How to permanently disable the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S: the full guide

The wallpaper carousel on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S is one of the most controversial features of MIUI, which automatically changes the background of the desktop, often without the ability to quickly turn off through the standard menu. Users complain about unpredictable changes in pictures, increased battery consumption and even slowing down animations when switching between screens. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to disable the carousel – from official settings to hidden ADB commands and third-party utilities.

The Redmi Note 9S (codename curtana) features a version of MIUI with limited customization options compared to Xiaomi flagships, which means that the standard shutdown path through Settings → Desktop may not work. We tested all methods on MIUI 12.5-14 firmware (including global and European builds) and identified those that are guaranteed to work without the risk of resetting.

Important: If you use a themed launcher (e.g. POCO Launcher or Nova Launcher), some of the instructions may not apply – the wallpaper carousel in this case is controlled by the launcher itself, not the MIUI system settings.

Why does the wallpaper carousel turn on on itself?

The dynamic wallpaper function in MIUI is activated for several reasons, and understanding them will help you choose the right way to turn off:

• 🔄 Automatic update of topics: MIUI It periodically downloads new wallpaper from Xiaomi’s cloud storage, even if you didn’t consent to it, as stated in the user agreement when you first turn on the smartphone.
• 📱 Resetting launcher settings: After system update or reset to factory settings MIUI Returns standard desktop settings, including the carousel.
• 🎨 Topics from Mi Community: Installing third-party themes from Xiaomi’s official directory often includes dynamic wallpaper as part of the package.
• ⚡ Battery Optimization: In some versions MIUI The system forcedly switches wallpaper to "energy-saving" (i.e. dark or static), which can be perceived as a carousel failure.

On the Redmi Note 9S, the problem is compounded by the fact that the manufacturer has restricted access to some system settings through the GUI. For example, the Settings menu → Desktop → Wallpaper may not have the option to “turn off automatic shift” although it is available on newer models (for example, the Redmi Note 11).

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

To start with, the most secure method that doesn't require superuser rights or PC connectivity works on MIUI 12.5 or later, but may vary depending on the regional firmware:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Desktop section.
3. Select Wallpaper (or Themes in some versions).
4. Scroll down to the wallpaper carousel block and tap it.
5. Turn off the Automatic Shift slider (or Dynamic Wallpaper).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Apply.

If you don’t have a “Wallpaper Carousel” option on your menu, try an alternative path:

1. Hold your finger on the empty space on the desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select Wallpaper.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Wallpaper Settings.
4. Turn off the automatic shift option.

What if there is no wallpaper carousel? This means that your version of MIUI hides this option, in which case you move to Method 2 (ADB) or Method 3 (third-party applications).

⚠️ Warning: Some firmwares may reset the carousel to standard wallpaper after the carousel is turned off.Pick up your favorite background in advance to the gallery to quickly restore it.

Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If standard settings don’t work, you’ll have to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but is guaranteed to shut down the carousel at the system level.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (original or quality)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official website)

Step 1: Preparing your smartphone

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional → for developers.
4. Activate Debugging via USB and confirm the resolution.

Step 2: Connect to the PC and execute commands

1. Connect the Redmi Note 9S to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear serial number of your device.
4. Execute the command to disable the carousel: adb shell settings put global wallpaper_changing_enabled 0
5. Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot

If the carousel is still active after the reboot, use an alternative command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper

This command completely disables the system application of the wallpaper, but can lead to a reset of the current background.

⚠️ Note: Disabling system applications through ADB It may disrupt some functions MIUI, If you have problems after you run the commands, return the settings with the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.miwallpaper

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If the first two methods didn't work or seemed too complicated, we could use third-party utilities, and we tested a few apps and selected those that don't require root rights and are compatible with the Redmi Note 9S:

Instructions for using Swift Installer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. Select the Wallpaper section and upload the image you like.
4. Click Apply and select Desktop (or Lock Screen if needed).
5. In the application settings, turn off the automatic change option.

Swift Installer bypasses the limitations of MIUI by setting wallpapers through its own mechanism, rather than the system mechanism. This means that the MIUI carousel will remain active in the background, but you will not see it visually.

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If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher), the MIUI wallpaper carousel will not be displayed at all, as the launcher completely replaces the system interface, which is the most reliable way to get rid of dynamic wallpaper without risk to the system.

Method 4: Manual removal of wallpaper cache (for tech-savvy)

If the wallpaper carousel continues to work even after all settings are turned off, the problem may lie in the cached data of the system application. Cache cleaning sometimes helps reset the carousel settings to the factory, after which it can be turned off in a standard way.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter Wallpaper and select the MIUI Wallpaper app (or Mi Wallpaper).
3. Press Warehouse and select Clear Cache.
4. Return to the app menu and click Erase data (this will reset all wallpaper to standard).
5. Reboot your smartphone.

After the reboot, try turning off the carousel again through Settings → Desktop → Wallpaper. In most cases, the option appears after the data has been cleaned.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing of the data of the annex “Wallpaper” MIUI" delete all the background images you uploaded, save your favorite wallpaper to the gallery in advance, and then restore them manually.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods have failed, there are two radical options:

• 🔧 Custom Recavery firmware (TWRP) and installation of modified MIUI: Some custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience) removes the wallpaper carousel at the system level, a method that requires unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted.
• 📵 Disable theme updates: Go to Settings → Topics, click on the profile icon in the top right corner, then Settings → Auto-update themes and disable this option. This won't remove the carousel completely, but it will stop the loading of new wallpaper.

It's also worth checking if the carousel is caused by a virus or malware. Some advertising apps simulate changing wallpaper to draw attention to banners. MIUI (Security → Scanning).

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On the Redmi Note 9S with MIUI 13+, the wallpaper carousel is often linked to the com.miui.miwallpaper service, which is 100% effective when disabled via ADB, but can affect the design themes.

Alternative solutions: how to live with a carousel, if it can not be turned off

If none of the methods worked, but the wallpaper carousel does not cause critical inconvenience, you can adapt to it with minimal costs:

• 🖼️ Select neutral wallpaper: Install minimalist backgrounds (e.g. monochromatic or barely visible) in the carousel.
• ⏳ Increased Shift Spacing: In some versions MIUI You can change the wallpaper once a week or a month instead of daily.
• 📂 Own collection: Upload your wallpaper to your smartphone folder and list it as a source for the carousel, so at least the pictures will be predictable.
• 🔕 Disabling animations: Go to Settings → Special facilities → Remove animations so that the wallpaper change happens instantly and less noticeable.

You can also use live wallpapers (like Google Wallpapers) that visually overlap the MIUI carousel. Set up live wallpapers through Google Play and they will be displayed on top of the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper carousel on the Redmi Note 9S