Personalization of the interface is the first thing that makes owning a Xiaomi smartphone truly comfortable. Standard wallpaper coming from the factory often seems boring, and the absence of a favorite shot on the lock screen creates the feeling of someone else's device. Users often wonder how quickly and without unnecessary difficulties to replace the image so that it pleases the eye every time the display lights up.
MIUI and the new HyperOS offer a variety of gallery management tools, but newcomers are sometimes lost in the abundance of features. In this article, we will explore all possible ways to install images, from simply changing the picture on the desktop to creating a slideshow, you will learn how to avoid common quality errors and why some photos may not display correctly.
The process of customizing the visual part of a smartphone does not require special technical knowledge, but knowing the nuances will save time. We will consider the regular features of the system, the capabilities of the Themes application and even advanced methods for advanced users. Follow the instructions to turn the screen of your gadget into a personal gallery.
Installation of the image on the desktop through the Gallery
The most common and intuitive way to do this is to use the standard Gallery app, which is suitable for most users because it doesn't require any additional software to be installed and works consistently on all firmware versions, and the algorithm is simple and takes only a few seconds if you've already picked the right photo.
To start, open the Gallery app and find the photo you want to use. Click on it to open in full screen. At the bottom of the screen or in the "More" menu (usually indicated by three dots), find "Install as wallpaper." The system will suggest selecting the screen area: "lock screen", "Desktop" or "Both screens at once."
Important: Before you confirm, the system will suggest editing the image, so you can crop the image so that important details are not cropped by interface elements such as widgets or app icons. Once you set up the viewing area, click the confirmation button and the image will be applied.
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Use the Preview feature before the final save to see how the photo will look on top of the app icons.
If the standard menu doesn't open or doesn't work properly, try an alternative path: press and hold your finger on the empty desktop space, select Wallpaper, and then go to My Photos or Gallery, a technique that is especially useful if you want to compare multiple images before installing.
- 📸 Open the necessary photo in the app "Gallery».
- ⚙️ Click the menu button (three dots) and select “Install as wallpaper».
- 🖼️ Adjust the scale and scope of framing.
- ✅ Select the target screen (blocks or desktop).
Slideshow settings and wallpaper carousels
For those who can’t figure out a single image, Xiaomi offers a wallpaper carousel feature, which isn’t just a change of pictures, but a whole system that updates the background of the lock screen every time you turn on your smartphone, allowing you to enjoy a variety of photos without having to manually adjust each time.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Lock screen → Wallpaper carousel. Here you can choose categories of images that will be automatically downloaded from the Internet, or set up a photo from your personal gallery. This is a great way to bring the interface to life and always see something new.
⚠️ Warning: Wallpaper Carousel can consume mobile traffic if not configured to work only via Wi-Fi. Check boot settings to avoid unforeseen costs.
In addition, there's a section in the Themes app that has live wallpaper that responds to touch or time of day, and although they're more of a visual style, some of them allow you to upload your own photos as the basis for animation, which creates a depth effect and makes the interface more dynamic.
Using a slideshow from a personal gallery requires you to prepare the album first, create a separate folder called Wallpaper, for example, and only put the pictures you want to see on the screen, which will prevent random screenshots or failed frames from getting on the lock screen.
Using the Themes app for personalization
The official MIUI Themes store is a powerful tool that is often underrated, and not only is it a pre-made design, but it also features a photo set with additional effects, and it allows you to create complex compositions where photography is just part of the design.
Go to the Topics app and go to the profile (human icon). In the Wallpaper section, you can find both static and dynamic options. The uniqueness of this method is that some themes allow you to use parallax photos when the image moves with a delay relative to the icons when the phone is tilted.
To install your own photo through this application:
- Open the Themes app.
- Go to the section "Profile» → «Wallpaper».
- Select the category “Local” or “My Photos”.
- Download the image from the device’s memory and apply the effects.
The advantage of using the app is that you can download ready-made high-resolution wallpaper packages that are optimized specifically for your screen resolution, which ensures that the picture is not stretched or stretched.
The Secret of Living Wallpaper
Installation of photos in contacts and profile Mi Account
Often, users want to see a picture of the person they're calling or their profile image, and putting a photo in their contacts is a process that's a little different from changing wallpaper, but it's also important for personalization, and it helps you visually identify the person you're calling, even if you don't remember the number.
Open the Contacts app or Phone app. Find the number you want on the list or create a new contact. Click on the camera icon or avatar at the top of the contact card. The system will prompt you to take a photo right now or select from the gallery. Once you select the image, you can frame it in a round frame.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Format | JPG, PNG | Use JPG for a smaller size |
| Permission | Minimum 500x500 | No high resolution required, photo will be reduced |
| Synchronization | Google / Mi Cloud | Turn on sync to save photos |
| Source | Gallery/Camera | It is better to choose a photo with a clear face |
To set up a Mi Account profile photo, you need to log in to your account settings. Go to Settings → Mi Account → click on the avatar. Here, the image will be visible on Xiaomi cloud services and other devices where you log in to this account, which provides a uniform user identification style across the entire ecosystem.
☑️ Check before installing the photo
Problems with image quality and formats
One of the common problems is the deterioration of the photo quality after installation, the system can aggressively compress images to save resources or misidentify the aspect ratio, resulting in a clear picture on the computer becomes blurred on the screen of the smartphone.
The main reason is the resolution discrepancy: the screens of modern Xiaomi are high resolution (FullHD+, 2K). If you try to set a low-quality photo (for example, downloaded from messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram without choosing "Original"), the system will stretch it and compression artifacts will appear.
⚠️ Note: Images received through messengers are often very compressed. To install on wallpaper always request the original file or transfer the photo through the cloud / cable.
The file format should also be considered. Although JPG is the standard, the PNG format better preserves detail and maintains transparency (which is useful for widgets). If the photo looks dull, perhaps the screen has a Read or Vision Protection mode that changes color temperature.
To solve quality problems:
- 🔍 Use source files from the camera, not copies from social networks.
- 📐 Cut the photo in the proportion of the screen (usually 19.5:9 or 20:9) before installation.
- 🎨 Turn off the display energy saving modes when setting up.
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The quality of the final image is 90% dependent on the original resolution of the file. Don't try to stretch the little picture to the full screen.
Additional settings and widgets
Once you have a photo installed, you can improve your experience by customizing your widgets. There are Photoam widgets on Xiaomi's desktop that allow you to display a slideshow directly on the home screen without blocking access to apps. This turns your smartphone into a digital photo frame when it's on a charger.
To add a widget, pinch the empty space on your desktop, select "Widgets" and find "Photos." Select the album that will be displayed. You can adjust the frame rate and display style (such as with or without a frame). This is a great way to change impressions often without touching the main wallpaper.
Don't forget the dark theme. If you use AMOLED screens (black doesn't glow), installing a fully black wallpaper with a bright accent (like a logo or one object) saves battery life, not just aesthetics, but a functional necessity for autonomy.
In conclusion, setting a photo on Xiaomi is a flexible process to adapt the device to all tastes. Whether it’s a static landscape, a dynamic carousel or a functional widget, the system gives all the tools for creativity. Experiment with settings to find the perfect balance between beauty and usability.