Personalizing the smartphone interface is the first step to making the device feel like it’s your own. For owners of devices from Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, being able to set a unique image on the lock screen is not just an aesthetic choice, but also a way to quickly access important information. Standard wallpapers provided by the manufacturer are often beautiful, but static and quickly boring.
The process of replacing an image seems elementary, but there are many hidden nuances in the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS: users often confuse desktop wallpaper and lock screen, can not find the desired folder in the gallery, or are faced with the fact that the system automatically changes the picture to an ad. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of installing photos.
You will learn not only to put a static image, but also to customize automatic slideshows from selected albums. We will also touch on the theme of so-called "Wallpaper Carousel", which by default can be turned on on on your device, and explain how to control it or completely disable it if it bothers you.
Basic method of installation through the settings menu
The most reliable and versatile method that works on all firmware versions is in the back of the system menu, and that's where the global locking theme changes, so you have to open the main app menu and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear.
In the list of options that opens, you should scroll down to the look section. Depending on the version of the Android operating system and the shell, this item may be called Wallpaper or Lock Screen. If you use a fresh HyperOS, the menu logic may have changed slightly, but the principle remains the same.
Once you log in to Wallpaper, you'll find a few categories: recommendations, live wallpaper, and local files, and we're interested in working with local storage, and you'll select Local or My Photos, and then you'll see the file manager or gallery of the device.
Find the image you want in your smartphone memory, and after you touch the image, the system will tell you where to apply the changes, and it's critical that you don't mix up your destinations, or you won't get the desired effect.
- 🖼️ Lock screen – the image will appear only when the display is turned on before unlocking.
- 🏠 Desktop – the picture will be the background for application icons.
- 🔄 Both screens – a single image will be used everywhere.
⚠️ Attention: If you choose a horizontal photo and hold your smartphone vertically, the system will suggest cropping the image.
Once you've confirmed your choice, the new photo will be instantly applied, and now, if you press the lock button and turn on the screen again, you'll see the result, which is a basic algorithm that doesn't require an Internet connection and works even in aerial mode.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Using the Gallery application for quick installation
There is a faster way to set a photo on the lock screen of Xiaomi directly at the time of viewing the image, which is ideal when you just took a picture or downloaded a picture from the Internet and want to see it immediately when you block it.
Open the standard Gallery app and find the photo you want. In the lower right or left corner (depending on the MIUI version), there is an action menu, often indicated by three dots or the "More" button, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of available file operations.
In the action list, you need to find "Set as" or "Appoint." The system will suggest the use cases of the image: set as a contact, theme or wallpaper.
And then you'll have a standard system query about where to apply the image, and like the previous one, you'll select "Block screen," and the advantage of this method is that you see a full-size preview of the image before the final confirmation.
Why can the photo look blurry?
It's worth noting that some versions of the firmware can activate wallpaper carousel when installed through the gallery. This is a special service from Xiaomi that automatically changes pictures. If you're targeting a static photo, make sure the carousel switch is off.
Slideshow settings and wallpaper carousels
Many users want images to change automatically, creating a dynamic effect every time they turn on the screen. In the MIUI shell, Wallpaper Carousel is responsible for this. It allows you to create your own collections.
To set up automatic photo changes, go to Settings → Lock screen. Here you will find the item "Wallpaper Carousel". Inside this menu you can turn on the function and select the source of images, you can subscribe to thematic collections from the manufacturer or download your own.
To use your photos in slideshow mode, you need to create an album. Go to the carousel settings, select My Albums, and specify the folders in the gallery that should participate in the rotation. The system will take random photos from selected directories.
- 📅 Shift frequency – you can adjust the interval (each screen turn on or timed).
- 📂 Choosing albums - the ability to mix photos from different folders.
- 🔕 Disabling advertising – in the settings of the carousel you can remove promo content.
It's important to understand the difference between a standard wallpaper installation and a carousel. A carousel is a separate service that consumes a little more battery life and requires data permissions to download new topics. If you just want a static picture, you'd better use the classic method.
⚠️ Warning: Wallpaper Carousel may consume mobile traffic to upload new images and descriptions to them.
Comparison of image installation methods
Different installation methods have their advantages and disadvantages depending on your goals. Below is a table that will help you determine the best method for your situation.
| Method | Difficulty | Flexibility of settings | Battery consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Low. | Medium | Minimum |
| Through the Gallery | Minimum | Low. | Minimum |
| Wallpaper carousel | Medium | Tall. | Medium. |
| Third-party annexes | Tall. | Maximum | Depends on the app. |
As you can see from the table, for most users, the best solution is to use built-in system tools. Third-party applications may offer more effects, but often contain advertising or require unnecessary permissions.
If you value the stability of your smartphone and want to save battery power, give up the live wallpaper and complex widgets on the lock screen. Simple, high-quality image is a classic that will never go out of style.
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Use PNG images if you have text or graphics with clear boundaries. JPG format is better for photos, as it takes up less space with high visual quality.
Installation problems and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the photo is not installed or displayed incorrectly. One of the common problems is the inconsistency of the aspect ratio. The screens of modern Xiaomi are elongated (20:9 or 21:9), and ordinary photos 4:3 can be clipped.
Another common problem is access rights, where if you use a third-party file manager or launcher, they may not have permission to change the system wallpaper, in which case the system will simply ignore the request or issue an error.
It's also worth checking if the Power Savings mode is on in extreme mode. Some personalization features may be limited to save charge. Try turning off optimization for the Themes or Gallery app.
- ❌ Format error – the file may be corrupted or have an unsupported codec.
- 🔒 Blocking Rights – Check the permissions in the Apps menu».
- 💾 Lack of memory – clear the system cache if the storage is overcrowded.
In rare cases, cleaning the theme app cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Themes → Memory → Clear the cache. This will not remove your downloaded themes, but will reset possible configuration errors.
Creating the perfect image to block
To make the photo on the lock screen Xiaomi looked as spectacular as possible, it is important to consider the features of the display interface: the clock and date overlap the top of the screen, and at the bottom there are unlock and call the camera buttons.
The ideal image should have "unoccupied" areas in the center or bottom, where there are no important details. If you create the picture yourself in the graphics editor, consider the resolution of your screen. For most modern models, it is 2400×1080 pixels or higher.
Use contrast images. The lock screen is often used for quick time glimpses or notifications, so the background should not merge with the white or black text of the system. Dark tones are usually preferred as they consume less energy on the system. AMOLED-screen.
⚠️ Note: Do not set the screen lock images with confidential information (passwords, addresses, personal data), as this screen is visible without unlocking the device by any person who took the phone in his hands.
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The quality of the original file directly affects the perception of the interface. Avoid strong compression while saving the photo, so that the compression artifacts do not spoil the impression of the expensive one. AMOLED-display.
Experiment with colors. Bright, saturated wallpaper can draw attention but quickly tire the eyes. Pastel colors or abstraction are often the best choice for daily use without distracting from the main content of the smartphone.