Replacing images on an Android smartphone is one of the most popular operations among users. If you want to update the wallpaper on the lock screen, change application icons, edit photos in the gallery, or even replace system images (for example, the boot logo), the capabilities of modern devices allow you to do this without special skills. However, not everyone knows that the methods differ depending on the Android version, manufacturer (Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, stock Android) and even the device model.

In this article we will analyze 5 main scenarioswhen a user may need to change the picture on Android: from a basic change of wallpaper to advanced methods using ADB or third-party launchers. We will pay special attention hidden settings in Samsung and Xiaomi firmware, which are often ignored even by experienced users. If you are looking for a way to personalize your smartphone, you are on the right track.

1. How to change the wallpaper on the home screen and lock screen

The easiest way to change the appearance of your smartphone is to change the wallpaper. On most devices this takes no more than a minute, but the menu interface may vary. Let's consider a universal method and features for popular brands.

For pure Android (for example, Google Pixel, Motorola, Nokia):

  1. Press and hold with your finger empty space on the main screen.
  2. In the menu that appears, select Wallpaper (or Style and wallpaper).
  3. Select source:
    • 📷 Mine photo - images from the gallery.
    • 🌄 Categories —standard wallpaper from Google.
    • 🎨 Colors —solid background colors.
  • Click Set wallpaper and select where apply: Home screen, Lock screen or Both screens.

    • For Samsung Galaxy (shell One UI):

    • 📱 Long press on the main screen → Wallpaper and style.
    • 🖼️ Tab My wallpaper to upload your images.
    • ⚙️ Additionally: in Lock screen settings you can enable effect paralax (3D effect when tilting the phone).

    For Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (shell MIUI):

    • 🖱️ Long press → Themes → Wallpaper.
    • 🔍 Tab Local for your photos, Online to download themes from the store Mi Themes.
    • ⚠️ Attention: in MIUI 14+ wallpaper for the lock and home screen are configured separately!
    📊 How often do you change the wallpaper on your smartphone?
    Once a week
    Once a month
    Only when purchasing a phone
    I never change
    Brand Path to wallpaper settings Features
    Google Pixel Long press → Wallpaper Support live wallpaper (animation)
    Samsung Long press → Wallpaper and style Paralax effect, separate settings for AOD
    Xiaomi Long press → Themes → Wallpaper Integration with the theme store Mi Themes
    Huawei Settings → Screen → Wallpaper Support dynamic wallpaper (change by time)
    ⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22+ s One UI 5.1) when selecting wallpaper from the gallery, the system automatically crops the image to the aspect ratio of the screen. To avoid distortion, use a photo with a resolution that does not. less 2160×3840 pixels for modern smartphones.

    2. Replacing application icons without root access

    If you are tired of standard application icons, you can replace them without complex manipulations. There are two main ways: with. using launchers (for example, Nova Launcher) or through icon packs from Google Play.

    Instructions for Nova Launcher:

    Install Nova Launcher from Google Play|

    Download the icon pack you like (for example, Whicons or CandyCons)|

    Press and hold an empty space on the screen → Settings → Icon style|

    Select an installed icon pack|

    Apply changes (you will need to restart the launcher)

    -->

    For devices Samsung s One UI:

    • 📦 Install an icon pack (for example, Hexa Icon Pack).
    • 🔧 Go to Settings → Home screen → Themes and wallpapers → Icons.
    • 🎯 Select the downloaded package. If the option is missing, use Nova Launcher.

    For Xiaomi:

    • 🛠️ There is no built-in support for icon packs. Use MIUI There is no built-in support for icon packs. Use Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher.
    • 🔄 Alternative: in Theme settings you can download ready-made themes with changed icons.
    How to return standard icons?

    If after experiments you want to return the original icons:

    1. For launchers: in the settings, select Icon style → Default.
    2. For themes MIUI/One UI: reset the theme to standard in the personalization settings.
    3. If the icons are lost after the update, clear the launcher cache in Settings → Applications.

    ⚠️ Attention: Some icon packs from Google Play contain advertising or require a purchase to unlock all icons. Before installing, check the reviews and ratings of the application. Be especially careful when downloading packages from unknown developers - they may ask for unnecessary permissions. (for example, access to contacts).

    If you need to edit an existing photo or replace it with another (for example, in chats or a profile), use the built-in tools Google Photos or the standard one. Let's consider both. option. Gallery. Let's consider both options.

    Editing methods in Google Photos:

    • 📸 Open the photo → click Edit (pencil icon).
    • 🎨 Available tools:
      • Crop (Cropping) - change the aspect ratio.
      • Correction - brightness, contrast, saturation.
      • Filters - ready-made styles (for example, Pop, Vintage).
      • Retouching - removal of defects (only in premium version).
    • 💾 After editing, click Save a copyso as not to lose the original.

    For standard Galleries (on Samsung, Xiaomi):

    • 🖼️ Open photo → Edit or Editor.
    • ✂️ In MIUI function is available background replacement (artificial intelligence removes the background and allows you to insert a new one).
    • 🔄 On Samsung is tool Retouching magic to remove objects from a photo.

    If necessary replace the photo in profile (for example, in WhatsApp or Telegram):

    1. Open the application and go to your profile.
    2. Click on the current photo → select Edit or Edit.
    3. Select a new image from the gallery or take a photo with your camera.
    4. Crop the photo (if necessary) and save the changes.
    💡

    If, after editing the photo in Google Photos disappeared from the gallery, check the folder Pictures/Edited —copies of the edited images are saved there.

