How to turn on wallpaper with a scrolling effect (paralax) on Xiaomi: full instructions for MIUI

The wallpaper scrolling effect (or paralax effect) on Xiaomi smartphones transforms the desktop look, adding depth and dynamics to static images. When you tilt your phone or flip through pages, the background image shifts more slowly than the icons, creating the illusion of 3D. This feature is available on most devices running MIUI 12-14, but is not always enabled by default - many users are not even aware of its existence.

In this article, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for activating the effect for standard and third-party wallpapers, as well as tips for choosing images that are best for paralax. We’ll take a look at how the feature works on different models, from the flagship Xiaomi 13 Pro to the budget Redmi Note 12, and explain why some devices may not have the option. If you want to make your smartphone screen more visually appealing, read on!

What are scroll wallpapers and how do they work on Xiaomi

The scroll effect (paralax) is an optical illusion in which the background image moves at a different speed relative to interface elements (icons, widgets), which is realized on Xiaomi smartphones thanks to:

• 🔹 Gyroscope – the sensor determines the angle of inclination of the device and adjusts the offset of the wallpaper.
• 🔹 Software processing in MIUI – the system analyzes the depth of the image (if it is embedded in the file) or simulates it.
• 🔹 Hardware acceleration – on flagship models (e.g. Xiaomi 12T or POCO F5), the effect works smoother due to the powerful processor.

It is important to understand that not all wallpaper supports paralax. The effect is best seen in images with clearly expressed foregrounds and backgrounds (for example, mountains against the sky, a portrait with a blurred background). Standard wallpaper from Xiaomi is already optimized for this feature, but with images uploaded from the Internet, you can have problems - the system does not always correctly identify layers.

On devices with AMOLED- screens (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro), paralax looks more realistic due to its high contrast and deep black color. On IPS- displays (like the POCO X5), the effect is less noticeable, but still adds speakers.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices with weak iron (e.g., Redmi 9A or POCO M3), the scrolling effect may cause the interface to slow down. If you notice lags, turn off the function in the settings.

What Xiaomi models support scroll wallpaper

Paralax is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI 12 and later.

To check if your device supports paralax:

1. Open the Settings → Wallpaper.
2. Select any standard wallpaper (for example, "Mountains" or "Ocean").
3. Tilt the phone – if the background shifts relative to the icons, the feature works.

Step-by-step: how to turn on wallpaper with scroll

There are two ways to activate the paralax effect: through standard MIUI settings or through third-party applications, and we recommend starting with the first method, which is safer and requires no additional software.

Method 1: Using standard MIUI settings

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to Wallpaper section. → My wallpaper.
3. Select the category Live Wallpaper or 3D-Z (on some devices - Dynamic).
4. Scroll through the list and find wallpaper marked "Deep Effect" or "Paralax." Example: "Mountains 3D" or "Space."
5. Click Apply and select where to use the wallpaper: Lock screen, Desktop or Both screens.
6. After application, tilt the phone - the background should shift when changing the viewing angle.

If there are no suitable wallpapers in the list, try downloading them from the Store:

1. In the Topic app, go to Wallpaper → Online.
2. In the search bar, enter "paralax" or "3D".
3. Download your favorite wallpaper and use it.

Method 2: Using third-party wallpaper with depth effect

If you don't like the standard wallpaper, you can upload your own image.

1. Download the wallpaper in.png with transparency or.jpg with a clear separation into the foreground and background. Recommended resolution: 1080×2400 (for most modern smartphones).
2. Open the Gallery → select the downloaded image → Set as wallpaper.
3. In the preview window, click on the ⚙️ Settings icon (in the lower right corner).
4. Activate the option Depth Effect or Paralax (the name may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
5. Press Apply.

⚠️ Warning: If the option is depth effect is inactive, then the image you select is not suitable for paralax. Try another photo with more pronounced layers.

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To make paralax wallpaper look realistic, use blurry images (such as bokeh portraits or fog landscapes). Avoid flat images without depth - the effect will be barely noticeable.

Where to download wallpaper with the scroll effect for Xiaomi

Not all images are suitable for paralax, so for the effect to look organic, the wallpaper must have:

• 🎨 Clear separation into layers (foreground, middle plan, background).
• 📏 High resolution (minimum 1080×2340 for modern smartphones).
• 🌌 Color depth – Transparency images work best.png.

You can download suitable wallpaper from the following sources:

When choosing wallpaper, pay attention to the aspect ratio. For most Xiaomi smartphones, 1080×2400 (20:9) will suit. If your device has a different screen format (for example, POCO X3 with 20.5:9), use the frame-up for cropping.

Why the Scrolling Effect Doesn't Work: Common Problems

If you followed the instructions but paralax is not turned on, check the following points:

• 🔧 Outdated version MIUI — The effect appeared in MIUI 12. Update the firmware through Settings → About Phone → System Update.
• 📱 No gyroscope – some budget models (e.g. Redmi A1) do not have a tilt sensor physically.
• 🖼️ Inappropriate wallpaper — the image must be deep. Flat images (e.g., gradients) will not shift.
• ⚙️ Disabled animation — check the developer settings. Go to Settings → About phone, 5 times click on Version MIUI, then activate Windows Animation and Transition Animation from the developer menu.

If the problem persists, try resetting the wallpaper settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Themes app and click Warehouse.
3. Choose Clear Data and Clear Cache.
4. Reboot the phone and reset the wallpaper.

⚠️ Warning: On some firmware (e.g., MIUI Global for the European region), paralax may be disabled by default, in which case switching to MIUI China or custom firmware like Xiaomi.eu will help.

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If your device doesn't officially support paralax but it has a gyroscope, try installing live wallpaper through the Play Market's 3D Parallax Background app.It's a workaround, but it can cause increased battery consumption.

How to turn off the wallpaper with scrolling if they interfere

Not everyone likes the paralax effect, which can be distracting or uncomfortable with prolonged use, and can be turned off in two ways:

Method 1: through wallpaper settings

1. Open the Settings → Wallpaper.
2. Select the current wallpaper (click on the thumbnail).
3. In the preview window, turn off the option of the Depth Effect or Paralax.
4. Press Apply.

Method 2: Change wallpaper to static

1. In the Topics app, select the Normal Wallpaper section (without 3D or Live).
2. Set any flat image.

If after turning off paralax animation is still present, check the settings of the live wallpaper:

1. Keep your finger in the free space of the desktop.
2. Press wallpaper settings.
3. In the section Live wallpaper disable all active effects.

Tips for optimizing paralax on Xiaomi

To ensure that the scroll effect works smoothly and does not affect performance, follow these recommendations:

• 🔋 Watch the battery charge -- paralax increases the flow rate by 5 to 10 percent. Turn off the effect at low charge.
• 🎯 Use wallpaper at optimal resolution — files that are too large (4K) can cause lags.
• 🔄 Update MIUI — the new firmware versions optimize the gyroscope.
• 🚫 Avoid heavy widgets — the more elements on the desktop, the more the CPU load.

For owners of devices with AMOLED- screens (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or POCO F4) there is an additional life hack: use dark wallpaper with paralax. This not only saves battery power (black pixels are not illuminated), but also makes the effect more noticeable due to high contrast.

If you're a fan of experimentation, try combining paralax with live wallpaper. For example, the Zedge app has animated depth-enabled wallpaper -- rain, falling leaves, or space -- the combination of motion and the 3D- effect creates a unique visual experience.

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To quickly check if paralax is working on your device, tilt the phone left-right on your desktop. If the background shifts more slowly than the icons, the effect is active. If not, try a different set of wallpaper.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions