A ​​screensaver on your Android lock screen or desktop is not just a decoration, but a way to personalize your device to suit your style. In 2026, customization options have expanded: from dynamic wallpapers to animated screensavers with effects (AOD). But how to choose, install or even create your own unique screensaver if the standard options in the gallery are not satisfactory? Google Wallpapers to animated screensavers with effects Always-On Display (AOD). But how to choose, install or even create your own unique screensaver if the standard options in the gallery are not satisfactory?

In this article we will analyze all the current methods - from basic settings in the smartphone menu to advanced solutions using ADB or third-party applications. We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of Android (from Android 10 to Android 15) and popular manufacturers: Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and others. You will also learn how to bypass system limitations if it does not allow you to change the lock screen wallpaper, and what image formats are supported for animation.

1. Standard Android settings: where to look for screensavers

Most modern smartphones allow you to change the screensaver directly in the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell, but the general logic is the same. For example, on a clean Android 14 (as in Google Pixel 8) the algorithm is as follows:

  1. Open Settings → Wallpaper and style.
  2. Select section Lock screen or Screensaver (in some firmware - Always On Display).
  3. Scroll down to My wallpaper or Gallery.
  4. Load an image from the device memory or select from those offered by the system.

On smartphones Samsung (shell One UI 6.1) there is a different way: Settings → Wallpaper and style → Screen wallpaper locks. an additional option Dynamic wallpaperthat automatically adjusts the screensaver colors to the interface theme. And in devices Xiaomi (MIUI 15) screensavers for Always-On Display are configured separately - in Settings → Screen → Always-on Display and lock.

⚠️ Attention: On some budget models (for example, Redmi Note 12 or Samsung Galaxy A14) The option to change the screensaver on the lock screen may be blocked by the manufacturer. In this case, only installing custom firmware or using ADB will help (we will discuss it below).

If you want the screensaver to change automatically, activate the function Daily wallpapers (available in Google Wallpapers and some firmwares The system will load new images from). collections Google Earth, Arts and culture or your albums in Google Photos.

📊 Which screensaver do you prefer?
Static image
Animated wallpaper
Dynamic (changes automatically)
Always On Display (AOD)

2. How to create your own screensaver: image requirements

For the screensaver to look clear and not stretch, the image must match the screen resolution of your smartphone. Here are the basic requirements for popular resolutions. 2026:

Screen resolution Aspect ratio Recommended screensaver size (pixels) Device examples
FHD+ 20:9 1080 × 2400 Samsung Galaxy S23, Xiaomi 13
QHD+ 19.5:9 1440 × 3200 Google Pixel 8 Pro, OnePlus 11
HD+ 20:9 720 × 1600 Redmi Note 12, Samsung Galaxy A24
4K (rarely) 21:9 1644 × 3840 Sony Xperia 1 V

For animated screensavers (formats .gif or .mp4), additional restrictions apply:

  • 🎨 File size: no more than 10–15 MB (otherwise the system may not accept it).
  • ⏱️ Duration: optimal 5-15 seconds for loop playback.
  • 🔄 Frame rate: 24-30 FPS for smoothness.
  • 📱 Aspect ratio: should match the screen (for example, 20:9 for most smartphones 2026–2026).

Important: Animated screensavers on the lock screen are not supported by all firmwares. For example, in MIUI they work only on flagships (series Xiaomi 14), and in One UI - starting from Samsung Galaxy S22. If your device does not support .gif, try converting the animation to a video format .mp4 with a low bitrate.

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Use the service Canva or application PicsArt for creating screensavers with exact dimensions. They have templates for popular smartphone models, including cutouts for the front camera.

3. Installing a screensaver through third-party applications

If the standard Android settings limit your capabilities, use specialized applications. 2026:

  1. Wallpapers Craft (free, with purchases)

    Allows you to create dynamic wallpapers based on the time of day, weather or geolocation There is a built-in editor for cropping and applying effects. Supports Always On Display on devices with AMOLED-screens.

  2. Kappboom (paid, ~300 ₽)

    Specializes in animated screensavers with 3D effects. The library has more than 1000 templates, including abstract patterns and minimalistic clocks for the lock screen.

