How to install wallpaper on Xiaomi phone: all the ways from standard to hidden

Installing new wallpapers on Xiaomi’s smartphone is an easy way to refresh the look and feel of the device, but even in this seemingly rudimentary procedure, there are nuances, from the hidden features of MIUI to the limitations on animated backgrounds depending on the model. In this article, we will examine all the current ways to change wallpapers, from standard tools to little-known tricks for Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi’s flagship 13/14 series.

We will pay special attention to the problems faced by users: why wallpapers move when scrolling, how to install live wallpaper without lags, and where to download high-quality pictures for the resolution of the screen of your Xiaomi. All instructions are tested on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and adapted for different models - from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Wallpaper section in the settings, which is suitable for all Xiaomi models and does not require the installation of additional applications.

• 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon on the desktop).
• 🎨 Select the Wallpaper item (in some versions) MIUI It could be called Topics. → Wallpaper).
• 🖼️ Scroll down to My Wallpaper or Gallery section to select your own image.
• ✅ Click Apply, then specify where to install the wallpaper: on the Lock Screen, the Main Screen or both at once.

This section also includes standard Xiaomi wallpapers, including dynamic options (such as Earth or Space) that change slowly depending on the time of day.

💡

If the gallery does not have a wallpaper button when viewing the photo, press your finger on the image and select "Install as wallpaper" in the context menu.

One important thing: MIUI 14+ has Blurred Lock screen when you select wallpaper, which automatically blurs the background on the locked screen if you see notifications on it, and you can turn it off in the wallpaper settings, and look for the switch in the upper right corner.

2. Live wallpaper: how to install and customize

Animated wallpapers add speakers to the interface, but not all Xiaomi models support them correctly. For example, on budget Redmis with Snapdragon 4xx processors, they can slow down, and on flagships like Xiaomi 13 Pro work smoothly. Here's how to install them:

Method 1: Through MIUI Themes

The official MIUI Themes store contains hundreds of live wallpapers, but access to them varies by region. In Russia and Europe, some content can be blocked, in which case, changing the region to India or China (via the Mi Account settings) will help.

• 🛒 Open the Topics app (brush icon on desktop).
• 🔍 In the search box, enter a request for live wallpaper or live wallpaper.
• 📥 Choose your favorite theme and click Download (some wallpaper is paid, payment is deducted from the balance of Mi Coins).
• 🎯 After download, click Apply and select the screen to install.

Method 2: Third-party applications

For advanced features, use apps like Wallpapers Craft or KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker, which let you create your own animations but require customization skills, such as KLWP, which allows you to make wallpapers with weather, time, or even data from smartphone sensors.

Download wallpaper in.mp4 or.gif format (at least 1080p resolution)

Check the space available (live wallpaper takes up 50-200 MB)

Turn off energy saving for the Wallpaper app in the battery settings

Restart your phone after installation (solves the lag problem)

-->

On Xiaomi models with a MediaTek processor (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro), live wallpaper from third-party sources may not work due to manufacturer restrictions, in which case only firmware with an unlocked bootloader will help.

3. Installation of wallpaper through the gallery

If you downloaded a picture you like from the Internet or took a photo yourself, you can install it as wallpaper directly from the gallery. This method is universal and works on all versions of MIUI, including older ones (for example, MIUI 12 on the Redmi Note 9).

• 📷 Open the Gallery app and find the image you want.
• 🔘 Click on the three dots in the lower right corner (or make a long tap on the photo).
• 🖼️ In the menu that appears, select Set How → Wallpaper.
• ✂️ If necessary, trim the image by dragging the frame (for screens with a cut or perforation under the selfie camera, trim patterns are available).

Tip: If the wallpaper moves off when scrolling your desktop, select Fixed Position (not available on all models) in the cropping settings. You can also turn off the paralax effect in Settings → Display → Animation Effects.

Standard (from MIUI Themes)

Own photos/pictures

Live wallpaper (animated)

Dark wallpaper (for AMOLED)

Other-->

4. Hidden features: wallpaper for Always-On Display

In the models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi K60) The Always-On Display feature is available (AOD), It displays time and notifications even on a screen that's turned off. AOD You can install separate wallpapers – here’s how to do it:

• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Always-On Display and Lockdown.
• 🎨 Select the Style item AOD → Wallpaper.
• 🖼️ Both standard Xiaomi options and the ability to upload your own image (recommended resolution) are available here — 1080×2400 most models).
• ⚡ Include the option Adaptive color so that the wallpaper is adjusted to the theme of design.

Important: AOD only uses static dark wallpapers (black, dark blue, green) and bright colors will drain the battery quickly due to the AMOLED-matrix features, and note that on some models (such as the POCO F5), AOD wallpaper can only be changed through third-party applications like Always On AMOLED.

5 Problems and solutions: wallpaper moves, brakes or not installed

Even after installing the wallpaper correctly, Xiaomi can behave incorrectly. Consider typical problems and ways to solve them:

Problem 1: Wallpaper moves away when scrolling

This is because of the paralax effect, which is the default on MIUI.

1. Go to Settings → Display.
2. Find the Animation Effects item (or System Transitions in new versions).
3. Turn off the Parallax effect of wallpaper.

Problem 2: Live wallpaper is slowing down

On weak processors (for example, the Snapdragon 6xx in Redmi 10), animation can be put to the table.

• 🔋 Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Battery → Power regimens.
• 🗑️ Clear the Wallpaper app cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 📉 Reduce wallpaper resolution to 720p (For example, through the Video Compress app).

Problem 3: You can't install wallpaper because of MIUI restrictions

On some firmware (especially Chinese) Xiaomi blocks installation of wallpaper from the gallery.

• 🌐 Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) that allows you to change wallpaper without restrictions.
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader and swipe Global ROM (risk-taking).
• 📲 Use a file manager (such as Solid Explorer) to manually replace wallpaper through a folder /data/system/users/0/wallpaper (Root rights are required).

💡

If after changing the wallpaper there were artifacts (strips, blur), reboot the phone - it will reset the cache of the GPU.

6.Where to Download Quality Wallpaper for Xiaomi

The choice of wallpaper source is as important as the installation itself, and poor resolution or inappropriate format can ruin the experience.

• 🌄 Wallhaven (wallhaven.cc) – resolution sorted wallpaper (look for 1080p or 4K flagship).
• 📱 Backiee (backiee.com) – specializes in wallpaper for smartphones, taking into account the cutouts under the camera.
• 🎨 MIUI Themes – built-in theme store (available through the Themes app), but requires registration.
• 🖼️ Unsplash (unsplash.com/wallpapers) — Free high quality photos (use Vertical filter for portrait orientation).

For AMOLED-On the screens, opt for black-dominated wallpapers, which will reduce power consumption. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Lite, dark wallpaper saves up to 15% of battery life compared to light-colored wallpapers.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid downloading.apk wallpaper from unknown sites – it could be a virus. Use only verified sources or create wallpaper yourself (for example, in Canva or Photoshop).

7.Alternative methods: wallpaper through ADB and third-party launchers

For advanced users, there are wallpaper installation methods that are not available through the standard interface, for example, with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can apply wallpaper even on locked corporate devices.

Method 1: Through ADB

You will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and USB debugging enabled on your phone.

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.SET_WALLPAPER


adb push /path/to/wallpaper.jpg /sdcard/




adb shell cmd wallpaper set --stream /sdcard/wallpaper.jpg

This command will set the wallpaper from the file. For the lock screen, add the --lock flag.

Method 2: Through Nova Launcher

If you use an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher), the algorithm for changing wallpaper is different:

• 📱 Keep your finger in the free space of the desktop.
• 🎨 Select the wallpaper in the menu that appears.
• 🖼️ Download an image from the gallery or download from the built-in Nova collection.
• 🔄 Apply scaling settings (e.g., Stretching or Centering).

The advantage of Nova Launcher is support for Scrolling Wallpaper (scrollable wallpaper), which is not in the standard shell MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper on Xiaomi