How to send a photo to the desktop Xiaomi: all ways with explanations

Why photos don’t show up on Xiaomi desktop and how to fix it

You took a cool shot, you want to put it on the desktop Xiaomi, but the system stubbornly ignores your attempts? The problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones Redmi, POCO or Mi. It's not a firmware bug — just the manufacturer hid this feature deeper than the competition. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including hidden chips MIUI, which work even on older versions of the shell.

The big challenge is that Xiaomi separates the concepts of desktop background and lock wallpaper, which many users confuse by trying to change the image through the lock screen settings, and then wonder why nothing has changed on the home screen, and we will show you how to transfer the photo correctly to the desktop, bypassing the standard system constraints.

Importantly, if you use MIUI 14+, some menu items may be called differently, we will specify alternative paths. For owners of POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 and new models, a separate section has been added to take into account their branded chips.

Method 1: Through the standard Xiaomi gallery (the easiest one)

This is a basic method that works on 90% of Xiaomi devices without installing additional apps, and the main thing is not to miss the key step with the choice of cropping area.

Instructions:

• 📷 Open the Gallery app and find the photo you want. Click on it to open it in full screen.
• ⚙️ Slip on the icon “More” (three dots in the upper right corner) and select “Install as” → Desktop wallpaper.
• 🔍 The system will suggest cropping the image. It's important not to confirm the automatic cropping, but to move the frame so that it gets the most important part of the photo (for example, the face in the portrait).
• ✅ Press "Done" and wait for the application. If the picture does not change, restart the smartphone.

Photos have a resolution of at least 720p (otherwise MIUI will refuse to use them)

You chose "Desktop Wallpaper" rather than "Blockboard Wallpaper"

File is not corrupted (try opening it in another application)

On the smartphone, enough free memory (minimum 500 MB)-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) post-update MIUI 13.5 Desktop wallpaper may not be available, in which case use Method 3 via the file system.

Method 2: Use MIUI themes (for dynamic wallpaper)

If you want to create dynamic wallpapers, not just static photos, like paralax scrolling, this is a better method. It takes a little more action, but it's worth the effort.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the photo to the device (preferably to the DCIM → Themes folder for convenience).
2. Open the settings → Wallpaper → My wallpaper.
3. Scroll down to the Locals section and click + (Add icon).
4. Select your photo and confirm the installation. The system will automatically create a theme with your image.
5. Return to My Wallpaper, find the created theme and apply it only to the desktop (uncheck the Lock Screen).

💡 Useful tip: To prevent the photo from stretching, cut it in a proportion of 9:16 (vertical) or 16:9 (horizontal) before downloading in any graphics editor (for example, Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile).

Method 3: Manual replacement through the file system (for experienced)

This method is suitable if the standard methods do not work or you want to install live wallpaper (eg, GIF).You will need access to a file manager with root rights or use ADB (but the latter option is more difficult).

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC or open a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Cross the path: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/wallpaper/ This is where all the wallpapers are stored. wallpaper_lockscreen (lock-in wallpaper_home (desk).
3. Copy your photo into this folder by renaming it wallpaper_home.jpg (desktop).
4. Restart the device. Once turned on, the wallpaper will update automatically.

⚠️ Note: If the wallpaper hasn't changed after the reboot, check the file permissions. In Solid Explorer, click on the file → «Properties» → set up the rw-r rights--r-- (Read/write for the owner, read for others).

Through the Xiaomi Gallery

Using MIUI themes

Manual file replacement

Third-party applications (Nova Launcher, etc.)

I haven't tried it yet.-->

Method 4: Third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Microsoft Launcher)

If you're tired of struggling with MIUI restrictions, it's easier to install an alternative launcher, such as Nova Launcher, which allows you to flexibly customize wallpaper, including:

• 🎨 Installation of different wallpapers on each desktop (if there are several of them).
• 🔄 Automatic change of wallpaper on schedule.
• 🖼️ Support for animated wallpaper (GIF/APNG).
• 📏 Accurate scaling and positioning configuration.

How it works:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Click long on the free space on the desktop → “Wallpaper”.
3. Choose the source: Gallery, Nova Wallpapers or Live Wallpapers.
4. Apply the changes. Launcher will offer to crop the photo, so you can fine-tune the position.

🔹 Key takeaway: Third-party launchers not only solve the wallpaper problem, but also add flexibility to the interface setup. 3-5% test-test).

Method 5: Wallpaper applications (Zedge, Walli, Backdrops)

If you don't want to mess with manual settings, use specialized apps. They offer:

• 🌄 Authorized wallpaper catalogues 4K/8K, Optimized for Xiaomi.
• 🔍 Automatic pruning for your smartphone model.
• 🎭 Collections of dynamic and interactive wallpaper.
• 🔄 The function of random wallpaper change (for example, every day).

Recommended annexes:

💡 Tip: In the settings of these apps, look for the option “Apply to Home Screen Only” (apply only to the desktop) to avoid duplication on the lock screen.

Problem Solving: Why Photos Are Not Installed on the Desktop

Even after all the instructions are followed, the wallpaper may not change. Let's look at the typical causes and ways to eliminate them:

1.Photo is not displayed in the list of available wallpaper

• 📂 Check the storage folder: the photo should be in the internal memory (not on the computer). SD-map).
• 🔄 Move the file to the folder DCIM → Camera or Pictures.
• 🔍 Make sure the file is not hidden (in Mi File Explorer, enable the display of hidden files in the settings).

2. Wallpaper is dropped after reset

This is a typical MIUI 12-14 problem on some models (Redmi 9A, POCO M3).

• 🔧 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Wallpaper and clear the cache.
• 📱 Install wallpaper via Nova Launcher (it doesn’t depend on system bugs).
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version (in new builds bug fixed).

3. Photo stretched or cropped incorrectly

The problem is that the resolution of the photo and the screen are not the same, so use these proportions.

• 📱 For most Xiaomi (parts ratio) 20:9): 1080×2400 pixel.
• 📱 For POCO F4 GT or black shark (21:9): 1080×2460 pixel.
• 📱 For older models (Redmi) 5, Mi A1): 1080×1920 pixel.

💡

If the wallpaper never set, try resetting the launcher settings: go to Settings → Applications → Launcher and hit Reset. This will return the standard wallpaper, but often solves the problem with the user.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper on Xiaomi