How to turn on the wallpaper change on Xiaomi: all ways and settings

Automatic wallpaper change on Xiaomi smartphones is not only a way to refresh the look of the device, but also a useful feature for those who like variety. Many users do not even suspect that their Redmi, POCO or Mi can independently change the background of the desktop on a schedule, depending on the time of day or when changing the topic. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, from built-in MIUI tools to third-party applications with advanced features.

It's important to understand that the functionality can vary depending on the firmware version and the device model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, the customization algorithm will be one, and on the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5, a slightly different one. We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will suit most of the modern gadgets of the brand. If your model is released before 2019, some menu items may not be available, we will mention this too.

Method 1: Built-in Dynamic Wallpaper in MIUI

The easiest way to enable automatic wallpaper change is to use the standard Dynamic Wallpaper option, which appeared in MIUI 12 and is preserved in newer versions, which allows you to set wallpapers that change depending on the time of day (morning/day/evening/night) or when the weather changes.

  1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
  2. Go to Wallpaper section. β†’ Dynamic.
  3. Choose your favorite set of wallpapers (for example, Nature, City or Space).
  4. Click Apply and confirm the selection for the Lock Screen and/or Desktop.

After that, the wallpaper will automatically update according to the given algorithm. Note: not all dynamic sets support the change in time - some are simply animated (for example, wallpaper with falling snow or leaves). To check whether the automatic shift is working, go back to the Dynamic Wallpaper menu and see the description of the selected set.

πŸ“Š What version? MIUI you use?
MIUI 14
MIUI 13
MIUI 12.5
Old version (up to MIUI 12)
I don't know.

Method 2: Using themes with automatic change

MIUI has a separate section with themes that include not only wallpaper, but also icons, fonts, animations, some of which support automatic rotation of wallpaper β€” for example, every few hours or when you unlock the screen.

  • πŸ” Open the Topics app and go to Recommended or Top.
  • 🎨 In the search bar, enter the request for a wallpaper or dynamic wallpaper (in English - auto wallpaper).
  • πŸ“₯ Choose your favorite theme and click Download, then Apply.
  • βš™οΈ After applying the theme, go to its settings (usually the Customize button in the upper right corner) and turn on the Automan Wallpaper option.

If you don’t find a suitable theme in the standard directory, try downloading it from third-party sources, such as the XDA Developers forum or the Mi-Themes site. However, be careful: install themes only from trusted sources to avoid viruses or malfunctioning.

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Before installing third-party themes, back up your current settings in Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ Backup. This will help you quickly restore the original look of the system when you crash.

Method 3: Third-party applications for automatic wallpaper change

If the built-in functions MIUI You don't have enough, you can use third-party apps, and they offer more options: changing wallpapers on a schedule, connecting to Wi-Fi, changing geolocation, and even based on your mood (using AI).-3 tested applications:

AnnexFeaturesDownload link
Wallpaper ChangerTime/Date Change Support for Wallpaper Folders Minimalist InterfaceGoogle Play
TapetGenerating AI wallpaper Auto Update Every Hour Support 4K-permittingGoogle Play
Muzei Live WallpaperIntegration with Art Blurring Wallpaper on Desktop Support for PluginsGoogle Play

To set up automatic wallpaper change through one of these applications, follow the general instructions:

  1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
  2. Open it and provide the necessary permissions (access to the storage, installation of wallpaper).
  3. Choose the source of the wallpaper: built-in gallery, folder on the device or online services (for example, Unsplash, Pexels).
  4. Set up a shift schedule (every hour, once a day, when unlocking, etc.).
  5. Activate the function and check the result.

Check the available space on the device (minimum 200 MB)

Update MIUI to the latest version

Make a backup copy of the current wallpaper

Turn off battery optimization for the application (in battery settings)

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Method 4: Auto-Washpapering via Google Photos

If you're a Google Photo user, you can set up automatic wallpaper changes directly from this app, a feature called Background Wallpaper that lets you install photos from your gallery or Google collections on your desktop. Here's how it works:

  1. Open the Google Photos app.
  2. Click on your avatar in the upper right corner and select Background Wallpaper.
  3. Select the source: πŸ“· Your photos – the wallpaper will change from your gallery. πŸŒ„ Google Collections – Thematic Collections (Landscapes, Cities, Animals). 🎨 Art and Culture – Paintings from Museums.

Set the change rate: Daily, Weekly or When unlocked.

Click Set Wallpaper and choose where to apply: on the Home screen, Lock screen or both.

Important: This feature requires that the Google Photos app has access to storage and is not optimized by the system (check Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Battery Optimization). Also note that wallpaper from Google Selections can load more slowly if you have unstable Internet.

Setting up automatic wallpaper change on the lock screen

On most Xiaomi devices, the lock screen and desktop are set up separately. If you want the wallpaper to change only on lock (or vice versa), do the following:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Lock screen.
  2. Select the lock screen wallpaper.
  3. Click Dynamic Wallpaper or Gallery if you want to use your images.
  4. Enable the Automan option (if available) or select a set of wallpaper marked Dynamic.

If the problem is not solved, try the following steps:

⚠️ Warning: Before resetting your settings, back up your data. Go to Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Backup and save your current settings to Mi Cloud or locally.

  1. Clear the app cache Topics: Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Application Management β†’ Topics β†’ Clear the cache.
  2. Reset the theme settings to standard: Settings β†’ Themes β†’ Reset to a standard theme.
  3. Reinstall the third-party wallpaper change app (if you use it).

Additional tips for working with wallpaper on Xiaomi

To make the process of changing wallpaper even more convenient, use these tips:

  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Create a separate folder for wallpaper on your device or in the cloud (like Google Drive) so you can manage your image collection more easily.
  • ⏱️ Set your schedule to your schedule, for example, if you wake up at 7:00, set the wallpaper change to 6:45, so you will be greeted with a new background every day.
  • πŸŒ“ Use dark wallpaper for the lock screen if you have AMOLED-It'll save you the battery.
  • πŸ”’ Turn off the carman for important wallpapers (such as those with memorable dates). To do this, simply select a static image manually.

If you like experimenting, try combining different ways, like installing dynamic wallpaper on your desktop via MIUI, and using Google Photos with personal photos for your lock screen, so your device is unique and always up-to-date.

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On devices with MIUI 14 and newer, the auto-shifting function of wallpaper works more stable than on older versions. If your smartphone supports the update, be sure to install it.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can you change the wallpaper by geolocation?
Yes, but only through third-party applications like Wallpaper Changer or IFTTT (by creating an applet with a location trigger), which is not a feature in standard MIUI settings.
Why do the wallpapers change not on a schedule, but chaoticly?
This can be due to battery optimization or application conflict, check the battery settings for the wallpaper change app, and turn off the limitations for it, and make sure that the device has enough free memory.
How to change the wallpaper when connecting to Wi-Fi?
This is the Tasker or MacroDroid app, and you can create a macro with Wi-Fi connectivity and Change Wallpaper, and you can use the image folder or the URL of the online gallery as your source.
Can you use live wallpapers with auto shifting?
Yes, but not all live wallpaper supports this feature. Google Play has specialized apps like Live Wallpaper Changer that let you combine animation with automatic rotation.
How to roll back changes if the app icons disappeared after changing the wallpaper?
This is a rare error that can occur when a topic conflicts. To return icons, reset the theme to standard: Settings β†’ Themes β†’ Reset to a standard theme. If the problem persists, restart the device.