How to return factory wallpaper to Xiaomi: all ways from simple to complex

You accidentally deleted your favorite standard wallpaper from your Xiaomi phone or it disappeared after the update MIUI? Don’t rush to the doubtful ones. APK-Files from the Internet — you can legally return original background images. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, including recovery through system settings, using archival themes and even manually extracting wallpaper files from firmware.

The problem of missing factory wallpaper is especially relevant after major updates MIUI 14/15, when the system automatically replaces the background images with new ones. Fortunately, the manufacturer does not delete the original files completely - they remain in the depths of the system folders. The main thing is to know where to look and how to activate them correctly. We will look at solutions for all modern models, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

1.Recovery through MIUI Theme Archive

The easiest way to get back old wallpaper is to use the built-in theme archive feature. Xiaomi saves all the themes ever installed (including factory ones) in a special section.

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush)
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner
3. Select the item My topics → Archives
4. Scroll down to System or Factory section

If you don't have the wallpaper in your archive, try updating the list: pull the screen down and wait for the indicator to turn up. Sometimes the system themes are hidden behind the Show Everything button at the bottom of the screen.

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If the archive only shows empty previews, it's a MIUI bug. Reboot your phone and try again.

Note that MIUI 15 may have a theme archive called History or Recent, and some of the Poco firmware doesn't have that section at all, so move on to the next method.

2.Reset wallpaper through screen settings

Many users don’t know that Xiaomi has a hidden feature to reset wallpaper to factory, which works even if you manually remove the standard backgrounds:

1. Go to Settings. → Screen.
2. Choose Wallpaper.
3. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner
4. Click Reset Wallpaper or Restore Standard Wallpapers

The system then offers a choice between a light and a dark version of the factory wallpaper, and on some models (e.g. Redmi K60), this item may be called Return Standard and hide behind a long tap in the current background.

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI Global wallpaper reset sometimes leads to automatic download of new themes from the cloud. If unfamiliar backgrounds appear after the procedure, turn off the Internet before resetting.

If the reset item is not on the menu, your version of MIUI does not support it, and the following method using the file manager will help.

3. Manual search of wallpaper files in system folders

All Xiaomi's factory wallpapers are stored in secure system folders, so you can find them and install them manually:

1. Install a file manager with access to root folders (e.g. MiXplorer or Solid Explorer)
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings
3. Go to /system/media/theme/default/wallpaper/ or /data/system/users/0/wallpaper/
4. Copy your favorite files (usually in.jpg or.png format) into the DCIM/Wallpapers folder.
5. Set wallpaper through the standard Settings menu → Screen → Wallpaper

On newer versions of MIUI 14+, the path may be different.

• 📁 /product/media/theme/default/wallpaper/ (for dynamic partition devices)
• 📁 /vendor/overlay/common/wallpaper/ (POCO)
• 📁 /system/priv-app/MiuiHome/miui_home_res/apk/assets/wallpapers/ (older)

Install a file manager with root access

Make a backup copy of system files

Check the free space in memory

Disable automatic update of themes-->

⚠️ Warning: Do not rename or delete files in system folders – this can cause the interface to crash MIUI. Better copy the wallpaper to the user folder and install from there.

If you don't have root rights, but you have a computer, you can extract wallpaper from the firmware through Mi Flash or through an archive of firmware files, and that's in the next section.

4. Removal of wallpaper from firmware (without root)

This method is suitable for advanced users who are ready to work with firmware files.

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux
• 📱 Official firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website)
• 🛠 Archivator (7-Zip, WinRAR)
• 🔍 Program for viewing images in RAW-Format (for example, FastStone Image Viewer)

Step-by-step:

1. Download firmware in.tgz or.zip format for your model
2. Unpack the archive twice (first.tgz, then the.tar)
3. Go to system/media/theme/default/wallpaper/
4. Find files with.jpg,.png or no extension
5. Transfer them to your phone and install them as wallpaper.

Some firmwares have the wallpaper encrypted to open it.

1. Rename the file by adding the.jpg extension
2. Open through FastStone Image Viewer with the "Open as RAW" option
3. Specify parameters: Width: 1080-1440px, Height: 1920-3200px, Format: 24 bits

5.Use of ADB-recovery

For users familiar with ADB, there is a way to return wallpaper via the command line, which works even without root rights:

1. Install Platform Tools on your computer
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers)
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: adb shell su cp /system/media/theme/default/wallpaper/default_wallpaper.jpg /sdcard/DCIM/Wallpapers/ exit exit
4. Turn off your phone and install the copied wallpaper through the gallery

If the SU command is not working (no root), use an alternative route:

adb pull /system/media/theme/default/wallpaper/ C:\XiaomiWallpapers\

List of useful ADB-wallpaper-working:

• 📋 View current wallpaper: adb shell dumpsys activity service com.android.systemui /wallpaper
• 🔄 Reset to standard: adb shell cmd wallpaper clear
• 📁 List of system wallpapers: adb shell ls /system/media/theme/default/wallpaper/

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ADB-method is the only way to return wallpaper on devices with a locked bootloader and without root rights.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 15 with Android 13+ some ADB-If you get an adbd error that cannot run as root, try restarting the service: adb root.

6.Recovery through MIUI backup

If you've ever backed up through Settings → Additional → Backup, the original wallpaper could have been saved in the archive to retrieve it:

1. Connect the phone to the computer
2. Go to MIUI/Backup/AllBackup/
3. Find the last backup (date folder)
4. Open the com.miui.home file through the archiver
5. Extract files from the wallpaper/ folder

In MIUI 14+ backups, the wallpaper can be stored in encrypted form to decrypt it:

• 🔐 Use Mi Backup Decrypt (requires a password from your Mi Account)
• 📂 Or find files with the extension.wp – these are containers with wallpaper
• 🖼 Convert them into JPG Online services like ReviverSoft

Important: Backups made through Google Account don't contain wallpaper, just settings and apps. Use only local MIUI backups.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you restore wallpaper, you often encounter common mistakes, and here's how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔍 Is there a custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) that replaces the system wallpaper?
• 📱 Is the mode for the visually impaired activated (Settings) → Special opportunities)
• 🔄 Is not automatic theme update included in Settings → Topics → Auto-update

FAQ: Answers to popular questions