How to permanently disable the wallpaper gallery on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: 3 proven ways

The wallpaper gallery on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is a standard MIUI application that automatically downloads and updates background images for the lock screen. For many users, this feature becomes a source of irritation: it consumes traffic, takes up space in memory and slows down the system.

In this article, we will discuss three official ways to disable the wallpaper gallery, from simply hiding the icon to completely removing the system application (including methods for users without root rights). You will also learn how to block the automatic download of new wallpaper and what alternative solutions will help avoid re-activation of the function after the MIUI update. All instructions are tested on the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 12-14 firmware and adapted for beginners.

At first glance, the pre-installed wallpaper gallery seems like a harmless feature, but in practice, it poses some serious problems:

  • 📉 Traffic consumption: the app downloads new wallpaper in the background, which is critical for users with a limited Internet package.
  • 🐢 System Slowdown: com.miui.gallery periodically loads the CPU by 10-15%, which is noticeable against the background of other tasks.
  • 🗑️ Occupied space: cache gallery can take up to 500 MB in a folder /data/data/com.miui.gallery, Even if you are not using the function.
  • 🔄 Automatic updates: after resetting settings or updates MIUI Wallpaper gallery restored without requesting confirmation.

In addition, the app does not have an explicit delete button in the Settings → Apps menu, which forces users to look for workarounds. On the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI firmware, the wallpaper gallery 14 is integrated into the system process miui.home, so its complete removal without root rights is fraught with launcher failures.

📊 How often do you change your smartphone wallpaper?
Every week.
Once a month
Only when you buy a phone
Never change.

Method 1: Turning off automatic wallpaper loading (without root)

The easiest method is to block the background activity of the gallery through the MIUI settings. This will not remove the application, but will stop downloading new wallpaper and free up some resources.

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. In the search box, type in the Wallpaper Gallery (or Wallpaper Carousel in English).
  3. Select the application and go to the Battery section.
  4. Activate the option "Limit background activity".
  5. Return to the main menu of the application and click Storage → Clear cache.

To completely disable the updates:

  1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Data Use.
  2. Find the Wallpaper Gallery in the list and ban the use of mobile data and Wi-Fi.

Clear the app cache |Limit background activity |Block internet access |Reboot smartphone-->

This is a non-super-user option, and it's reversible: you can allow the wallpaper to load again if you need it, but after the MIUI update, the settings can reset, and you'll have to configuring again.

⚠️ Note: If after disconnecting the Internet for the wallpaper gallery all previously downloaded background images disappeared, restore them through Settings → Wallpaper. → Local wallpaper. System wallpaper. MIUI remain available.

If you're annoyed by the app icon itself, but the functionality of the gallery isn't critical, you can just hide it from view. It doesn't affect performance, but it makes the interface cleaner.

Instructions for the standard MIUI launcher:

  1. Press and hold your finger on the wallpaper gallery icon on the home screen.
  2. In the menu that appears, select Remove (basket icon).
  3. Confirm the action – the application will disappear from the screen, but will remain in the menu of all applications.

To completely hide the app from the menu:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find the Wallpaper Gallery, click on it and select Hide the app.
Action.The resultReversibility
Removal of the icon from the screenThe icon disappears, the app stays on the menu.Yes (can be returned via app widget)
Hiding the application in the settingsThe icon disappears from the menu and searchYes (via Settings → Apps → Show hidden)
Limitation of background activityThe new wallpaper is being downloaded.Yes (can be cancelled in battery settings)

Hiding the icon doesn’t turn off the gallery itself, it will continue to work in the background. Use Method 1 or Method 3 to stop completely.

💡

If you want to return the icon after hiding it, open Settings → Apps → Show hidden apps and uncheck the Wallpaper Gallery.

For users willing to take drastic measures, there is a way to completely remove the wallpaper gallery using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that does not require root rights, but involves connecting the smartphone to a computer.

Pre-launch warnings:

  • 🚨 Removal of system application may lead to unstable operation of launcher MIUI.
  • 🔄 After updating MIUI gallery can regenerate.
  • 💻 You will need a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tools ADB.

Step-by-step:

  1. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then go back to Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB.
  2. Connect the Redmi Note 8 to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
  3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:
adb devices

Make sure your device appears in the list. Then follow the command to delete the gallery:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.gallery

If the command is successful, you will see the message Success.Reboot the smartphone - the icon of the wallpaper gallery disappears, and the background processes stop.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note 8 firmware (e.g, MIUI 13.0.4) The wallpaper gallery is integrated into the system package miui.home, in which case its removal will lead to the crash of the launcher. MIUI In Settings → About the phone and create a backup of data.

