How to permanently disable the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi Redmi 4: proven ways

Automatic wallpaper change on Xiaomi Redmi 4 is a feature that is not popular with everyone. The constantly changing background images can be distracting, slowing down the system or simply annoying with their unpredictability, especially for owners of a budget smartphone, where every megabyte of RAM counts.

If you're tired of the endless carousel of images on your lock screen or desktop, this article will help you completely disable automatic wallpaper change without losing functionality. We'll look at all possible methods, from standard MIUI settings to hidden settings and third-party utilities. Importantly, some methods require super-user rights (root), but most work without them.

Before you start setting up, make sure your Redmi 4 has the latest firmware version installed. In older MIUI 8-9 builds, the interface may be different, but the general logic of actions remains. If you use custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some methods may not work - in this case, refer to the sections for alternative launchers.

1. disable the carousel through standard MIUI settings

The easiest way to remove automatic wallpaper changes is to use the built-in MIUI options, which work on most firmware versions, including MIUI 10-14, and does not require additional rights.

Open the Themes app (an icon with a brush and palette) and go to the Wallpaper section. Here you will see an active theme marked "Automan." Click on it and select "Disable the Automan" at the bottom of the screen. If this item is missing, try an alternative path:

1. Go to Settings → Wallpaper → Lock screen (or “Desktop” if the carousel interferes on the main screen).

2. Slip on the current wallpaper and select the "Static" option from the suggested.

3. Save the changes with the "Apply" button.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI After the autoshift is disabled, the system can reset wallpaper to standard when restarting. To avoid this, install the wallpaper manually through the gallery (long press on the desktop). → «Wallpaper» → «My pictures»).

Make a backup of the current wallpaper (screenshot)

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Close all background apps (especially Themes and Gallery)

Connect your phone to charge (in case of prolonged manipulations)-->

2.Resetting the settings of the MIUI launcher

If the standard shutdown fails, the problem may be a failure in the system launcher settings, in which case the factory reset will help without losing data.

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. In the search box, type in “Luncher” and select “MIUI Launcher” (or “System Launcher”, depending on the version). Click on “Storage” → “Clear Data” and confirm the action. Importantly, this will remove all your widgets and icon locations on the desktop, but save wallpaper in the gallery.

After discharge:

1. Return to the desktop, it will become standard.

2. Set wallpaper manually through Settings → Wallpaper.

3. forbid the launcher to automatically change the background: for this purpose in the launcher settings (Long press on the desktop → Settings) turn off the option "Automatic wallpaper update".

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 4s MIUI 8 resetting the launcher can cause folders with applications to disappear. Take screenshots of the icons' location in advance or use backup via Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

3. Use of alternative launchers

If built-in methods don't work, the radical solution is to install a third-party launcher, which not only removes the wallpaper carousel, but also adds new features to the interface. For Redmi 4 with its modest 2/3 GB of RAM, we recommend light options:

• 🔹 Nova Launcher – Optimized for weak devices, supports gestures and customization of icons.
• 🔹 Lawnchair – an open source launcher that mimics the Pixel Launcher.
• 🔹 POCO Launcher – the official launcher from Xiaomi, but without auto-shifting wallpaper.
• 🔹 Rootless Launcher is a minimalist option for users who value performance.

After installing an alternative launcher:

1. Assign it as the default launcher in the settings (Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher).

2. Set static wallpaper through the settings of the new launcher.

3. Disable or freeze the system MIUI Launcher (e.g., via Settings → Applications → Disable).

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (such as Nova Launcher) may conflict with system services MIUI, If you have enabled “Productivity Improvements” in Settings → Special features. Turn them off before installation.

4. Disconnection via ADB (no root)

For advanced users who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), There's a way to disable wallpapering on a system level, and it doesn't require root rights, but it requires a computer and a computer. USB-cable.

First, turn on “USB debugging” on your phone:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone and tap on the “MIUI version” 7 times (the notification “You became a developer”) will appear.

2. Return to “Additional Settings” → “Developers” and activate “Debugging by USB”.

Now connect Redmi 4 to your PC and execute the following commands in the terminal (or Command Prompt):

adb shell


pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miservice

This command disables the MIUI system service, which is responsible for automatically changing wallpaper, and if you drop the wallpaper on the standard wallpaper after you execute the command, you can install it again manually, and the driver will no longer work.

⚠️ Note: Disabling system services through ADB This can lead to unstable operation of some functions. MIUI, You see, you can get it back, like weather widgets or themes sync:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.miservice

💡

If ADB does not recognize the device, install Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools drivers or use the universal Google USB Driver. Windows may also need to disable the digital signature check drivers.

5. editing system files (root only)

If you have root rights, you can permanently remove the wallpaper autoshift mechanism by editing system files, a method that is suitable for advanced users, as careless actions can lead to a device “brick”** (inoperability).

With any root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer), go to /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI/MiuiSystemUI.apk.

Copy this file to SD-map (just in case) and open it in the text editor (for example, through the APK Editor Pro).

Find the lines associated with WallpaperCarouselService or AutoWallpaper and replace them with empty values. Alternatively, delete the file: /system/priv-app/WallpaperCarousel/WallpaperCarousel.apk

But this can lead to disruptions in MIUI themes.

After editing:

1. Save the changes and restart the phone.

2. Set the wallpaper manually through the gallery.

3. Check the stability of the system – if artifacts or lags appear, restore the original file from the backup.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 4s MIUI 8 editing of system APK-Files can break the update over the air (OTA). Before such manipulations, create a full backup through TWRP Recovery.

💡

Editing system files is a last resort, and if you are not sure about your actions, use alternative launchers or other systems. ADB-method.

Problems and Solutions: What to Do When Nothing Works

If none of these methods worked, maybe the problem goes deeper. Here are the most common scenarios and solutions.

• 🔄 Carousel returns after reboot: This is typical for MIUI 8-9. Try installing wallpapers through a third-party application (for example, WallpapersCraft) and preventing system services from changing them in Settings. → Permits → Auto-start.

If the problem persists, refer to the system logs.

1. Include Error Journal in Settings → Additional → For Developers → MIUI Error Log.

2. Reproduce the problem (for example, wait for the automatic wallpaper change).

3. Export logs through Settings → About Phone → Error Report and examine them for errors related to WallpaperService.

In extreme cases, reset to factory settings (with data saved or full). This is guaranteed to remove the carousel, but will require reconfiguration of the phone. Remember to back up through Settings → Additional → Backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off wallpaper carousel