How to remove the wallpaper carousel on the lock screen Xiaomi: 4 proven ways

Why Xiaomi’s Wallpaper Carousel Irritates Users and How to Turn It Off

Automatically changing background images on the lock screen is one of the tricks of MIUI firmware that not everyone likes. For some, it's a way to diversify the look of a smartphone, for others it's a source of constant irritation. Wallpaper changes without warning, sometimes downloaded from the Internet (consuming traffic), and their style does not always match your preferences. Worse, the carousel can slow unlock on budget models of Redmi or Poco, where animations work with a delay.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to disable the wallpaper carousel on the lock screen for Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones running MIUI 12-14. Importantly, the methods differ depending on the firmware version and device model. If you use custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the standard MIUI settings may not be available, in which case alternative solutions will be required, which we will also consider.

Before you start, make sure your smartphone is updated to the latest version of MIUI. To check, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Outdated firmware versions may not support some options.

Method 1: Disable the carousel through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use built-in firmware options.It works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Poco X3/X4/X5 and the flagship Xiaomi 12/13 series.

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush and palette).
2. Go to the Wallpaper section → Lock screen.
3. At the top of the screen, find the wallpaper carousel (or Automan) switch and turn it off.
4. Select a static image from a gallery or standard MIUI wallpaper and apply it.

If the wallpaper carousel switch isn't on this menu, then your version of MIUI is using a different path.

1. Click the empty space on the main screen → select Wallpaper.
2. Go to the Lock screen tab.
3. Slap the gear icon (⚙️) top-right.
4. Turn off the option of automatic wallpaper change.

Important! On some devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K50), the option may be called Dynamic Wallpaper or Live Wallpaper. If you don't find the right switch, move on to the next one.

Method 2: Using Developer Mode to Forced Shutdown

If standard settings don't work, you can use hidden developer mode options, which is suitable for power users and requires caution, and if you do something wrong, you can crash the interface.

Activate the Developer Mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.

Now, follow the following steps:

1. Find the option to turn off wallpaper animation (or Force static wallpaper in English version).
2. Activate it and restart the device.
3. If you don’t have an option, try turning off the transition animation (set the value without animation).

⚠️ Attention: Changing the developer settings may affect other animations in the system. If you have lags after the deactivation, return the standard values or reset the settings through Settings. → System system → Resetting (select Resetting All Settings, but Not Resetting to Factory).

Method 3: Remove the Themes system application (for advanced users)

The Themes app (com.miui.miwallpaper) is responsible for loading and changing wallpapers, including a carousel on the lock screen, which can be disabled or removed, but it is a risky method that can lead to errors in the MIUI. Use it only if other methods have not worked.

Option 1: Disconnect without root rights

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the "Themes" and tap it.
3. Select Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
4. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

Option 2: Remove with root rights (requires unlocking the bootloader)

• 📱 Install Root Explorer or Titanium Backup.
• 🔍 Find the package com.miui.miwallpaper.
• 🗑️ Remove it or freeze it (if you are afraid of the consequences).
• 🔄 Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt the work MIUI, including the impossibility of air renewal (OTA). Before deleting, make a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset or use TWRP.

Method 4: Alternative launchers and third-party applications

If you can't turn off the carousel with standard methods, you can get around the problem with third-party solutions, which don't remove the function itself, but allow it to be masked.

Option 1: Use of an alternative launcher

Some launchers (such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Hyperion) allow you to customize wallpaper separately from system ones.

1. Set static wallpaper through the launcher settings.
2. Turn off system wallpaper in MIUI (see Method 1).
3. Use the widget to quickly access the screen lock.

Option 2: Wallpaper fixing annexes

There are utilities that block wallpaper change at the system level, such as:

• 🛡️ Wallpaper Changer Stopper (requires Android 10)+).
• 🔒 Lockscreen Wallpaper Changer (allows you to manually set wallpaper to lock).
• 📱 Tasker (for advanced users – you can create a task to reset wallpaper when unlocking).

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If you use Tasker, create a profile with the screen unlocked trigger and the “Set wallpaper” action (select a static image from the gallery).

Option 3: APK-Patching (for experienced users)

With tools like Lucky Patcher or ReVanced, you can modify the com.miui.miwallpaper system application to remove the carousel function from it.

• 📲 Unlocked loader.
• 🔧 Knowledge in editing APK-file.
• 🔄 Potential for rollback in case of failure.

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The launcher side and the apps are the safest way to get around the wallpaper carousel, but they don't remove it completely. ADB).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the carousel is turned off, Xiaomi users sometimes experience it spontaneously, and consider typical situations and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Carousel returns after MIUI update

After installing the MIUI updates, some settings are reset.

• 🔄 Before updating, make a backup of the current wallpaper (copy them into a separate folder).
• 📋 After the update, re-disconnect the carousel through the settings.
• 🚫 If the problem is repeated, use it. ADB-command for forced shutdown: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper

Problem 2: Wallpaper is dropped on standard

This is due to a conflict between system and user settings.

• 🖼️ Install wallpaper through Google Photos (open the image) → «Set up how» → «Lock screen wallpaper»).
• 🔧 Disable battery optimization for the Themes app (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 📵 Check if the settings are reset after the reboot (if so, a problem in the system cache, resetting through the system will help). TWRP).

Problem 3: The carousel only works on SIM-maps of certain operators

Some versions of MIUI (especially for Redmi in India or China) link the carousel to mobile operators.

• 📶 Check if your operator has activated Dynamic Wallpaper (type ##4636## and see the network information).
• 🌐 Use it. VPN to change the region (sometimes this disables operator-related functions).
• 📦 Install the global version MIUI (if you have China ROM).

Additional Tips for Optimizing the Lock Screen

Turning off the wallpaper carousel is just the first step to setting up a convenient lock screen, and here are some recommendations to make it even more functional:

• 🔐 Turn off unnecessary notifications: Go to Settings → Notifications → Lock screen and leave only important applications (messaging, calls).
• 🌙 Configure Always On Display (AOD): B Settings → Screen. → Always On Display choose a minimalist style (e.g., time only) to save battery life.
• 🎨 Use the black wallpaper on AMOLED-This will reduce power consumption (suitable for Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi K50 etc.).
• 🔒 Add shortcuts to the lock screen: C Settings → Lock screen → Labels can be placed flashlight, camera or voice assistant.
• 📱 Turn off tips and advertising: In Settings → Lock screen deactivate options Recommendations and Mi Video.

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To create a completely black lock screen, download the empty one. PNG-picture (1x1 pixels, and set it as wallpaper, and that's going to reduce battery consumption as much as possible. AMOLED-display.

If you want to completely redesign the lock screen, consider installing the Xposed Lockscreen Mods** (requires root and Xposed Framework).

• Remove the hour widget.
• Change the font and arrangement of elements.
• Add custom animations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi