How to save wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi phone: all ways + secret chips

Saving your favorite wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi is a challenge that every second smartphone owner of this line faces. Unlike the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, where the process is intuitive, MIUI (branded shell Xiaomi) often hides the necessary options in non-obvious menus. And if it is a question of live wallpaper or pictures of MIUI themes, there are difficulties at all: the system can block direct saving.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to save wallpaper, from standard MIUI 14/13/12 tools to secure file workarounds, and focus on the Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 Pro and Redmi 9A models, where the algorithms are different, and learn how to avoid the “failed to save” error and where to look for downloaded files in the phone’s memory.

If you want to not just save wallpaper and then use it on another device or edit it, you can use export tips in the original resolution, and for those who like customization, we'll reveal the secret to extract wallpaper from official MIUI themes without root rights.

1. Standard method: save through the wallpaper menu

The simplest method works on all Xiaomi Redmi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later.It is suitable for wallpaper installed through the Themes system app or gallery.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Settings → Wallpaper (or hold your finger in the free space of the main screen and select Wallpaper).
2. Then, put them on the wallpaper (they will be illuminated by the frame).
3. In the lower menu, click on the Download icon (arrow down) or Save.
4. Select the folder to save (by default - DCIM → Wallpaper).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11) the save option may be hidden. If there is no button, try holding your finger to the wallpaper preview for 2-3 seconds: sometimes the context menu appears.

Where do I look for the saved wallpaper?

/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Wallpaper/


or




/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Wallpaper/

The folder "Wallpaper" appeared in the Gallery | The file has the extension.jpg or.png| The resolution of the file is the same as the original (check in the properties) | Both wallpapers are displayed without artifacts-->

2. Preservation of live wallpapers

Live Wallpapers on Xiaomi Redmi are saved differently than static ones, because they are not a picture, but an.apk file or animation in.mp4/.gif format.

For standard live wallpaper from MIUI:

1. Set the wallpaper on the screen (via Settings → Wallpaper → Live Wallpaper).
2. Download the Wallpaper Engine or Live Wallpaper Picker app from Google Play.
3. In the app, find the “Installed Wallpaper” section – there will be the “Export” button.

For third-party live wallpapers (for example, from the Play Store):

1. Use a file manager (e.g., “Mi File Explorer”) and follow the path: /data/app/ Look for a folder with the name of live wallpaper (e.g., com.phasebeam.lwp*).
2. Copy the file with the.apk extension to a secure location (such as Downloads).

⚠️ Attention: To access the folder /data/app/ root rights will be required or ADB-Without them, you can't copy files directly, and the alternative is to use the App Cloner app to make a copy of the live wallpaper, and then extract resources from it.

3. Extracting wallpaper from established MIUI themes

The wallpaper that comes with MIUI themes is protected from direct saving, but there's a workaround through the system files.

• 📱 File Manager with access to root folders (e.g., “MiXplorer»).
• 🔧 Developer mode enabled (activated by 7 taps on Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI).

Instructions:

1. Open MiXplorer and go to /data/system/theme/
2. Find a folder with the name of your current theme (e.g. com.android.theme.default).
3. Inside will be a folder wallpaper – copy its contents in Downloads.

If /data/system/theme/ is empty, try the alternative path:

/system/media/theme/default/wallpapers/

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for Redmi Note 10) wallpaper is stored in encrypted form, in this case, only flashing on the wallpaper will help. MIUI EU or use of the Magisk module «MIUI Unlocker».

Standard of MIUI|Downloaded from the Internet|Live wallpaper|Your pictures|Other-->

4.Save wallpaper through a screenshot (if nothing works)

If the system didn't work, you could do a trick of taking a screenshot and cropping it off, which is a technique that works for static wallpaper, but not for living wallpaper.

How to take the perfect screenshot:

• 📸 Use the combination Volume Down + Meals (on most Redmis).
• 🖼️ Open the screenshot in the Gallery and click "Edit».
• ✂️ Cut the top and bottom panels (status bar and navigation bar).
• 💾 Save the result to the Wallpaper folder.

For models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Redmi) K50) We advise you to use the ScreenMaster app – it allows you to take screenshots without displaying the navigation bar.

💡

If the wallpaper is dark, before the screenshot activate the “Read” mode in the notification curtain – this will remove unnecessary elements of the interface and make the picture cleaner.

5. Save wallpaper from other devices (via Mi Cloud or Telegram)

If you find wallpaper on another phone or PC and want to migrate it to Xiaomi Redmi, the best way to use cloud services is to use it.

Method 1: Mi Cloud

• 📁 Upload wallpaper to "Mi Cloud" (via Settings) → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → gallery).
• 📱 On your target Redmi, open the Gallery and go to the “Mi Cloud” section».
• 💾 Download the file and install it as wallpaper through Settings → Wallpaper. → My wallpaper.

Method 2: Telegram

• 📎 Send your wallpaper to “Save Messages” on Telegram (like a file or photo).
• 📥 Open the dialogue on Redmi, download the file and save it to the Gallery.

Method 3: Google Photos

• 🌐 Upload wallpaper to Google Photos from another device.
• 📲 On Redmi, open the Google Photos app, find the image and save it locally.

💡

To transfer wallpaper without loss of quality, use Telegram or direct transmission over Wi-Fi Direct. Cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Photos) can compress images.

Solving Errors When Preserving Wallpaper

Sometimes when trying to save wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi, there are mistakes. Let's look at the most common and ways to fix them.

Mistake 1: “I failed to save the wallpaper”

• 🔄 Reboot the phone – it will reset the cache of system applications.
• 🗃️ Check the space in the memory (needs at least 100 MB).
• 🛠️ Clear the cache of the “Themes” application (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Clear the cache).

Error 2: Wallpaper is kept in low resolution

• 📏 Make sure that the original image has a resolution not lower than 1080×2400 (For the Redmi Note 12).
• 🔍 Check the camera settings: sometimes the wallpaper is automatically compressed when saved through the Gallery».
• 📁 Save the wallpaper directly to the folder DCIM, Not in the downloads.

Error 3: The Save button does not appear

• 🔄 Update the Themes app through the Play Store.
• 📋 Check if the beta version is installed. MIUI (It often has some functions disabled).
• 🛠️ Reset the settings of the “Themes” application (Settings) → Annexes → Topics → Warehouse → Drop it).

💡

If the wallpaper from the MIUI theme is not saved, try installing them on the screen, then take a screenshot in the “No interface” mode (activated in the developer settings).

FAQ: Frequent questions about saving wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi