How to install wallpaper on the Xiaomi desktop: 5 ways to MIUI

Changing Xiaomi desktop wallpaper is a simple but effective procedure for personalizing your smartphone. Even if you're new to the MIUI ecosystem, it's only a minute long, but what you don't know is that there are alternatives to using MIUI themes through the gallery, from manually installing themes through ADB for advanced users.

In this article, we will examine all the current methods, from basic to hidden functions that work on models from Redmi Note 10 to flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. We will pay special attention to the nuances: why wallpaper can move when changing the orientation of the screen, how to install live wallpaper without lags, and what to do if the system does not save the selected image.

1. Standard method: through gallery or screen settings

The most obvious and versatile method that works on all Xiaomi devices with a MIUI 12-15 shell is suitable for static images from the phone’s memory or standard system wallpaper.

To change the background of the desktop:

• 📱 Open the Gallery app** and select your favorite photo.
• 🔍 Click on the three dots in the lower right corner (or swipe up on some models) and select Set as → Desktop Wallpaper.
• 🖼️ Adjust the scale and position of the picture, then click Apply.

An alternative way through settings:

1. Hold your finger on the empty space on the desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select Wallpaper.
3. Go to the My Wallpaper tab and select an image from the gallery.

⚠️ Warning: On some models (e.g., POCO F5) the "Install as" option may disappear after upgrading to MIUI 14.

2.Use of MIUI themes: ready-made wallpaper collections

The MIUI shell offers a built-in theme store with thousands of free and paid wallpapers optimized for your Xiaomi resolution, a method that is suitable for those who do not want to search for pictures manually.

How to set wallpaper through themes:

• 🎨 Go to Settings → Wallpaper → Themes (or find the Themes app** in the menu).
• 🔍 In the search box, type in a keyword (e.g., “nature,” “abstraction,” “dark wallpaper”).
• 👆 Select your favorite theme and click Apply. Wallpaper will automatically install on the desktop and lock screen.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔄 Wallpapers are adapted to your model's screen resolution (e.g., 2400×1080 for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+).
• 🎭 Dynamic themes with animation are available (e.g., "Space" or "Ocean Waves").
• 🔄 Automatic update of collections (new wallpapers appear weekly).

⚠️ Warning: Some themes require an internet connection to download high-quality versions of wallpaper. With a slow connection, the image can be displayed in low resolution.

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If you liked the theme, but the wallpaper is not suitable – you can only apply icons or fonts, leaving your background images.

3. Installation of live wallpapers

Animated wallpapers add dynamism to the desktop, but can affect autonomy. MIUI has built-in live wallpaper, as well as support for third-party apps from Google Play.

Method 1: Built-in live wallpaper

• 🌊 Press your finger on your desktop → Wallpaper → Live wallpaper.
• 🎞️ Select one of the standard animations (e.g., "Bubbles", "Clock", "Weather").
• ⚙️ Adjust the animation speed and brightness (if available).

Method 2: Third-party applications

Popular programs for live wallpaper:

• 📱 KLWP — Script-enabled customization (requires customization skills).
• 🌌 Wallpaper Engine - ported wallpaper with PC (does not work on all models).
• 🎨 Live Wallpapers 4K is a collection of animated backgrounds with categories.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with a Snapdragon 4xx processor (e.g., Redmi 9A), complex live wallpapers can cause interface slowdowns. Check for compatibility reviews with your model before installing.

Make sure the battery is over 30% charged |Close the background apps |Check the wallpaper compatibility with your CPU |Switch off the energy-saving mode-->

4. Manual installation of wallpaper through ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, after custom firmware), you can install wallpaper via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on the computer.
2. 📱 Enable Debugging on USB on your phone: Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI (click 7 times) → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB.
3. 🔌 Connect Xiaomi to your PC and confirm your trust in the device.
4. 💻 In the command line, run: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.SET_WALLPAPER Then specify the path to the wallpaper file (e.g., /sdcard/Download/wallpaper.jpg).

Important: This method bypasses the limitations of MIUI, but can reset wallpaper after rebooting on some firmware.

Alternative command to install wallpaper on the lock screen:

adb shell settings put global lock_screen_wallpaper /sdcard/Download/lockscreen.jpg

5.Wallpaper problems on Xiaomi and their solutions

Even after a successful installation, wallpapers can behave incorrectly, and let's look at the typical problems and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Wallpaper moves off when the screen is turned

Reason: Incorrectly scaled during installation.

• 🔄 Reset the wallpaper by selecting the option to Stretch or Screen size.
• 📏 Use images with a resolution multiple of your screen (e.g., 2340×1080 for Xiaomi 13).

Problem 2: Wallpaper is reset after rebooting

Reason: Misfire in the MIUI Launcher cache.

• 🧹 Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Reset wallpaper via screen settings (not through gallery).

Problem 3: There are no changes in the living wallpaper

Reason: Energy conservation restrictions.

• ⚡ Add the live wallpaper app to battery exceptions: Settings → Battery → Application selection → No restrictions.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone after installing the animation.

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If the wallpaper is not used in either way, check if the system launcher is disabled. To do this, run the command in ADB: adb shell pm enable com.miui.home

6.Creating custom wallpaper for Xiaomi

If the solutions don't work, you can create unique wallpapers yourself. Here are some ideas:

Idea 1: Wallpaper with your name or quote

• 🎨 Use Canva or Photoshop to overlay text on the background.
• 📏 The resolution must match your screen (you can find out in Settings → About Phone).
• 🖼️ Save the image in PNG format (without loss of quality).

Idea 2: Dynamic wallpaper based on time of day

With KLWP or Tasker, you can set up automatic background changes:

• ☀️ In the morning, light wallpaper.
• 🌙 In the evening, dark.
• 🌧️ In the rain, drop wallpaper (use weather data).

Idea 3: Wallpaper with weather widget

Applications like UCCW or Zoom Wallpaper allow you to embed widgets directly into the background of the desktop.

• 🌡️ Temperature and humidity.
• ⏰ Current time with animation.
• 📅 Event calendar.

⚠️ Warning: Too bright or contrasting wallpaper on AMOLED- screens (e.g., Xiaomi 12T Pro) can cause pixel burnout. Use dark themes or wallpaper with alternating colors.

7. Optimization of wallpaper for AMOLED-screen

Xiaomi devices with AMOLED- displays (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F4 GT) require a special approach to the choice of wallpaper. Incorrect background images can increase power consumption and shorten the life of the matrix.

The rules for choosing wallpaper for AMOLED:

• 🌑 Prefer dark tones (black turns off pixels, saving charge).
• 🔄 Avoid static elements (logos, text) in one place, which causes burnout.
• 🎨 Use wallpapers with OLED- optimization (e.g., from the AMOLED Wallpapers collection in Google Play).

How to check the wallpaper for safety for AMOLED:

1. Open the image in full size.
2. See if it has bright static elements (white text, logos).
3. If yes, replace it with a dynamic or dark wallpaper.

Examples of safe wallpaper:

• 🌌 Cosmos with stars (black background + small white dots).
• 🌊 Abstract waves of dark hues.
• 🖤 Gradients from black to dark blue.

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To check which pixels burn longer than others, use the burnout test in the Screen Test app (available on Google Play).

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper on Xiaomi