How to permanently disable the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro

Automatic wallpaper change to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is a feature that is not popular with everyone. Many users complain that the system willfully changes the background of the desktop, uploading images from the MIUI collection or Wallpaper Carousel service. This not only distracts, but also consumes traffic, and sometimes leads to slowdowns of the interface. Fortunately, you can turn off the wallpaper carousel in several ways, from simple settings to deep system changes.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for the Redmi Note 9 Pro (models joyeuse/excalibur), including the official options in MIUI 12/13/14 and alternative solutions for users with root rights, and pay special attention to the nuances that are often missed in standard instructions - for example, why the carousel can turn on again after an update or how to avoid resetting when changing the theme.

Wallpaper Carousel (or “Wallpaper Carousel” in Russian localization) is part of the MIUI brand shell. It was introduced to personalize the desktop, but worked unstable from the first versions. On the Redmi Note 9 Pro, the problem is exacerbated by:

  • 🔄 Automatic updates MIUI — after installing a new firmware, the carousel settings can be reset.
  • 📱 Preset themes – some themes from the Mi Theme Store will force the change of wallpaper.
  • 🌐 Sync with Mi Account – if you previously enabled a carousel on another Xiaomi device, the settings may be moved.
  • 📡 Background Service Activity – The com.miui.miwallpaper process is sometimes triggered spontaneously.

It's important to understand that on the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 12.5 and later, the carousel algorithm has changed, and it's not only changing the wallpaper, it's loading it from the cloud, which can consume up to 50 to 100 MB of traffic per month (according to tests on the 4PDA forum), and if you use the mobile Internet, it becomes critical.

📊 How often do you spontaneously change the wallpaper on Xiaomi?
Every day.
Once a week.
Rarely, but it happens.
Never noticed.
I'm offline.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in shell options, which is suitable for most users and does not require additional knowledge.

  1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
  2. Go to Wallpaper (or Personalization → Wallpaper in new versions of MIUI).
  3. Slip on the current wallpaper (usually the preview is displayed at the top of the screen).
  4. At the bottom of the screen, find the wallpaper carousel switch and turn it off.
  5. Confirm the action by clicking Ready or Save.

If you don't have a switch, you're using the old version of MIUI (up to 12.0) on your device.

  1. Hold your finger on the empty space on the desktop.
  2. Select the wallpaper in the menu that appears.
  3. Scroll down to the Settings section and turn off the Automatic Wallpaper Change option.

☑️ Checking the carousel shutdown

Done: 0 / 4

An important nuance: even after the carousel is turned off, some system themes (such as Mi Space or Dark Mode) can activate it again. To avoid this, install wallpaper manually from the gallery, not from the MIUI collection.

⚠️ Note: If after turning off the carousel wallpaper still changes, check the Settings section → Annexes → Application management → Wallpaper Carousel, where you can force the service to stop and disable auto-start.

If a standard shutdown doesn’t work, you can go further by removing the carousel module itself from the system launcher, a method that doesn’t require root rights, but requires an alternative launcher (like a Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher).

Instructions:

  1. Install any third-party launcher from Google Play (recommended Nova Launcher for stability).
  2. Make it the default launcher in the settings (Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher).
  3. Go back to the standard MIUI settings and find Applications → Application Management.
  4. In the search, type Wallpaper Carousel (or “Wallpaper Carousel” in Russian).
  5. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
  6. Confirm the system application to be disabled.
LauncherSupport for carousel shutdownAdditional benefits
Nova Launcher✅ Complete.Flexible customization of gestures, icons, animations
Hyperion Launcher✅ Complete.Minimalist design, low battery consumption
POCO Launcher⚠️ Partial (may be discharged)Optimized for Xiaomi devices
Microsoft Launcher✅ Complete.Integration with Windows, cloud synchronization

After the Wallpaper Carousel is disabled through the launcher, the wallpaper carousel will stop working even when returning to the standard MIUI Launcher. However, please note that after major MIUI updates (for example, when switching from version 13 to version 14), the settings may reset.

💡

If the wallpaper is blurred after the carousel is turned off, try manually installing it through the gallery. To do this, press your finger on your desktop → Wallpaper → Gallery and select any image.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

For those who are not afraid of the command line, there is a radical method - disabling the carousel via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which will block the system application at the Android level, but will require a connection to a computer.

What you need:

  • 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
  • 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
  • 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

  1. Connect the Redmi Note 9 Pro to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
  2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
  3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
  4. Run the command to disable Wallpaper Carousel: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper
  5. Reboot your smartphone.

If you need to turn on the carousel again, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.miwallpaper

⚠️ Note: Disabling system applications through ADB This can lead to unstable operation of some functions. MIUI, For example, a weather widget or a calendar. Before you execute commands, back up your data.

What if the ADB can’t see the device?
1. Make sure USB debugging is enabled and you have confirmed your PC permission. 2. Try another cable (preferably the original one). 3. Install Xiaomi drivers manually via Mi PC Suite. 4. Restart your computer and smartphone. 5. If you are using Windows, check if the connection is blocked by antivirus.

Even after a successful shutdown, the wallpaper carousel can be activated again, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

  • 🔄 Update MIUI: After you install a new firmware, some settings are reset. Solution - back up the settings through Settings before you update. → My device. → Backup.
  • 🎨 Install new themes: Some themes from the Mi Theme Store forcefully include a carousel.The solution is to use only themes marked "No carousel" or install wallpaper manually.
  • ☁️ Sync with Mi Account: If you previously enabled a carousel on another Xiaomi device, the settings may be moved.Solution - disable wallpaper sync in Settings → Xiaomi account → Synchronization.
  • 🔧 Launcher reset: Failures MIUI The solution is to install a third-party launcher (as in Method 2).

For reliability, you can combine methods, like turning off the carousel through the settings and installing the Nova Launcher, and then blocking the system application through ADB, which will give you the maximum guarantee that the wallpaper will not change without your knowledge.

💡

The most reliable way is to combine the shutdown via settings + install a third-party launcher + lock Wallpaper Carousel via ADB.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods fail, the problem may lie deeper, in corrupted system files or in conflict with other applications.

  1. Reset the launcher settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management. MIUI Launcher (or) POCO Launcher if you use it. Press Storage → Clear the data. ⚠️ This will reset the location of the icons on the desktop!
  2. Remove updates for system applications: In the same App Management menu, find Wallpaper Carousel. click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Remove Updates.
  3. Perform Setting Reset (extreme): Go to Settings → About Phone → Setting Reset. Select Setting Reset (not to be confused with Reset to factory!). Confirm action.

This will not delete your data, but will reset personal settings, including wallpaper.

If that doesn’t work, there are two options:

  • 🛠️ Get root rights and manually delete the file /system/priv-app/MiWallpaper/MiWallpaper.apk (risky, may disrupt the work MIUI).
  • 📱 Reflash the device to custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience or LineageOS), where there is no wallpaper carousel.
Can I turn off the wallpaper carousel without a computer?
The first two methods (through the settings) MIUI and installing a third-party launcher) do not require a connection to a PC. ADB It is only necessary for deep disabling of the system application.
Why is the carousel turned on again after the MIUI update?
For major updates (e.g., MIUI 13 to 14), some system applications, including Wallpaper Carousel, are reset to factory settings. To avoid this, turn off the carousel via ADB or back up the settings before upgrading.
Wallpaper carousel is consuming traffic? How do you check that?
Yes, the carousel loads new wallpaper from the Internet. To find out the exact consumption: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic usage. Find Wallpaper Carousel on the list. Check the statistics from the last month. Tests show that you can use 30 to 100 MB per month, depending on how often you change wallpaper.
Can I turn off the carousel only for the main screen, leaving it on the lock screen?
No, the standard MIUI settings don't have a separate option for the home screen and lock screen. The carousel either works everywhere or is completely disabled. However, you can manually set different desktop and lock wallpapers through Settings → Wallpaper.
Will the wallpaper carousel work if I install custom firmware?
No, most custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience, LineageOS, ArrowOS) doesn't have Wallpaper Carousel at all, but you'll lose some proprietary MIUI features, such as weather widgets or themes.