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

Personalization of a smartphone starts with a desktop, which is the first thing you see when unlocking a device. Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer flexible settings to change wallpaper, but not everyone knows about all the methods available. In this article, we’ll discuss not only the standard way to change the background through the gallery, but also hidden features, working with live wallpaper, and solutions for cases when the system does not allow you to use the selected image.

Xiaomi's feature is that MIUI is regularly updated, and the settings may vary depending on the firmware version, and we've taken this into account and prepared the current instructions for MIUI 14 and MIUI 15, as well as some recommendations for the Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi premium segment lines. If you encounter a wallpaper installation error or want to use animated background images, here you will find the answers.

Standard method: how to put a photo through the settings MIUI

The simplest method is to use built-in shell tools, which is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5/X5. The main advantage of this method is to maintain optimal image resolution without cropping.

To install wallpaper through the system menu:

• 📱 Open the Settings app** (cog icon) on your desktop.
• 🎨 Go to Wallpaper section (in some versions – Personalization) → Wallpaper).
• 🖼️ Select the tab My Wallpaper or Gallery, then click Select Photos.
• ✅ Find the desired image in the folders of the device, adjust the scale and confirm the choice.

MIUI 15 has Dynamic Wallpaper, which automatically adjusts to the time of day. To activate it, select Dynamic Wallpaper and follow the system's prompts from the wallpaper menu. Please note that in order for this feature to work properly, you must allow geolocation access for the Theme app.

Installation of wallpaper through the gallery: a quick method without settings

If you need to change the background as quickly as possible, you can do without deep diving in the menu, which works on all Xiaomi devices, including budget models like the Redmi A2 or the POCO C55.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open the Gallery app** and find the photo you want.
2. Slip the image to open it in full screen mode.
3. Click on the three dots in the lower right corner (or the More button).
4. In the menu that appears, select Set as → Desktop Wallpaper (or Lock Screen Wallpaper if you need to change the lock background).
5. Adjust the position and scale of the picture, then click Apply.

An important nuance: if the image has a non-standard aspect ratio (for example, a vertical photo with a resolution of 1080×1920), the system can automatically crop it at the edges. To avoid this, before installing, crop the photo in any graphics editor (for example, Snapseed or PicsArt) to the screen resolution of your smartphone.

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To make the wallpaper look clear on the lock screen, use images with a resolution of at least 2160×2160 full HD-displays. AMOLED-screens (for example, on Xiaomi) 13 Ultra is better suited to dark colors – they reduce energy consumption.

Problems in installing wallpaper and their solutions

Sometimes users find that MIUI does not allow you to install the selected photo or wallpaper is reset after rebooting, let's look at the typical errors and how to fix them.

If the wallpaper is not installed even after checking all the parameters, try clearing the cache of the Topics app:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the topics in the list and tap on it.
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. Restart the device and try again.

Live wallpaper and animations: how to install on Xiaomi

Dynamic wallpapers (or live wallpaper) are animated background images that respond to gestures or the time of day. In MIUI 14/15, they are not available on all models, but they can be set manually.

Methods of installing live wallpaper:

• 🎬 GIF-Animations: Some launchers (e.g. Nova Launcher) support installation GIF It's like wallpaper. GIF-file and select it through the launcher settings.

On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5 Pro), live wallpaper works smoother thanks to improved graphics processing. If the animation slows down, try reducing the background resolution or turning off background processes in the battery settings.

Check the compatibility of the model with MIUI 14/15

Download the app for live wallpaper (if necessary)

Turn off the power saving mode in Settings → Battery

Clear the app's cache Topics

Restart the device after installation-->

How to install different wallpaper on the desktop and lock screen

Many users want to see different background images on the desktop and lock screen, and in MIUI, this feature is available, but you need to enable it manually.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings → Wallpaper.
2. Select the image for the desktop and click Apply.
3. Return to the wallpaper menu and tap the Lock Screen tab.
4. Choose another image and confirm the choice.

If the Lock Screen option is not on the menu, your MIUI version does not support separate wallpaper, and you can use a workaround:

• Install a Nova Launcher or Action Launcher.
• In the launcher settings, find the Wallpaper section and set different backgrounds for the desktop and lock.
• For the lock screen, use the standard MIUI settings, and for the desktop - the launcher settings.

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On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+), separate wallpapers are only available when the Always-on Display function is disabled. Check this in Settings → Lock Screen → Always-on Display.

Third-party applications for wallpaper: pros and cons

If standard MIUI capabilities are not enough, you can use third-party applications, which offer advanced features, but also have drawbacks.

Popular applications for wallpaper:

Before installing a third-party application, consider:

• ⚠️ Some programs request access to Special Features (e.g., to display wallpaper over other applications) and this may affect performance.
• ⚠️ Live wallpaper from unreliable sources may contain malicious code. Download files only from official stores (Play Market, App Store) MIUI).

If you have chosen Wallpaper Engine, check the battery settings after installing the wallpaper: add the app to the No Limits list (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization), otherwise the animation may slow down.

Optimizing wallpaper for AMOLED-Xiaomi screens

Devices with AMOLED-displays (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO F5 Pro, Redmi K60 Pro) have features of displaying dark tones. Wrongly selected wallpaper can lead to increased power consumption or the effect of "burning out" of pixels.

Recommendations for choosing wallpaper for AMOLED:

• 🌑 Use dark themes with a predominance of black – this reduces the load on the battery.
• 🎨 Avoid static items (such as logos or bright spots) that are displayed in one place for a long time.
• 🔄 Change your wallpaper regularly (every 1-2 months) to prevent pixel burnout.
• 🛠️ To create custom AMOLED-Use editors like Canva or Photoshop Express with color profile settings.

On Xiaomi AMOLED-You can use the screens to activate Dark Theme mode paired with dark wallpaper. → Screen. → Dark theme and select Always on, not only will it extend battery life, but it will also reduce eye strain when using your smartphone in the dark.

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To check how much wallpaper is optimized for AMOLED, open it in the gallery and turn on Dark Theme View mode (if available). The bright elements will stand out strongly against the black background - they are better removed or darkened.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper on Xiaomi