How to install your photo on the lock screen of the Xiaomi phone: 5 ways + problem solving

Xiaomi’s lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on a smartphone, and a personalized photo can make it unique. However, many users face problems: the image is cropped, loses quality or does not install at all. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to install photos on the lock screen for devices on MIUI 14/15, including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark, and also explain how to avoid typical errors.

It’s important to understand that the process differs depending on the firmware version and the phone model. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 15 has additional animation effects that are not available on the budget Redmi Note 12.

1. Standard method via Settings (works on 90% of devices)

This is the easiest method that works for most Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and newer. You don't need third-party apps or root rights.

1. Open Settings and go to Lock Screen (on some models, the path: Settings → Wallpaper → Lock screen).
2. Select the Wallpaper Lock screen or Change wallpaper.
3. Click My Wallpaper or Gallery, then select the photo you want.
4. Adjust the scale and position of the image with gestures (if the function is available).
5. Confirm the choice with the button Apply or Install.

On some devices (e.g. POCO F5), after selecting a photo, an additional menu will appear with cropping options: Fill the screen, Size or Free Scaling. Choose Fill the screen to avoid black bars at the edges.

The image selected has a resolution of at least 1080×1920 pixels |

Photo saved in the phone gallery (not in the cloud)|

The phone has enough free memory (minimum 500 MB) |

Power saving modes are disabled (can block wallpaper changes)-->

Limitation: Devices with MIUI 14 and older cannot install live wallpaper (GIF or video) through standard settings. This will require third-party applications, which we will discuss below.

2. How to install a photo through the "Gallery" (fast method)

If you need to change the wallpaper as quickly as possible, you can do it directly from the Gallery app. This method works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 10C and POCO X5:

1. Open the gallery and find the photo you need.
2. Touch the image and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds, then select Set as in the menu that appears.
3. In the list of options, tap the lock screen wallpaper.
4. Adjust position and scale, then press Ready.

This method is convenient if you change wallpapers often, but it has a disadvantage: on some firmware, the photo is automatically cropped to an 18:9 aspect ratio, even if the original image is in a different format. To avoid distortion, pre-strip the photo in the editor (for example, in Snapseed or Lightroom).

Viewing notifications |

Quick camera launch |

Time view/dates|

Additional widgets (weather, steps) |

I'll unlock my phone right away.-->

3. Installation of live wallpaper (GIF/video) on the lock screen

The standard MIUI settings do not support animated wallpaper on the lock screen, but you can get around this limitation with third-party apps.

Method 1: Video Wallpaper and Live Wallpaper

This app allows you to set a video or GIF as wallpaper, including the lock screen.

1. Download the app from Google Play (link: Video Wallpaper).
2. Open it and select Select Video or Select GIF.
3. Set up the playback area and animation speed.
4. Click Set as Wallpaper and select Lock Screen.

Method 2: KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker (for advanced users)

This tool is suitable for those who want to create unique animations with widgets, minus the complex interface and the need to customize:

• 📱 Install. KLWP From the Play Market and open it.
• 🎨 Choose a template or create your project from scratch.
• 🔄 Add animation or GIF via Media menu.
• 📲 Apply wallpaper by selecting the Lock Screen in the settings.

Important! Live wallpaper increases battery consumption by 10 to 15 percent, and if you notice that your phone is running out faster, go back to the static images.

4. How to crop a photo under the lock screen without distortion

One of the most common problems is that the photo gets cut or stretched, losing proportion, because MIUI automatically adjusts the image to the aspect ratio of the screen, so to avoid distortion, follow these tips:

• 📏 Use a photo with permission 1080×2340 pixels (for most modern Xiaomi with a cutout under the camera).
• 🖼️ Cut the image in advance in the editor (such as Canva or Photoshop Express) based on the location of important elements.
• 🔍 In wallpaper settings, select the option by size, not fill the screen.
• 📱 For devices with a curved screen (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), leave fields of 50-100 pixels from the edges.

If you want to keep notification icons and time off the wallpaper, go to Settings → Lock Screen → Lock screen style and select Minimalist or Time Only.

💡

To quickly check how the photo will look on the lock screen, take a screenshot of the current wallpaper (Power button + Volume reduction), then overlay your image on top of any graphics editor.

5. Problem Solving: Photos are not installed or reset

Sometimes users find that the wallpaper is not saved or reset after a reboot, and here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Second Space (Dual Desktop Function in the MIUI), The lock screen wallpaper can be reset when you switch between profiles. To fix this, set the same wallpaper for both spaces.

• 🔄 Wallpaper resets after update: This happens due to system cache reset. Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Wallpaper and clear the cache.
• 🚫 You can't get a picture from the cloud: MIUI It blocks the installation of wallpaper from Google Photos or Mi Cloud. Download the image to the device.
• 🔋 Wallpaper does not change in energy saving mode: Disable Ultra Mode or Supersaving in the battery settings.
• 🔒 Photo not displayed after unlocking: Check if Wallpaper Blurring is included in Settings → Lock screen → Effects.

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the lock screen settings to the standard:

Settings → System → Resetting settings → Resetting the lock screen settings

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

Many users want different images on the lock screen and the home screen, and MIUI doesn't do that in an obvious way.

1. Go to Settings → Wallpaper.
2. Select the lock screen wallpaper and set the first photo.
3. Go back and tap the wallpaper of the main screen, then select the second photo.
4. Confirm the changes with the Apply button.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11), this method doesn't work because of a bug.

• Install wallpaper on the main screen through the Gallery (holding your finger in the photo → Install as the wallpaper of the main screen).
• Then separately install another photo on the lock screen through Settings.

💡

On devices with MIUI 15, Dynamic Wallpaper has been introduced, which automatically changes the images on the lock screen depending on the time of day. To enable it, go to Settings → Wallpaper → Dynamic Wallpaper and select a theme.

7. Alternative methods: third-party launchers and themes

If you don’t like standard MIUI features, you can use third-party launchers or themes that allow you to flexibly customize the look of the lock screen, including animations, widgets, and even interactive elements.

Nova Launcher + KWGT Launcher

This combination gives maximum customization freedom:

1. Install Nova Launcher and make it the default launcher.
2. Download KWGT Kustom Widget Maker and import the widget for the lock screen.
3. Customize the widget to suit your needs (add photos, hours, weather, etc.).

Themes from Mi Theme Store

The official Xiaomi theme store has thousands of free and paid themes with unique lock screens:

• 🎨 Open the Topics app on your phone.
• 🔍 Enter the search for “lockscreen” or “lock screen».
• 📲 Choose your favorite topic and apply it.
• ⚙️ If necessary, configure theme elements in Settings → Lock screen → Style.

Warning: Some of the themes in the Mi Theme Store contain ads or collect data. Read reviews from other users before installing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up wallpaper on Xiaomi