How to remove or change wallpaper on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi: all working methods

The lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is the first thing you see when you turn on the device. Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the wallpaper on it is not liked, not changed in standard ways or installed without their knowledge (for example, after updating MIUI or installing third-party themes). Unlike the desktop, where changing the background takes seconds, the lock screen often behaves stubbornly: not all wallpapers are suitable for resolution, and some system images are not deleted at all through the menu.

The problem is especially relevant for owners of Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C and K50 flagships, where the logic of working with wallpaper has changed since the transition to HyperOS. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways from basic settings to advanced methods using ADB and resetting to factory parameters, you will learn how to remove unnecessary wallpaper, return a standard background or set your own image, even if the system does not allow it.

Warning: Some methods require a super-user or PC connection, and if you’re not sure what you’re doing, start with the simplest solutions, which help 80% of the time.

1. Standard method: change wallpaper through the settings MIUI/HyperOS

So, to start with the obvious, the built-in tools, the lock screen wallpapers change with the desktop background in most cases, but not always. Here's how to do it right:

Open the Themes app (an icon with a brush) and go to the Wallpaper section. Here you will see two tabs:

• 📱 Desktop - background of the main screen.
• 🔒 The lock screen is what you need.

Choose your favorite image from Xiaomi collection or click My Wallpaper to upload yours. Note: the system can automatically crop the picture to the screen resolution, so it is better to use images with an aspect ratio of 9:19 (for most Redmi).

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Note: On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for the global version), the option to change the lock wallpaper may be hidden. If there is no lock screen tab, move to the next method.

If you want to return a standard background (black or gradient), select the default Wallpaper option in HyperOS.

2. Resetting themes and wallpaper to factory

When the wallpaper doesn't change or gets stuck in one image, it helps to reset the theme settings, which doesn't affect personal data, but it will return all visual parameters to their original state.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Themes.
2. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Reset theme settings.
4. Confirm the action.

After restarting the device, the lock screen wallpaper should reset to the standard. If the problem persists, try a deeper reset:

Make sure important files are saved in the cloud

Remember the current topic (if you want to return it later)

Check the battery charge (minimum 30%)

Turn off your password/pattern lock (if you are afraid to block your phone)-->

Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Reset theme and wallpaper settings. Some models (Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5) may not have this item – then use the following method.

3. Delete wallpaper through the file manager (for experienced)

The lock screen wallpapers are stored in hidden MIUI folders. If you have installed custom wallpapers through third-party applications (such as Zedge or WallpapersCraft), they can be manually removed.

You will need a file manager with access to root folders (such as MiXplorer or Solid Explorer with Root mode enabled).

1. Open the file manager and go to /data/system/users/0/
2. Find files with.jpg,.png or.wallpaper extensions and names like: lockscreen_wallpaper system_lock_wallpaper miui_lock_wallpaper

_old

Reboot the phone.

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Note: Do not delete files with names default_ or stock_ — This can cause the lock screen to fail. /system/ rootless.

After deleting files, the system automatically substitutes the standard wallpaper. If the lock screen has turned black or is displayed with artifacts, return the deleted files back or reset the themes (method 2).

4.Use ADB for wallpaper dumping (no root)

If previous methods have failed and you don’t have root rights, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for all Redmi models based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the assembly number → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter alternately the commands: adb shell pm clear com.android.themes pm clear com.miui.home reboot

These commands will reset the themes and launcher settings, which often helps to return standard wallpaper. If the problem is in a particular wallpaper file, use a more point command:

adb shell rm /data/system/users/0/lockscreen_wallpaper.jpg

adb shell pm clear com.miui.themes

5. Complete reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these things work, then the last option is hard reset, which is a radical solution that will remove all the data from your phone, including wallpaper, apps, and settings, and only use it if:

• 🔄 The lock screen wallpaper does not change in any way.
• 📵 The phone slows down or behaves unstable after a change of topics.
• 🔒 You are sure you have made a backup copy of important data.

Resetting instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete all data.
3. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will boot with factory settings, including standard lock screen wallpaper, and if the problem was a system failure, it will solve it.

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Note: Some Redmi models (such as Redmi 9A or Redmi 8) may require re-assignment of your Mi Account after reset.

6. Alternative solutions: third-party applications and custom firmware

If you can’t clean the wallpaper with standard methods, consider the following options:

Third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) do not affect the lock screen, but allow you to hide it using gestures or a password. Some firmware (like Pixel Experience) offer flexible lock settings, but their installation requires unlocking the bootloader and root.

Wallpaper applications like Wallpaper Engine or KLWP can override system settings, but they don’t work on all versions of MIUI. Check compatibility with your Redmi model before installing.

For advanced users, there is a radical way to install a custom kernel or firmware with support for Substratum (for example, Havoc-OS), which gives full control over the appearance of the system, but deprives of warranty and can lead to a lockdown of the bootloader on new models of Redmi (2023 and later).

Comparison of wallpaper change methods:

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Before using radical methods (ADB, reset, root), always try simple solutions. 90% of the time, the problem is solved through the theme settings or cache cleaning.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the wallpaper lock screen Xiaomi Redmi