Personalizing the look of a smartphone is the first thing that the owner wants to do after buying a new gadget. Xiaomi Redmi offers ample opportunities to customize the interface, allowing you to turn a standard shell into a unique tool. Install your own image on the main screen or lock screen takes only a few seconds, but beginners often face difficulties in finding the right settings.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to replace standard screensavers with your own photos from the gallery, you will learn how to properly framing the image so that it does not stretch, and how to adjust the change of wallpaper on a schedule. We will also touch on the features of working with dark theme and live wallpaper, which can significantly affect the power consumption of the device.
💡
The quality of the final image depends on the resolution of the original file: use images of at least 1080×2400 pixels for modern Redmi models.
Before proceeding with the change of design, you must make sure that the selected file meets the technical requirements of the system. MIUI or its new version, HyperOS, will automatically adapt the image to the size of the display, but the original quality is key, and if the resolution of the photo is too low, there will be noticeable compression artifacts and graininess on the screen. The best choice is to have images with a resolution equal to or greater than the native screen resolution of your smartphone. 1080×2400 pixel 1200×2640 The file format also matters: standard JPEG It is suitable for photographs, while PNG It is better to use for graphics with clear borders or logos. 💡Use vertically-oriented photos (portrait mode) to avoid automatic and often ugly framing of landscape images by the system, and note that the system widgets of the watch and calendar can overlap important parts of the image. The center of the screen on Redmi is often occupied by large clock numbers, so place key photo objects above or below the middle of the display. This is especially true for models with a cutout under the camera, where the top of the image can be partially hidden by interface elements. The fastest and most common way to set your photo is to use the built-in Gallery app, which does not require you to address complex system settings and is available immediately after unlocking the device. The algorithm is intuitive even for those who are picking up an Android smartphone for the first time. Open the Gallery app and select the image you are interested in. In the bottom menu or in the upper right corner (depending on the firmware version), find the “More” button or the three-dot icon. In the list that opens, you need to select Set as wallpaper. The system will offer several options for placement. ☑️ Installation algorithm from galleryOpen photo in GalleryClick "More" (three dots)Select "Install as wallpaper"Select framing areaClick "Apply"Completed: 0 / 5 Once you select the framing area, you'll be asked to determine where the image will be displayed, and you can choose between lock screen only, desktop only, or both screens at the same time. The lock screen is the image that is visible before entering the password, and the desktop is the background behind the application icons. ⚠️ Note: When you install a photo on your desktop, the system may suggest turning on the wallpaper carousel function. If you want a static image, carefully uncheck this box, otherwise the images will change automatically. If you want to access more subtle settings or use third-party themes, you’d better use the Themes System App. This tool is the central hub for managing the look of Xiaomi Redmi. Not only can you download new wallpapers, but you can also download your own with real-time preview. Launch the Themes app and go to the bottom right corner where the user profile icon is located. From the menu that opens, select Wallpaper. Here you will see categories with ready-made sets, but we are interested in the “Download” button or a plus icon that allows you to add a file from the device’s memory. 📊 What type of wallpaper do you prefer?Static photo Live wallpaper (video)Abstraction and graphicsMinimalism and text After selecting a photo from the gallery, an editor will open where you can change the scale and position of the image. A unique feature of this menu is the ability to separate customization for portrait and landscape modes, although this is rarely used for smartphones, and there is also a preview of how the image will look with overlaid icons of the current theme. Redmi owners are often interested in the possibility of creating a dynamic background that animates the interface. The Glance feature allows you to stream a selection of images on the lock screen, updating each time you turn on the screen. This creates a sense of novelty, but requires you to adjust content sources. → Lock screen. You can choose the source of the images, whether it's from your gallery, Google's collections, or Xiaomi's themed collections, and a slideshow of personal photos is a great way to enjoy your favorite moments more often, without manually changing the background. The effect of live wallpaper on the battery The use of video wallpaper or complex animation can increase the battery charge consumption on the battery. 5-10% day-to-day, especially on AMOLED It's worth noting that live wallpapers (video files) work differently than carousels. They require more CPU resources and can cause micro-twitching on Redmi budget models with little RAM. If you notice that the smartphone is starting to run slower, try going back to high-quality static images. Traction and quality solutions A common problem when installing a photo is improper zooming when the face in the photo is cropped or stretched in width. This is due to a mismatch in the proportions of the original file and aspect ratio_ Modern Redmi displays are often elongated, such as: 20:9, While the standard photos have proportions 4:3 or 3:2. To avoid distortion, it is recommended to pre-process the image in any photo editor before installation. Cut the photo to a vertical format, leaving small fields at the top and bottom. In the wallpaper installation system menu, always use the zoom function (two finger pinches) to fit the picture visually, rather than relying on automatic filling. ⚠️ Warning: Avoid using images with watermarks or text at the bottom, as in newer versions MIUI If the image quality gets worse after installation, check the compression settings in the Gallery app. Sometimes the aggressively compresses files to save space. In such cases, it helps to use third-party launchers such as Nova Launcher, which allow you to set your zoom options and often work better with graphics than the standard shell. For the convenience of users, we have prepared a summary table that will help you understand the supported formats and recommended parameters for various use cases. Content type Recommended format Optimal resolution Note Static photo JPEG / JPG 1080 x 2400 px File Quality and Size Balance Graphics / Logos PNG Any (vector) keeps the boundaries clear MP4 / GIF 720p / 1080p Duration up to 15 seconds Panorama JPEG High (horizontal) Requires manual framing using unsupported formats, such as HEIC (The format of the photo from the iPhone, can cause the system to not be able to open the file for installation. JPEG through any online service or converter application. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions Why do photos change colors and become dull after installation? This may be due to Read mode enabled or screen color profile settings. Check the settings in the Settings menu → Screen. → Colors and switch to saturated or standard. Can you set different photos on the home screen and lock screen? Yes, standard means. MIUI This is difficult to do, because the system often applies one photo everywhere. However, using the Themes app or third-party launchers, you can assign different images to each screen separately. How do you remove the "Slide Show" or the Glance logo on the lock screen? Go to Settings → Lock screen. Find the item associated with Wallpaper Carousel or Glance and turn it off. You may also need to turn off the "Get Content" option in the settings of the carousel itself. Technically, yes, but on low-end models with entry-level processors (Redmi A series or old Redmi 9A/10C) this can cause a noticeable drop in performance and a rapid battery drain.