The lock screen of the Xiaomi Redmi 8 is the first thing you see when you unlock a smartphone, and many users want to make it more dynamic. Standard static wallpaper quickly get bored, and live wallpaper (or dynamic wallpaper) can transform the appearance of the device by adding animation, changing pictures by time of day or even interactive elements. However, MIUI does not have a built-in feature for installing animated wallpaper on the lock screen β it has to be activated manually.
In this article, we will discuss three working ways to install changing wallpaper on Redmi 8: through standard settings. MIUI (with limitations), using third-party applications without superuser rights, and an advanced method for users with ROOT-You'll also learn which apps to choose, how to avoid common errors, and what to do if the wallpaper doesn't show. All the instructions are tested on current versions. MIUI It is also adapted for Redmi 8 (codenamed Olive).
Why canβt Redmi 8 just put a live wallpaper on the lock screen?
Unlike the flagship models of Xiaomi (for example, Mi). 11 or Redmi K50), budget Redmi 8 has reduced customization capabilities due to hardware constraints.Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 439 everything 3/4 GB of RAM (depending on the modification) does not allow the system to smoothly process complex animations on the lock screen without braking. MIUI Artificially blocks the installation of live wallpaper on lockscreen through a standard menu.
In addition, Redmi 8 uses an outdated version of MIUI 11/12 based on Android 9/10, which does not support modern APIs for dynamic wallpaper on the lock screen. Even if you set live wallpaper through Settings β Wallpaper, they will only work on the home screen, not on lock. This is not a mistake, but a conscious limitation from Xiaomi to optimize performance.
- πΉ Hardware limitations: weak processor and little RAM do not pull smooth animation.
- πΉ Programmatic limitations: MIUI 11/12 supportive API for live wallpaper on lockscreen.
- πΉ Battery Optimization: Animation on the lock screen increases charge consumption, which is critical for the Redmi 8 with a 5000mAh battery.
β οΈ Warning: If you install live wallpaper through informal methods, it can lead to 10-15% more battery consumption and rare brakes when unlocking. On weak devices (for example, with 3 GB of RAM), it is better to limit yourself to static wallpaper or minimal animation.
Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (partial solution)
While MIUI doesn't allow you to directly install live wallpaper on the lock screen, there's a workaround: use automatic static wallpaper change on schedule, which doesn't provide full animation, but allows you to change the background on the lock every day (or every hour) for those who don't want to install third-party apps.
For this:
- Open the Settings β Wallpaper.
- Select the Lock Screen section.
- Click Other Wallpaper and select the folder with images (such as Downloads or Gallery).
- Activate Autoshift and set the interval (daily, weekly or every time you turn on the screen).
Cons of this method:
- π No animation, just changing static pictures.
- π The wallpaper changes with a delay (not immediately after unlocking).
- π You can't use it. GIF video.
π‘
If you want the wallpaper to change more often, but do not want to waste the battery, set the interval "Whenever you turn on the screen" and turn off the automatic shift on the home screen.
Method 2: Third-party applications without ROOT (recommended method)
For full live wallpaper on the Redmi 8 lock screen, a third-party app will be required.The best options are Wallpapers Craft, KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker or Video Live Wallpaper. These allow you to set animated background images, GIF Or even short videos, the main advantage is that you don't need to. ROOT-rights.
Step-by-step instructions for KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker (the most flexible option):
Download. KLWP Google Play|Create a backup copy of the current wallpaper|Battery charge > 30%|Turn off the battery optimization for KLWP customized MIUI-->
- Install KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker from Google Play.
- Open the app and select a template (like Minimal or Clock).
- Click on the Export icon (in the upper right corner) and select Set as Wallpaper.
- In the window that appears, select the Lock Screen (if the option is not available, see the solution below).
- Confirm the installation and restart the device.
If the lock screen is inactive:
- π§ Go to Settings. β Annexes β Application management β KLWP.
- π§ Enable permission to display over other windows.
- π§ Turn off the battery optimization for KLWP.
| Annex | Wallpaper type | Lockscreen support | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWP | Animation, widgets | Yeah (with settings) | Complex interface, high battery consumption |
| Wallpapers Craft | GIF, video | Yes. | Advertising, restrictions in the free version |
| Video Live Wallpaper | Video, 3D-effects | Partially. | Braking on weak devices |
β οΈ Note: Apps like Wallpapers Craft may conflict with MIUI Optimization is a built-in optimization function. If the lock screen starts to twitch after you install the wallpaper, turn off optimization in Settings. β The phone. β Version. MIUI (Click 7 times on the version, then go to Additional Settings β Special facilities β MIUI Optimization and turn it off).
Method 3: Installation of live wallpaper with ROOT-rights (for advanced persons)
If you have ROOT-rights to Redmi 8, you can manually replace the system wallpaper files to force MIUI Take live background images on the lock screen, which gives you maximum freedom, but it requires caution: wrong actions can lead to a bootloop).
You'll need:
- π± Redmi 8 with unlocked bootloader and ROOT (For example, through Magisk).
- π» PC with installation ADB and Fastboot.
- π Backup copy of section /system (necessarily!).
- πΌοΈ Live wallpaper in.apk or.zip format (for example, from KLWP).
Instructions:
- Download and install Root Explorer or Mixplorer (with ROOT support).
- Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI.
- Find the file MiuiSystemUI.apk and make a backup copy of it.
- Download a modified version of MiuiSystemUI.apk with support for live wallpaper (for example, from the XDA Developers forum for Redmi 8).
- Replace the original file with a modified one by setting rights 644 (r-w-r--r---).
- Reset the device.
After the reboot:
- Open the Settings β Wallpaper.
- Select live wallpaper (now the option must be active for the lock screen).
- Set your favorite background and check the work.
What if the phone does not turn on after replacing MiuiSystemUI.apk?
β οΈ Warning: Replacing system files can lead to loss of warranty and unstable smartphone performance.Before experimenting, check if your version supports MIUI such modifications (on some Redmi 8 firmware, this is blocked at the kernel level).
How to choose a live wallpaper that will not slow down the Redmi 8?
Due to the weak iron of Redmi 8, not all live wallpaper will work smoothly. To avoid lag and overheating, follow these recommendations:
- π¨ Avoid. 3D-Wallpaper: They require a lot of resources and heavily load the processor.
- πΌοΈ Choose. GIF low-key FPS: optimally 15-24 frames per second (no more than 30).
- πΉ Video wallpaper: use clips with a resolution not higher 720p and lasting up to 10 seconds.
- βοΈ Turn off background animation in the live wallpaper settings (if there is such an option).
The best sources of lightweight live wallpaper for Redmi 8:
- π Zedge β a large database of animated wallpaper with filters by resolution.
- π WallpapersCraft β Optimized Background Images.
- π r/AndroidThemes β A community where easy topics are shared KLWP.
π‘
Redmi 8 works best with live wallpaper based on vector animation (for example, from the KLWP) or static wallpaper with a smooth transition (as in Wallpapers Craft). 3D-effects β they eat up to 20% charge per hour.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When installing live wallpaper on Redmi 8, users encounter typical errors.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper is not installed on lockscreen | MIUI blocks third-party wallpaper | Turn off battery optimization for wallpaper app |
| Animation twitches | Weak processor or high resolution wallpaper | Reduce FPS or resolution in wallpaper settings |
| Fast battery discharge | Background activity of live wallpaper | Limit the work of wallpaper only on the lock screen |
| Wallpaper is reset after resetting | MIUI resets settings | Install wallpaper with ADB: adb shell cmd wallpaper set-lock --live-previews |
If the wallpaper stopped working after the MIUI update:
- Check if permissions for the application have been reset (e.g., Display over other windows).
- Update the wallpaper app to the latest version.
- If you use ROOT, re-substitute MiuiSystemUI.apk (the update may have overwritten the file).