Personalizing a smartphone is not just a tribute to fashion, but a way to make using the device more comfortable and recognizable. When the phone rings, the screen usually lights up with a standard screen saver or simply shows the caller's name against a neutral background. However, modern versions of the operating system Android allow you to turn this moment into something unique. You can set your own photo, bright picture or even a full-fledged video as the background for all incoming calls or for a specific one.
This feature is available on most devices released in the last few years, but the path to activating it can vary significantly depending on the shell manufacturer. Owners Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi, Realme or smartphones with a clean Android will be faced with different menus and item names. In this article, we will examine in detail all possible methods for changing the call screen wallpaper, including the use of third-party applications for cases where system settings are limited.
Standard settings in the Android interface
The easiest and most reliable way to change the visual design of a call is to use the built-in capabilities of the system. In “pure” Android, which can be found on smartphones Google Pixel or Moto, this option is often integrated directly into the “Phone” application or into the general wallpaper settings. You don't need to look for complex hidden menus, just go to the standard calling application.
Open the application Phone and click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen to open the settings menu. Here you should look for an item that may be called Call settings, Screen during a call or simply Wallpaper. In some firmware versions, you need to go to the Personalizationsection, where the system will prompt you to select an image from the gallery or use preset options.
If you want to set a video, the system may ask for permission to process media files or warn about increased battery consumption. This is normal, since playing video requires more processor and screen resources than displaying a static image. Select the desired file, trim it if necessary and confirm the action with the button Apply.
- 📱 Open the “Phone” application and find the settings section.
- 🖼️ Select “Call screen wallpaper” or similar.
- 🎞️ Upload a photo or short video from the gallery.
- ✅ Confirm your choice and check the result with a test call.
For the best image quality, choose a photo with a resolution of at least 1080x1920 pixels, so that the picture does not look blurry on modern displays.
It is worth noting that on some devices the function of setting a video background may not be available by default due to power consumption limitations. In this case, the system will offer to use only static images. This is done in order save battery power at moments when the phone is in standby mode or is actively used for conversations.
Features of the One UI shell on Samsung smartphones
The company Samsung has implemented one of the most advanced call personalization systems in its own shell One UI. Here users can not just change the picture, but create dynamic scenes with effects. The feature is called “Video Wallpaper” and is available in the standard “Gallery” application or through the lock and call screen settings.
To activate this feature, go to your smartphone and find the section Settings your smartphone and find the section Wallpaper and style. Next, select Wallpaper, and then switch to the Call screentab. Here you'll see a collection of pre-installed videos from Samsung, as well as a button to add your own content from the gallery. The system will automatically offer to crop the video to fit the screen format.
Unique feature Samsung is the ability to set different videos for different contacts. This allows you to visually identify the caller before you even look at the name. To do this, you need to go to the application Contact, select a specific person, click Change and in the field Video wallpaper download the desired video.
⚠️ Warning: Using long, high-resolution video files as a call background may cause the device to heat up quickly during a call. It is recommended to use videos up to 15 seconds long.
It is also worth considering that when updating the firmware One UI the location of some menu items may change. Samsung engineers regularly improve the interface, moving functions to more convenient sections. If you do not find the described path, try using the settings search by entering the query “video wallpaper.”
Setting up calls in MIUI and HyperOS (Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO)
Users of devices from Xiaomiworking on shells MIUI or new HyperOShave access to a powerful tool called Wallpaper carousel. This feature allows you to change the images on the lock and call screens automatically, but it can also be configured for static selection. In the latest versions of the software, video call management has been moved to a separate application.
First, make sure that you have installed and updated the system application Themes. Inside it, go to the tab Profile and find the section Wallpaper. A setting Screen wallpaper callis often hidden here. If you want to use video, you may need to install an additional plugin Video Wallpaper, which the system will offer to download automatically when you first launch the function.
The process of setting an individual background for a contact in MIUI looks like this: open the application Contact, select the subscriber and click on the camera icon or edit icon. In the menu that appears, select Install video wallpaper. The system will offer to select a file from the device memory or record a new video right now.
| Smartphone model | Video support | Settings location | Additional. application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13 / 14 | Full | Themes Application | Video Wallpaper |
| Redmi Note 12 | Full | Settings -> Wallpaper | Not required |
| POCO F5 | Limited | Phone application | Wallpaper carousel |
| Mi 11 Lite | Full | Themes application | Video Wallpaper |
What to do if the “Video Wallpaper” item is missing?
If you do not see the video installation option, check the device region. This feature may be disabled in some global firmware versions due to licensing restrictions. Try changing the region in your phone settings to “India” or “Indonesia”, where the functionality is often wider.
It is important to remember format compatibility. The shell HyperOS works best with the MP4 i GIFformats. If your video is encoded in a rare codec, the system may refuse to play it or show a black screen instead of a picture. Convert the file to a standard format before installation.
