How to return wallpaper to the Xiaomi desktop: all ways to restore the background

You turned on a Xiaomi smartphone, and instead of the usual wallpaper — a black screen, a standard background or even a void? The problem with the disappearance of the desktop background is more common on devices with a MIUI shell than you think. The reasons can be different from an accidental launcher failure to a conflict after a system update. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to return wallpaper to the Redmi, POCO or Mi screen — from basic settings to radical measures like reset to factory settings.

It's important to understand that the algorithm of actions depends on the version of MIUI (12, 14 or 15) and the device model. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro, the path to wallpaper settings is different from the Redmi Note 10. We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will work for most of the brand's gadgets. If you recently updated the firmware or installed third-party themes, start with a launcher reset, this solves the problem in 70% of cases.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Up-to-date versions - 14.0.5+ or 15.0.1+.
• 🔄 Reboot: Sometimes it is enough to restart the device by holding the power button for 10 seconds.
• 📂 Wallpaper folder: Make sure the original background file is not deleted (check Gallery) → Albums. → Wallpaper).

1. Wallpaper restoration through standard MIUI settings

The most obvious, but often ignored, way is to reset the background through the theme menu, which works if the wallpaper has just dropped to the standard, but has not disappeared completely.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Wallpaper tab (bottom of the screen).
3. Select My Wallpaper category – here you will see previously installed background images.
4. Click on the desired background and confirm Apply.

If My wallpaper is empty, try:

• 🔍 Download wallpaper again from the Recommended or Popular section.
• 📁 Import an image from the Gallery by clicking + → Choose from the gallery.
• 🔄 Update the wallpaper list by pulling the screen down (sometimes the cache does not display the saved background pictures).

⚠️ Warning: If after you choose the wallpaper, the screen flashes and returns to the black background, the problem is in the launcher.

2. resetting the MIUI launcher to factory settings

Launcher (the program responsible for displaying the desktop) in Xiaomi often “gluts” after updating or installing themes. Resetting its settings will return the standard look of the screen, but will not delete your data.

How to drop the launcher:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search, type Louncher (or Lawnchair if you use custom).
3. Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After the reboot:

• 🛠️ The desktop will return to the factory appearance (standard wallpaper and icons).
• 🔄 Get into Themes. → Wallpaper and set your background again.
• 📱 If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher), reinstall it.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F3, Redmi K40) Resetting the launcher can cause folders to disappear on the desktop.

3. Check in Safe Mode (if the wallpaper has disappeared due to the application)

If the wallpaper disappears after installing new software or updating, the third-party application is to blame. Safe mode will help to check this - it only runs system programs.

How to start safe mode:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger on the power off option (or reboot on some models).
3. Confirm the transition to safe mode (the Safe mode will appear at the bottom of the screen).

In safe mode:

• 🔍 Check if there's any wallpaper. If so, there's a problem in a third-party app.
• 📱 Remove recently installed programs (especially launchers, widgets, or optimizers).
• 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode and install the wallpaper again.

4 Manual wallpaper recovery through file manager

If the wallpaper is stored in the phone’s memory but not displayed in the settings, it can be manually installed, and this will require a file manager (for example, a standard Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the file manager and go to DCIM → Wallpapers or Pictures → Wallpaper.
2. Find the image you want (usually in.jpg or.png format).
3. Hold your finger on the file → Set as → Desktop wallpaper.
4. Confirm the action and select the pruning area (if required).

If the Wallpapers folder isn't:

• 🔍 Check Download – it may have been downloaded from there.
• 📁 Use a file manager search by entering keywords (wallpaper, background).
• 💾 Connect your phone to your PC and check for hidden folders (enable the display of hidden files).

💡

If the wallpaper was installed from the theme archive (.mtz), try re-importing the file through the Themes app. To do this, download the archive again and select Import theme in the app menu.

5. Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If none of these things work, you'll have to reset hard, and that will delete all the data from your phone, so you'll only use this as a last resort.

• 📱 Settings → The phone. → Backup.
• 🖥️ Copy important files to your PC or cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).

How to perform the reset:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Reset (on some models – Erase all data).
3. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.
4. After rebooting, set the phone up as new and set the wallpaper again.

⚠️ Note: On devices with unlocked bootloader (Xiaomi.eu, custom firmware), the reset may result in loss of access to the Mi Account. → Xiaomi account.

6.How to prevent the disappearance of wallpaper in the future

To avoid the problem recurring, follow simple rules:

• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI through settings → Updating the system.
• 📁 Store copies of wallpaper in the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 🛡️ Do not install launchers and themes from unverified sources.
• 📱 Periodically clean the launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Cash).

If you change your wallpaper frequently, use specialized applications:

• 🎨 WallpapersCraft – automatic background change on a schedule.
• 🖼️ Zedge – a large base of wallpaper with backup.
• 🔄 Muzei – dynamic wallpaper that doesn’t reset when you update.

💡

On devices with MIUI 15, wallpaper is stored in the cloud by default. To avoid background loss, enable sync in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync → Themes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper restoration on Xiaomi