How to remove unnecessary picture from the lock screen on Xiaomi: all working methods

The lock screen on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a protection against accidental clicks, but also a business card of the device. However, sometimes users are faced with a situation where it displays an undesirable picture: it can be a randomly installed photo, wallpaper from the previous owner or even an advertising banner (on some models with preinstalled services), Deleting such an image is not always intuitive – especially if it appeared after a MIUI update or a firmware change.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove the image from the lock screen for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 12/13/14 and the new HyperOS. From standard settings to advanced methods using ADB, you will find a solution even for a locked phone.

Why does someone else’s photo appear on the lock screen?

Before you go to the deletion, it is important to understand the cause of the unwanted image, which will help you choose the right method and avoid recurring problems.

• 📱 Random wallpaper installation: the user could choose the picture in the settings, but forgot about it (for example, through the Topics menu or the Lock Screen).
• 🔄 Update MIUI/HyperOS: After installing a new version of the firmware, the system sometimes drops wallpaper on standard or loads advertising banners (relevant to Chinese versions of the software).
• 👤 Used device: the previous owner could customize the personal wallpaper that remained after the reset (if it was performed incorrectly).
• 🦠 Malware: Some viruses change the lock screen wallpaper to ads or fraudulent banners (often accompanied by pop-ups).
• 🔒 System failure: rare, but it happens that after a fall or discharge of the battery MIUI Starts to display artifacts instead of wallpaper.

If the picture appears after installing the app from third-party sources (not Google Play), first check the phone for viruses using Mi Security or Malwarebytes. In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by standard settings, but for some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+) you may need to reset.

Method 1: Remove from the standard MIUI/HyperOS settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in tools of the system, and it's suitable if:

• 🔓 You have access to the phone (you know the password/pattern lock).
• 📱 The image is not a virus or system banner.
• 🔄 The device is running on MIUI 12 and newer or HyperOS.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the phone and go to Settings (cog icon).
2. Select the Lock Screen section (in some versions – Lock and Protection).
3. Slip on the item Wallpaper lock screen or lock style.
4. Select Gallery, then click on the current picture and delete it (basket icon). Or select another image or standard wallpaper.
5. Save the changes with the Apply or Ready button.

On HyperOS, the path may be slightly different: Settings → Personalization → Lock screen → Change wallpaper.

⚠️ Warning: If you still have a picture after changing the wallpaper, try restarting your phone (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi 9A) The cache of the wallpaper is reset only after reboot.

Method 2: Resetting wallpaper through the “Themes” menu

In Xiaomi, lock screen wallpaper is closely related to the Themes system application. If the standard method didn't work, try resetting through it:

1. Open the Themes app (brush icon on your desktop).
2. Go to My Topics or Current Theme.
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Reset to standard.
4. Confirm action. The system will return the standard lock and desktop wallpaper.

If the Topic app is missing (deleted or hidden), it can be returned:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) and select Show all applications.
3. Find themes, open and click Enable or Show.

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If the picture is left after resetting the theme, try clearing the theme app cache in the settings (Settings → Applications → Themes → Storage → Clear the cache).

Method 3: Remove via ADB (for advanced users)

If the image is not deleted by standard methods (for example, due to a system failure or MIUI limitations), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

• 🖥️ Computers with installed ADB-driver.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔓 Included Debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version (you will be notified "You've become a developer"). Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer (a pop-up on your smartphone screen).

Command line.

Terminal

adb shell


pm clear com.android.themes




pm clear com.miui.home




reboot

These commands will clear the theme and launcher cache, which often helps to remove the "stuck" wallpaper. If the image is associated with a specific application (for example, com.miui.gallery), you can try to clear its data:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery

⚠️ Attention: pm clear commands will reset the factory app settings, for example, for a gallery, this means losing albums and tags (the photos themselves will remain).

Method 4: Reset the lock screen settings (without data loss)

If previous methods didn't work, but you don't want to do a full phone reset, you can only reset the lock screen settings.

• 🖼️ Wallpaper and lock style.
• 🔐 Password/pattern lock (unless you use a fingerprint or face) ID).
• ⚙️ Notification settings on the lock screen.

Application data, photos and files will remain intact.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset Lock settings (on some models – Reset Security).
3. Enter your current password (if requested).
4. Confirm the action. The phone will reboot.

After the reboot:

• Set up a new password (or skip this step).
• Select the standard wallpaper for the lock screen.

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This method doesn't delete personal data, but it resets all security settings, including fingerprints and facial recognition, and you have to reset them.

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If the image on the lock screen is caused by a virus, corrupt system files, or you can't unlock your phone, you only have to reset hard, which will delete all data from your device, including photos, apps, and accounts.

• 🔒 Your phone is locked and you don’t remember your password.
• 🦠 Suspected malware infection.
• 🔧 Previous ways didn't work.

How to perform the reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time (on some models – Volume down).
3. Wait for the Mi logo to appear and release the buttons – you will be taken to Recovery Mode.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (in Chinese firmware may be called ).
6. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
7. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

After resetting, the phone will turn on in the "out of the box" state.

• Set up language, region and Wi-Fi connection.
• Sign in to your Mi Account (if linked).
• Restore data from a backup (if it was created).

⚠️ Note: Phones with a blocked bootloader may need to log in to the Mi Account that was previously linked after reset. Without this, the phone will not activate! If you do not remember your account details, contact Xiaomi Support.

Additional Advice and Frequent Mistakes

When you remove a picture from the lock screen, users often face typical problems, and here's how to avoid them:

• 🔄 Cash not cleared: If the old picture periodically returns after changing the wallpaper, clear the cache of system applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Show it all. → System applications → Clear the cache for "Theme" and "Launcher"
• 📵 Sensor not working: On some models (Redmi) 8A, POCO M2) After reset, the screen can be "glued" in this case, flashing through the Fastboot will help.
• 🔒 Phone requires old password: If you reset your lock settings but the system asks you to enter the old pattern lock, try entering 0000 or 1234 - sometimes this works after a reset.
• 📱 Wallpaper changes itself: This is a sign of an ad virus. Install an antivirus (for example, Dr.Web) and check the application rights in Settings → Annexes → Permits.

If you often encounter lock screen issues, consider turning off automatic themes updates:

1. Open Topics → Settings (⚙) → Auto-update themes.
2. Turn off the Automatic Boot option.

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Back up the lock screen wallpaper you like, and copy files from /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/wallpaper/ (you need a root or super-user file manager).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing images from the lock screen