How to permanently disable the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: the full guide

The wallpaper carousel on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most controversial features of MIUI, which automatically changes the background images on the lock screen and desktop. For some users, it is a convenient way to diversify the appearance of a smartphone, for others โ€“ a source of constant irritation. Especially unpleasant when the system loads wallpaper with low resolution or a theme that you do not like.

In this article, weโ€™ll look at all the ways to disable the carousel, from standard settings to hidden commands via ADB and third-party utilities. Itโ€™s important to understand that the methods differ depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and the type of firmware (global, Chinese or custom). We tested each method on the Redmi Note 8 with the current updates of 2026, so the instructions are guaranteed to work.

If youโ€™re tired of constantly changing wallpaper or want to regain control of the appearance of your smartphone, read on. Weโ€™ll also tell you how to avoid the typical mistakes when turning off the carousel and what to do if standard methods do not work.

The Wallpaper Carousel feature was introduced in MIUI as part of Xiaomiโ€™s ecosystem for personalization of devices, and is activated by default on most models, including the Redmi Note 8, and works as follows:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ The system downloads wallpaper from Xiaomi cloud storage (thematic collections, holiday options, partner content).
  • โฑ๏ธ The change occurs once a day or when the screen is unlocked (depending on the settings).
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Internet connection (mobile data or Wi-Fi) is required for work).
  • ๐Ÿ“ Wallpaper is cached in the device memory, occupying up to 50-100 MB.

You can turn off the carousel, but there are nuances:

On official firmware (Global/European version of MIUI), the function is disabled through settings, but after the system update can be activated again. On Chinese firmware (for example, MIUI CN), the option can be hidden or blocked without root rights.

On the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 14+, the wallpaper carousel is tied to the Themes service, and its complete shutdown requires interference with system files or the use of ADB. This is due to Xiaomiโ€™s policy on monetizing content โ€“ some of the wallpaper is promoted through affiliate programs.

The simplest method, which works on most versions of MIUI (including 12, 13 and 14), is suitable for users who do not have root rights and do not want to use ADB.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
  2. Go to Wallpaper โ†’ Lock screen or desktop (depending on where you want to turn off the carousel).
  3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (โ‹ฎ) and select Wallpaper Settings.
  4. Find the option Automatic change of wallpaper or wallpaper carousel and move the slider to the off position.
  5. Confirm the action by clicking Save.

If your MIUI version doesnโ€™t have an explicit disable option, try:

  • ๐ŸŽจ Install static wallpaper manually (select any image from the gallery and apply it).
  • ๐Ÿ”• Disable mobile data for the application Topics in settings (Settings) โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management โ†’ Topics โ†’ Mobile data).

Clear the cache of the Themes app (Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Themes โ†’ Storage โ†’ Clear the cache)

Disable auto-update themes (Settings โ†’ Themes โ†’ Auto-Update)

Reboot the device after changes

Check for updates MIUI (Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Updating the system)-->

Attention! On some firmware, after the carousel is disabled through settings, it may be activated again after the reboot or MIUI update. Alternative methods will be required (see below).

Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (without root)

If the standard method didnโ€™t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which does not require root rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to a computer.

What you need:

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ USB-cable (preferably original).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB (installation manual).
  • โš™๏ธ Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Step-by-step:

  1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings โ†’ About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version until you become a developer!
  • Back to Settings โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ For developers.
  • Activate Debugging via USB and confirm the action.
  • Connect the Redmi Note 8 to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
  • Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (its serial number should appear).
  • Run the command to disable the carousel: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper This command disables the system application responsible for the carousel.
  • Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot

Once you restart, the wallpaper carousel will be deactivated. To get it back, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.miwallpaper

๐Ÿ’ก

If ADB doesnโ€™t recognize the device, try reinstalling drivers through the Mi Flash Tool or using Googleโ€™s generic Android SDK.

Warning! Disabling system applications via ADB may cause some MIUI functions to function in an unstable manner, such as:

  • The list of topics in the Topic app will not be updated.
  • Some of the wallpaper from the standard collection may disappear.
  • In rare cases, the screen unlock animation will stop working.

Method 3: Using third-party applications (without root)

If you don't like the previous methods, you can use third-party utilities that block the carousel at the system level, and we tested a few applications and selected the most reliable ones.

The best options for the Redmi Note 8:

AnnexHow it worksPlusesCons
Wallpaper Changer StopperBlocks automatic wallpaper change through availabilityNo need for root, simple interfaceIt can be a problem with MIUI 14+.
MIUI Hidden SettingsUnlocks hidden MIUI settings, including disabling the carouselMany additional functionsAccess to special facilities should be allowed
MacroDroidCreates a rule for resetting wallpaper on the selected imageFlexible configuration, works on all versions of MIUIIt's hard to set up a beginner.

We recommend Wallpaper Changer Stopper as the easiest solution.

  1. Download APK from APKCombo or APKMirror.
  2. Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Special Access โ†’ Install Unknown Applications).
  3. Start the app and activate the Block Wallpaper Changes option.
  4. In Android settings, provide access to Special Options (required to block system processes).

Attention! Some antiviruses (e.g. Avast or Dr.Web) may identify such applications as potentially dangerous due to the use of Android service features. This is a false positive - utilities do not contain viruses, but require extended permissions to work.

Standard settings MIUI|ADB|Third-party annexes|I've tried nothing.|Another way.-->

One of the most common problems is re-activating the carousel after the MIUI update, which is because Xiaomi resets some of the system application settings when installing new firmware versions.

Decisions:

  1. Repeat disabling via ADB: After the update, repeat the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper
  2. Use Tasker or MacroDroid to automatically shut down: Create a task that will start when the system boots and turn off the carousel. Example for MacroDroid: Trigger: Device is loaded. Action: Execute shell command โ†’ type pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper.

Install Custom Recovery (TWRP) and uninstall the system app

This method requires unlocking the bootloader and root rights, but is guaranteed to remove the carousel permanently.

If you are using MacroDroid or Tasker to automatically shut down, make sure that:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ The application is allowed to auto-start (Settings) โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Permits โ†’ Auto-start).
  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Battery optimization for utility is disabled (Settings) โ†’ Battery โ†’ Optimizing the battery).

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can completely remove the system application that's responsible for the carousel.

  • ๐Ÿ”“ Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Established custom restoration (TWRP).
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Root rights (via Magisk).

Warning: Wrong actions can lead to a device blink! if you're unsure of your skills, it's better to use other methods.

Instructions:

  1. Install TWRP for Redmi Note 8 (instructions are available on XDA Developers).
  2. Download Magisk and get root access.
  3. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
  4. Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiWallpaper or /system/app/MiuiWallpaper
  5. Remove or rename the folder MiuiWallpaper (for example, in the MiuiWallpaper_bak).
  6. Reset the device.

After that, the wallpaper carousel will be removed at the system level, and to return it back, you just need to restore the folder from the backup.

What happens if you remove MiuiWallpaper without root?
Without superuser rights, you canโ€™t change system files in /system or /vendor folders. Attempting to delete will result in a โ€œPermission deniedโ€ error. In the worst case, this can cause a MIUI launcher to crash, as some wallpapers are downloaded through the same application.

If you do not need to turn off the carousel, but just want to replace it with your images, there are several ways:

  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Manual wallpaper installation: Select any image from the gallery and use it as wallpaper for the desktop and lock screen. To do this: Press and hold the empty space on the desktop. Select wallpaper โ†’ Download your image and apply it.

Use of third-party launchers

Install an alternative launcher (such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Hyperion) that ignores MIUI system wallpaper.

Applications for automatic wallpaper change

If you like the idea of a carousel but donโ€™t like standard wallpaper, try Muzei or Wallax โ€“ they let you customize image sources (like Unsplash, Flickr or local folders).

Attention! When using third-party launchers, some MIUI functions may not work properly:

  • There will be no screen unlock animation.
  • The weather widget on the desktop will disappear.
  • Notifications in the style of MIUI may not be displayed.

Without a computer, you can only disconnect through ADB.

Why are the carousels reset to standard after the carousel is turned off?
This is due to a failure in the Themes. Solutions app: Clear the Topic app cache and data (Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ Themes โ†’ Storage). Set wallpaper manually through long-pressing on the desktop. Use a third-party launcher that is independent of system wallpaper.
Wallpaper carousel eats up traffic. How do you stop it?
To prevent wallpaper loading over the mobile Internet: Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management โ†’ Themes. Select Mobile Data and turn off access. Also limit the background activity of the application (Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Battery Optimization). This will not turn off the carousel completely, but will stop the loading of new wallpaper.
Will the carousel shutdown work on custom firmware (like LineageOS)?
On most custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS) wallpaper carousels MIUI No, not really, because these firmwares don't use Xiaomi's system applications. MIUI (For example, xiaomi.eu may retain this function โ€“ in this case, use the methods in this article. AOSP-Firmware (without elements) MIUI) There is no carousel, but there are no original themes from Xiaomi.
Can I return the carousel after removal via TWRP?
Yes, but it will require: Restore the deleted MiuiWallpaper folder from the backup (if it was made before deleting); Refuse the system partition via TWRP (if there is no backup); execute a command via ADB: adb shell pm enable com.miui.miwallpaper If you deleted the system application without backup, the easiest way to reflash the device is through Fastboot with official firmware.