How to set up a wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi: the full guide

What is a wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi and why you need it

The wallpaper carousel feature on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to automatically change background images on the lock screen or desktop on a given schedule. This not only refreshes the appearance of the device, but also helps to avoid getting used to one static background. This option is especially useful for users who like variety or use the phone for professional purposes - for example, photographers can show their work directly on the lock screen.

Unlike standard wallpaper, the carousel supports multiple image sources, from built-in MIUI collections to personal photos from the gallery. Moreover, on new models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), the feature is integrated with the Xiaomi Cloud service, which allows you to synchronize wallpaper between devices. However, not all users know how to properly configure this option — especially if it is not obvious parameters such as the interval of change or filtering content.

In this article, we’ll go through all the nuances, from basic setup to solving typical problems, such as hanging animations when changing wallpaper on devices with MIUI 14 and later, you’ll also learn how to optimize battery consumption when using dynamic backgrounds and what applications will help expand the functionality of the carousel.

Supported models and versions of MIUI

The wallpaper carousel is not available on all Xiaomi smartphones, the feature first appeared in MIUI 12 and has been significantly improved in subsequent versions.

If your model is not in the table, check the MIUI version in the settings: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. For devices older than 2020 (such as the Redmi Note 9), you may need to manually install themes through the Xiaomi Themes Store – we will talk about this in one of the following sections.

⚠️ Note: On custom firmware devices (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the wallpaper carousel may not work properly or at all.

Step-by-step setting up the wallpaper carousel

To enable automatic wallpaper change, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to Wallpaper section. → Wallpaper carousel.
3. Click Add Wallpaper and select sources: 📁 Gallery - personal photos; 🌄 Collections MIUI — wallpaper; ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud – synchronized images; 🎨 Third-party applications (such as Zedge or WallpapersCraft).

Set the wallpaper interval: from 1 hour to 1 day. The best option for saving battery is 6 hours.

Activate the switch Turn on the carousel.

Once activated, the system will suggest choosing whether to use the carousel on the lock screen, desktop or both screens at the same time, and note that simultaneous use on both screens can increase battery consumption by 5-10%.

Upload the necessary wallpaper to the gallery

Update MIUI to the latest version

Check the space available (minimum 500 MB)

Turn off the power saving mode-->

Advanced settings: filters and exceptions

By default, the carousel shows all the added images in random order, but MIUI 14 has tools for more flexible customization:

• 🔍 Filter by colors: you can exclude dark or too bright wallpaper that reads poorly with icons.
• 🚫 Exclusion of folders: if the gallery has personal photos that should not be displayed on the lock screen.
• 📏 Cutting and zooming: Automatic framing for vertical or horizontal images.
• 🔄 Reproduction order: random or consecutive.

To adjust the filters:

1. In the section Carousel wallpaper tap on the icon ⚙️ (Settings).
2. Select Content Filters and activate the desired settings.
3. To exclude folders, go to Sources → Gallery → Set up and uncheck the boxes from unnecessary albums.

On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) is recommended to disable the filter "dark wallpaper", as the black background on such displays reduces power consumption.

Challenges and solutions

Even after you set up the wallpaper carousel correctly, here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the theme settings (the spoiler instructions above) or updating MIUI to the latest version. XDA Developers forums also have bug complaints in MIUI 14.0.3–14.0.5, in which case a rollback to a stable version or waiting for a patch will help.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) Wallpaper carousel may conflict with lock-in apps like Always On Display. If the wallpaper doesn't change, temporarily disable third-party lock widgets.

How to Add Third-Party Wallpaper Sources

The built-in MIUI collections are limited, but you can expand your wallpaper selection with third-party apps.

• 🎨 Zedge – more than 10 million wallpapers and live backgrounds, integration with the carousel Xiaomi.
• 🖼️ WallpapersCraft – high-quality wallpaper with resolution sorting (including: 4K and 8K).
• 🌅 Backdrops – minimalist wallpaper with support for dark theme.
• 📱 Muzei – Automatic download of wallpaper from the Internet (for example, with Unsplash or NASA).

To connect a third-party source:

1. Install an app (such as Zedge) from Google Play.
2. Open the wallpaper → Wallpaper → Wallpaper Carousel → Add wallpaper.
3. A new app will appear in the list of sources – select it and adjust the settings (for example, the wallpaper category or refresh rate).

Muzei will require additional customization: in the app, select Source → Unsplash (or another), then in MIUI, specify Muzei as the source for the carousel. Note that some applications (such as WallpapersCraft) require manual export of wallpaper to the gallery.

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If you use Muzei, enable the option “Wash Wallpaper Blurr” in the app settings – this will help avoid problems with the readability of icons on the desktop.

Optimizing battery consumption

The wallpaper carousel is a background process that can affect the autonomy of the device. According to our tests, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with the help of the device, the model is not a single model. AMOLED-screen and change interval 1 hour battery consumption increases by ~3-5% in 8 hours of active use to minimize impact:

• ⚡ Increase the shift interval to 12 hours or 1 day.
• 🌙 Turn off the carousel at night through Settings → Display. → Schedule.
• 🔋 Remove the Themes app from battery optimization (but don’t add it to the “no limits” list – it will increase your consumption).
• 🖼️ Use static wallpaper instead of live wallpapers).

On LCD-screen devices like the Redmi Note 11, the battery impact of the carousel is minimal, because the backlight works the same regardless of the color of the wallpaper. On AMOLED, dark wallpaper does save charge, so it's best to check the box in the filter settings against Dark tones.

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The biggest battery consumption is when you change the wallpaper on the lock screen. If autonomy is critical, leave the carousel only for the desktop.

Alternative ways to automatically change the wallpaper

If the built-in MIUI carousel doesn’t suit you, consider alternative solutions:

1. Tasker + AutoTools: These applications can create a task to change wallpapers on a schedule, geolocation or even weather conditions, such as setting dark wallpapers in the evening and light in the afternoon.
2. KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker: Advanced live wallpaper builder with dynamic content (time, weather, notifications) requires customization skills but gives you complete control over the look and feel.
3. Wallpaper Changer (by Microsoft): Microsoft’s app with Bing integration and automatic wallpaper updates once a day.

To use Tasker, you will need:

1. Install Tasker and AutoTools plugin.
2. Create a task with the Set Wallpaper action.
3. Specify the folder with wallpaper and the execution interval.
4. Add a trigger (e.g. Time → Every 6 hours).

The advantage of Tasker is flexibility: you can adjust the wallpaper when you connect to Wi-Fi, when you have a low charge level, or even when you receive an SMS from a particular contact, but for beginners, this can seem difficult.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi