How to remove the background on Xiaomi: from wallpaper to system restrictions

You want to change or completely remove the background on your Xiaomi device, but don’t know where to start? MIUI, The system background of the lock gets in the way, or you're faced with restrictions after you've run the firmware. In this article, we'll look at all possible scenarios, from basic wallpaper change to deleting embedded background images through an engineering menu and even unlocking the bootloader for deep customization.

It is important to understand that the term “remove background” can mean different things: 1) Replace the desktop or lock screen, 2) Remove system background images that are not deleted in standard ways, 3) Disable background processes or animations in MIUI/HyperOS, 4) Reset theme settings to factory.

We will look at each case separately, taking into account the Redmi models, POCO and flagship Xiaomi 13/14.

If you're looking for a way to get rid of the annoying "watermarks" in screenshots (like "Made on Redmi Note 12"), this is also here in the section on hidden camera settings. And for advanced users, we've prepared a guide to remove background services through the use of the camera. ADB, battery-eating.

1. How to change wallpaper to Xiaomi: the standard way

So, let's start with the simplest thing, changing the desktop wallpaper and the lock screen. MIUI 14 and HyperOS is a little different from previous versions, so watch out for the nuances.

To change the desktop background: Step 1. Press and hold the empty space on the home screen. Step 2. From the bottom menu, select Wallpaper (or Topics on some models). Step 3. Scroll down to the My Wallpaper or Gallery section to upload your image. Note: On POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T You may need to select Dynamic or Static first to see the download option from the gallery.

The lock screen algorithm is similar, but there is a pitfall: some firmware lock background is tied to the theme. If you choose wallpaper and they do not apply, then the system theme is active (for example, "Minimalism" or "Space").

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Display. → Topics.
• 🔍 Find the theme “Basic” or “Default” and apply it.
• 🖼️ Now repeat the steps to change the wallpaper - the restriction will be removed.

If you don’t like the wallpapers offered by the system, you can download third-party wallpapers from Google Play (for example, Wallpapers Craft or Backdrops).+) Wallpapers from third-party applications can be cut or stretched due to non-standard aspect ratio of the screen (20:9).

2. Removal of system wallpaper that is not removed

Have you ever tried to remove standard Xiaomi wallpapers (like Earth from Space or Abstract Waves) but they still stayed in the gallery? It's not a bug -- that's how system file protection works. But there are workarounds.

Method 1: Through a file manager with root rights (only for unlocked devices).

If you have root access, connect to the device via ADB Or use Root Explorer:

rm -rf /system/media/theme/default/wallpaper/*


rm -rf /vendor/overlay/miui/wallpaper/*

Attention:

TWRP

Method 2: Without rooting ADB (work MIUI 14 and HyperOS).

This method does not require unlocking the bootloader, but you will need a computer:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the line with the version).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.android.themes This hides the theme system application, but the wallpaper will remain in the device’s memory (just won’t show up in the selection).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F4 GT After this method, you may not be able to use dynamic wallpaper. To get it back, do adb shell pm unhide com.android.themes.

Method 3: Overwrite through the engineering menu (for advanced).

This method is suitable if you want to replace the system wallpaper with your own, without removing them:

1. Download the archive with wallpaper in.mtz format (theme for the MIUI).
2. Put him in. /sdcard/MIUI/theme/.
3. Open the engineering menu by dialing in the phone application ##36446337##.
4. Go to Background Settings → Wallpaper Replacement and select your file.

Make a data backup|Enable debugging on USB|Download ADB-driver|Check the battery charge (>50%)|Install Mi Unlock Tool (if you need root)-->

3. How to remove background on the lock screen (including watermarks)

The lock screen on Xiaomi is often unpredictable: the background does not change, then there are inscriptions like "Made on Redmi." Let's figure out how to fix this.

Problem 1: The background of the lock is unchanged.

It's because of the subject.

• 🎨 Set the topic “Basic” (see section 1).
• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 🖼️ Try changing the wallpaper again through Settings → Display. → Screen locking.

If it does not help, then the dynamic lock function is active. MIUI 14+). Turn it off in the same settings.

Problem 2: Watermarks on screenshots.

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi adds a model of the device to screenshots to remove it:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Go to Settings. → Watermark.
3. Turn off the option “Add watermark”.

But:

Redmi Note 10 Pro

ADB

adb shell settings put global screenshot_watermark_enabled 0

Problem 3: The background of the lock is blurring.

It's a feature» MIUI, It automatically blurs the wallpaper for better readability of time and notifications:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Display. → Screen locking → Additionally.
• 🔍 Find the “Blurring Background” option and turn it off.
• 🖼️ If you don’t have an option, try to set a static image instead of a dynamic one.

