Scrolling wallpaper on Xiaomi: what it is, how it works and why you need it

Have you ever noticed that on some Xiaomi smartphones, the wallpaper on the home screen seems to move as you scroll? It's not a bug or random animation, it's a special feature called wallpaper scrolling (or parallax effect in international firmware) that creates the illusion of depth, making the interface more dynamic and modern, but not all users understand how this feature works, why it's needed and how to set it up properly.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what is the scrolling wallpaper on Xiaomi, how it is implemented in different versions of the shell. MIUI and HyperOS, and give step-by-step instructions for turning on, disabling and fine-tuning the effect. In addition, you will learn which wallpapers are best for this feature, how to avoid common problems (such as slowdowns) and how scrolling on Xiaomi differs from similar solutions on smartphones of other brands.

If you just bought a Redmi smartphone, POCO Or Xiaomi, they noticed this effect, but they don't know how to deal with it -- this is for you. And if you're a power user who wants to understand the mechanics of the function, there's a lot of useful things to do here!

What is a Xiaomi Wallpaper Scrolling and How Does It Work?

Scrolling wallpaper (sometimes called the parallax effect) is a visual trick in which the background image on the smartphone’s home screen shifts more slowly than the icons and widgets, creating the illusion of depth. When you swipe your finger across the screen to the left or right, it seems as if the wallpaper “goes” deep into the display, and the interface elements remain on the surface.

This effect is not new: it was used in the early versions of iOS and Android, but in Xiaomi it is implemented in its own way (MIUI 12–14 or HyperOS scroll can work in different ways:

  • 📱 Classic scrolling – wallpaper shifts smoothly when swiping between desktop pages.
  • 🎨 Dynamic scrolling – the effect is enhanced when the phone is tilted (a gyroscope is used).
  • ⚡ Adaptive scrolling – the displacement rate depends on the speed of your swipe.

It is important to understand that scrolling wallpaper is not just “beautifulness”, but part of the philosophy. MIUI, So the idea is that the user experience is the focus, and the idea is that the user experience is the focus:

  • 👁️ Reduce visual load on the eyes by separating interface layers.
  • 🎯 Help you navigate faster between desktop pages.
  • 📲 Make your phone more “lively” and responsive.

But not everyone likes this effect, and some people find it distracting, some complain about the extra workload on the processor, and some people just feel uncomfortable that the wallpaper floats when scrolling, and fortunately, Xiaomi can turn it off completely or customize it to suit themselves, as we'll talk about later.

📊 How do you feel about scrolling wallpaper on Xiaomi?
I like it, it makes the interface live.
I don't care, I don't notice.
I don't like it, I'm distracted.
Disconnected immediately after purchase

What Xiaomi models support scrolling wallpaper

Wallpaper scrolling is available on almost all modern Xiaomi smartphones, but its implementation depends on the firmware version and hardware capabilities of the device.

Series of smartphonesScrolling supportFeatures
Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi K60, POCO F5✅ Complete.Dynamic parallax with support for a gyroscope, smooth animation at 120 Hz
Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5✅ Complete.Classic scrolling, without tilt support (no gyroscope)
Xiaomi 11, Redmi K50✅ PartialScrolling works, but can slow down on weak chipsets (e.g. Snapdragon 7 Gen 1)
Redmi 10/9, POCO M4⚠️ Limited.The effect is there, but it works unstable, can be turned off at high load.
Xiaomi Mi 10 and older❌ No.On older models, the function is missing or only works after manually switching on through the ADB

If your model did not get into the table, check the support for scrolling wallpaper like this:

  1. Open the Settings → Wallpaper.
  2. Select any wallpaper marked “Parallax Effect” or “Dynamic”.
  3. If after using the wallpaper when swiping between pages the background shifts - the function works.

On smartphones with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) And the wallpaper scrolling is more smoothly implemented by optimizing animations. A2) The effect can be simplified or disabled by default to save resources.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 Scrolling wallpaper can conflict with running games or heavy apps. If you notice lags, try turning off the effect or lowering the resolution of wallpaper.

How to turn on or off wallpaper scrolling on Xiaomi

By default, the wallpaper scrolling on most Xiaomi smartphones is enabled, but it can be adjusted or completely deactivated.

For MIUI 12-14

  1. Go to Settings → Wallpaper.
  2. Select the “Wallpaper Effects” or “Desktop Style” section.
  3. Find the wallpaper scrolling switch (or the Parallax effect) and move it to the On/Off position.
  4. If you don’t have an option, try using dynamic wallpaper – sometimes the setting only appears after you select them.

For HyperOS.

In the new shell, the path has changed a little:

  1. Open the Settings. → Personalization.
  2. Go to Wallpaper» → «Effects».
  3. Turn on or off the "Deepness of Wallpaper" option.
  4. To fine-tune, tap on “Advanced” and select the scroll speed (e.g., “Soft” or “Fast”).

If there is no item in the settings to disable the scroll, but the effect interferes with you, you can go a workaround:

Choose static wallpaper without effects|Install a third-party launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher)|Disable animations in developer mode (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 5 times to tap)|Reset the launcher settings (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Drop it)

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On some models (such as the Redmi Note 11), wallpaper scrolling can automatically turn off in battery saving mode. To avoid this, add the launcher to the exception list:

  1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance.
  2. Select “Battery Optimization”.
  3. Find the "Luncher" list (or «MIUI Launcher) and install "No Limitations" for it».

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If the wallpaper still shifts after you turn off the scroll, try restarting your phone, and sometimes the changes only apply after the reboot.

Best Wallpaper to Scrolle on Xiaomi: Where to Download and How to Install

Not all wallpaper looks equally good with scrolling effect. To open the function to the maximum, you need to choose background images with:

  • 🌄 Deep perspective – for example, landscapes with a horizon or urban views with distant objects.
  • 🎨 Contrast layers – wallpaper, where the foreground and background are clearly separated (for example, silhouettes against the sky background).
  • ✨ Minimalist design – too bright or colorful pictures will be “shattered” when scrolling.

Where do you find wallpaper?

SourcePlusesCons
Stock gallery XiaomiOptimized for parallax, free of chargeFew options, often repeated
Official MIUI themesThere is a section "Dynamic wallpaper", regular updatesRequires registration in Mi Account
WallpapersCraftLarge selection of wallpaper with resolution for XiaomiYou need to manually select the appropriate for parallax
Annex 4K WallpapersParallax filter, automatic pruningAdvertising in the free version

To set the wallpaper from a third-party source:

  1. Download the image at maximum resolution (preferably) 1440×3200 or higher for Xiaomi 13/14).
  2. Open the file through the gallery and click "Install as wallpaper".
  3. Select “Home screen” (not “lock screen”).
  4. Enable the option “Parallax Effect” (if a sentence appears).

If the wallpaper looks blurry or stretched, check their resolution. FHD+-display (e.g., Redmi Note) 13 Pro+) minimum recommended permit — 1080×2400. Nana 2K-screens (Xiaomi) 14 Ultra) take pictures from 1440×3200.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid wallpaper with small details around the edges - when scrolling, they will "cut" and spoil the impression.

Problems with scrolling wallpaper on Xiaomi and how to solve them

While wallpaper scrolling is usually stable, some users are experiencing bugs, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

  • 🐢 Lags and slowdowns – occur on weak smartphones (for example, Redmi). 10A) Solution: Turn off the scrolling or choose wallpaper with lower resolution.
  • 🔄 The effect disappears after the update - sometimes resetting the launcher settings removes the parallax.Solution: reinstall the wallpaper or reset the launcher settings (Settings launcher). → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Drop it).
  • 📱 Scrolling only works on the home screen, which is what some firmware does. Solution: install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) that supports parallax.
  • 🔋 Fast battery discharge - dynamic wallpaper can increase energy consumption.Solution: turn off the scroll or add a launcher to the battery optimization list.

If none of the methods helped, try resetting the launcher settings to factory:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find “Luncher” (or “MIUI Launcher”) and open its settings.
  3. Select "Storage» → «Drop it».
  4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

On models with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14), it sometimes helps to clean the system cache:

  1. Open the Settings → Memory.
  2. Slip on "Clean" in the "Cash" section.
  3. Reset the device.
What to do if the wallpaper has completely disappeared?
If the effect disappeared after updating the firmware, try: 1. Install wallpaper through the official Themes application. 2. Enable the developer mode (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 5 times to tap and activate the option «GPU-Acceleration" in Settings → Additionally. → For developers. 3. Make a reset to factory settings (pre-save data!).

Scrolling wallpaper on Xiaomi vs other brands: what is different

Xiaomi is not the only brand to use parallax in the interface, and for comparison, let’s look at how this feature is implemented by competitors:

BrandName of effectFeaturesHow to turn off
Samsung (One UI)Depth EffectIt only works on Samsung wallpaper, supports the phone’s tiltSettings → Wallpaper and themes → Wallpaper effects
Apple (iOS)Perspective ZoomScrolling only on the main screen, no speed adjustmentSettings → Wallpaper. → Select new wallpaper (disable "Perspective»)
Oppo/Realme (ColorOS)Dynamic WallpaperSupports 3D-effects, but slows down on budget modelsSettings → Personalization → Wallpaper. → Effects.
Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS)Parallax Effect / Depth of WallpaperCustomizable speed, works on all pages, supports gyroscope (on flagships)Settings → Personalization → Wallpaper. → Effects.

