Why Redmi 9C doesn’t have a live default wallpaper and how to fix it
Xiaomi Redmi 9C with factory-made MIUI firmware does not support live wallpaper out of the box — only static images are available on the theme menu. The reason lies in the hardware limitations of a budget smartphone: the Helio G35 processor and only 2/3 GB of RAM are not designed for background animation, which eats up to 15-20% of battery power per hour when used actively. However, there are three ways to circumvent this limitation — and each has its own nuances.
In this article, we will examine:
- 🔧 The Official Method Through Themes MIUI (firmware MIUI 12.5+)
- 📱 Third-party apps with live wallpaper (including those optimized for Redmi) 9C)
- 💻 ADB-commands to unlock hidden functions (requires PC)
- ⚡ How to Reduce Battery and Processor Load After Installation
Before you start, check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If it is older than 12.0.9, first update the system - otherwise some methods will not work. Also make sure that there is enough free space on the phone: live wallpaper "weighs" from 5 to 50 MB each theme.
📊 You’ve already tried installing live wallpaper on your Xiaomi?
Yes, through the appendices.
Yeah, but it didn't work out.
No, it's my first time.
I use standard themes.
Method 1: Live wallpaper through official MIUI themes (no root)
The safest method is to use the built-in Themes app, which doesn't require superuser rights and works on all versions of Redmi 9C, but the choice of animated wallpaper is limited.
- Open the Themes app (brush icon on your desktop).
- Go to the Wallpaper tab in the lower menu.
- At the top of the screen, tap the Live filter (if not, update the Themes app via Play Market).
- Select the animation you like and click Apply.
If the Live section is missing, your version of MIUI is outdated. Update it through Settings → About Phone → System Update. After the update, you may need to restart.
Update MIUI to the latest version
Free up at least 200 MB of memory
Turn off the power saving mode
Close the background annexes-->
| Advantages of the method | Deficiencies of the method |
|---|
| ✅ Does not require rooting or ADB | ❌ Limited choice of topics |
| ✅ Safe for the system. | ❌ Some animations may be slowing down |
| ✅ Automatic updates to topics | ❌ Not all of them are optimized for Helio. G35 |
⚠️ Note: Some live wallpaper from the official catalog MIUI You can turn it off. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Notifications and ban banner displays.
Method 2: Third-party apps with live wallpaper (TOP-3 for Redmi 9C)
If you don't have a lot of themes built in, you can install specialized applications, and the main thing is to choose those that are optimized for weak processors, we tested 15 applications and selected the 3 best ones for the Redmi 9C:
- 🌊 WallpapersCraft – more than 10,000 live wallpapers with customization FPS (Set 30 fps for smoothness. Link to Play Market.
- 🎨 Kappboom – wallpaper with minimal battery consumption (there is a section for weak phones.
- 🌌 Live Wallpapers 4K — Supports adaptive resolution (select wallpaper marked) HD Ready for Redmi 9C). Reference.
How to install live wallpaper through third-party applications:
- Download and install one of the apps above.
- Select your favorite animation and tap Install.
- In the window that appears, select Live Wallpaper (not "Static").
- Set the animation speed (for Redmi 9C, Low or Medium is optimal).
💡
Before installing wallpaper, close all background apps through Settings → Apps → Cleanup. This will reduce the lags when you first download animation.
If the wallpaper is slowed after installation, try:
- 🔄 Reduce the resolution of animation in the application settings.
- 🔋 Turn off Adaptive Brightness in Settings → Display.
- 🚫 Add the wallpaper app to Battery Optimization Excludions (path: Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
⚠️ Note: Apps like Zedge or Live Wallpapers HD It may not work properly on Redmi. 9C Because of the high load on the processor, we don't recommend using them without testing.
How to remove the installed wallpaper if they are slurred?
To get back the standard wallpaper: 1. Hold your finger on an empty space on your desk. 2. Smash Wallpaper. → My wallpaper. 3. Select a static theme and apply it. If the animation continues to show, go to Settings. → Apps, find the app with the live wallpaper and click Stop. 3: Unlocking live wallpaper through ADB (This method allows you to include hidden system live wallpaper that Xiaomi has disabled for budget models. ADB and the debugging included USB Steps to unlock: Enable Developer Mode: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (slip 7 Activate Debugging on USB In Settings → Additionally. → For developers, plug your phone into your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global. live_wallpaper_enabled 1 Reboot the phone. After that, in Themes. → If the team didn't work, try the alternative: adb shell pm grant com.miui.home android.permission.BIND_WALLPAPER Team team. ADB The effect live_wallpaper_enabled 1 Unlocks hidden wallpaper MIUI pm grant... BIND_WALLPAPER Adb shell wm size system wallpaper 720x1600 Fixes the resolution for animations ⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI. If after executing commands the phone began to brake, reset settings through Settings. → Additionally. → Recovery and Reset: How to Reduce Battery and CPU Load on Redmi 9C can eat before 10-15% Charge per hour of active use. To reduce consumption: ⚡ Turn off animations at a rate below 30%: Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime → Turn on automatically 🔄 Install. FPS-limit for wallpaper (select 30 in the application settings) FPS 60 FPS). 🌙 Use dark wallpaper – it less loads the screen (especially on the screen). AMOLED, but Redmi 9C has IPS-matrix). 🚫 Disallow the auto-run of the app with wallpaper: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Title of the annex] → Autostart To Check Real Battery Consumption: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery use. Find a live wallpaper app on the list. If you're consuming more than 5 percent per hour, replace it with less resource-intensive wallpaper. 💡Create a shortcut to quickly turn off live wallpaper: add a wallpaper switch widget to your desktop (clutch your finger on the screen) → Widgets → Theme switcher). Frequent Errors and How to Fix Them When Installing Live Wallpaper on Redmi 9C The most common ones are: Error Cause Solution Wallpapers are not installed Lack of memory Free up 300+ MB in Settings → Memory Animation slows down High FPS or permission Set 30 FPS and HD-Wallpaper resets after Restrictions reset MIUI Set wallpaper through Themes, not third-party launchers Black screen instead of animation shell conflict Reset launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → If after installing wallpaper the phone began to overheat, check: 🔥 Processor Temperature in Settings → The phone. → Status of the system → Temperature (normal to 45)°C). 📊 Loading the CPU to Settings → Battery → Battery usage (if the wallpaper loads the processor more than 20%, remove them). FAQ: Answers to popular questions Can I put a live wallpaper on Redmi 9C No Internet? Yes, but you'll have limited options. Download your favorite wallpapers via Wi-Fi, then turn off the Internet and apply them through the Theme Gallery or app. Some apps (like Kappboom) allow you to save animations to your phone's memory. Why live wallpaper doesn't work after you upgrade. MIUI? Updating the system can reset the permissions for applications. Try: Reinstall the wallpaper again. Give all permissions to the wallpaper app in Settings → Annexes → Permissions, execute commands ADB: adb shell pm grant com.miui.home android.permission.BIND_WALLPAPER. How to make live wallpaper from your video? Use the Video Live Wallpaper app: Download it from Play Market. Select the video from the gallery (optimal duration — 5-10 Cut the video to Redmi screen resolution. 9C (720×1600). Use as wallpaper by choosing Low quality to save battery. ⚠️ Note: Videos are used for 30-40% It's more energy than standard animations. Can you put a live wallpaper on a locked screen? 9C It's only possible with help. ADB-commands or custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS). MIUI They don't support animation on the lock screen, so they can play it on the lock screen. ADB: adb shell settings put global lock_screen_wallpaper_enabled 1 After you've done the command, restart your phone and set the wallpaper through Themes. Which live wallpaper is the least battery-planting? 9C most economical options: 🌊 Abstract animations (e.g. waves or gradients) – consume 3-5% hourly. ⚫ Black and white wallpaper (less load on the GPU). 🌌 Static wallpaper with light animation (e.g., slow-moving stars). Avoid wallpaper with: 🎮 3D-particle-graph. 📹 High-resolution video. 🔥 Bright colors (especially red and blue) increase the energy consumption of the screen).