  3. Muzei Live Wallpaper (free)

    Automatically loads artistic images from open sources (for example, Metropolitan Museum of Artand blurs them for an aesthetic background. Supports plugins for Google. Photo and Reddit.

To install a screensaver through the app:

  1. Download and install the selected application from Google Play.
  2. Open it and select the screensaver you like.
  3. Click Set wallpaper or Apply.
  4. In the window that appears, select where to apply: Lock screen, Desktop or both options.
⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, Kappboom) require permission to display on top of other windows (Display over other apps). Without this permission, animated screensavers will not work. To grant permission, go to Settings → Applications → Accessibility → Display on top of other applications.

Download the application from the official source (Google Play)

Check reviews and ratings (avoid utilities with a rating below 4.0)

Give all necessary permissions (storage, display on top of windows)

Reboot the device after installation (recommended for stability)-->

4. Advanced method: installing a screensaver via ADB

If your smartphone does not allow you to change the screensaver on the lock screen through standard means, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting the device to a computer.

Here are step-by-step guide for Android 13–15:

  1. Activate Developer mode: 
    Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times)
  2. Enable USB Debugging USB debugging Settings → System → Developer Mode.
  3. Connect your smartphone to the PC and confirm your trust in the computer on the device screen.
  4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and enter: 
    adb devices

    Make sure that your device is displayed in the list.

  5. Download the screensaver to the smartphone memory (for example, to a folder Download) and run the command: 
    adb shell cmd overlay enable-exclusive com.android.systemui/.lockscreen.wallpaper

    Then specify the path to the file:

    adb shell settings put global lock_screen_wallpaper /sdcard/Download/your_screensaver.jpg

For animated screensavers (.mp4) use a similar command, but specifying the content type: 

adb shell settings put global lock_screen_wallpaper_uri "content://media/external/video/media/1234"

(where 1234 is the ID of your video in the Android media database).

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of ADB can lead to interface failures. Before experiments, create a backup copy of your data. via adb backup or built-in Android tools.
What to do if ADB does not recognize the device?

Make sure that the drivers for your smartphone model are installed (you can download them on the manufacturer's website).

Try another USB cable (preferably the original one).

Restart the device and PC.

Enable the option in the developer settings USB debugging (security options) and OEM unlocking (if available).

5. Screensavers for Always On Display (AOD): settings features

Always On Display (AOD) is a mode in which part of the screen remains active even when locked, displaying the time, notifications or screensaver. The technology is available on smartphones with AMOLED- or LTPO OLED-screens (for example, Samsung Galaxy S24, Google Pixel 8 Pro).

To set up a screensaver for AOD:

  1. Go to Settings → Screen → Always On Display (name may vary).
  2. Select display style: Dial, Image or GIF.
  3. For a static screensaver, upload an image in format .png or .jpg with a black background (saves battery power).
  4. For animation, use .gif low frame rate (up to 10 FPS).

Manufacturers often limit the choice of screensavers for AOD. For example, in One UI you can install only images from the gallery, and in MIUI you can also install animated stickers. To get around the restrictions:

  • 📱 Use applications. like AOD Mirror (paid), which emulates Always On Display on devices without hardware support.
  • 🔧 Install custom software (for example, LineageOS) if your smartphone is unlocked.
  • 🎨 Create a screensaver with a black background and minimalistic elements (white text, outlines) - this will reduce power consumption.
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Always On Display consumes up to 1-2% of the charge per hour. To save battery, turn off the AOD at night or configure the schedule in the screen settings.

6. Solving problems: the screensaver does not install or crashes

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the screensaver is not applied, is reset after a reboot, or is displayed incorrectly. Let's consider typical causes and ways to eliminate them:

Problem Possible cause Solution
The screensaver does not change Manufacturer's restriction (for example, on Redmi or Realme) Use ADB or applications like Wallpaper Changer
The image is stretched Resolution mismatch screen Crop the splash screen in the editor (for example, Snapseed)
Animation does not play Unsupported format or high FPS Convert to .mp4 with a bitrate of up to 5 Mbit/s
The screensaver resets after the update Reset the system settings Restore from backup or install again

If the screensaver resets after updating the firmware, check:

  • 📵 Are the screen settings reset (in Settings → System → Reset settings).
  • 🔄 Does the new software conflict with installed themes (for example, in MIUI or ColorOS).
  • 🛠️ Is it necessary to reinstall activation USB debugging (after major Android updates it is often disabled).

