Why Xiaomi can’t just change lock wallpapers – and how to get around it
Xiaomi’s lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone, but not all users know that its appearance can be completely customized. Unlike desktop wallpaper, which changes in two clicks, the manufacturer hid the lock background change deeper into the MIUI settings. Moreover, on some models (especially with MIUI 14+), this option is not at all in the standard interface – it has to be “pulled” through themes or third-party utilities.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to install wallpaper on the lock screen, from official methods through Settings → Themes to hidden MIUI features and bypassing restrictions with apps. You’ll learn what image formats are supported, how to avoid cropping and why sometimes new wallpapers “fly” after a reboot. And a unique life hack for POCO F5 and Redmi Note 12 owners: how to get the system to show different wallpapers on the lock and desktop, even if MIUI doesn’t.
Before you start, check the version of your shell: Setting path → About phone → MIUI version. This will depend on which of the described methods will work on your device. For example, on MIUI 13 and older, direct image import is available, and on MIUI 12 and below you will have to use themes.
Method 1: Standard Shifting with “Themes” (works on 90% of models)
The most obvious and safe method is to use the built-in Themes app, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones on MIUI 11-14, but there are nuances: some of the wallpaper in the MIUI collection is installed only on the desktop, not on the lock. To guarantee to change the background of the lock screen, follow this instruction:
- Open the Themes app** (an icon with a brush on your desktop or in the app menu).
- Go to the wallpaper tab (in the lower menu).
- Select the Lock category (sometimes called Lockscreen).
- Scroll through the collection and tap on the image you like.
- Click Apply → Select Only Lock Screen (or Both Screens if you want to sync the background).
⚠️ Note: If there is no Block item in the category list, then your version is MIUI In this case, try Method 3 (through hidden settings) or Method 4 (third-party applications).
The downloaded wallpaper from MIUI Themes is stored in /MIUI/theme/.data/, but it's hard to manually extract it from there, the system encrypts the files. If you want to use your own image, move on to the next one.
Method 2: Install your wallpaper through the Gallery (MIUI 13-14)
Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi added the ability to set any images from the Gallery to the lock screen — but this feature is hidden so deeply that many users do not know about it.
- Open the Gallery** and select the image you want to use.
- Slip on three points in the upper right corner → Set as.
- In the menu that appears, select Lock Wallpaper (if there is no such item, see Method 3).
- Adjust the scale and position of the picture (swipes and pinch-to-zoom), then click Ready.
🔹 Important limitations:
- 📏 Permit: Minimum — 720×1280, recommended — 1080×2340 (If the image is smaller, it stretches with loss of quality.
- 🎨 Format:.jpg,.png and.webp are supported. animated.gif does not work.
- 🔄 Reset: After update MIUI To avoid this, save the original image to the Mi Cloud cloud.
If you have a lock option in the menu, your Xiaomi model is using an outdated version of the Gallery, in which case the workaround through the developer mode will help (see the next section).
Cut to 9:19 aspect ratio (for most Xiaomi)
Increase the contrast (so that the text of the time is read)
Save in PNG format (for transparency if needed)
Check that the file weighs no more than 5MB
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Method 3: Hidden MIUI settings (for power users)
On some devices (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), the lock wallpaper change option is blocked by default, but it can be unlocked through developer mode or hidden commands, a method that requires caution, but works even where standard methods fail.
Here's the step-by-step instruction:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version (you will be notified "You are a developer").
Settings → Additional → For Developers
USB debugging
ADB
adb shell settings put global lock_screen_wallpaper_enabled 1This team will unlock the hidden option of changing the wallpaper.
Settings → Wallpaper
Lock screen
⚠️ Note: Not all Xiaomi models support this method. Some devices (e.g. Mi 11 Lite) may experience Failed to set wallpaper error after execution of the command.
If ADB-You are not familiar with the commands, you can do without them: sometimes it is enough to just turn on the developer mode, and hidden options become available in the Settings menu. → Display. → Additionally.
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
Method 4: Third-party applications (if MIUI does not give you a choice)
If the built-in methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue, and we've tested dozens of apps and selected 3 of the most reliable ones that run MIUI 12-14 without root rights:
| Annex | Support for MIUI | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper Changer | 12–14 | Automatic change of wallpaper on schedule, support for live wallpaper | Play Market |
| Lock Screen Wallpaper | 11–14 | Works without ADB, but requires permission to overlay windows | Play Market |
| KLWP Live Wallpaper | 13–14 | Complete lock customization (requires customization skills) | Play Market |
🔹 How to use (example: Wallpaper Changer):
- Install an app from the Play Market.
- Open it and provide all the permissions you request (including Overlaying Windows).
- Select an image from the gallery or download from the built-in collection.
- Click Set as Lockscreen and confirm your selection.
⚠️ Attention: Some applications (e.g, KLWP) may conflict with MIUI Optimization is a built-in optimization service. If after installing wallpaper, the smartphone starts to slow down, turn off optimization in the developer settings (Disable). MIUI Optimization).
💡
If the app asks for permission to Manage all files, don’t be afraid — this is the right way to access the wallpaper folder. But you’d better choose programs that are highly rated (4.5+ in the Play Market) and have a lot of reviews.
Method 5: Manual file copying (for advanced)
This method is suitable for those who are not afraid to work with the Android file system, it allows you to install any image on the lock screen, even if MIUI does not provide for it, you will need a file manager with access to root folders (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) and a little patience.
🔹 Step-by-step instruction:
- Download and install the root-enabled file manager (or enable USB Debugging to access via PC).
- Copy the selected image to /data/system/users/0/ (if the folder is not available, create it manually).
- Rename the file to lockscreen_wallpaper.jpg (or).
- Change the file access permissions to 644 (read for all, write for owner only).
- Reboot your smartphone.
📌 Important: This method may not work MIUI 14 due to enhanced system protection.If the wallpaper hasn't changed since the reboot, check:
- Is the path to the file correctly indicated (on some firmware, the folder may be called /data/data/com.android.systemui/...).
- Does the image resolution match the screen resolution of your Xiaomi?
- Have access rights been reset after rebooting (sometimes MIUI automatically resets them).
If you are not sure about your skills, you should use Method 4 (third-party applications) – it is safer and does not require manual intervention in system files.
💡
Manual file copying is the most versatile method, but also the riskiest. An error in access rights or path can cause the lock screen to crash (although it is easily remediable by resetting settings).
Frequent Problems and How to Solve Them
Even after a successful wallpaper change, Xiaomi users face problems: the image is cropped, reset after the update or not displayed at all.
🔸 Problem 1: Wallpaper is cut or stretched.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI It automatically adjusts the image to the screen resolution, but often does it curve. To avoid cropping, cut the image in the editor (for example, Photoshop or Canva) beforehand to the aspect ratio of your smartphone: Xiaomi 13/14, POCO F5: 1080×2400 (20:9) Redmi Note 11/12: 1080×2460 (19.5:9) POCO X3/X4: 1080×2408 (20:9)
🔸 Problem 2: Wallpaper is reset after rebooting.
This is because MIUI caches the wallpaper in a time folder to record the changes:
- Use Method 5 (manually copy to the system folder).
- Or install wallpaper through MIUI Themes and click Save to the Cloud (if available).
🔸 Problem 3: The lock displays a black screen instead of wallpaper.
The culprit is a dark topic or a power saving mode.
- Turn off the dark theme in Settings → Display.
- Turn off Adaptive Brightness and Super Energy Saving.
- Re-install wallpaper through the Gallery (see Method 2).