How to install an image on the lock screen Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Why the standard method doesn’t always work

Xiaomi's lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on a smartphone. Many users want to personalize it by setting a favorite photo, but face system limitations. Depending on the version of MIUI (the shell of Android from Xiaomi) and the device model, the process may be different. For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13, the path to settings is one, and on Xiaomi 12T with MIUI 14, the path to settings is another.

The main problem is that not all firmware versions allow you to directly replace the background through the standard menu, sometimes the option is hidden in the depths of settings, and in some cases (especially on budget models like Redmi). A1) In this article, we'll look at all the current ways, including bypassing constraints through topics. MIUI, third-party applications and even ADB-Teams for Advanced Users.

It's important to consider that when you upgrade your system, your settings can reset, for example, when you switch from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14, many people complain that the background of the lock screen is back to normal, and we'll tell you how to avoid that.

Method 1: Standard Replacement through MIUI settings

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 11 and later. Suitable for models Redmi Note 9/10/11, Poco X3/X4, Xiaomi 11/12/13 and others with current firmware.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings app** (cog icon).
• 🎨 Go to the Lock Screen section (sometimes called Wallpaper and Themes).
• 🖼️ Select Wallpaper Lock screen or Lock screen background.
• 📁 Click Select from the gallery and specify the desired image.
• ✅ Confirm the changes with the Install or Apply button.

If you have MIUI 14 or higher, you may need additional confirmation via a fingerprint or pattern lock – this is a security measure to avoid accidentally changing the background.

The gallery contains the desired image (JPG/PNG format)

The image has a resolution of at least 1080×1920 pixels

On the smartphone enough free memory (minimum 500 MB)

Power saving modes are turned off (may interrupt the process)

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On some devices (like Poco F3), the option is hidden deeper. If you can't find the Lock Screen section, try the path:

Settings → Display → Additional → Wallpaper → Lock screen

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If the image is cropped or stretched, use editors like Snapseed or Lightroom to adjust it to your model’s screen resolution. For example, for the Xiaomi 13 Pro, 1440×3200 pixels are optimal.

Method 2: Using MIUI Themes

If the standard method didn’t work, try replacing the background with MIUI themes, which is suitable for all devices, including the Redmi 9A and Poco M4 Pro, where lock screen settings are limited.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the “Themes” app** (Brush icon).
2. Go to the section My topics → Edit.
3. Select the current theme (usually called the default or standard).
4. Click on the pencil icon (Set up) and find the Lock Screen item.
5. Upload your image through the Gallery or Files.
6. Save the changes and apply the theme.

The advantage of this method is the ability to customize not only the background, but also fonts, icons and even unlock animations. However, be careful: some themes from the MIUI store may contain ads or collect data.

Method 3: Third-party applications (for MIUI 12 and later)

If the first two methods didn't work, use third-party apps, and we tested a few and selected the most reliable ones.

How to set the background with Wallpaper Changer:

• 📥 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🔓 Grant Warehouse permissions and Overlay over other applications.
• 🖼️ Select an image from the gallery or download from the built-in library.
• 🔄 In the settings, specify Apply to the lock screen.
• ✅ Save the changes and restart the smartphone (sometimes required).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Lock Screen & Wallpaper) may conflict with the MIUI Optimizations is a built-in optimization function. If the smartphone starts to slow down after setting the background, turn off optimization in Settings. → Special facilities → MIUI Optimizations.

Method 4: Manual change through ADB (for advanced)

If you’re ready to work with an Android debugging bridge (ADB), this method gives you complete control over the background of the lock screen, suitable for all Xiaomi models, but requires an unlocked bootloader and enabled debugging over USB.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with debugging enabled (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode).
• 📁 Image in.png format with a resolution corresponding to your screen (e.g, 1080×2400 For the Redmi Note 11).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB and confirm debugging.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
3. Copy the image into the system folder: adb push /path/to/your/image.png /sdcard/lockscreen_wallpaper.png
4. Set it as the background of the lock screen: adb shell settings put global lock_screen_wallpaper /sdcard/lockscreen_wallpaper.png
5. Reboot the device: adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause system failures. MIUI 14 The newer path to system wallpaper may be different - instead of /sdcard/ use /data/system/users/0/. Before experimenting, make a backup copy of the data!

Standard settings of MIUI

MIUI themes

Third-party annexes

ADB (manual change)

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Method 5: Bypassing constraints on budget models

Some Xiaomi budget smartphones (e.g. Redmi A1, Poco C31) do not have the option to change the background of the lock screen at all, due to the simplified version of MIUI (MIUI Go), where many functions are trimmed.

Method 1: Use of live wallpaper

• 🎯 Install the Live Wallpapers app from Google Play.
• 🖼️ Choose a static image and use it as a live wallpaper.
• 🔄 In the settings of live wallpaper specify Apply to the lock screen.

Method 2: Recovery Replacement (only for unlocked bootloader):

1. Download custom recovery (such as TWRP) for your model.
2. Rename your image to lockwallpaper.png and place it on SD-map.
3. Load into Recovery Mode (Nutrition + Volume Up).
4. Using the TWRP file manager, copy the image to /system/media/theme/default/wallpapers/.
5. Set the rights 644 (r-w r--- r----).
6. Reset the device.

These techniques require technical skills and can void warranty, and on models with a locked bootloader (most Xiaomi smartphones are sold this way), you will first have to unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Solving problems: The background is not changing or resetting

Sometimes, after a successful background change, it goes back to the standard.

If the background is missing after the MIUI update, try:

1. Clear the cache of the Themes app** (Settings → Applications → Themes → Storage → Clear the cache).
2. Reinstall the current theme through the theme store.
3. Restore lock screen settings via Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled).

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In the models with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi) K50 Pro) Dark wallpaper saves battery life. Use black-dominated images to increase battery life.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the background of the lock screen