Personalizing the smartphone interface is the first thing that many new device owners start with, and Xiaomi Redmi 9 is no exception to this rule. Standard images preinstalled by the manufacturer often seem boring or simply do not match the personal taste of the user who wants to see something truly unique on the screen. Fortunately, the MIUI shell on which the Android system in these phones is based offers incredibly wide possibilities for customizing the appearance.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to replace the background, from simple actions through the settings menu to more advanced methods using third-party programs. You will learn how to properly scale images so that they do not lose quality, and where to look for really high-quality images for your screen with a resolution of 1080×2340. The process of changing the visual style takes only a couple of minutes, but the result can dramatically change the perception of the device.
It's important to understand that choosing the wrong image format or download source can lead to the image being stretched or lost clarity. We'll look at the nuances of working with live wallpaper, which can affect battery autonomy, as well as standard static images. Proper tuning of the visual part of the interface is not just decoration, but a way to make interaction with a smartphone more enjoyable and intuitive.
Use of the built-in Themes application
The easiest and most reliable way to change the visual look of your Redmi 9 is to use the Themes app, which is pre-installed on all the company’s devices and provides access to a huge database of content that has been tested for compatibility with your model, and to get started, you need to find a shortcut called “Themes” on your desktop or in the Tools folder and run it.
Once you open the app, go to the bottom of the screen where the navigation tabs are located, and select Wallpaper. Here, the system will offer several categories: popular, new, as well as sections by type of images such as nature, abstraction or cars. You can use the search bar to find a specific image by entering a keyword such as "space" or "minimalism".
When you find the right image, click on it to view it in full size. If you like the picture, the Apply button will appear at the bottom of the screen. Clicking on it will open a selection menu where you want to specify whether the image will be set to the lock screen, desktop or both screens at the same time, which allows you to create interesting combinations when unlocking the phone opens one background and the desktop opens another.
- 🎨 A huge selection of free high-resolution images optimized for the screen.
- 🔄 Ability to change pictures weekly automatically through the "Carousel wallpaper" function".
- ⚡ Quick installation without the need to download files from the browser.
- 📱 Guaranteed matching of the Redmi 9 screen proportions without trimming important details.
⚠️ Note: When using the "Wallpaper Carousel" feature, promotional offers from Xiaomi partners may appear on the lock screen. You can turn this feature off in the theme settings or in the Topics application itself.
The live wallpaper feature available in this section deserves special attention. Unlike static images, they are short videos or animations that come to life when you unlock the device or press the screen. While it looks spectacular, it's worth remembering that animated wallpaper consumes more battery power, which can be critical for the Redmi 9 model with its 5020 mAh capacity when used actively.
Installation of image from the Gallery
Often users want to set their own photo or an image downloaded from the Internet as a background that is not found in the standard theme catalog, and this is the case with the built-in Gallery app, which allows you to install any image stored in the device's memory on the desktop or lock screen, which gives you complete control over the selection of images without the limitations of the MIUI directory.
Open the Gallery app and find the photo you want. Click on it to open the full screen, then tap the menu button (usually three dots in the corner or swipe up) to see the action available. In the options list, select Set as wallpaper. The system will automatically prompt you to select the framing area, as the proportions of the photo may differ from the proportions of the smartphone screen.
In the framing phase, you'll see a frame that can be moved and resized with a pinch gesture, which is critical because the Redmi 9 has a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, and if you don't fit the image correctly, important parts of the photo can be cut or black stripes appear on the sides.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Once you're satisfied with the framing result, press the confirmation button. The system will tell you to choose where the background will be displayed. You can only set it to the lock screen, only on the desktop, or both. If you choose to install on the desktop, the system can offer a depth effect (Parallax), which causes the image to shift slightly when the phone is tilted, creating a three-dimensional effect.
It is worth noting that when you install a photo from a gallery, the system can automatically apply a color enhancement filter. If you want to leave the colors as original as in the file, make sure that the gallery settings or at the time of preview do not activate additional effects of MIUI processing. This is especially important for professional photos, where color accuracy is important.
Setting up the wallpaper carousel
One of the most popular features in Xiaomi smartphones is the Glance, which allows you to automatically change the image on the lock screen every time you turn on the screen or swipe your finger, creating the feeling of a constantly updated device and allowing you to see current news, beautiful landscapes or motivational quotes without any action on your part.
To activate or configure this feature, go to the Settings app, then select the Wallpaper section and find the Wallpaper Carousel. Here you can turn on the service activation switch. Once you turn on the lock screen, you will see navigation arrows that allow you to flip pictures left or right, choosing what you like at that moment.