Using third-party applications for customization
If the built-in tools of your smartphone do not allow you to set the desired background, applications from the store will come to the rescue. Google Play. Developers have created many utilities that intercept an incoming call and display their interface on top of the standard one. This provides almost limitless possibilities for creativity.
One of the most popular solutions is an application Video Show Caller or analogues like Color Phone. After installing such software, you will need to grant it permissions to access contacts, phone and display on top of other windows. Without permission “On top of other applications” the widget will not be able to be activated during a call.
In the settings of a third-party application, you can select videos from the gallery, apply filters, add text effects, or even use meme-style avatars. Some apps allow you to synchronize the background with the rhythm of the music or change it depending on the time of day.
- 📥 Download the video calling application from Google Play.
- 🔐 Grant all requested permissions in the Android settings.
- 🎨 Upload the video and set the name display caller.
- 📞 Make a test call to check operation.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party caller applications may conflict with the phone's system application, causing delays in contact display or sound problems. If you notice any problems, remove third-party software.
☑️ Checking access rights for call applications
Using such utilities also has a downside. They work in the background and constantly monitor the state of the phone, which inevitably affects battery life. If the operating time of your smartphone on a single charge is critical for you, it is better to limit yourself to the standard tools of the system.
Setting an individual background for a specific contact
One of the most useful functions of modern mobilization is the ability to assign a unique visual style to each person in the phone book. This is not only beautiful, but also practical: you instantly understand who is calling, without even reading the name, simply by a characteristic picture or video.
The procedure for setting up an individual background begins with opening the application Contact. Find the desired subscriber in the list and go to his profile page. Click on the button Edit (usually this is a pencil icon). Scroll down the page to the section responsible for media content.
Here you will see the option Add photo or Select video. Depending on the phone model, this item may be located immediately under the name or in the additional menu More. After selecting a file from the gallery, the system will offer to crop the image. Make sure that the face or important object is in the center of the frame, as during a call part of the screen may be obscured by the answer buttons.
Some users prefer to use friends' selfies or funny GIFs as identifiers. This adds positivity to the communication routine. However, you should take precautions: too bright or flashing videos can be annoying if you receive frequent calls from the same person, for example, from your boss or a courier.
Customized wallpapers for contacts only work if the call comes through the standard phone application. Third-party instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) use their own theme and avatar settings.
If you have changed a contact's photo, but it has not been updated on the call screen, try clearing the application cache Contact. Sometimes the system keeps old thumbnails in memory and requires resetting the cached information to display the new data. This is done through the menu Applications in the smartphone settings.
Solving problems and common errors during setup
Despite the apparent simplicity of the process, users often encounter technical difficulties. The file won't load, the video won't play, or the background will reset to black after rebooting. Most of these problems are related to file formats or permissions.
The first thing to check is the media file format. Android works best with universal formats. If you downloaded a video from a social network, it may be in WEBM format or have a specific codec that the dialer’s built-in player does not support. Convert the file to a classic one MP4 with codec H.264.
The second common mistake is lack of permissions. After a system update, Android often resets application permissions. Go to Settings -> Applications -> Phone -> Permissions and make sure that access to Photos and videos is allowed. Without this, the system simply will not be able to read the wallpaper file from memory.
⚠️ Attention: If, after installing the video background, the phone starts to slow down a lot when receiving an incoming call, it means that the file has too high a bitrate or resolution. Try compressing the video before installing.
It is also worth mentioning the conflict with the power saving mode. In Maximum Saving mode, the system can forcefully turn off video playback on the call screen to save battery. If the background turns black only after enabling this mode, then this is normal system behavior and not an error.
Before installing a complex video background, take a screenshot of how it looks in the gallery. If the video plays without sound and jerks in the gallery, but not on the call, the problem is in the phone application, not in the file.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to install GIF animation instead of video?
Yes, most modern smartphones support the GIF format as call screen wallpaper. However, it's worth considering that GIFs often have a limited color palette and may look lower quality than a full MP4 video. In addition, some older phone models may only display the first frame of the animation.
Why did the call become quieter after installing the video?
This may be due to the fact that the video file contains an audio track that plays simultaneously with the call, creating a mess of sounds. When setting up a video wallpaper, most apps have an option to "Mute" or "Mute Audio for Wallpaper." Be sure to activate it so that the ringtone sound is clear.
Does the video background affect the rate of battery drain?
Yes, it does. The screen is one of the main consumers of energy, and video playback requires constant operation of the graphics processor and the backlight at high brightness. If you often take long calls, the difference in battery life between a static photo and a video can be 5-10% per day of active use.
How to remove the video background and return to the standard view?
To return everything as it was, go to the call screen wallpaper settings (via the Phone application or Smartphone Settings) and select “Reset” or “Default”. You can also select any of the preset system backgrounds, which are usually static abstract images.
Does this function work for video calls on WhatsApp?
No, the described methods only work for regular voice calls via a SIM card. Video communication applications, such as WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, have their own settings for themes and backgrounds, which are changed within these applications themselves in the “Chat” or “Design” section.