Where to look for a wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi: detailed instructions with pictures and tips

You just bought a new Xiaomi smartphone, Redmi or POCO, You want to personalize your screen -- but you can't find the famous wallpaper carousel that everybody's talking about? Or maybe after the update. MIUI Don't worry, the feature hasn't gone away, it's just that the manufacturer regularly changes its location and even the name in the firmware. In this article, we will explore all possible ways to access the carousel on different versions of the shell, including hidden paths and solutions for cases when the partition disappears».

The wallpaper carousel is not just a collection of pictures, but a clever tool Xiaomi, which selects background images to suit your style of use, time of day or even weather. MIUI 12, the feature has become more intelligent: it analyzes your preferences and offers wallpaper from the theme store, but many users face a problem - in some regional firmware, the section is hidden or renamed "Themes" / "Block screen". Next, you will learn how to find a carousel on any model – from the flagships of Xiaomi 14 to the budget Redmi Note 12.

In the latest versions of the shell (MIUI 14 and later, the path to the wallpaper carousel is as simple as possible, but depends on the regional firmware. ROM), follow these steps:

  1. Open the settings (cog icon).
  2. Go to Lock Screen (or Lock Screen in English localization).
  3. Slip on Wallpaper.
  4. At the top of the screen you will see the Carousel tab (or Carousel).

On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) The path may vary: instead of "Block screen," look for Themes, and then the Wallpaper tab. Importantly, in some regions (for example, in India), the carousel is called Dynamic Wallpapers - do not confuse with live wallpaper!

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If your menu does not have the option “Carousel”, try changing the region in the settings of the Mi Account. → Mi Account → Region and select "Russia" or "Global».

V MIUI 13 and older carousel can be hidden deeper:

  • 🔍 First option: Settings → Topics → Wallpaper. → carousel.
  • 🔍 Second option: Settings → Display. → Wallpaper. → Carousel (on some models) POCO).
  • 🔍 Third option: Long tap on the main screen → Wallpaper. → carousel.

If you’ve walked all the standard paths but the wallpaper carousels haven’t found them, the problem may be one of three reasons:

  1. No update. MIUI — The function appeared only in firmware newer MIUI 12.5.
  2. Regional restrictions – in some countries (e.g. the EU) the carousel is disabled by default.
  3. System failure is rare, but it happens that the partition disappears after resetting the settings.

Solutions for each case:

🔧 Method 1: Update the firmware

Check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If it is older than 12.5, upgrade:

  1. Go to Settings. → Updating the system.
  2. Click Check for updates.
  3. If a new version is available, download it and install it.

🔧 Method 2: Change region with Mi Account

This method works if the carousel is hidden due to geo-restrictions:

  1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
  2. Tap the account avatar. → Region.
  3. Choose Russia or Global (not China!).
  4. Restart the phone – the Carousel section should appear.
What if the change in the region did not help?
If the carousel still does not appear after changing the region, try: 1. Clear the cache of the Themes app (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Clear the cache). 2. Install APK-Themes file with the latest version from an official source (e.g. APKCombo). 3. Reset your phone settings to factory settings (pre-back up!).

🔧 Method 3: Incorporation through ADB (advanced)

If the carousel is disabled at the system level, it can be activated via ADB. For that:

adb shell settings put global hide_carousel_wallpaper 0

After you've done the command, restart the phone. Attention: this method requires an unlocked bootloader and debugging enabled. USB!

📊 What version? MIUI you have installed?
MIUI 12 or older
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
MIUI 15 (beta)
I don't know.

Once you have found the finalmente, it’s time to figure out how to operate it. Depending on the Xiaomi model, the functionality may differ, but the basic features are the same:

  • 🌄 Automatic wallpaper change: the phone itself selects the background depending on the time of day (morning / day / evening / night).
  • 🎨 Store themes: Carousel pulls up wallpaper from official Mi Themes store, including exclusive collections.
  • 🔄 Manual selection: you can manually add your images or choose from the categories offered (nature, cities, abstraction, etc.).
  • 🔒 Different wallpaper for locking and the main screen: setting individual backgrounds for each screen.

To set the carousel up for yourself:

  1. Open the Carousel section in the wallpaper menu.
  2. Activate the Automatic Shift switch (if necessary).
  3. Select the category of wallpaper (for example, Landscapes or Minimalism).
  4. Click Apply to save the changes.

Long tap on the main screen → Wallpaper.|Select the Carousel tab»|Activate the Automatic Shift (optional)|Select the wallpaper category|Press “Apply»-->

Tip: If you don't like the wallpaper, you can add your own.

  1. In the carousel section, click on + (addendum).
  2. Select the Gallery and specify the folder with your images.
  3. The phone will automatically select the appropriate backgrounds from the selected folder.

Even if you find a carousel, it can be incorrect. Here are the most common problems and solutions.

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The carousel does not open (takes off or freezes)Cache failure of the "Themes" appClear the cache: Settings → Annexes → Topics → Clear the cache
Wallpaper doesn't change automatically.The “Automan” function is disabled or there is no Internet connectionCheck the carousel settings and turn on mobile data/Wi-Fi
No Carousel tab after update MIUIResetting settings after updateReboot your phone or change region in your Mi Account
Wallpaper from the carousel does not apply to the main screenConflict with a launcher (for example, Nova Launcher)Return to the standard launcher MIUI or adjust the wallpaper manually
Carousel shows the same wallpaperLittle-loaded collectionsUpdate the Themes app on Google Play or download new wallpaper manually

Important warning:

⚠️ Note: If after the region change in Mi Account, the carousel appeared, but the phone began to behave unstable (for example, some functions disappeared), return the former region.