4.Removing background processes that eat up the battery

If by “remove background” you mean disabling unnecessary background services – this section is for you. MIUI And HyperOS is guilty of keeping dozens of processes in memory, even when they're not needed.

How to find and disable background processes:

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Battery management.
• 📊 Slip on “Battery Use” and sort apps by consumption.
• ⚙️ For each “gluttonous” app, select “Limit background activity».

Exception:

com.miui.securitycenter

com.android.phone

List of safe services to disable (via ADB):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.daemon

⚠️ Warning: Disabling com.miui.cloudservice will block synchronization of notes and contacts with Mi Account. If you use these features, skip this command.

How to turn off background animations in MIUI:

System animations (e.g., transitions between screens) are also referred to as the background, to speed up the work:

1. Enable Developer Mode (click 7 times on version) MIUI on the telephone»).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find options: "Scale of window animation» → Off. “Scale of transition animation» → Off. “Duration of the animator» → Off.

These settings do not affect the background processes, but significantly speed up the interface.

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If push notifications (for example, from Telegram) have stopped coming after disabling background processes, return the settings for the com.google.android.gms application to the original state via Settings → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Services → Battery → No restrictions.

5. Remove backgrounds through resetting settings (if nothing helps)

If all the previous methods didn't work, the last chance is to reset, which is a radical way, but it's guaranteed to bring the device back to factory status, including standard wallpaper and themes.

How to make a reset without losing data:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select “Local Backup” and save the data to the memory card.
3. Return to the reset menu and tap "Reset settings."
4. Select “Reset theme and wallpaper settings” (if there is one) or a full reset.

Important:

HyperOS

What to do if the background has not changed after resetting:

That means that the wallpaper is sewn into the firmware, and then only flashing through Fastboot or flashing it will help. TWRP. Instructions:

• 📥 Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
• 🔧 Install the Mi Flash Tool on PC.
• 📱 Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clip the power supply) + Loudness down).
• 🖥️ In Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware file and click Flash.

⚠️ Warning: Flashing erases all data, including photos and apps.If you have a Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Before the firmware, be sure to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (it takes 72 hours of waiting).

Alternative: Install custom firmware.

If you are annoyed by system limitations MIUI, You can install LineageOS or Pixel Experience, and these firmwares don't have Xiaomi wallpaper built in, and they allow for full customization:

• Unlocked bootloader.
• Installed TWRP recovery.
• Data backup (custom firmware often breaks encryption).

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Resetting is the last chance to get back the standard background, but it will also delete all your data.Always back up before resetting, even if you plan to restore wallpaper through your Google Account.

6. Features for specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi devices have unique features associated with backgrounds, and we've collected the most common cases.

If your model is not in the table, check the forums. 4PDA or XDA Developers -- they often put out patches for specific devices, like Redmi. K50 Gaming has a mod that removes background animation from the game menu.

Special case: Xiaomi with HyperOS.

The new HyperOS shell (2026) changes the logic of the wallpaper, and now it's tied to the Mi Account, and when you change the device, the background syncs automatically.

1. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi Account → Synchronization.
2. Turn off the option "Wallpaper and themes".
3. Remove the saved wallpaper in Settings → Warehouse → Wallpaper.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When working with backgrounds on Xiaomi, users often make the same mistakes.-5 problems and solutions.

Error 1: After changing the wallpaper, they go back to the standard. Reason: Theme Recovery is active in Mi Cloud. Solution: Turn off theme sync in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Synchronization.

Mistake 2: You can't install live wallpapers. MIUI Default.apk wallpaper support disabled.Solution: Install Live Wallpapers Picker from Google Play and select wallpaper through it.

Error 3: The lock background turned black after the update. Cause: Failure in the system theme cache. Solution: Clear the theme app cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Warehouse.

Mistake. 4: Gallery wallpapers don't show up in the selection. Reason: Files have an incompatible format or resolution. Solution: Convert wallpaper to.jpg or.png with a resolution that matches your screen (e.g., your screen, 2400×1080 For the Redmi Note 12).

Mistake. 5: After removing the system wallpaper through ADB The reason: Critical files were deleted from the /system/media/theme/. Solution: Reflash the device via Fastboot (see section) 5).

If you are facing another problem, check the logs through ADB Logcat:

adb logcat | grep -i "wallpaper"

This will help identify the error by keywords.

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Before any manipulation of system files (especially on HyperOS devices) check for backup. In 2026, Xiaomi tightened security policies, and recovery from a crash without a backup may not be possible.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions