Personalizing the look of a smartphone is the first thing many owners of new Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices start with. Standard images preinstalled by the manufacturer often seem boring or quickly boring, requiring replacement with brighter and more personalized shots. Unlike setting the background on the desktop, the lock screen setting has its own nuances, depending on the version of the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS.
Users often find that the usual path through the gallery does not work or leads to the installation of the image only on the main screen, this is due to the fact that the system distinguishes background images for different interface zones. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current ways to replace the screensaver, including hidden functions and working with system themes.
A variety of methods allows you to choose the most convenient option: whether it is a simple installation from a gallery, using an automatic carousel or using specialized applications. Understanding these differences will help you avoid confusion and quickly achieve the desired visual effect.
Standard installation through the Gallery app
The most obvious and quick way to replace a static image is to use a built-in photo viewing app, which is universal and works on most of the brand’s devices, regardless of the year of release. First, you need to open the Gallery app and choose the photo you want to see when you turn on the screen.
After opening the image, click on the "More" button (usually three dots in the bottom corner or an item in the menu). In the action list, select the option "Install as wallpaper". The system will offer several options for placement: on the lock screen, on the desktop or on both screens at the same time.
It is important to read the pop-up carefully, as by default the system can only offer installation on the desktop. Select "lock screen" so that the image is displayed at the moment of waking up the device. If you want the picture to be static and not change, this method is the best solution.
⚠️ Note: In some global firmware versions, when selecting a lock screen, the system may suggest connecting the wallpaper carousel service. If your goal is one static photo, carefully read the system suggestions and choose the "Apply" option without connecting additional services.
The quality of the final image depends on the resolution of the original file. If the photo is low resolution, on a modern high-pixel-density display, it may look blurry. Try to use source materials with at least a resolution. 1080×2400 points to achieve maximum clarity.
Setting up an automatic wallpaper carousel
Xiaomi smartphone owners often notice that images on a locked screen change on their own periodically, a feature called “Wallpaper Carousel” (known in some regions as Glance), which allows you to stream selections of photos from partners or your own albums without the need for manual intervention.
To control this process, you need to go to the device settings. Find the Wallpaper section or the Always on screen and lock screen. This is where the carousel activation switch is located. If the function is on, you can configure the image sources: select thematic categories (nature, technology, art) or connect local albums.
Using a carousel has its advantages and disadvantages: on the one hand, it allows you to see new content constantly; on the other hand, algorithms can upload advertising images or low-quality photos; turning off the carousel is often required by those who prefer minimalism and specific shots.
You can also find the option to change the frequency of the images in the carousel settings, you can adjust the picture update every time you turn on the screen or set a time slot, which gives you flexibility to manage the visual series without having to climb the settings menu every time.
Use of the Topics application for customization
Xiaomi’s official Theme Store is a powerful tool that is often underrated, and not only is it a place where you can find full-fledged themes, but also individual wallpaper packages, including special lock screen kits. Many designers create unique animated and static backgrounds that are not available in the standard gallery.
To find the image you want, open the Themes app and go to Wallpaper. There's often a filter or a Lock tab at the top of the screen. There's thousands of options, from abstraction to high-resolution photos, and the advantage of this method is that the images are already optimized for your screen resolution.
Once you've selected your favorite option, click Download and then Apply. The system will suggest you select the target screen. You can set the lock-on wallpaper only, retaining the familiar desktop background, or apply complex design. Themes allow you to create a holistic visual style of the device.
| Source | Type of content | Internet is required | Automatic shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| gallery | Personal photos | No. | No. |
| Wallpaper carousel | Online collections | Yes (constantly) | Yes. |
| Annex Topics | Design work | Yes (for download) | Depends on the topic. |
| Third-party annexes | Diverse content | Yes. | Often |
Advanced methods: Mi Unlocker and third-party launchers
For users who lack standard functionality, there are more complex but effective methods, one of which involves using the Mi Unlocker utility in conjunction with custom themes, although more often this means unlocking the bootloader for deep modification of the system. However, there is a safer way to install third-party applications from Google Play.
Applications like the Wallpaper Engine or custom lock widgets allow you to implement features that are cut out of stock firmware, such as creating live wallpapers with high detail or widgets with information that overlap the standard lock interface, which requires additional software installation and appropriate permissions.
☑️ Checking before installing third-party software
The use of third-party lock screen apps completely replaces the standard Android mechanism, and once installed, the system will suggest entering the password through the new interface, which gives you a huge freedom in design: you can add weather widgets, calendars, music players directly to the lock screen.
However, it is worth remembering the resource consumption: complex animations and constant operation of widgets can increase battery consumption, and optimizing the battery in this case will require removing a new application from the list of energy-saving processes in the system settings.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party screen locking apps can create conflicts with the fingerprint scanner or face unlock feature.Always test new solutions to avoid losing access to the device at a critical moment.
Solving problems with image quality and cropping
A common problem with wallpaper installation is the wrong framing, and the system automatically crops the image to fill the entire screen, often cutting off important details at the edges, especially for horizontal photos that occupy only a narrow strip in the center on the vertical screen of the smartphone.
To avoid this, it is recommended to pre-process the image in any photo editor before installation, you need to fram the photo in the proportions of your screen (usually 9:19.5 or 9:20), which will allow you to control which part of the photo will be visible on the lock screen.
The built-in editor in the Gallery app also allows you to pre-crypt. Open a photo, click Change, select a cropping tool and set the desired boundaries. Only after saving changes to the file should you start installing it as wallpaper.
If the image looks grainy, check its format. High-compression JPG format can produce artifacts on gradients. Better to use originals in PNG or HEIC format (if the device supports), which retain more detail while weighing less visually.
The impact of wallpaper on the autonomy of the device
Many users do not realize that the choice of wallpaper can affect the time of operation of a smartphone from a single charge. AMOLED-The screens that most Xiaomi flagships have are individually lit on these displays, and black means the pixel is off.
Use of fully black or dark wallpaper on AMOLED-If you have lots of bright elements, white plaques or light photos on your lock screen, the power consumption in standby mode (when the screen is turned on and off) will be higher.
Also worth mentioning is the live wallpaper: dynamic backgrounds that respond to the device’s tilt or time of day require constant GPU and gyro work, which can cause additional body heat and accelerated battery discharge, especially on models of the past.