If none of these things worked, try resetting your phone (but don’t forget to back it up!) 90% of the time, it solves the missing carousel problem. If that didn’t work, it’s possible your Xiaomi model doesn’t support the feature (relevant to very old devices on the backup). MIUI 11 and below).

If the wallpaper carousel never worked or you lacked its functionality, there are several alternative ways to automatically change the background to Xiaomi:

  • 📱 Wallpaper Carousel: a third-party tool with advanced wallpaper settings on schedule.
  • 🌅 Muzei Live Wallpaper: Google’s App That Automatically Uploads Art Wallpapers and Changes Them Smoothly.

For the installation of third-party wallpaper:

  1. Download the app from the list above.
  2. Open it and select your favorite collection.
  3. Click Set Wallpaper and choose where to apply (lock screen, main screen, or both).

The advantage of third-party solutions is that they often offer more customization options than the standard Xiaomi carousel. For example, in Tapet you can customize wallpaper generation by your colors or even add your own elements (text, icons).

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Third-party wallpaper apps can consume more battery than a standard carousel MIUI. If you notice a quick discharge, check the energy saving settings for these applications.

The functionality of the wallpaper carousel may vary depending on the series and year of release of the smartphone.

Series/modelFeatures of the carouselNotes
Xiaomi 13/14 seriesA full-fledged carousel with AI-Selection and integration with Mi ThemesSupports dynamic wallpaper (e.g., Earth from Space)
Redmi Note 12/13Carousel is present, but without some premium collectionsThe driver only works when connected to Wi-Fi
POCO F5/X5Carousel hidden in the Topics menu, often requires manual update of the appNo integration with weather wallpaper
Xiaomi 11T/12TCarousel with advanced settings, but can brake on weak firmwareIt is recommended to clean the cache once a month.
Redmi 10A/9AThe carousel is simplified, no AI-pickingOften disappears after updates - you need to reset your settings

On flagship models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, 14 Pro), the carousel is more stable and offers exclusive wallpaper (for example, in the style of Leica for photographers). POCO functionality can be reduced – for example, there is no automatic change for the weather or limited number of collections.

Advice for owners POCO: If the carousel does not appear even after changing the region, try installing global firmware through Fastboot. XDA Developers or Official Group POCO Vkontakte.

If you find wallpaper in the carousel that you want to leave forever, you can save them in the gallery:

  1. Open the wallpaper carousel and choose your favorite picture.
  2. Slip it to open it in full size.
  3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and choose Save.
  4. Wallpapers will appear in the Wallpapers folder in your gallery.

If there is no Save button (relevant for some firmware), use the workaround:

  1. Apply the wallpaper to the lock screen or the main screen.
  2. Take a screenshot of the screen (click Volume Down). + Nutrition).
  3. Cut the screenshot in any graphics editor (such as Snapseed or Photoshop Express).

Attention:

⚠️ Some of the wallpapers in Xiaomi’s carousel are copyrighted and can only be used for personal use (background on phone) but not for distribution on social media or stock sites.

🔹 Why the Wallpaper Carousel Eats a Lot of Traffic?
The carousel downloads new wallpaper from the Internet, especially if the automatic shift is enabled. To reduce traffic consumption: Open Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Data transfer. Find the Themes app and limit background traffic to it, or turn off the automatic wallpaper loading in the carousel settings.
🔹 Can I transfer the wallpaper from the carousel to another phone?
Yes, but not all. Wallpaper downloaded from Mi Themes is tied to your Mi Account. To move it: Save the wallpaper to the gallery (see section above). Flip the files to another phone via Mi Share, Bluetooth or the cloud. On the second phone, apply the wallpaper via Settings. → Wallpaper. → Note that some dynamic wallpapers (such as animations) may not work on other models.
🔹 The carousel only works on the lock screen?
This is a restriction of some firmware. Solutions: Manually apply the wallpaper to the home screen through a long press. → Wallpaper. Use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher), which allows you to install wallpaper separately. Update your firmware to the latest version, in newer versions. MIUI corrected.
🔹 After resetting the carousel was gone?
Reset often resets the Themes app settings. Try: Update the Themes app on Google Play. Clear its cache (Settings → Annexes → Topics → Clear the cache. Change the region in Mi Account to Global and restart the phone. If it doesn't work, check if the carousel is disabled in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 5 times tap the version, then return to the Additional settings → For developers, find Hide Carousel Wallpaper – it should be turned off).
🔹 Is there a carousel on Xiaomi tablets (Pad 6, Pad 5)?
Yes, on Xiaomi tablets, there is also a wallpaper carousel, but it works differently: Path: Settings → Display. → Wallpaper. → Carousel. Supports adaptive wallpaper for the large screen. No automatic weather change (only time of day). On the Xiaomi Pad 6, the carousel is integrated with the Separate Screen function - you can customize different wallpaper for each half of the screen.