Owners of the Redmi series budget smartphones often encounter an intrusive service that automatically changes the background image on the lock screen without the user’s knowledge. In the Redmi 9A model running the MIUI shell, this feature is built deep into the system and can be annoying with its activity, especially if you prefer a static picture. Wallpaper carousel not only distracts, but also consumes Internet traffic, and also discharges the battery in the background, which is critical for devices with a smaller battery.
Many users mistakenly believe that this can only be eliminated by installing third-party launchers or complex manipulations with the help of the Internet. ADB-In recent versions of the firmware, the developers left a standard method of deactivation. The service is disabled directly through the system settings of the theme or application "Security", which makes the process accessible even for inexperienced owners of gadgets. It is important to understand that this functionality is part of the Xiaomi ecosystem and formally refers to system applications.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the possible ways to permanently remove automatic image change on your Redmi 9A. We will look at standard methods through the settings menu, cleaning the application data, and more advanced options if the standard paths are blocked by the manufacturer in your area, you can take back control of your device and enjoy your favorite static image.
What is a wallpaper carousel and why is it on by default
The wallpaper carousel, or Glance, is a service integrated into the MIUI shell that periodically uploads new images from the Internet and installs them as a lock screen screen screensaver. Technically, this is positioned as a convenient feature for personalization, allowing you to see beautiful landscapes, celebrities or news every time you pick up a phone. However, in practice, this mechanism often works aggressively, changing pictures too often or displaying content that is not interesting to the user.
The reason why the feature is activated by default on Redmi 9A and other models is because of the company’s business model: Smartphones are sold at a minimal margin, and revenue is generated by advertising and service. Automatic wallpaper change is one of the channels for delivering advertising content from partner networks, which is why the system insists on enabling this option when the device is first activated, often hiding the failure in the subtle corners of the screen.
In addition to advertising, the carousel requires a constant connection to the network to download new high-resolution files, which leads to an invisible but constant consumption of mobile traffic if you are not connected to Wi-Fi. Also, the background process of updating images loads the processor and RAM, which on the budget processor MediaTek Helio G25 can significantly affect the speed of the interface.
⚠️ Warning: Wallpaper carousel can upload high-resolution images without warning.If you have a limited mobile internet plan, it is recommended to disable the feature immediately after purchasing a smartphone.
Preparation for changing the lock screen settings
Before you start to shut down system functions, make sure your Redmi 9A is ready to make changes. While the process is safe and does not require super-user rights (root), it is advisable to have a stable Internet connection to update system settings. Also make sure that the battery is at least 20-30% so that the device does not turn off during the operation of the settings.
It is recommended to select the static image you want to see on the lock screen after the carousel is turned off, it can be your personal photo, a standard MIUI background or a downloaded picture from a verified source. Save this file in the gallery to install it immediately as soon as the system carousel is deactivated.
It's important to understand the difference between a regular live wallpaper and a carousel. Live wallpaper is animated backgrounds that require resources to render, whereas a carousel is just a slideshow of static pictures. In the process of setting up, we're going to turn off the content download service, not just change the display type.
The main way to disconnect through the application Themes
The most reliable and correct method of disabling the carousel on the Redmi 9A lies through the standard Themes app, which is the visual control center in MIUI. This is where the deep settings that control the behavior of the lock screen are located. Follow the instructions carefully, as menu items can be called slightly differently depending on the firmware version.
To start, open the Topic app (a brush icon). In the lower right corner of the screen, find and click on the profile icon (usually a person image). In the menu that opens, select Settings. Here you are interested in a section called Wallpaper Carousel or Glance. Click on it to get into the service management menu.
Inside, you'll see a switch, Turn on the wallpaper carousel. Put it in an inactive position. The system may try to convince you to stay by showing a pop-up with the benefits of the service or by suggesting that you adjust the frequency of the change of pictures instead of completely turning off. Ignore these suggestions and confirm your decision to turn off the function. After that, only your selected static image will remain on the lock screen.
☑️ Checking the carousel shutdown
Alternative method through security settings
In some versions of the MIUI shell installed on the Redmi 9A, the carousel settings can be duplicated or fully migrated to the system application "Security." This is standard practice for Xiaomi, where functions requiring permissions or affecting the system are grouped in one place. If the first method did not work, try this option.
Run the Security app (green icon with a shield). Scroll down to the additional tool block or find the partition associated with the device management. You are interested in the Wallpaper Carousel. When you go to it, you will see a similar menu with the service activity switch. Deactivate it by turning the switcher into a gray position.
If you see a Clear Data or Remove Updates button on this menu, it can help reset the service settings in case it freezes and continues to show old pictures even after turning off. However, be careful: full data cleanup can return default settings, including the carousel turned on, so after this operation be sure to check the status of the switch again.
⚠️ Warning: After turning off the carousel via the Security app, restart the smartphone. This is necessary in order to system process msa (MIUI System Ads has completely stopped downloading new content.
Comparison of disconnection methods and their effect on the system
Different ways to deactivate the service have their own characteristics and consequences for the work of Redmi 9A. Understanding these differences will help you choose the best option, especially if you have encountered bugs or limitations of a particular firmware version.
| Method of disconnection | Difficulty | Efficiency | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the Topics app | Low. | Tall. | Positive. |
| Through Security | Low. | Medium | Neutral. |
| Clearing the data | Medium | Temporary. | Neutral. |
| Disconnection through ADB | Tall. | Maximum | Maximum. |
The most secure and recommended way is to use the regular menu in the Themes app, which ensures that system files are not damaged and security updates continue to arrive on the device. Using third-party software to cut out system components can lead to unstable operation of the Redmi 9A.
It is worth noting that the complete removal of the service (not just disconnection, but deletion) requires deeper intervention, for example, through the use of a service. ADB-However, for the average user, it is enough to simply turn off the function, since it will not consume resources in the background.
What if the carousel switch is grey and does not press?
Removal of updates to the carousel service
Sometimes, simply turning off the switch is not enough, as the Glance module itself remains in the system and can be activated again after a major MIUI update.To minimize risks, you can remove updates to this system component, returning it to the factory, basic version, which often does not have the functionality of downloading content.
To do this, go to Settings of your smartphone, then select the Apps section and click All Apps. In the list, find Wallpaper Carousel or Glance for Mi. Click on the app name to open its properties. In the menu that opens, select the Remove Updates option (usually in the lower right corner or in the three-dot menu).
Once confirmed, the system will roll back the component to the factory version, which is safe and will not lead to loss of personal data. In some cases, after this procedure, the wallpaper carousel item can disappear completely from the settings menu, which is the ideal result - the system will stop offering you this service.
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After removing the updates, the carousel recommends that you immediately disable the application from accessing the Internet. Go to Settings → Apps → Wallpaper Carousel → Data Use → and turn off data transmission over Wi-Fi and mobile network.