How to return wallpaper by default on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

We changed the wallpaper to Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, but the standard background looked much more harmonious? Or after the MIUI update, the desktop turned into a chaos of overlaid images? You can return the default wallpaper on Xiaomi devices in a couple of minutes — if you know where to look for the right settings. The problem is that the manufacturer regularly moves menu items between the firmware versions, and in some cases, standard backgrounds completely “hide” after installing custom themes.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to restore factory wallpaper, from basic (via theme menu) to radical (reset theme settings), focus on the nuances for different versions of MIUI (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14), and explain why wallpaper sometimes disappears after updating and how to fix it. If you encounter a black screen instead of a background image or can not find standard wallpaper in the gallery, here too, you will find a solution.

Why is the default wallpaper missing on Xiaomi?

Before you can restore the standard backgrounds, you need to understand why they disappeared, and 80 percent of the time, the problem is due to one of three things:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: Newer firmware versions often reset custom theme settings, including wallpaper. MIUI 13 on MIUI 14 Many users complain about black screen instead of background image.
• 🎨 Custom Theme Installation: Themes from the Mi Theme Store can overwrite standard wallpaper, and once removed, the original backgrounds are not automatically restored.
• 🗑️ Clearing cache or data: When manually cleaning the cache of the Topic app (com.android.themes) or resetting the launcher settings (com.miui.home), the wallpaper can default to “fly off».

Less often, system glitches are to blame, such as after a malfunction of Xiaomi Cloud services or a conflict with a memory optimizer, in which case it helps to reboot the device or reset the theme settings (more on this below).

Method 1: Recovery through the Topics menu (fastest)

If you just want to return standard wallpaper without resetting, start with this method.It works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices regardless of the MIUI version:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush and palette).
2. Go to the Wallpaper section (the tab at the bottom of the screen).
3. Scroll down to the Standard or Default block (name depends on the MIUI version).
4. Select your favorite background and click Apply.

If there's no Standards block, try clicking on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset, which will bring the wallpaper and icons back to the factory look.

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On some devices (e.g. POCO F5), standard wallpaper is hidden behind the button More → Standard Themes. If you don't find it, check out this section!

Method 2: Reset the launcher settings (if wallpaper does not apply)

Sometimes the wallpaper is selected, but not displayed on the desktop, and this is due to the glitch of the launcher com.miui.home.

Make sure important labels are fixed on the home screen

Remember the location of the widgets (they will drop)

Close all apps (swipe up in the recent menu)

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1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the launcher (or com.miui.home) and open its settings.
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data (not just cache!).
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

After the reboot, the default wallpaper will be applied automatically. If this does not happen, repeat the steps from Method 1 (via the Topics menu).

⚠️ Warning: Clearing the launcher data will reset the layout of icons and widgets on the desktop. App shortcuts will remain, but they will have to be dragged over again.

Method 3: Manual recovery through system files

For power users, standard Xiaomi wallpapers are stored in system folders and can be restored manually.

• 🖼️ Wallpaper by default is not in the menu "Themes»;
• 🔧 You have deleted system files through Root or ADB;
• 📱 The device has not been updated for a long time (for example, it remains on the device). MIUI 11).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode).
2. Use it. ADB or file manager with Root rights (such as MiXplorer) to go down the path: /system/media/theme/default_wallpaper/ Here are the standard wallpapers for your model.
3. Copy files (usually in.jpg or.png format) to the DCIM/Wallpapers folder.
4. Apply wallpaper through the gallery or the "Themes" menu.

⚠️ Note: Changing system files without Root permissions can cause crashes. If you are not sure, use Method 1 or 4.

Method 4: Reset all the theme settings (radical method)

If the previous methods did not work and the wallpaper is still not displayed, perform a complete reset of the themes, this will return all visual settings to the factory (wallpaper, icons, fonts, animations):

1. Open Settings → Themes.
2. Click on the profile icon (in the upper right corner) → Theme settings.
3. Choose Reset theme settings (or Restore the standard theme).
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

After the reboot, the following will be applied:

• 📱 Standard Wallpaper (for your model);
• 🎨 System Icons (Miui or Poco Launcher);
• 🔤 Default font (MiSans or Roboto);
• 🎞️ Transition animations.

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Resetting the theme does not affect user data (photos, messages, applications), but will return the factory launcher and widgets.

Method 5: Reinstall firmware (if nothing helps)

In a pinch, if the wallpaper is gone after a failed upgrade or system failure, flashing the device will help, and this method should only be used if:

• 🔧 All the other ways didn't work;
• 📵 The screen displays a black background or artifacts;
• 🔄 The device has not been updated for more than a year (for example, stuck on the device). MIUI 12).

Instructions:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click on three dots → Select a firmware file and specify the downloaded package.
4. Wait for the installation to be completed (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After flashing, the default wallpaper will be restored along with all system files, and Importantly, this method will reset all settings, but will not delete user data (photos, videos, messages).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you restore the default wallpaper, users often face typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

If after all the manipulations, the wallpaper is still not restored, check the device for viruses (for example, through Mi Security) - some malware blocks the change of system files.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions