How to permanently remove the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi: from simple ways to hidden settings MIUI

The wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most controversial features of the MIUI shell. On the one hand, it automatically updates the background pattern, offering fresh images from Xiaomi collections or partners. On the other hand, many users find it intrusive: it eats up traffic, drains the battery and prevents you from focusing on the desktop. Worse, after MIUI updates, the carousel often turns on itself, even if you previously turned it off.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to disable the carousel, from official settings to hidden commands for power users. Instructions are tested on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese firmware) and work on Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5, Mi 11/12/13 and newer devices. If standard methods don’t work, we have backup options using ADB and editing system files.

Why does the wallpaper carousel appear again and again?

The main problem lies in the MIUI architecture. Xiaomi shell aggressively synchronizes settings with the company's servers, and the wallpaper carousel is tied to the Mi Cloud service (even if you do not use it!).

• 🔄 Updates MIUI: After installing the new firmware version, many settings are reset to factory ones, including the background processes of the carousel.
• 📱 Sync with Mi Account: If you are logged in to a Xiaomi account, the system can restore the “recommended” settings, including wallpaper.
• 📡 Background Services: Themes app and MiuiDaemon service periodically check for content updates, even if the carousel is disabled.
• 🛠️ Cache Errors: Damaged cache files in the folder /data/system/theme/ They can reset user settings.

Interesting fact: on Chinese firmware (China ROM), wallpaper carousels are more aggressive than on global ones (Global ROM), and this involves monetization through affiliate content (such as movie or game ads), and in some regions, such as India, the carousel cannot be turned off by standard means, only through ADB or manual file editing.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or PixelExperience), the ways to turn off may be different.In some builds, the wallpaper carousel is removed at the core level, but this is rare.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

Let’s start with the simplest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later: you don’t need root rights or a computer, it’s all done in the interface of the smartphone.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app – its icon looks like a palette of colors.
2. Go to Wallpaper (or Wallpapers in English).
3. At the top of the screen, find the wallpaper carousel switch (or Wallpaper Carousel) and turn it off.
4. Go back to the home screen and check if the background has changed. If the carousel is still running, restart the device.

On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) the item may be called differently:

• 🌄 Wallpaper-driver
• 🔄 Dynamic wallpaper
• 🖼️ Live Wallpaper (not to be confused with animation!)

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 14+ for the region of India (code) IN) The standard shutdown may not work due to Xiaomi's policy.In this case, proceed to Method 4 (ADB).

Method 2: Remove the Themes app (without root)

If the standard method didn't work, you could go a radical way of disabling the Theme app that runs the carousel, which won't remove it completely (without root rights, it won't), but it will stop the background processes.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the list of topics (Themes) and open its page.
3. Press Disable (or Disable). Confirm action.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

After the shutdown:

• ✅ The wallpaper carousel will stop updating.
• ✅ Notifications of new topics will disappear.
• ❌ You won’t be able to install wallpaper from Xiaomi Gallery (but you can use third-party apps).
• ❌ Some widgets MIUI may be incorrectly displayed.

To get the functionality back, just turn the application back on in the settings. This method does not require root and is reversible.

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If you lose access to gallery wallpaper after disabling Them, install a third-party app like WallpapersCraft or Backdrops, which offers more ads-free options.

Method 3: Resetting the settings of the MIUI launcher

Sometimes the wallpaper carousel gets stuck in an active state due to a failure in the launcher settings (main screen), in which case the MIUI Launcher reset helps, this will return the standard settings without losing data.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter Launcher (or Launcher in Russian).
3. Select the MIUI Launcher app (house icon).
4. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm.
5. Reboot the phone.

After discharge:

• 🔄 All wallpaper and widgets will return to factory settings.
• 📱 The wallpaper carousel will shut down (if it was turned on through the launcher).
• ⚠️ You will have to reconfigure the main screen (location of icons, folders, etc.).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (POCO F4, Redmi K50) Resetting the launcher can lead to loss of wallpaper on the lock.Previously save your favorite background to the gallery.

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods didn’t work, you’ll need to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which is guaranteed to turn off the carousel, but requires a computer and basic command-line skills.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 📱 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB smartphone.
• 📥 Utility. ADB (You can download from the official website).

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You're a developer" appears.
2. Activate USB Debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on the USB Debugging Switch.
3. Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.
4. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper Then: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.themes
5. Reboot your smartphone.

If the carousel still works, try the additional command:

adb shell settings put global wallpaper_carousel_enabled 0

⚠️ Note: On some devices (Mi 11 Ultra, Mi Mix 4) commands ADB It may not work because of the firmware that is protected, and only Method 5 (with root rights) will help).

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ADB-commands are the most reliable way to disable the carousel, but requires a computer and enabled debugging on the carousel. USB. Suitable for all versions MIUI, including Chinese firmware.

Method 5: Edit system files (root only)

If you have root rights (like Magisk), you can permanently remove the wallpaper carousel by editing system files, which is the most radical and irreversible method without flashing.

You'll need:

• 🛠️ Root access (check through the Root Checker app).
• 📁 File Manager with root support (e.g. Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
• 🔍 Patience – a mistake can lead to a launcher failure.

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and go to /system/priv-app/MiuiWallpaperCarousel/
2. Find the file MiuiWallpaperCarousel.apk and rename it to MiuiWallpaperCarousel.apk.bak.
3. Go to the folder: /data/data/com.miui.home/shared_prefs/
4. Open the file. launcher_preferences.xml in a text editor and find a line: <boolean name="wallpaper_carousel_enabled" value="true" /> Replace true with false.
5. Save the changes, restart the phone.

If the launcher does not start after restarting:

• 🔄 Remove the app cache MIUI Launcher in settings.
• 📥 Reinstall the launcher via Magisk (module) MIUI Launcher Mod).
• 🛠️ Restore the renamed file back.

Method 6: Using third-party launchers

If all the previous methods seem complicated, there's a simple workaround to install an alternative launcher, which will completely replace the standard MIUI interface, and the wallpaper carousel will disappear with it.

The best options for Xiaomi:

How to determine:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (or APKMirror if you don't have access).
2. After installation, click the Home button and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. Customize wallpaper through the launcher menu (usually a long press on the desktop).

Advantages of this method:

• 🚀 The wallpaper carousel is guaranteed to disappear.
• 🎨 There will be more opportunities for customization of the interface.
• 🔋 Some launchers (like Nova) save battery better than standard ones. MIUI Launcher.

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 15+ When installing a third-party launcher, some functions may disappear, for example, pop-ups (Floating Windows) or super wallpapers (Super Wallpapers).

What if the carousel returned after the update?

MIUI updates often reset user settings, including the wallpaper carousel that has been disabled. To avoid this, follow these tips:

• 🔕 Turn off automatic theme updates: Go to Settings → Topics → Theme settings. Disable Auto Update and Recommendations.
• 📵 Freeze the "Themes" app through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.themes This Will Prevent It From Launching After Updates.
• 🔄 Back up your settings: Install Swift Backup (requires root). Save settings MIUI Launcher and WallpaperCarousel.

Block Internet access for "Tem"

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Topics → Mobile data.
2. Turn off background traffic and Wi-Fi.

If the carousel does return anyway, consider opting out of MIUI updates (although it’s not safe from a security standpoint).The alternative is to switch to custom firmware, such as xiaomi.eu, where the wallpaper carousel is removed by default.

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To get rid of the carousel forever, combine methods: disable "Themes" via ADB + install a third-party launcher + block background traffic for system applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi