Xiaomi smartphone owners often encounter an intrusive service that changes images on a locked screen without the user’s knowledge, a feature known as a wallpaper carousel that developers have positioned as a way to personalize the device, but in practice it is often perceived as a source of advertising and unnecessary resource consumption. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, which is based on the MIUI shell, this service is integrated quite deeply, but it can be easily deactivated.
The main problem is not only visual design, but also background activity. The constant upload of new images requires a stable connection to the Internet and consumes battery power, which is critical for mobile devices. Many users are looking for a way to return a static image they have installed on their own, instead of intrusive images from third-party services.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the methods of disabling this feature, from standard system settings to more advanced methods of blocking. You will learn to fully control the appearance of your gadget and get rid of unnecessary information noise. The setup process does not require root rights or complex technical skills, just follow the instructions carefully.
⚠️ Note: Before making changes to system settings, it is recommended to back up important data to avoid accidental loss of information in the event of unforeseen failures.
Analysis of the impact of the carousel work Redmi Note 8 Pro
Wallpaper Carousel (as it is called in system processes) is a separate application or service built into the MIUI shell. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with its powerful Helio G90T processor, the load may not be visible, but in the background the process consumes RAM, which can lead to more aggressive downloading of other applications from memory, which affects multitasking.
In addition, the merry-go-round mechanism involves regularly accessing Xiaomi servers to get updated content, which means that even when the screen is off, the communication module can activate for background synchronization, and for users monitoring traffic or in areas with unstable coverage, this creates additional discomfort.
Another aspect is privacy, which can collect data about which images you view more often, how much time you spend with your unlocked phone, and what topics you are interested in, and disabling this feature is a step towards improving digital hygiene and reducing the amount of telemetry you transmit.
It’s worth noting that the wallpaper carousel often comes in tandem with other Mi services like Mi Video or Mi Music, which can also offer content on the lock screen. Understanding the relationships between these components will help you set up the system more flexibly and disable only what you really don’t need, while retaining the functionality of other interface elements.
Basic method of disconnection through lock screen settings
The easiest and safest way to remove the carousel is to use the standard operating system settings menu, which requires no additional software installation and is available to every user immediately after purchasing the device. MIUI interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic of actions remains the same.
To start, you need to unlock your smartphone and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear. In the menu that opens, you should scroll down to the look and lock section, and in different versions of MIUI, it can be called the Lock Screen or Always Screen and Lock.
☑️ Shutdown algorithm
Inside this section, you'll see the Wallpaper Carousel, and you'll click on it and you'll be taken to the service management menu, and you'll find a switch called "Enable Wallpaper Carousel" and you'll be inactive, and the system can request confirmation of action or alert you that the static image will be replaced.
Once you have done this, go back to the home screen and lock the device to check the results. If everything goes well, your static image should remain on the lock screen and the slide switching buttons will disappear. In some cases, you may need to restart the device to fully apply the changes.
| Parameter | Value before disconnection | Post-off value |
|---|---|---|
| Service status | Active. | Stopped. |
| Traffic consumption | Got it (background) | Absent. |
| Image: | Dynamic. | Static. |
| Slider buttons | Present. | Hidden. |
Management through the “Themes” app
Sometimes standard settings can be hidden or downgraded by system updates, and you should refer to the theme’s native app, which is the visualization control center of MIUI. It is through this channel that updates often come to the carousel, and you can manage its subscriptions.
Run the Themes app on your Redmi Note 8 Pro. At the bottom right of the screen is the user profile icon. When you click on it, you'll go to your account's uploads, achievements and settings, and we're interested in the settings section, which is usually represented as a gear in the top corner.
In the settings menu, look for the wallpaper carousel. Here you will see more detailed settings than in the main menu. You can not only turn off the function, but also clear the cache of uploaded images to free up space in the device's memory. There is also the option "Receive recommendations" available, which should also be disabled for complete silence.
Why can the settings be reset?
It is important to understand that the Themes app has its own access rights and can run in the background. If you do not use the Xiaomi theme store completely, consider limiting the background activity of this application in the Battery and Performance section, which will prevent the carousel services from automatically turning on in the future.
Deep cleaning and removal of service updates
In some cases, simply switching the toggler is not enough, because the system process can remain active. To completely remove the wallpaper carousel on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you can use the application management function. The wallpaper carousel is a separate system component that can be rolled back to the factory version.
Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. In the list, find an app called Wallpaper Carousel. If it's difficult to find, search the bar at the top of the screen. When you're in the app menu, look at the three dots in the top right corner.
Clicking on the menu, select Remove Updates, which will return the app to the state it was in at the time (from the factory), that is, before the first Internet access. Often in the factory version, the functionality of the carousel is either stripped down or requires re-activation, which breaks the auto-start chain.
⚠️ Note: After removing updates, do not click the “Update” button in the app store, otherwise the system will again download the latest version with all the functionality.
Additionally, you can select the "Stop" option to force the process to end, then "Clear" the data and cache, which ensures that no temporary files will provoke a re-start of the service, which is especially effective if you notice that the carousel turns on itself after a while.
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Use Do Not Disturb mode in conjunction with turning off the carousel to completely eliminate any visual or audible notifications on the lock screen.
Blocking through the settings of advertising services MIUI
The wallpaper carousel is closely related to Xiaomi’s MSA (MIUI System Ads) advertising system, which can affect the carousel as well, as many images are advertising in nature, and is a comprehensive approach to cleaning the system of intrusive content.
You need to go to Settings → Password and Security → Access to Personal Data. In this list, find msa and turn off the switch. The system will persistently try to convince you to leave everything as it is by showing a countdown timer of 10 seconds. After the time has expired, confirm the withdrawal of permission.
Also worth checking is personalization settings. Go to Settings → Password & Security → Privacy → Special Permits → Ad Personalization. Disabling this item prevents the system from using your data to match content, making the carousel meaningless even if it is technically active.
These actions are more global in nature and will affect not only the lock screen, but also advertising in system applications such as Explorer, Downloads and Music. For the owner of the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this is a great way to make using a smartphone more comfortable and faster.
Advanced Methods: ADB and System Limitations
For users who want to achieve a guaranteed result and have basic PC skills, there is a method of disabling through debugging via USB. Using the command line ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to freeze or remove the system application of the carousel without obtaining root rights.
To do this, activate the developer mode on the phone (7 times click on the build number in About Phone) and enable USB Debugging. Once you connect the phone to your computer, follow the command to search for the package: adb shell pm list packages | grep carousel. Usually the package is called com.miui.milinkservice or a similar name associated with the wallpaper.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaperExecuting this command makes the application sleepy for the current user, disappears from the installed list, stops consuming resources and cannot be run by the system, and is the most reliable way to get around it, which is almost impossible to get around with conventional upgrade methods.
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Use of the ADB-Disable-user commands are the only way to completely “kill” the system service of the carousel without risking the firmware stability, since the process is reversible.
To get it back (if you need it), use the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.miwallpaper. Be careful when entering packet names, an error can cause an important system component to be disabled. Always check the packet name before entering a command.