How to install a photo on the desktop Xiaomi: all the ways to MIUI 14/15

Personalizing your smartphone starts with a desktop — that’s the one you see hundreds of times a day. Setting your favorite photo as a wallpaper on Xiaomi (whether it’s the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or the flagship Mi 14 Ultra) takes less than a minute, but not everyone is aware of the system’s hidden capabilities. In this article, we’ll explore not only the standard way through the gallery, but also alternative methods: using MIUI themes, third-party apps for animated wallpaper, and solving typical problems like “blury image” or “no settings.”

It is important to consider the firmware version: MIUI 14/15 The wallpaper settings interface has changed compared to older versions (e.g, MIUI 12). We updated the instructions for the latest updates 2026 year, including specifics for devices with AMOLED-screens (where support for dark themes is important) and smartphones with high refresh rates (120 If your Xiaomi behaves outside the box, check the section “What to do if wallpaper is not installed».

Spoiler: The fastest way is to press a long desktop, but it doesn't always give you access to all the options. ADB-commands for forced wallpaper change on locked corporate devices.

1. Standard way: through the Xiaomi Gallery

This is a basic method that works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models regardless of the MIUI version. The main advantage is that you do not need to access the Internet or install additional applications.

Algorithm of action:

• 📁 Open the Gallery app** (the colored rhombus icon) if it's not on your desktop, search for the swipe down.
• 🖼️ Select the desired photo and tap it to open in full screen mode.
• 🔧 In the bottom menu, click on three dots (“More”), then select “Install How» → «Desktop wallpaper»**.

Please note if the photo has permission below 1080×2340 (For most modern Xiaomi, the system will automatically stretch it, which can lead to a loss of quality. 1440×3200 (for devices 2K-screens like the Mi 13 Ultra).

Download the image at maximum resolution

Cut off extra items (such as in Snapseed or Lightroom)

Check the aspect ratio (for Xiaomi, 9:20 or 18:9) is optimal.

Save the file in JPEG/PNG format (not WebP!)

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On devices with MIUI 15, the Adaptive Wallpaper option has appeared, the system automatically selects the color palette for the icons and menus. To activate it, after installing the wallpaper, go to Settings → Wallpaper → Style setting and turn on the Adaptive Colors switch.

2.Use of the "Themes" app for wallpaper

Xiaomi’s Themes app not only offers ready-made wallpaper, but also allows you to upload your own images from cloud storage, a convenient way to sync wallpaper between multiple devices (for example, Xiaomi 13T and Redmi Pad SE).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the “Themes” app** (icon with brush and palette).
2. Go to the wallpaper tab** in the lower menu.
3. Slip on the + icon (or My Wallpaper in MIUI 15).

The advantage of this method is the ability to create a collage of several photos directly in the Themes app, for example, you can combine personal photos with templates from the Xiaomi collection. MIUI Premium (price from 199)₽/moss).

Own photos

Ready-made themes from Xiaomi

Animated (live) wallpaper

Minimalist monochromatic

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An important nuance for POCO users is that in some models (e.g. POCO F5), the Themes app may be missing out of the box. It can be installed via GetApps or APKMirror, but check compatibility with your version of MIUI before you do that.

3. Installation of live wallpaper (animation)

Static wallpaper is boring. Xiaomi can install dynamic (live) wallpapers that respond to gestures, time of day, or even weather, and you'll need a third-party app to do that, because standard MIUI tools are limited.

The best apps for animated wallpaper:

• 🌊 KWGT Kustom Wallpaper Maker - allows you to create custom animations with a weather widget, battery and notifications. 60/90/120 Hz.
• 🎨 WallpapersCraft - Collection 4K-wallpaper with paralax effect (react to the tilt of the phone).
• ⚡ 3D Parallax Background creates the illusion of depth. AMOLED-display.
• 🌅 Muzei Live Wallpaper – automatically changes wallpaper from museum collections (for example, the Hermitage) with smooth transitions.

How to install live wallpaper:

1. Download one of the apps above (like KWGT) from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select the template you like.
3. Click “Install” and select “Desktop Wallpaper”.

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To save battery power, turn off the wallpaper animation in Battery mode (Settings → Battery → Modes).

⚠️ Attention: on devices with MIUI 14 and below some live wallpapers may cause slowdowns due to system optimization. If you notice lags, try turning off animations in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer menu).

4. How to put different wallpaper on the desktop and lock screen

Many Xiaomi users don’t know that you can set different photos on the main screen and lock screen, a feature that has been available since MIUI 12, but the interface has changed in recent versions.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. Make a long tap on your desktop and select Wallpaper (or Style in some models).

If the option is inactive, check:

• 🔒 Password/pattern lock is set (without screen locking, the function may not be available).
• 📱 Is the firmware updated to the latest version (in) MIUI 11 and below this option is not available).
• 🎨 Is the “Simple Mode” mode activated** (Settings) → Special opportunities → Simple mode).

5. Problem Solving: Wallpapers are not installed or dropped

Sometimes users find that the wallpaper does not save after a reboot or return to the standard.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI All user wallpapers are missing, check the folder MIUI/Wallpaper In the internal storage, through the file manager, sometimes the system backs up old wallpaper in.wal format, which can be restored through the Topics app (My Downloads section»).

For devices with corporate policies (for example, work phones with MDM) The wallpaper may be blocked, and it will help. ADB-team:

adb shell settings put global wallpaper_change_allowed 1

Run it through Platform Tools on your PC by connecting your phone in USB debugging mode.

6. Hidden chips: dynamic wallpaper by time of day

MIUI 15 has a feature called Dynamic Time Wallpaper, which automatically changes the brightness and shade of the wallpaper depending on the time of day (morning/day/evening/night), which is hidden in the depths of the settings.

How to activate:

1. Install any wallpaper using the standard method (see Section 1).
2. Go to Settings → Wallpaper → Additional settings.
3. Turn on the "Adaptation to the time of day" switch.
4. (Optional) Adjust the color temperature for each period manually.

This function is particularly useful for AMOLED-It can be in conflict with applications like f.lux or Night Shift, in which case you turn off one of the systems.

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Dynamic wallpapers only work with images that support HDR10, and if your photo is too dark, the system will automatically increase its brightness during the daytime.

7. Alternative launchers: Nova, Hyperion, Before

If standard MIUI features don’t suit you, consider installing a third-party launcher, which offers advanced personalization options, including:

• ⏳ Before Launcher – a minimalist interface with a focus on wallpaper (ideal for the first time) POCO F4 GT play-mode).

How to install wallpaper through Nova Launcher:

1. Download and install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it to the default launcher (at the first start, an offer will appear).
3. Make a long tap on your desktop → “Wallpaper”** → select the source (gallery or built-in wallpaper).
4. In the launcher settings (“Nova Settings” → “Look” ) enable the option “Scroll Wallpaper”** to create a paralax effect.

⚠️ Attention: on devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14) some launchers may not display system widgets (e.g. weather or steps) correctly. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper on Xiaomi