On devices Samsung with One UI sometimes resetting the application cache helps com.sec.android.app.launcher (via Settings → Applications → Three dots → Show system). This will return the default wallpaper settings, after which you can set your screensaver again.

7. 2026

Don’t know where to download high-quality screensavers? We have selected proven sources with free and paid collections:

  1. Wallhaven (wallhaven.cc)

    More than 1 million wallpapers in resolution up to 8KThere are filters by colors, themes (Cyberpunk, Minimalism) and aspect ratio. Supports downloading without watermarks.

  2. Backiee (backiee.com)

    Specializes in animated wallpapers for smartphones. All files are optimized for mobile screens and weigh no more than 10 MB.

  3. Google Wallpapers (official application)

    Collections from Google Earth, NASA and artists from all over the world. There is a function Daily wallpapers with automatic updating.

  4. 4K Wallpapers (app on Google Play)

    Wallpaper catalog divided by category: Abstraction, Nature, Gradients. Supports previews in the real resolution of your screen.

  5. Unsplash (unsplash.com/wallpapers)

    High quality photographs with a license CC0 (can be used without restrictions). There is a mobile application with convenient search.

When downloading screensavers, pay attention to the license. Images marked Royalty-Free or CC0 can be used without the risk of violating copyrights. For commercial use (for example, if you are creating a theme for sale) check the conditions on the source website.

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To prevent the screensaver from eating up traffic when automatically changing, download collections in advance via Wi-Fi. Google Wallpapers this is done in the application settings (Download only via Wi-Fi).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about screensavers on Android

Is it possible to set a video as a screensaver on the lock screen?

Yes, but with reservations. On most smartphones, video can only be installed on the desktop through applications like Video Live WallpaperFor the lock screen you will need:

  1. Convert video to .gif or .mp4 low resolution.
  2. Use ADB (as described in section 4).
  3. Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), if standard methods do not work.

On Samsung Galaxy s One UI 6.1 video on the lock screen is supported natively, but only for models with Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and newer.

Why does the screen saver on AOD flash or is not fully displayed?

This is a typical problem for AMOLEDscreens. Reasons:

  • The colors in the screensaver are too bright (especially white). Solution: use dark colors.
  • Inappropriate resolution: crop the image to the aspect ratio. screen.
  • The display driver has failed. Solution: reboot the device or reset the AOD settings in the screen menu.
How to make the screensaver change automatically every day?

There are several ways:

  1. In the application Google Wallpapers activate the option Daily Wallpaper.
  2. Use Muzei Live Wallpaper with the plugin for Google Photos or Flickr.
  3. Set up a task in Automate or Tasker to cyclically change wallpaper from a folder.

On Samsung this function is built into Settings → Wallpaper and style → My wallpaper → Daily wallpaper.

Is it possible to set a screensaver on the lock screen without root access?

Yes, but the possibilities are limited:

  • On most devices, you can change the screensaver through the standard settings (see section 1).
  • Applications like Wallpapers Craft or Kappboom allow you to bypass some restrictions.
  • For deep customization (for example, on Xiaomi or Oppo) you will need ADB (section 4).

root access is only needed to change system wallpaper files (for example, replacing standard screensavers in /system/media/).

What image formats are supported for screensavers on Android?

Standard formats:

  • .jpg / .jpeg —a universal option, supported by all devices.
  • .png —better for images with transparency (for example, for AOD).
  • .webp —a lightweight format, but not all firmware processes it correctly.
  • .gif —for animated screensavers (limited support).
  • .mp4 — for video wallpapers (requires conversion to low resolution).

For Always On Display it is better to use .png with a black background (#000000) - this will reduce power consumption.