    4. Replacing system images (boot logo, animation)

    This section is for experienced users. System images (for example, a logo when turning on the phone or boot animation) are more difficult to replace than wallpapers or icons. This will require unlocking bootloader and access to system files, which can lead to loss of warranty or "brick" of the device.

    Replacement methods (required ADB and Fastboot):

    • 🔧 For the download logo (bootanimation):
      1. Download the new logo in the format .zip (for example, from the site XDA Developers).
      2. Connect your phone to the PC and open ADB Shell.
      3. Enter the command: 
        adb push new_bootanimation.zip /system/media/
      4. Change access rights: 
        adb shell chmod 644 /system/media/bootanimation.zip
  • 📱 For manufacturer logo (logo.bin):
    • Requires firmware via Fastboot.
    • Command for firmware: 
      fastboot flash logo new_logo.img

    • For devices Samsung s One UI:

    • ⚠️ Replacing system images with Samsung is blocked Knox. Even after a successful replacement, the protection may work and the phone will stop booting.
    • 🛠️ Alternative: use TWRP Recovery to install custom firmware with modified logos.
    ⚠️ Attention: Before any manipulations with system files make a backup copy via TWRP or Samsung Smart Switch. On some devices (for example, Google Pixel 6+), replacing bootanimation may reset DRM keys, causing it to stop working. Widevine L1 (no HD in Netflix, Disney+).

    5. Automatic wallpaper change on a schedule

    If you are tired of manually updating the background image, you can configure automatic wallpaper change by time of day, weather or randomly. both built-in functions and third-party applications are suitable.

    Automation methods:

    • 🌅 Built-in tools:
      • On Google Pixel: Settings → Screen → Wallpaper → Dynamic wallpaper (change depending on time day).
      • On Huawei: Settings → Screen → Wallpaper → Dynamic wallpaper (support for weather effects).
    • 📱 Application side:
      • Wallpaper Changer —scheduled change (every hour/day).
      • Muzei Live Wallpaper —automatically loads artistic wallpaper.
      • Tapet —generates unique patterns based on your preferences.

        • Settings Muzei Live Wallpaper:

        1. Install the application from Google Play.
        2. Select the wallpaper source (for example, 500px, Flickr or local photos).
        3. Adjust the refresh rate in Settings → Schedule.
        4. Activate the wallpaper via Long press → Wallpaper → Live wallpaper.
        Application Features Cons
        Muzei Integration with art galleries, blur on the lock screen Not all sources are free
        Wallpaper Changer Flexible scheduling settings, support for local folders Advertising in free version
        Tapet Generation of unique wallpapers, no repetitions Limited customization of styles
        Google Wallpaper Daily wallpaper from Google, category "Earth" No manual settings schedule
        💡

        Automatic wallpaper change saves time, but can increase battery consumption (especially "live wallpaper"). To save energy, use static images and increase the update interval (for example, once a day).

        6. Restoring deleted or damaged images

        If you accidentally deleted them. the photo is damaged after editing, do not rush to panic. In most cases, images can be restored, especially if a little time has passed.

        Recovery methods:

        • 🗑️ Recycle Bin in Google Photos:
          1. Open Google Photos → Library → Cart.
          2. Select the photos you need and click Restore.
          3. ⏳ Shelf life in the cart - 60 days.
      • 🔍 Local recovery:
        • Use applications like DiskDigger or Dumpster.
        • Effectiveness depends on how much data was written to the device after deletion.
      • 💻 Recovery from PC:
        • Connect your phone to the computer and use Recuva or EaseUS MobiSaver.
        • For deep scanning you will need root access.

      If the photo damaged (does not open or is displayed with artifacts):

      • 🛠️ Try opening it in another application (for example, QuickPic or Simple Gallery).
      • 🔧 Use online recovery services (for example, JPEG Repair).
      • 📧 If the photo was sent by mail or via instant messenger, check whether a copy of it is saved in the cloud.
        • ⚠️ Attention: When restoring deleted files do not save new data to the device (photos, videos, applications), this may overwrite the clusters where deleted images are stored and make their recovery impossible. If photos are critical, immediately disconnect the phone from the network. and remove the memory card (if used).

        7. Problems when changing images and their solutions

        Even when performing simple operations with pictures on Android, errors can occur. Let's look at the most common problems and ways to fix them.

        Typical ones. errors and solutions:

        Problem Possible cause Solution
        Wallpaper is not applied Launcher failure or insufficient memory Reboot your phone or clear the launcher cache in Settings → Applications
        Photo is not saved after editing Insufficient rights or application crash Check permissions for Google Photos/Galleries or reinstall the application
        Icons get lost after updating Reset launcher settings Restore the launcher backup (if any) or configure the icons again
        System images are not replaced Lock the bootloader or Knox Use Magisk to bypass restrictions (root required)
        The wallpaper looks blurry Incorrect resolution of the original image Use a photo with a resolution of at least 1080×2340 for modern smartphones

        If the problem does not solved:

        • 🔄 Reboot the device - this helps in 60% of cases of interface failures.
        • 📋 Check the error logs through ADB Logcat (for experienced users).
        • 📞 Contact the manufacturer's support if the failure persists after reset settings.
          • What to do if after changing the wallpaper the widget disappeared?

          If after changing the wallpaper the widget (for example, weather or calendar) disappeared:

          1. Tap and hold an empty space on the screen → Widgets.
          2. Find the desired widget in the list and drag it to the home screen.
          3. If the widget is not displayed, restart your phone or update the application to which it belongs.