How to find and set up a wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi Redmi: Hidden paths in MIUI

You bought a new Xiaomi Redmi or upgraded your MIUI firmware, but you can't find the usual wallpaper carousel? This feature appears in the settings and disappears after the updates — and this is not a bug, but a feature of the Xiaomi interface. Depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or older versions) and the version of MIUI, the path to live wallpaper can be radically different.

In this article, we will not only show you where to look for a wallpaper carousel in your model, but also reveal hidden chips: how to return a feature if it is missing, what wallpaper supports animation, and why some users see a blank screen instead of a gallery. And also a unique way to activate a hidden library of wallpaper through ADB, if the standard method does not work.

Why the wallpaper carousel is missing on Xiaomi Redmi

The main reason for the disappearance of the feature is the MIUI update. Xiaomi regularly redistributes interface elements, and in some versions (for example, MIUI 14.0.5 for the Redmi Note 11), the wallpaper carousel is moved deep into the menu or even hidden behind “experimental functions”.

• 🔄 And/B-Testing: Xiaomi is testing different interfaces on random users, your smartphone could be in the group with a simplified menu.
• 📱 Regional Firmware: In the Global (MIUI Global) and Chinese (MIUI China) versions of the wallpaper path vary.
• 🛠️ Optimizing Performance: On Budget Models (Redmi) 10A, POCO M4) Wallpaper animation is turned off to save resources.
• 🔧 Resetting: After resetting to factory settings, some features (including the carousel) require re-activation.

Another nuance: some devices have wallpaper carousels tied to the theme of the design. If you use a standard MIUI Default theme, the feature may be blocked. Try changing the theme to any other one (even a minimalist Simple Black) - often this solves the problem.

Standard paths to the wallpaper carousel in MIUI (according to versions)

The path to live wallpaper depends on the version of MIUI and the model of the smartphone, below is the current table for popular devices (data checked on firmware 2023-2026):

If your model is not in the table, try the universal method:

1. Open the Settings and search for the word "wallpaper".
2. If the search does not yield results, check the Topics section – sometimes the carousel hides under the Recommended tab.
3. On older versions of MIUI (12 and below), the path may look like this: Settings → Lock screen → Wallpaper → Live wallpaper.

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If the wallpaper carousel is not displayed, try changing the device region to "India" in the settings (Settings → Additional → Region).Indian MIUI firmware often has advanced design features.

How to return the wallpaper carousel if it disappeared after the update

If after updating MIUI wallpaper carousel disappeared, use one of the proven methods:

Method 1: Resetting the settings of the "Themes" application

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Themes app (com.android.themes).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Reset the device.

Method 2: Activation through developer settings

This method works on Redmi Note 10/11 and POCO X3/X4:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to Enable MIUI Experimental Functions and activate it.
4. Reboot your smartphone and check the Topics → Wallpaper section.

Method 3: Install APK with live wallpaper (for advanced)

If the standard methods didn’t work, you can manually install the original wallpaper app from Xiaomi:

• 📱 Download. APK-file MiuiWallpaper.apk (The version must be the same as yours. MIUI).
• 🔧 Install the file through any file manager (allow installation from unknown sources).
• 🔄 Reset the device.

Download the correct version of APK (check compatibility with MIUI)| Backup current wallpaper |Disable antivirus (may block installation)|Reboot phone after installation-->

Attention! Installing APKs from third-party sources can disrupt system stability. Use only official files from Xiaomi forums (e.g. en.miui.com).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) hand-mount MiuiWallpaper.apk This may cause the Themes app to crash. Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings. → Memory. → Backup.

Hidden features of wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi

Few people know, but the wallpaper carousel in MIUI hides additional features:

• 🎨 Animation Editing: Press and Hold Any Live Wallpaper in the Carousel – A Menu With Animation Speed and Brightness Settings Will Appear.
• 🔄 Wallpaper Replacement: Some firmwares allow you to automatically change the wallpaper time (e.g. morning/evening) and this option is hidden in the wallpaper settings. → Additionally. → Schedule.
• 📱 Synchronization with the weather: Redmi Note 12 Pro+ live wallpaper may vary depending on the weather (requires to include geolocation).
• 🎵 Sound wallpaper: In Chinese firmware, wallpaper with dynamic sound (for example, the noise of the sea or forest) is activated through the Themes → Wallpaper. → Sound effects.

Another hidden feature is your own live wallpaper, and you can download a GIF or video (up to 15 seconds) and convert it into wallpaper:

1. Place the file in the DCIM → Wallpapers folder.
2. Open Topics → Wallpaper. → My wallpaper.
3. Select a file and click "Create live wallpaper".

Solving wallpaper carousel problems

If the wallpaper carousel is not working or gives out errors, check these points:

If the wallpaper is loaded but not displayed on the lock screen, check:

• 🔒 Is the option "Show wallpaper on the lock screen" enabled in Settings → Lock screen → Additionally.
• 📏 Whether the wallpaper resolution is consistent with your screen resolution (e.g, 1080×2400 For the Redmi Note 11).
• 🔄 Does the wallpaper conflict with the established theme of design (try to change the theme to a standard one).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-screens (Redmi) K50, POCO F4) live wallpaper can cause pixel burnout over long-term use, it is recommended to include animation only on the home screen, and use static images on the lock.

Alternative ways to install live wallpaper without a carousel

If the wallpaper carousel has not appeared, use alternative methods:

Method 1: Apps from Google Play

Install one of the verified applications:

• 🌌 WallpapersCraft - live wallpaper with support 4K 60 FPS.
• 🌊 Kappboom – wallpaper with paralax effects and 3D.
• 🎨 Zedge – a large library of animated wallpaper (requires registration).

After installation, select wallpaper through Settings → Wallpaper → My Wallpaper → Gallery.

Method 2: Use of KLWP (for advanced)

Kustom Live Wallpaper (KLWP) allows you to create your own animated wallpaper from scratch:

1. Install KLWP from Google Play.
2. Download the preset (for example, on kustom.rocks).
3. Import preset to KLWP and apply as wallpaper.

KLWP: Wallpaper works even if the MIUI carousel is turned off, and consumes less battery than standard live wallpaper.

Method 3: Live wallpaper through ADB (for experienced)

If you are ready to work with the command line, you can manually activate hidden wallpaper:

adb shell settings put global live_wallpaper_enabled 1


adb shell am start -n com.android.wallpaper.livepicker/.LiveWallpaperPreview

This command unlocks the hidden section of live wallpaper, but doesn’t work on all devices.

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When using third-party live wallpaper, turn off battery optimization for the launcher app (com.miui.home), otherwise the animation will slow down.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi Redmi