How to turn off the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi 9: The Complete Guide

Owners of Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphones often face intrusive functionality that appears after system updates or initial configuration of the device.This is the so-called wallpaper carousel, also known as Glance or Wallpaper with a carousel. This service automatically changes images on a locked screen, but along with the visual variety it often brings banner ads and extra load on the processor.

Many users wonder why the system activates this feature on its own and whether it can be disposed of without losing warranty or disrupting MIUI. The answer is unequivocal: shutting down is possible by regular means of the operating system, and it does not require obtaining superuser rights. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of deactivation, including hidden settings and system restrictions.

It’s worth noting that the Xiaomi Mi 9 interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware (Global, EU, China).However, the basic logic of the lock service remains the same for the entire brand ecosystem. Below are proven ways to help you return a clean lock screen.

What is a wallpaper carousel and why it turns on itself

Wallpaper carousel is a built-in service from Xiaomi that allows you to periodically change background images on the lock screen, technically an aggregator application that downloads content from the cloud and displays it on top of the standard Lock Screen interface. Often users find that the feature activated itself after another firmware update or reset to factory settings.

The main reason for automatic activation lies in the policy of monetizing free devices. Smartphone manufacturers are seeking to generate additional revenue through advertising, which the service broadcasts along with new images. When you initially set up Xiaomi Mi 9, the user may not notice a tick in the agreement that allows the system to manage the themes and lock screen.

There are also system dependencies. Themes app is tightly integrated with the MIUI shell, and updating it can overwrite user preferences, returning the carousel by default. Understanding this mechanics is important, since simply removing the icon from the desktop won't stop the background service process.

⚠️ Note: Complete removal of system components responsible for theme, through ADB This can make it impossible to install new designs in the future. Use disabling methods, not deleting them.

It is important to distinguish between the standard change of wallpaper by timer and the carousel service, the first option is a regular Android feature, the second is a separate application with its own process com.miui.mishell.locker or similar, depending on the version of the software.

Disconnection through lock screen settings

The easiest and safest way to remove intrusive image change is to use the standard smartphone settings menu, which does not require a computer connection and is available immediately after unlocking the device, and you need to access an extended screen settings menu.

To start, go to the main Settings menu of your Xiaomi Mi 9. Find the section responsible for the appearance and lock. In different versions of MIUI, it may be called differently, but the logic of the arrangement of the elements remains similar. You will need to find the Always on screen and lock or just lock screen.

Within this menu, look for an option that contains the word Carousel or Glance, which is often located at the top of the list or highlighted in a separate block with image previews, and clicking on this item will take you to the service's settings where you can control its behavior.

Once you log into the merry-go-round menu, you'll be offered several options, usually a switch, Turn on the wallpaper carousel. Put it inactive. The system may request confirmation of action or suggest leaving a few selected categories, but to completely disable you have to agree to deactivate all functions.

If the standard switch doesn’t work or immediately returns to the active position, this may indicate a conflict with the themes installed.In this case, try temporarily installing a standard Classic or Default theme through the Themes app, and then repeat the disabling procedure.

Management through the Topics app

The Themes app is the central node of visual management in Xiaomi Mi 9. This is where additional settings are often hidden that are not duplicated in the main settings of the system. If the previous method did not work, it is worth checking the settings of the application itself.

Open the Themes app on your device. Notice the profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen — usually a person image or an avatar of your Mi Account account — and clicking on this will open up the personal account menu and additional settings.

In the menu that opens, look for Settings. Inside this section, look for the wallpaper carousel option, and you can have more detailed control over the service, including the ability to disable content downloads over the mobile network, which also helps to save traffic.

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where, after disabling the carousel through the system settings, the Topic app will activate it again when you update the directory. To avoid this, in the Topic application settings, you should also disable the option to Receive recommendations or Automatic updates if they affect the content of the lock.

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If there is no explicit switch in the Themes app, try clearing the app's cache through Settings → Apps → All Apps → Themes → Memory → Clear the cache.

Consider that in some regions, the Themes app may be replaced with GetApps or have a modified interface, so look for sections related to Wallpaper or Lock screen. The logic remains the same: you need to find a source that manages the flow of images.

Reset theme settings and clean up data

In cases where the software switches don’t work or the settings are reset by themselves, a more radical approach may be needed – resetting the application’s theme data – to return the component to factory status by removing all user configurations, including the activated carousel.

To do this, go to Settings of your Xiaomi Mi 9. Find the Apps section, then select All Apps. In the list of installed programs, find Themes. Be careful: don't confuse it with the Wallpaper app, these are different system components.

In the app menu, click on the Clean button (broom icon or text at the bottom of the screen). Select the option Clear all data. The system will warn that this action will delete downloaded themes and settings. Confirm the action.

Once the data is cleaned, restart the device. When you first start, the system may suggest turning on the wallpaper carousel again, at which point it is critical to read the text on the screen carefully and refuse to turn on, removing the appropriate ticks before you get to the desktop.

⚠️ Attention: Cleaning the Themes app data will remove all downloaded and installed third-party themes. Your smartphone will return to standard design.

This method is particularly effective if the carousel was activated by a malicious update or error in the MIUI logic of operation.Reset eliminates conflicting configuration files that could have blocked the manual shutdown of the function.

Use of Developer Mode and ADB

For advanced users who want to get rid of the system components of the carousel, there is a method of disconnecting through debugging via USB.This method requires a computer and cable, but gives the utmost control over the Xiaomi Mi 9 system.

First, activate the developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone. Find the MIUI version string and quickly click on it 7-10 times in a row until you get a message that you have become a developer. Then, in the advanced settings, turn on USB debugging.

Connect your smartphone to your computer. The PC must have ADB drivers installed. Open the command line or terminal in the ADB tool folder. Enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

You'll see a debugging permission request on your phone screen. Check Always Allow and press OK. Once you've successfully connected, you can turn off the carousel packet. Depending on the firmware version, the package can be called differently. Try the following commands:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.mishell.locker

If the command is successful, the carousel disappears instantly. To get it back, use the command adb shell pm enable com.miui.mishell.locker. This method does not remove the application, but only freezes it, which is safe for the system.

Using ADB bypasses the interface restrictions that may be imposed by the manufacturer in certain regions, and is the most reliable way for those who want complete silence and no extra software on their device.

Problems after MIUI Update and Solutions

Xiaomi Mi 9 users often notice the return of the wallpaper carousel after an operating system update, which is because new firmware versions can overwrite user configuration files, restoring default settings that include advertising services.

If you see an ad on the lock screen again after the update, don't panic. First check if the Theme app itself has been updated in the background through the GetApps store. Often, it is the update of this component that returns the functionality of the carousel.

In newer versions of MIUI, the settings interface can be changed, the disconnection point is sometimes hidden deeper in the menu, try searching by settings: type in the search bar the word "Carousel" or "Glance." The system will open the desired partition.

In some cases, turning off automatic updates to system applications helps. Go to the app store settings and turn off auto-update for the Themes and Services app and feedback. This will prevent new features from being imposed without your knowledge.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system application updates may cause some interface features to function in an unstable manner.

It’s also worth checking for new firmware versions. Sometimes Xiaomi releases bug fixing patches where lock settings are reset by themselves. Updating to the latest stable version available can fix the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The most reliable way to get rid of the carousel is comprehensive: disabling in settings + cleaning the data of the application TEM + banning auto updates.