Xiaomi smartphone owners based on the MIUI 12 shell often face non-obvious personalization settings, one of which is changing the background of the incoming call screen. Unlike the newer versions of MIUI (13/14), where the option is made public, the twelfth edition hides the path to it deeper, and some users do not even suspect that the background can be changed without third-party applications.
The standard call interface in MIUI 12 is minimalist, with a black or white background with floating animation of the contact avatar, but the system allows you to replace it with any image from the gallery, including live wallpaper or gradients. The main thing is to know where to look for this feature and how to circumvent possible restrictions. In this article, we will analyze 3 official ways to change the background, and also consider workarounds for cases when the option is blocked.
Attention! On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro or Poco X3 NFC) after upgrading to MIUI 12.5, the path to background settings may be different. If the instruction doesn't work, check the firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and use the alternative method in Method 3.
Why is MIUI 12 not using the "Change background call" button in its settings?
Many users complain that they can't find the option to change the background of an incoming call in the standard menu, because of Xiaomi's policy to simplify the interface. In MIUI 12, developers removed a separate section for personalizing calls, integrating it into other menus.
- 🔹 Regional restrictions: On firmware for China (China) ROM) This option may not be available due to local design standards.
- 🔹 Version. MIUI: In assemblies 12.0.1-12.0.3, the path to settings is different from 12.5.x.
- 🔹 Smartphone models: On budget devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A) The function is sometimes disabled to save resources.
- 🔹 Subject: If a third-party theme from the Topic is used → Online, it can override standard background settings.
Another common reason is a conflict with Google's Phone app, which, if installed as the primary for calls, may block MIUI settings. Check which app handles the call: Go to Settings → Apps → Default → Phone App.
Method 1: Through the settings of the "Phone" application (official method)
This is the most reliable method, working on most devices with MIUI 12, the instructions are relevant for models Mi 10/10T, Redmi Note 9/10 Pro, Poco F2 Pro and others with clean firmware:
- Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the desktop).
- Tap on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
- Go to the Calls section → Set up incoming calls.
- Click on the Inbound Call Background (or Call Screen Style on some models).
- Select Gallery and enter any image from the device's memory. Recommended permission — 1080×2340 pixels (for AMOLED-screen).
If there is no Background incoming call, your firmware has been modified (e.g., Global ROM with remote functions).
Choose a photo with a resolution of at least 1080p
Cut the picture to the aspect ratio of 9:19.5 (for full screen display)
Make sure there are no important details around the edges (they may be cropped)
Save the image to DCIM → Wallpapers folder for quick access
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Method 2: Through the design theme settings (alternative path)
If the first method didn’t work, try changing the background through the theme menu, which is suitable for devices with MIUI 12.0.4+ and allows you to use dynamic wallpaper:
- Open Settings → Themes.
- Select My Themes (or Local) tab.
- Tap on the current topic (usually called by default or MIUI).
- Scroll down to the Call Screen section and click on it.
- In the menu that opens, select the background and upload your image.
🔹 The advantage of the method: here you can adjust not only a static background, but also animation (for example, blurring when calling).
🔸 Disadvantage: on some firmware after changing the theme background is reset.
What to do if the background is reset after resetting?
Method 3: Through the Hidden Menu of Engineering Settings (for the experienced)
If the first two methods didn't work, there's a hidden menu option that works on all devices with MIUI 12, but you need to be careful.
- Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
- In the menu that appears, select Phone Information.
- Scroll down to the Settings UI section and tap it 5 times in a row (toast must appear "Developer Mode Activated").
- Go back to the basic settings of the phone, open Additional → For developers.
- Activate the debugging option over USB and connect the phone to the PC.
- Download. ADB Tools and execute command: adb shell settings put global call_background_custom 1
- Reboot the device. Now, in the settings of the Phone application, the Background Customization option will appear.
⚠️ Attention, misuse ADB If after you run the commands, the call screen stopped showing, reset the settings through Settings. → Reset → Resetting application settings.
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Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will help restore your phone if something goes wrong.
Table of compatibility of methods with popular models Xiaomi
| Model of the device | Method 1 (Phone settings) | Method 2 (Themes) | Method 3 (ADB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 10 / Mi 10T | ✅ It's working. | ✅ It's working. | ⚠️ Required only for custom firmware | On MIUI 12.5, the background is reset after the themes update |
| Redmi Note 9 Pro / 10 Pro | ✅ It's working. | ❌ Not working for Global. ROM | ✅ It's working. | On Indian firmware (IN) Method 1 may not be available |
| Poco X3 / F3 | ❌ No point. | ✅ It's partly working. | ✅ It's working. | It is recommended to use ADB for stability. |
| Redmi 9A / 9C | ❌ No option. | ❌ No option. | ✅ It's working. | Budget models require manual activation |
| Mi 11 Lite / 11 Ultra | ✅ It's working. | ✅ It's working. | ⚠️ Can cause bugs with Always-on Display | On MIUI 12.5.3+, the background supports animation |
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after successful background changes, users are confronted with bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
- 📵 Background not changing: Remove the phone app cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Phone. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
- 🔄 Background resets after reboot: Disable battery optimization for Themes app in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
- 🖼️ Photo displayed stretched: Use images with aspect ratio 9:19.5 (for example, 1080×2340px).
- 🎵 Background conflicts with ringing melody: Set a standard tune in Settings → Sounds and vibrations → The melody of the call.
If none of these methods worked, check to see if you have a spam-blocking app (like Truecaller or GetContact) that often intercepts the call screen and ignores MIUI settings.
Method 1 (Phone Settings) |Method 2 (Themes) |Method 3 (ADB) | None helped |Usteering a third-party app-->
Bonus: How to make an animated background for calls
MIUI 12 supports dynamic background images, but this feature is hidden to activate it:
- Download live wallpaper in.mp4 or.gif format (for example, from the WallpapersCraft website).
- Place the file in the DCIM → LiveWallpapers folder (create it manually if it is not available).
- Use the Way 3 (ADB), But instead of the last command, type: adb shell settings put global call_background_animation 1
- Reboot your phone and select a videophone in the theme settings (Themes → My Themes → Call Screen → Background).
⚠️ Limitations:
- The animation works only on devices with AMOLED-screen.
- The maximum duration of the video is 10 seconds.
- Redmi 9/9A may be in a slowdown.
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Animated background images significantly increase battery consumption during a call (up to 15% in 1 minute per phone call). AMOLED-Use them only when connecting to charging.