Xiaomi smartphone owners often encounter an intrusive service that automatically changes images on a locked screen to show banner ads or random photos.This feature, known as Wallpaper Carousel or Glance, can annoy users who prefer a static picture and quick access to notifications.The problem is compounded by the fact that the developers of MIUI and HyperOS periodically change the location of the switches in an attempt to make the feature more noticeable.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current ways to deactivate this service on various versions of firmware. Disabling the carousel will not only return the familiar look to your gadget, but can also have a positive effect on autonomy, since the background loading of content will no longer consume traffic and CPU resources. Below are step-by-step instructions for users who appreciate the purity of the interface.
It’s worth noting that the process may vary slightly depending on the regional version of the software and your device model. If the standard path doesn’t work, there are alternative methods through application settings and additional services, and the main thing is to follow each step carefully so that you don’t miss hidden switches in the depth of the menu.
What is Wallpaper Carousel and Why It Is On by Default
The wallpaper carousel is a system service designed to automatically change background images on the lock screen without the need for manual user intervention. Originally conceived as a way of personalization, this feature is often used in modern versions of MIUI to showcase news blocks, promotional offers and affiliate content, and it is the commercial component that makes it so intrusive for many smartphone owners.
Developers activate this option by default when they first start the device or after a system update to increase user engagement in the ecosystem. However, for those who are used to the classic android, the constant flashing of images and pop-up notifications about “new interesting facts” become a source of discomfort. Glance for Mi is the official name of the service in global versions, which can be found in the list of installed applications.
⚠️ Attention: complete removal of the system component of the carousel through ADB can lead to unstable operation of the lock screen, so it is recommended to use standard methods of disconnection through settings.
Understanding the nature of this service helps us realize that turning it off is safe for the device, not a critical system process needed to run calls or the Internet, but only an add-on to the interface, so users can safely deaktivirovat it without fear of losing important smartphone features.
Step-by-step: disabling through lock screen settings
The easiest and safest way to remove intrusive image change is to use the standard settings menu, which works on most current versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the new HyperOS. You don’t need superuser rights or a computer connection, the entire procedure takes no more than a minute.
First, unlock your device and go to the main settings menu, find the look and lock section, depending on the location, it can be called Lock Screen, Wallpaper, or Always Screen and Lock. That's where the main switch that controls the carousel is hidden.
☑️ Checklist before shutdown
Inside the menu, find the Wallpaper Carousel or Glance for Mi. Click on it to open a detailed description of the service. Here you will see the switch that is in the default active position. Put it to the "Off" state. The system may request confirmation of action or offer to leave the function on, demonstrating the benefits of the service - agree to disconnect.
And then you do this next time you lock the screen, you'll see a static image that you installed earlier, and if the carousel was on, but the images didn't change, you may not have an Internet connection when you lock it, but the service was in the background, and now it's completely stopped.
Management through the application "Themes" and Mi services
Sometimes settings can be duplicated or fully migrated to the Themes system app, which is typical for devices purchased in certain regions or with global firmware preinstalled, and if you don't find the right switch in the basic phone settings, it's worth checking out this app.
Open the Themes app (an icon with a brush or a colorful square). In the lower right corner or in the user profile (a human icon), find the settings button. The option list often contains the option "Wallpaper Carousel." By clicking on it, you will be taken to the same control menu that was described in the previous section, where you can easily turn off the function.
You should also look at Mi Services or Mi Video/Mi Music, as some software builds integrate ad modules there, and although this is rare, checking these sections will help make sure that there are no hidden sources of automatic content change on the device.
| MIUI/HyperOS version | Switch location | Name of service | Additional action |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 13 | Settings → Lock screen | Wallpaper carousel | Just turn off the switchboard. |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → Wallpaper | Glance for Mi | Confirmation required |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Settings → Lock screen | Wallpaper carousel | Maybe hide in the submenu |
| Chinese version (CN) | Appendix Topics → Profile | Lock Screen Magazine | We need to turn off "Recommendations." |
Secret code to verify activation
How to remove advertising and recommendations in the carousel
Even if you don't want to completely disable wallpaper change, you can be tormented by advertising content that is uploaded along with images. MIUI allows you to flexibly customize this aspect, leaving beautiful pictures of nature or cities, but removing marketing inserts.
You need to go to the carousel settings as described above, but don't turn it off completely. Find "Recommend Recommendations" or "Recommended Images" and uncheck it. You should also turn off the "Show Ads" or "Promoted Content" option if it's present in your version of the software. This will make the tape cleaner.
Also, the carousel settings often have the option of selecting categories of images, so you can leave only Travel, Nature or Art, excluding News and Technology, which most often contain advertising integrations, and this approach allows you to keep the functionality without information noise.
⚠️ Note: After updating the firmware, privacy settings may reset, so it is recommended to periodically check this section so that the ad does not appear again.
Disconnecting through application settings (advanced method)
If the standard switches don't work or the menu is constantly returning to its original state, you can try a more radical method, which is to turn off the service application itself, which is effective when the system forgets your preferences.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. You need to find a system app on the list, which can be called Wallpaper Carousel, Glance for Mi, Mi Wallpaper or Lock Screen Magazine (in Chinese versions).
Click on the app you find. In the menu that opens, select the "Disable" or "Stop" button. If the "Disable" button is inactive, click "Stop" and then "Clear Data" and "Clear Cache." Then try to re-enter the carousel settings and turn it off, often after cleaning the data, the switch starts working correctly.
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If the “Disable” button is grey and unavailable, try temporarily switching the system language to English, disabling, and then returning the Russian language – this bypasses some localization bugs.
In some cases, especially on older versions of Android, you may need to disable permissions for this app. Go to the "Permissions" section inside the app card and deny access to the network, geolocation and storage. Without Internet access, the carousel simply will not be able to download new images and will stop working.
Possible problems and solutions
Users may find themselves in a situation where the carousel still appears after the shutdown, often because a theme is activated that forcibly turns on the service. Some third-party themes from MIUI Themes store have built-in scripts that return the carousel.
To solve this problem, go to the Topics app, select Profile or My Pages and click Topics. Select the standard Classic or Defult theme. After applying the classic theme, check the lock screen settings again - most likely, the intrusive feature will no longer be activated.
Another reason could be caching settings at the Mi Account level, and if you sync your settings to the cloud, when you sign in on a new device or after you reset, the carousel can turn on automatically, so you can go to the Mi Cloud settings and turn off synchronization of system settings or turn off the function again after you have fully synced.
⚠️ Note: Using modified themes from unverified sources may contain malicious code that will force advertising services to turn on, so download themes only from the official store.
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Changing the theme to the standard (Classic) is the most effective way to get rid of the carousel if the usual settings do not help.