What to do if the launcher is missing after removal?
If after the command adb uninstall the screen turned black or all icons disappeared, perform: 1. Reboot the smartphone in safe mode (press the power button → “Reboot in safe mode”). 2. Install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) through Settings → Applications → Install unknown applications. 3. Restore the standard launcher by the command: adb cmd shell install-existing com.miui.

If you have removed or disabled the standard gallery but want to keep the ability to change wallpaper easily, consider these alternatives:

  • 🎨 Google Wallpaper: Google's official app with minimalist backgrounds and automatic schedule change, does not load the system or download content without permission.
  • 🖼️ WallpapersCraft: application with a database of wallpapers in high resolution (including options for 1080×2340 — native resolution of Redmi Note 8).
  • 🌄 Muzei: A utility for automatic wallpaper change from open sources (e.g. National Geographic or NASA). Supports blur for the lock screen.
  • 📱 Zedge: A popular app with wallpaper and ringtones, but requires manual adjustment of background activity restrictions.

For the installation of an alternative gallery:

  1. Download. APK-file of the selected application (for example, from the APKMirror site).
  2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Permissions → Installation of unknown applications.
  3. Install APK and assign a new default wallpaper app to Settings → Wallpaper.

Third-party galleries have the advantage of not integrating with MIUI system processes, which eliminates conflicts after updates. However, remember that some applications (such as Zedge) can download content in the background themselves - set restrictions for them similar to Method 1.

💡

Using alternative wallpaper galleries (e.g. Google Wallpaper) avoids performance issues, as they are not integrated into MIUI system processes and do not start automatically when you boot your smartphone.

One of the most frustrating features of the Redmi Note 8 wallpaper gallery is its ability to recover from a MIUI update.

  1. Turn off automatic update check: Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points (menu) → Settings → Auto Update (off).
  2. Remove the update service cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → System Update → Storage → Clear the cache.
  3. Block gallery domains via hosts file (requires root or ADB): adb shell su -c "echo '127.0.0.1 wallpaper.mi.com' >> /system/etc/hosts" This will prevent the smartphone from accessing wallpaper download servers.

If the gallery is still restored after the update, repeat the steps from Method 1 or Method 3. For root-right users, there is a radical solution - freezing the system package using Titanium Backup or Lucky Patcher:

  1. Install one of the applications for system package management.
  2. Find com.miui.gallery in the list and select the Freeze option.
  3. Reboot your smartphone.

Freezing the application pauses, but saves its files on the device, which is safer than completely removing it, since it eliminates the risk of damage to the launcher.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off the wallpaper gallery, users often face typical problems, and here's how to prevent them:

Mistake.Reason.Decision
After removal through ADB, the launcher disappearedGallery integrated into miui.homeRestore the launcher with adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.home
Wallpaper dropped on the standardWallpaper cache clearedManually install wallpaper through Settings → Wallpaper → Local
Gallery reappears after updateMIUI has restored the system applicationRepeat disabling via ADB or block domains in the hosts file
The adb uninstall team is not workingNo debugging rights or driversCheck USB Connection and Repeat Adb Devices

If you're not sure what you're doing, start with Method 1 (restricting background activity) -- it's the safest and most reversible. ADB Use a data backup or test device.

💡

Before any manipulation of system applications, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup. This will restore the smartphone to work in case of an error.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I turn off the wallpaper gallery without a computer?
Yes, use Method 1 (restricting background activity) or Method 2 (hiding an icon). Complete removal without ADB will require root rights and an application like Titanium Backup.
Why did the gallery wallpaper become blurry after the gallery was turned off?
This is because MIUI defaults to apply blur to lock screen wallpaper if not loaded through the gallery.To remove the blur, set the wallpaper manually through Settings → Wallpaper → Local Wallpaper and disable the background blur option (if available).
Will the ADB work on the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
The instructions are also suitable for Redmi Note. 8 Pro, since both devices are based on MIUI. But on the Note 8 Pro with firmware MIUI 14 An additional command may be required to unlock the rights of the superuser through ADB: adb shell pm grant com.miui.gallery android.permission.DELETE_PACKAGES
How to return the wallpaper gallery if you need it?
If you deleted the gallery through ADB, restore it with the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.gallery If you hid the icon, return it through Settings → Apps → Show hidden. If you limited background activity, remove the restrictions in the battery settings.
Is it true that the wallpaper gallery is spying on users?
There is no evidence that com.miui.gallery collects personal data beyond standard MIUI telemetry. However, the application does send anonymous statistics about uploaded wallpaper to Xiaomi servers (this is indicated in the privacy policy). To completely block the data transfer, use a firewall like NetGuard or turn off the Internet for the application (see Method 1).