How to install your wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 working ways with nuances

Why the standard wallpaper on Redmi 9 is not satisfied with users

Xiaomi Redmi 9 with MIUI factory firmware offers a limited set of wallpapers that quickly become boring. Many owners want to personalize the device, but face problems: the system does not always properly scale user images, and some formats are not supported at all. In addition, after the MIUI updates, the wallpaper installation interface may change, which confuses newcomers.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change wallpaper on Redmi 9, from standard methods through the gallery to advanced solutions using ADB and third-party launchers. We will focus on screen resolution (720×1600 pixels) and optimize images so that they do not stretch and crop. We will also consider typical errors that cause wallpaper to not apply, and give recommendations for their elimination.

If you want to do more than just change the background, and do it professionally — with MIUI 12/13/14 and without loss of quality, read on. We tested all the methods on Redmi 9 with the latest updates in 2026, so the instructions are up to date.

Method 1: Install wallpaper through the standard MIUI gallery

The simplest method, which does not require additional applications to be installed, is suitable for most users, but has limitations in formats and resolution.

To set up wallpaper through the gallery:

• 📁 Open the Gallery app** and select the image you want.
• 🔍 Click on the three dots in the lower right corner and select Set as Wallpaper.
• 📱 The system will suggest selecting the image area for the lock screen, the main screen, or both. Adjust the scale and position.
• ✅ Confirm the choice with the button Apply.

Important nuance: MIUI automatically crops images to the aspect ratio of the Redmi 9 (20:9). If your photo has a different ratio (for example, 16:9), it will be stretched or cropped at the edges. To avoid this, pre-cut the image in any graphics editor to a resolution of 720×1600.

Upload photos in a resolution not lower than 720×1600

Cut to an aspect ratio of 20:9

Save it in JPEG or PNG format

Check the brightness (dark wallpaper saves battery power)

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⚠️ Warning: If after using the wallpaper looks blurry, check the screen settings in Settings → Display. → Screen resolution. Make sure you're selected. HD+ (720×1600), Not Auto.

Method 2: Using the built-in Themes app

Xiaomi's Themes app* not only allows you to download the finished wallpaper, but also download your own, which gives you more customization options than a gallery.

Step instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Wallpaper tab in the lower menu.
3. Click on the icon + or My Wallpaper (depending on the MIUI version).
4. Choose Add Wallpaper and point the way to your image.
5. Adjust the position and scale, then click Apply.

The advantage of this method is that you can preview how the wallpaper will look on the lock screen and the home screen, but there are also resolution restrictions: if your image is less than 720×1600, the system will suggest stretching it, which will worsen the quality.

Animated GIFs only work on MIUI 12.5 and later.

Method 3: Third-party launchers for flexible wallpaper setting

If you don't like the limitations of standard methods, you can install an alternative launcher, popular options: Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Action Launcher.

• 🎨 Install wallpaper without cropping, with accurate fit under the screen.
• 🔄 Use live wallpaper (animated backgrounds).
• 📏 Set up scaling and positioning separately for each desktop.
• 🔒 Apply different wallpaper to the lock screen and the main screen.

Example of settings through Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Then open it and select it from the wallpaper settings.
3. Click the Gallery and select the image.
4. Turn on the option of scrolling wallpaper if you want the paralax effect.

The downside of this method is a 5-10% increase in battery consumption, since third-party launchers work on top of MIUI. However, if customization is important for you, this is the best option. Nova Launcher supports backup wallpaper settings, which is convenient when resetting your phone.

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If the wallpaper is reset to standard after installing the launcher, check the default settings: Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher. Select your launcher as your primary.

Method 4: Manual copying of wallpaper through ADB (for advanced)

This method is suitable for those who want to install wallpaper without loss of quality and bypass the limitations of MIUI. This will require a computer and enabled mode of the developer on the smartphone.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Enable debugging over USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
4. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
5. Place your wallpaper (in PNG format, 720×1600 resolution) in the same folder under the name wallpaper.png.
6. Run commands in the terminal (command line): adb push wallpaper.png /sdcard/ adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.SET_WALLPAPER -d file:///sdcard/wallpaper.png

This method ensures that the wallpaper is installed without compression and cropping. However, it requires ADB skills and may not work on some versions of MIUI due to security limitations. If the wallpaper remains unchanged after completing commands, try restarting the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use ADB for setting up wallpaper with resolution above 720×1600. This can lead to artifacts when scrolling desktops.

Method 5: Live wallpaper and animated backgrounds

If you're bored with static wallpaper, you can set dynamic backgrounds, and you can use apps like WallpapersCraft, Kappboom, or 3D Parallax Background to do this.

• 🌊 Animated landscapes (water, fire, space).
• 🎮 Interactive wallpaper (responds to the tilt of the phone).
• ⏱️ Wallpaper displaying time, weather or notifications.

How to install live wallpaper:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Choose your favorite background and click Set.
3. In the window that appears, select Lock Screen, Main Screen, or both.
4. Set up animation speed and motion sensitivity.

Note that live wallpaper significantly increases battery consumption — up to 15-20% per day. If you notice that the phone has become faster discharge, go back to static backgrounds or reduce the frequency of animation frames in the application settings.

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Live wallpaper only works on MIUI 12 and later, and on older versions, it will appear as static images.

Typical problems and their solutions

When installing wallpaper on Redmi 9 users often encounter the following errors:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the launcher settings: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher and select Erase Data. This will return the standard wallpaper, but can fix software failures.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi 9