Personalizing a smartphone interface is the first thing many owners start with when they buy a new device. In Xiaomi’s ecosystem, powered by MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, this process has its own unique features that distinguish it from pure Android.
There is often confusion between placing images on the lock screen and directly on the desktop (main screen), and the system offers flexible settings to separate these areas visually, and the right visual style setting can not only improve aesthetic perception, but also improve usability if you correctly choose the contrast of icons and widgets.
In this detailed guide, we’ll break down all the available background change techniques, from standard gallery tools to advanced theme store features.You’ll learn to avoid common mistakes when an image is cropped or looks blurry, and learn how to activate the dynamic effects available on modern smartphone models.
The standard method through the Gallery app>The easiest and fastest way to change the background is to use the built-in photo viewing app. This method is ideal if you have already downloaded the desired image from the Internet or taken a picture that you want to see daily. The action algorithm is universal for most versions of the firmware. Open the Gallery app and find the desired photo. Click on the "More" button (three dots in the corner) or swipe up to open the action menu. In the list of options, select the option as wallpaper. The system immediately offers to choose the application area: lock screen, the main format, open the gallery and find the desired photo, and find the screen at the same time, as you can often shift the main screen from the screen to the current level. So, you can set the frame so that important objects don't overlap with app icons or watch widgets. Once confirmed, the system will apply the changes instantly. If you don't like the result, you can repeat the procedure without limit. 📊 What method of wallpaper installation do you use most?Through the GalleryThrough the StoreThrough the screen settingsThird-party applications
Use of the Application Topics for Enhanced Opportunitiesp>Xiaomi's official Themes store provides access to thousands of free and paid designs, not just pictures, but entire sets that change the style of icons, fonts and system sounds, but what we're interested in is the installation of individual images from this directory. Launch the Topics app and go to the Wallpaper section at the bottom menu, where the content is sorted by nature, city, abstraction, anime, and more, and you can use keyword searches or filters to select horizontal or vertical images. The image you select can be previewed in full size, and if the image is static, the Apply button will set it up immediately, and if it is video wallpaper or a complex animated background, the system will warn you about the possible impact on battery consumption. It is better to use for such effects. OLED-The unique feature of the theme store is the ability to download your own sets or download works of other users through a profile» -> «Wallpapers often retain previously used options, allowing you to quickly return to the previous design without re-searching. 💡Use the filter «4K» or «HD» in the store to find images with maximum resolution that will not look grainy on the display of your smartphone.
Configure live and video wallpapers in HyperOS and MIUIp>Modern shells from Xiaomi support video playback as a desktop background. This creates the effect of a lively, dynamic interface. However, this feature requires more CPU resources and can discharge the battery faster, so you should weigh all the pros and cons. To set the video wallpaper, you can use the built-in tool in the Themes app or third-party programs from Google Play, such as Video Live Wallpaper. In the native themes, select the category "Video" or "Animation after you choose the video cycle, you need to install the video filer, and the system will use the button. The system will ask permission to display on top of other apps – this is the standard Android security procedure. ⚠️ Attention: Installation of heavy video wallpapers of high resolution (4K, 60 FPS) On budget smartphones, you can see noticeable twitching of the interface (lags) when you scroll through desktops. To optimize your work, you can choose a static frame from the video and use it as a normal photo, retaining the visual style, but removing the load on the system. Switching between modes is available in display settings. How does video wallpaper affect autonomy?Video wallpaper constantly uses the video decoder and keeps the processor active even when you are not interacting with the screen. 5-15% It's a day compared to a static picture. AMOLED This also prevents the Always On Display function from working in full.
Step-by-step: installation through screen settings>If standard methods fail or are hidden for some reason, there is always a classic path through the system menu, which gives you access to basic display settings without unnecessary functions. ☑️ Installation algorithm through settingsOpen SettingsSettingsShoot to Screen and brightnessSelect itemBookDetermine source (Online/Local)Confirm installationSelected: 0 / 5 Log in to the Settings menu and find the Screen and Brightness section. In some firmware versions, this item may be simply called "Wallpaper" or be located inside the "Adaptive Wallpaper" subsection. Click on the appropriate icon. The system will suggest selecting the source of the image. You can switch between tabs: “Online” (theme store), “Local” (in-memory photo) and “Super wallpaper” (special dynamic backgrounds for certain models). Selecting local files opens up all the folders in the phone's memory. The framing interface will appear after selecting the file. It's important to set up the zoom correctly. If the image is less than the screen resolution, it will be stretched, which will lead to loss of quality. If more, you can select the desired area. The final step is to choose the application area. The interface is clearly divided into two zones: the top of the preview shows the lock screen, the bottom of the desktop. By pressing the appropriate buttons, you apply the background to the desired area.
Owners of Xiaomi flagship models (Mi, Xiaomi, Redmi Note Pro series) have access to the exclusive "Super Wallpaper" feature. These are complex geometric or natural compositions that respond to touch, unlock and even battery level. You can activate themes through the application -> profile -> Super wallpaper. Here are several scenes: Earth, Mars, Snowflake and others. Each scene has its own animation and sound settings. Adaptive design in new versions of HyperOS allows for the the thematics to be activated through the Themes -> profile -> Super Wallpaper -> Super Wallpaper -> This feature must be automatically designed to be the color-s and the color-s are the dominant. Type of wallpaper Impact on battery Memory requirements Availability Static (JPG/PNG) Minimum Low (1-5 MB All models Live (Video) High Average (10-50 MB) Middle and high class Super wallpaper Middle/High High (50-100+ MB) Flagship models Always On (AOD) Depends on the type of screen, only low. AMOLED The use of super wallpapers can be limited on devices with less RAM 4 In such cases, the system can automatically disable animation to maintain performance. 💡Super-wallpaper is not just a picture, but a separate system process that requires computing resources, so their use is not recommended on older devices.
Solution: Why the picture is not installed or cut>Despite the simplicity of the process, users often face technical problems, one of the most common is that the image is set but appears blurry or severely cropped, due to a mismatch in the resolution of the source file and the resolution of the screen matrix. If the photo is vertical and you want to put it on your desktop, the system can automatically fry it in the center, cutting the edges. To avoid this, open the photo in the editor before installing and add empty fields (crop) on the sides so that the aspect ratio matches the smartphone screen (usually 19.5:9 or 20:9). This can occur if the image format is not supported (e.g., specific image formats). RAW format HEIC from an iPhone without conversion). Convert the file to a standard JPG or PNG before installation. ⚠️ Warning: If after installing wallpaper, the phone started to work slower, check if the file is installed in the format 4K It's going to be using the system to downscale the real-time image, and it's going to be worth checking if there's any updates. MIUI We've seen some bugs rendering certain image formats that have been patched in security patches. Why do wallpapers change on their own? This is a feature called "Glance." It automatically uploads new images from the Internet every time you turn on the screen. You can turn it off in Settings -> Wallpaper -> Wallpaper carousel.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can we set up our own? GIF-work-desk animation?
With standard MIUI and HyperOS, you can’t install the GIF directly as wallpaper, and the system will perceive it as a static image (first frame), which will require a third-party application, such as “GIF Live Wallpaper”, which broadcasts animations in video wallpaper format.
Why did my old wallpaper disappear after the firmware update?
When you upgrade to Android major (for example, 11 to 12) or switch to HyperOS, system folders can be recreated. If the wallpaper was taken from a standard theme gallery, they can be reset to default ones.
How to make the icons better visible in the background?
Use contrast images or darken them. In the theme settings (Settings -> Topics -> My Pages -> Topics -> Modify), you can change the style of the icons to brighter or inverted so that they stand out against a dark or motley background.
Does the color of the wallpaper affect the light sensor?
No, the light sensor works independently of the contents of the screen. However, if you have Adaptive Brightness or Auto Brightness enabled, the light wallpaper may subjectively appear brighter, causing the system to reduce the real backlight of the matrix to save energy.
Where to find the hidden wallpaper that came from the factory?
Factory wallpapers are often hidden in system files, but can be found in the Themes app. Go to profile, select Wallpaper, and see Local or Preinstalled. They can also be accessed through the Super Wallpaper app if your model supports this feature.