models.
Customization through the Wallpaper menu and personalization
If you prefer the classic approach without automatically changing slides, the Wallpaper and Personalization menu gives you complete control over static images. This section combines theme store, live wallpaper and local files, and you can not only install the photo, but also apply effects to it.
Go to Settings → Wallpaper → Local (or “My”). This will show all the images that the system considers suitable for use as a background. If your photo is not listed, use the “+” or “Add” button to indicate the path to the file in the phone’s memory.
This section often features a Preview feature, which allows you to see what the final lock screen will look like, taking into account the font of the watch and notification icons, and this is especially useful for photos with a colorful or contrasting background, in which text may become unreadable.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Blurring | Degree of background blur | Use it for colorful photos |
| Darkening | Overlay of the black filter | To improve the readability of the clock |
| Scope | Zoom of the image | Choose individually |
| Turn. | Change of inclination angle | For the correction of the horizon |
Some firmware versions allow you to apply stylistic filters directly to the wallpaper installation menu, so you can make a photo black and white, add a vignette, or increase color saturation without using third-party editors, which makes it easier to prepare content.
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If the clock on the lock screen merges with your photo, try changing the font or style of the watch to a more contrasting one in the themes settings, or darken the top of the image in the editor before installing.
Using themes to change the style of the lock
MIUI and HyperOS shells are closely integrated with the theme store. Installing a new theme often automatically changes not only app icons, but also the style of the lock screen, including fonts, watch widgets and how to unlock. However, many users do not know that you can only change the lock components, leaving the rest unchanged.
In the Topics app, go to Lock Screen, and you can see thousands of different design options, from minimal dials to complex animated scenes, and you can download and use them, and often these topics already have the ability to upload your photo as a background for a particular lock style.
The process looks like this:
- Select the theme of the lock screen in the store.
- Click Setup (if available).
- Upload your photo to a special theme slot.
- Apply the theme by selecting the option “Lock screen only”.
This gives a unique result: your photo is processed by special theme algorithms, acquiring non-standard effects that cannot be obtained by standard means, for example, time can be displayed behind objects in the photo (depth effect) or respond to the tilts of the phone.
Consider that complex themes with heavy graphics can be more battery-intensive, especially if they use constant animations. On low-end models with entry-level processors, it is better to use static locking styles.
Solving and eliminating errors
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes face problems: the photo may not be installed, cropped in inappropriate places or reset to a standard one after a reboot, most often due to software failures or conflicting energy saving settings.
One of the common situations is when the photo is standing, but after a while it changes itself to the standard one, which happens if the system activates the wallpaper in the carousel or the wallpaper change function, which conflicts with the manual installation.
Another problem is poor image quality. If the image looks blurry after installing, check the display settings in Settings → Screen. Make sure the resolution is set to maximum, not cost-effective. Also, the problem may be in the file itself if its resolution is less than the screen matrix.
⚠️ Warning: If after installing a third-party theme or wallpaper, the phone starts to run slower or warm up, remove the last installed theme.Unsupported or poorly optimized themes can cause the processor to overheat.
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In most cases, photo display problems are solved by simply framing the image under the proportions of the screen or cleaning the cache of the Gallery and Themes app.
In rare cases, you may need to reset your design settings, and you can select "Restore Standard Components" from the Topics menu, which will return all interface elements, including the lock screen, to the factory look, after which you can try the installation procedure clean.