The main advantages of implementation from Xiaomi:

  • 🎛️ Flexibility of settings – you can adjust the speed and intensity of the effect.
  • 📱 Wide range of models – scrolling works even on budget smartphones (unlike Samsung, where the effect is only available on flagships).
  • 🔧 Integration with HyperOS – in the new firmware, parallax is optimized for high screen refresh rates (up to 144 Hz).

There are, however, downsides:

  • ⚠️ In some models (POCO M5, Redmi 12C) The scroll may conflict with navigation gestures.
  • 🔋 The effect consumes additional resources, which is noticeable on weak processors (for example, Helio). G88).

A unique feature of Xiaomi: on flagship models (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra), the wallpaper scrolling synchronizes with the proximity sensor. If you hold your hand to the top of the screen, the background image will shift slightly, creating a “volume” display effect.

Additional Wallpaper Tricks on Xiaomi: Hidden Features

Scrolling through wallpaper isn’t the only thing that’s associated with background images on Xiaomi smartphones, but here are some little-known features that will make your desktop unique:

  • 🌙 Automatic change of wallpaper by time of day - in Settings → Wallpaper. → Dynamic wallpaper can be selected themes that change with time (for example, sunset in the evening).
  • 🎵 Music-response wallpaper – in HyperOS, some dynamic wallpapers pulse in the beat of a playable song (works with Mi Music and Spotify).
  • 📊 Adaptive wallpaper - on Xiaomi 13T and newer wallpaper can adapt to the color scheme of the interface (for example, if you choose a dark theme, the background will automatically darken).
  • 🔒 Different wallpaper on the main screen and lock screen - in Settings → Wallpaper can be assigned separate background images for each screen.

And on Xiaomi you can create your own dynamic wallpaper from your photos:

  1. Open the gallery and select a photo.
  2. Tap "More" (three dots) → «Set as wallpaper».
  3. Select "Dynamic Wallpaper" and adjust the trim zone.
  4. Turn on the option “Parallax Effect”.

If you want to go further, install the app. KWGT or UCCW And you can use it to create interactive wallpapers with widgets that respond to swipes, taps, even weather, for example, so that when you scroll through the screen, you can shift the prediction widget along with the wallpaper.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers (such as Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher), the wallpaper scrolling from Xiaomi will not work.

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Scrolling wallpaper on Xiaomi is not just decoration, but part of the ecosystem MIUI/HyperOS. It is closely integrated with other personalization functions, so it is worth exploring other interface settings, such as adaptive themes or dynamic wallpapers, to fully control the effect.

FAQ: Frequent questions about scrolling wallpaper on Xiaomi

❓ Why Wallpaper Scrolling Doesn't Work on My Xiaomi?
There are several reasons: Your model does not support the effect (check the table above); animations in the developer settings are disabled; static wallpaper is used without parallax support; Launcher reset after the update; Try using dynamic wallpaper from the official Themes app or resetting the launcher settings.
❓ Can you adjust the speed of the scroll?
Yes, but not on all models. In HyperOS (like Xiaomi 14), you can choose the speed in the wallpaper settings: "Soft", "Mediocre" or "Fast". MIUI 12-14 is not an option, but the speed depends on the chosen wallpaper - some themes have a more pronounced effect.
❓ Is it true that scrolling wallpaper saturates the battery?
The effect consumes additional resources, but the effect on the battery is minimal. According to tests, scrolling wallpaper increases energy consumption by about 1 to 3 percent per day when you use it actively, and if you're critical to autonomy, you'd better turn it off or use it only on charging.
❓ Can I scroll the wallpaper on the lock screen?
No, at the moment (2026), wallpaper scrolling only works on the home screen and in the app menu. On the lock screen, the background image is static. However, HyperOS has dynamic wallpapers that change slowly over time (for example, weather animation), but this is not a parallax effect.
❓ How to make a scroll of wallpaper on POCO Launcher?
POCO Launcher does not support parallax effect from Xiaomi, but you can enable a similar feature in its settings: Open Settings POCO Launcher. Go to Effects or Animations. Enable Scrolling Effect. Note that in the POCO Launcher effect less smooth than in standard launcher MIUI.