In the carousel settings, you can select the subject of the images that you will see, you can have categories: nature, cities, art, sports, etc. You can also specify the frequency of the update and subscribe to specific collections, which gives you flexibility in managing the content that hits your lock screen.
| Setup parameter | Description of function | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency of updates | How often does the picture change (with each turn on or once a day) | Minimal, almost imperceptible. |
| Content categories | Selection of subjects (sports, cars, nature) | It only affects the type of data being downloaded. |
| Showing on the desktop | Use the carousel only on the lock screen or anywhere | May increase battery consumption |
| Data regime | Uploading new wallpaper only via Wi-Fi | Savings in mobile traffic |
⚠️ Warning: Wallpaper carousel requires a constant internet connection to upload new images. Make sure that the Wi-Fi-only update is selected in the settings if you have a limited mobile fare.
Some users may find the carousel stops updating or showing old images, in which case it is recommended to clear the Wallpaper app cache through the app management menu, and it is also worth checking whether the phone is worth the traffic-saving mode, which can block the background loading of high-resolution images.
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To quickly turn off the wallpaper carousel, just unlock the phone and in the carousel window that appears, click on the gear icon or three dots, then select "Disable." This will return the static picture to the lock screen.
Use of third-party applications
If Xiaomi's built-in capabilities aren't enough, Google Play offers thousands of wallpaper apps. Popular services like Wallpapers HD, Zedge or Backdrops provide access to millions of images, sorted by quality and popularity. Using third-party software gives access to content that is not in official MIUI directories.
The process of installing through a third-party application is usually standard: you download the program, select the picture you like, and click the "Install" button. But there's an important caveat here: Many of these applications request permission to change system settings or overlay over other windows, which is necessary so that the application can switch wallpaper itself without you being involved through the standard Android menu.
When you first run an app on Redmi 9, you may have a security alert, you will need to confirm permission to install or change the wallpaper, and be careful and download apps only from trusted developers to avoid installing malware that can slow down your smartphone or show intrusive ads.
- 🌐 Access to global image databases from around the world.
- 🔍 Advanced search by colors, tags and resolution.
- 📅 Automatic change of wallpaper on schedule (for example, in the morning and evening).
- 🎨 Possibility of creating collages from several photos for the background.
It is important to remember the screen resolution. When downloading wallpaper from third-party sources, always make sure that the image resolution is at least 1080×2340 pixels. Low-resolution images (for example, 720p) on the Redmi 9 screen will look blurry and fuzzy, which will spoil the overall experience of using the device.
Setting up live wallpaper and effects
Live Wallpapers are dynamic backgrounds that respond to touch, device tilts, or are simply video recordings. On the Redmi 9, the MediaTek Helio G80 processor is productive enough to smoothly display most animations, but it's worth considering the system load. Live wallpapers can be either built into MIUI or downloaded from the store.
To install live wallpaper, go to Settings → Wallpaper → Select new wallpaper and scroll through the category list to the end, where the Live Wallpaper section is usually located. Here are various animations from spaceflight to flowing water. The selection and application are similar to static images, but with one difference - you immediately see the animation in action.
Parallax effect is another interesting feature available for static wallpapers. When you tilt the phone, the background on the desktop shifts slightly, creating the illusion of depth between the application icons and the background image, and you can activate this option when you install the wallpaper by switching the appropriate switch in the preview menu.
Effect of live wallpaper on the battery
⚠️ Warning: If you notice that the phone is starting to heat up or discharge faster after installing the live wallpaper, return the static image. The animation is constantly using the GPU, which increases power consumption.
Solution and optimization
Users may face a number of common problems during the setup process, such as the image may look stretched, have black stripes on the sides or not apply at all. Most often, the problem lies in the mismatch of the proportions of the source file and the smartphone screen. Redmi 9 has a resolution of FHD+ (1080×2340), and square or horizontal photos require framing.
If the wallpaper is not installed or immediately reset to a standard, it is possible that the image file is corrupted or has an unsupported format. MIUI works best with JPG and PNG formats. WebP or HEIC files (from iPhone) can not display correctly without conversion. Use the built-in gallery editor to save a copy of the image in a compatible format.
Another common situation is when you have wallpaper on the lock screen but not on the desktop, or vice versa. This is not a mistake, but a feature of choice when installing. Always read the pop-up menu carefully after clicking the "Apply" button to select the option "Both screens, if you want uniformity."
Why do the walls look blurry after installation?
Can I put my photos on the lock screen without the Carousel?
How to remove advertising when changing the wallpaper in the Topic app?
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The main secret of quality wallpaper on Redmi 9 — use images with minimum resolution 1080x2340 pixels and format JPG/PNG, Avoiding low quality screenshots.
To sum up, customizing the look and feel of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a creative process that doesn’t require deep technical knowledge.Whether it’s standard themes, live animations or personal photos, you have total control over what you see on the screen every day.