How to install your photo on the desktop of the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

If you want to personalize your Xiaomi Redmi but don’t know how to put your favorite photo on your desktop or lock screen? This task seems simple, but beginners often have questions: why the image is cropped, how to avoid stretching, or where to find hidden theme settings. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways – from standard MIUI tools to little-known chips that work even on older models of the Redmi Note 8 Pro or the new Redmi 13C.

It's important to understand that the process varies depending on the firmware version: MIUI 14 and newer have simplified the interface, and MIUI 12/13 has some options hidden deeper, we've taken all the nuances and prepared universal instructions that will work for most of the brand's devices, and if you're faced with a problem of "no wallpaper installed" - at the end of the article there is a section on solutions to typical errors.

1. Standard method: through desktop settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It works on all Xiaomi Redmi models, including the budget Redmi A2 and the flagship Redmi K60. The main advantage is that you do not need to download third-party applications, and the image quality is maintained at a high level.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

• 📱 Open Settings (the gear icon on the desktop).
• 🎨 Select the Wallpaper section (in some versions Personalization) → Wallpaper).
• 🖼️ Click My Wallpaper or Gallery (depending on version) MIUI).
• 📂 Select the folder with the desired photo (for example, DCIM → Camera).
• ✂️ Cut the image by markup (can be scaled with two fingers).
• 🔄 Choose where to apply: Desktop, Lock Screen, or Both Screens.
• ✅ Click Set or Ready.

Important: in MIUI 14+, when cropping, the photo is automatically centered on the AI algorithm - if you need to shift the frame manually, hold your finger on the image for 2 seconds to turn off auto-alignment.

Photos with permission not lower 1080p|Power saving mode is disabled (can block changes)|Free at least 500 MB of memory|Photo not in format HEIC (not all versions MIUI he's supported)-->

If the wallpaper looks blurry or pixelated after installation, the problem may be the aspect ratio.

2400×1080 (FHD+)|1600×720 (HD+)|3200×1440 (QHD+)|Other|I don't know.-->

2. Installation through the "Themes" app

The Themes app (brush icon) not only offers ready-made wallpaper, but also allows you to upload your images with additional effects, which is suitable if you want to add blur, gradient or animation to the background image.

Algorithm of action:

• 🎨 Launch the Themes app (if not, download from Google Play).
• 🖼️ Go to the Wallpaper tab. → Mine.
• ➕ Click Add and select a photo from the gallery.
• ✨ Apply effects (e.g., Blurring or Dark Filter).
• 📱 Select Apply to Desktop or Apply to Lock Screen.

The advantage of this method is the ability to create dynamic wallpaper (for example, with a paralax effect when tilting the phone).

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If there is no “My” tab in the Themes app, update it via Google Play or clear the cache in the app’s settings.

3.Using the Xiaomi Gallery

Many users don't know that you can install wallpaper directly from the standard Gallery, which is convenient if you just took a photo and want to use it as a background.

Instructions:

1. Open the gallery and find the photo you need.
2. Click on the image, then tap on the icon. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner.
3. Select Set as → Desktop Wallpaper or Lock Screen Wallpaper.
4. Adjust the framing area and confirm the choice.

Note that some versions of MIUI may not have this menu item, and if you don't have one, use the first or second method.

Third-party wallpaper annexes

If standard MIUI tools don't suit you, you can use third-party apps that offer more editing, support for live wallpaper, and sync with cloud services.

Top.-3 tested applications:

• 🌄 WallpapersCraft is a huge database of wallpapers with filters by resolution and subject. There is an automatic fit for the Redmi screen.
• 🎨 Zedge – supports live wallpaper (AMOLED-effects) and sound themes.
• 🖼️ Backdrops is a minimalist wallpaper with the ability to fine-tune colors. AMOLED-screen.

To install wallpaper through a third-party application:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Choose the image you like.
3. Click Set Wallpaper or Set Wallpaper.
4. Select your target screen (Home Screen, Lock Screen or both).
5. Confirm the change.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (e.g. Zedge) request permission to access storage and camera. SMS — This is a sign of fraudulent software.

5. Problem Solving: Wallpaper is not installed

Sometimes users find that the photo is not set as wallpaper, or changes do not apply. Let's consider the typical reasons and ways to eliminate them.

Problem 1: When you press “Install” nothing happens.

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache of the Themes or Gallery app in the settings.
• 📥 Update the firmware MIUI last-minute.

Problem 2: Wallpaper is set, but it looks blurry.

• 📏 Check the resolution of the original photo (should be at least) 1080×2400 modern Redmi).
• 🔍 Turn off the Adaptive Blurr option in wallpaper settings.
• 🛠️ Try cropping the photo in a third-party editor (such as Snapseed) before installing it.

Problem 3: Wallpaper is reset after reset.

• 🔋 Check if the Energy Saving mode is activated – it can block background processes.
• 📁 Make sure the photo is stored in internal memory (not on the computer). SD-map).
• 🔄 Reset the launcher settings: clamping the empty space on the desktop → Desktop settings → Reset the settings.

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If the wallpaper is not installed only on the lock screen, check if the Safe Mode feature is enabled in the lock screen settings. It blocks the change in the background image.

6. Optimization of wallpaper for AMOLED-screen

If your Xiaomi Redmi is equipped with AMOLED-screen (e.g. Redmi) K50 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), Ordinary wallpaper may look dull or cause pixel burnout. To avoid this, follow the advice:

• 🌑 Use dark wallpaper with a predominance of black (saves battery power).
• 🔄 Change the wallpaper every 1-2 months to prevent burnout of static elements.
• 🎨 Prefer abstract drawings without bright logos on the edges of the screen.
• 🔍 Enable Adaptive Brightness in the Display Settings.

To create the perfect ones AMOLED-wallpaper will fit the appendices:

• AMOLEDWallpapers is a collection of wallpapers with an optimized color palette.
• Dark Wallpapers 4K is a high-resolution dark background.

Example of optimized background:

Color scheme: 80% black, 20% color accents




Resolution: 2400×1080 (for Redmi Note 12)




- Format: PNG (without loss of quality)

7. How to install live wallpapers (Live Wallpapers)

Live wallpaper adds speakers to your Redmi, but requires more resources. MIUI has built-in support for animated backgrounds, but it needs to be set up properly.

Installation instructions:

1. Download live wallpapers from Google Play (like Live Wallpapers or Kappboom).
2. Open the app and select the animation you like.
3. Click Install and select Lock Screen or Desktop.
4. In wallpaper settings, disable the option Battery Optimization for the selected background.

⚠️ Warning: Live wallpaper can increase battery consumption by 5-15%.If you notice a quick discharge, go back to static backgrounds or reduce the frequency of animation in the application settings.

To save charge:

• 🔋 Use live wallpaper only on the lock screen.
• ⏱️ Set a screen sleep timer for 15–30 seconds.
• 📉 Turn off animation in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Windows animation and select No animation).

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi