The lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone, and many Xiaomi users want to make it unique. Instead of standard MIUI wallpaper, you can install any photo from the gallery — a family photo, a beautiful landscape or a meme that will cheer up. However, not everyone knows how to do it correctly: in some versions of MIUI, the option is hidden in non-obvious menus, and on some models (for example, Poco F5 or Redmi Note 12), the algorithm is different.
In this article, we will discuss three proven ways to install wallpaper on the lock screen directly from the gallery - from the simplest (through standard settings) to alternative methods for cases where the system does not allow you to change the background. You will also learn why wallpaper is sometimes reset after rebooting and how to fix it. MIUI 12, 13 and 14 on all modern smartphones of the brand, including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi and Poco.
Why can’t you change the lock screen?
Before you go to the instructions, it is important to understand what the typical problems are, and most often users face the following difficulties:
- 🔍 The option "Block screen" is not in the wallpaper menu - this is typical for some regions or firmware with limited settings (for example, the global version). MIUI Europe).
- 🔄 Wallpaper is reset after system update or reboot - the reason for the cache of the Themes application or a conflict with energy-saving modes.
- 📱 Not all image formats are supported: the system may not see the photo in the image format. HEIC WEBP, although they are displayed in the gallery.
- 🔒 Blocked feature on corporate devices or smartphones with parental control.
If you don’t fall under these points, the problem is likely to be the MIUI version or device model. For example, on the Xiaomi Mi A3 (with pure Android One), the algorithm differs from the standard MIUI, and on the Poco X3 Pro, you may need to adjust the permissions further.
Method 1: Standard replacement through wallpaper settings
This is the most obvious and versatile method that works on most Xiaomi devices, suitable for the Redmi Note 11/12, Xiaomi 12T/13, Poco F4/F5 and other models with MIUI 12-14.
- Open the Themes app (icon with brush) or go to Settings → Wallpaper.
- Select the "Block screen" section (if not, see alternative methods).
- Click My Wallpaper or Gallery (depending on the MIUI version).
- Select the desired photo from the gallery and confirm the installation with the Apply button.
- Make sure the checkmark is opposite to “Lock screen only” (otherwise the wallpaper will change on the home screen).
If the background hasn’t changed after these actions, try restarting the device or clearing the theme app cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Topics → Storage → Clear the cache).
☑️ Preparation before wallpaper replacement
Method 2: Installation through photo editing in the gallery
On some devices (such as the Redmi 10C or Poco M4 Pro), the option to replace lock wallpaper is hidden in the gallery context menu, which works even if the theme settings do not have the desired section.
- Open the gallery and find the photo you want to use.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner (or hold your finger in the photo) and select Set as.
- In the menu that appears, tap "Wallpaper lock screen" (if there is no such item, select More or Other parameters).
- Confirm the action and wait for the changes to be applied.
If there is no lock screen option in the context menu, try cropping the photo before installing: sometimes the system offers application options only after editing.
What to do if the photo is cut incorrectly?
Method 3: Use third-party applications (if standard methods don't work)
If the first two methods didn’t work, the cause could be a manufacturer restriction (for example, on some models for the Chinese market) or a system failure, in which case a third-party application Wallpaper Changer or Muzei (available on Google Play) will help.
Algorithm of action:
- Install the Wallpaper Changer app from Google Play.
- Open it and provide all the permissions requested (access to storage and wallpaper settings).
- Select the Lock Screen section.
- Upload the photo from the gallery and use it.
The advantage of this method is that the app bypasses the limitations of MIUI and allows you to install live wallpaper or animations on the lock screen. However, be careful: some applications may contain ads or collect data.
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If they are reset by installing wallpaper through a third-party app, try disabling battery optimization for that app in Settings → Apps → Application Management → [App Name] → Battery → Without restrictions.
Table of compatibility of methods with popular models Xiaomi
Not all methods work equally well across devices, and the table below shows the compatibility data for popular models:
| Model of the device | Standard settings | Through the gallery | Party of annex | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Demands a shutdown. MIUI Optimization | Global firmware may not have an option for the lock screen. |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Live wallpaper is installed only through third-party utilities. |
| Poco F5 | ❌ No (only through the gallery) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | In the themes settings there is no section "Block screen". |
| Xiaomi 11T | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Possible failures after update | It is recommended to clear the cache of the Topic application after the update. |
| Redmi 10C | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (via context menu) | ✅ Yes. | Budget models often lack a section in the settings. |
If your model isn't in the table, try all three methods in order. On new devices (such as Xiaomi 14 Ultra), the algorithm may differ - keep an eye out for MIUI updates.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even following the instructions, users often make mistakes that lead to crashes, and the most common ones are:
- 📏 Incorrect resolution: if the image is too small (e.g., photo, 720p), The system automatically stretches it, which causes a loss of quality — 1080×2400 for most of Xiaomi.
- 🔋 Energy saving mode: with activated Ultra Battery Saver mode, the system can reset wallpaper after inactivity.
- 🔄 Auto-Update Themes: In Theme Settings → Settings → Auto-update can be enabled with the option of changing wallpaper on schedule.
- 📂 Photo in cloud storage: if the image is not uploaded to the device (for example, it is in Google Photos without caching), the system will not be able to use it.
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI China) when installing wallpaper from the gallery, the system automatically duplicates it into a folder MIUI/Wallpaper. If you delete the original photo, the wallpaper on the lock screen may disappear. To avoid this, copy the image to a separate folder before installing it.
How to fix the wallpaper so that they do not drop
If after a reboot or system update, the wallpaper on the lock screen returns to normal, the problem lies in the cache of the Topics app or a conflict with Google services.
- Clear cache and app data Topics: Settings → Applications → Application management → Topics → Storage → Clear cache / Clear data
- Turn off auto-update themes: Themes → Profile → Settings (cogs) → Auto-update → Turn off
- Add App Topics in Battery Optimization Exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All Apps → Topics → No Limits
- If the problem is repeated, try to set the wallpaper through ADB (Adb shell cmd wallpaper set for experienced users --lock /storage/emulated/0/Download/your_wallpaper.jpg
After these actions, the wallpaper should remain in place even after the reboot, and if not, check if the device has work profiles (for example, through Digital Wellbeing) that can reset settings.
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On devices with MIUI 14 and later, lock screen wallpaper is tied to your Mi Account, so if you log out or drop your phone, it may disappear, and to avoid that, save the original photo to the cloud or memory card.