Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often encounter an intrusive feature that automatically changes the background image on the lock screen, a phenomenon known as “Wallpaper Carousel” or Glance, originally conceived as a way to personalize the device, but in practice often turns into a source of irritation. Users notice that instead of the usual static picture, the system loads banner ads or random photos from the Internet, which reduces the aesthetics of the interface.
Compounding the problem, standard theme settings may not work as well, as different system services are responsible for the process. Depending on the version of MIUI firmware or the new HyperOS, the mechanisms for disabling may vary, sometimes simply switching the switch in the settings, and in other cases, deeper intervention in the operation of system applications is required.
In this article, we will go into detail all the known ways to eliminate this feature, we will look at the standard methods through the personalization menu, disabling system demons and working with third-party launchers. It is important to understand that the complete removal of some components may require the use of a computer, but in most cases you can do with built-in smartphone tools.
⚠️ Note: Before making changes to system settings or removing components, it is recommended to create a full backup of data. Incorrectly disabling system services can lead to unstable operation of the lock screen.
Analysis of the source of the change of wallpaper on MIUI and HyperOS
The first step is to identify the source that controls the image change, which can be handled by several independent modules in the Xiaomi ecosystem, most often the culprit being the built-in Wallpaper Carousel app, which is integrated into the shell, but in some regions or on global firmware versions, this feature is replaced by InMobi’s Glance service.
The distinction between the two is critical to choosing the method of disabling.The wallpaper carousel from Xiaomi is usually controlled via the Themes app and has its own synchronization settings.The Glance service is often implemented at the system level and may not have a clear switch on the standard menu, requiring disconnection through app settings or special commands.
Also, you should consider that the feature can be activated accidentally when you upgrade your system or install a new theme from the store. Some themes force you to subscribe to update backgrounds, ignoring the global settings of the device, so if you recently changed the design, the problem may lie in the parameters of a particular topic, not in the system as a whole.
Disconnecting through the app Topics and personalization
The most common and safe way to remove changing backgrounds is to use a regular personalization menu, which works on most current versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS. You don't need superuser rights or a PC connection, just go through the menu items carefully.
First, you need to open the Settings app and find the look section. The path may vary slightly depending on the regional version of the firmware, but the logic remains the same. If the basic settings don't have the right item, search for it through the built-in search for "Carousel" or "Blocking."
Once you log into the lock screen control menu, you'll see a switch that's responsible for getting new content, and turning it off will stop new images from loading, but it can leave the current image out of the carousel, and you'll need to manually select it from the gallery to return a static photo.
☑️ Algorithm to shut down carousel
In some cases, after disabling the feature, you need to restart the device to apply the changes. If the wallpaper changes again after the restart, you may have a third-party service activated on the device, which we will discuss in the next sections. Also make sure that the Theme app does not have autorun permissions if you want to completely eliminate its impact.
Delete and disable Glance service
Glance is often pre-installed on global smartphone versions and works independently of Xiaomi’s standard carousel, which may not appear in the list of user applications, hiding in system processes. It is often impossible to remove it through a regular application manager, since the “Delete” button will be inactive.
To combat Glance, you need to find it in the list of all applications. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. In the list, look for “Glance for Mi” or “Lock screen magazine.” If you can’t find it, try searching inside the app menu or switching the display to “System processes”.
Once you're in the app menu, the first thing you do is take away all the permissions, especially access to location, camera, and storage. Then click Stop, and then the "Disable" option becomes available, and that action freezes the service, and it stops consuming resources and changing wallpaper.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete Glance system files manually through a file manager without root rights).
If a standard shutdown doesn't work, you can use a more advanced method through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), but it requires a computer connection. The command to shut down looks like pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.misystem (the name of the package can vary).
List of system packages for verification
Setup of widgets and third-party launchers
Sometimes the reason for changing images is not the system settings, but the widgets installed. Users often install Photos, Gallery or news widgets directly on the lock screen or main screen without realizing that they are set to change slides, which creates the illusion of a system carousel.
Check your desktop and lock screen for image widgets. Press and hold your finger on the widget to open its settings. In the image source settings, select Album or One Photo instead of Random Photo or Internet.
Also, some third-party launchers (shells), such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, have their own schedule wallpaper change features. If you use an alternative launcher, go to its settings and find the Wallpaper or Wallpaper section to disable the slideshow feature.
Also worth checking is Xiaomi's memory cleanup apps or antiviruses (Security).Advert blocks are sometimes introduced in the Accelerate or Cleanup section, which can change the background. Disabling recommendations in these apps often solves the problem.
- 📱 Check the widgets on the home screen and remove the ones that the slideshows show.
- 🔒 Check the lock screen for active news widgets or photos.
- ⚙️ Go to the settings of the third-party launcher, if it is installed.
- 🛡️ Turn off “Recommendations” in the System Application “Security».
Comparison of disabling methods
The choice of method depends on your firmware version and technical level. Below is a table that will help you compare symptoms and choose the best solution. Some methods are more radical, but guarantee the result where simple switches are powerless.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switch in Settings | Low. | Medium | Absent. |
| Disabling Glance in apps | Medium | Tall. | Minimum |
| Replacement of the topic with standard | Low. | Low. | Absent. |
| Using ADB teams | Tall. | Maximum | Possible failure. |
As you can see from the table, for most users, a combination of the first two methods is the best option, and ADB is only justified if the system blocks the shutdown by standard means, as is the case with some carriers or specific regions.
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Use the classic or standard theme to check, and if the carousel doesn't work on a standard theme, it's because of the cache or bug of the previous theme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I completely remove the Carousel Wallpaper app without root rights?
Why did the changing wallpaper turn on again after the MIUI update?
Does the carousel of wallpaper affect battery consumption?
What if the “Disable” button for Glance is inactive (gray)?
⚠️ Note: Using third-party System App Remover software on rooted devices may result in a loss of warranty.
Final recommendations for setting up the interface
Customizing the appearance of a smartphone is the process of finding a balance between functionality and visual comfort. Static wallpaper not only saves battery power, but also allows you to quickly find the right icons without being distracted by the colorful background. After turning off all services of the carousel, it is recommended to install a high-quality image in high resolution from your personal gallery.
Remember to check the list of installed applications periodically. Often, users install junk utilities along with useful programs that implement their widgets and advertising, and regular digital hygiene will help keep the device clean and tidy.
If none of these methods worked, consider resetting the settings to factory settings without restoring backup system settings, guaranteed to remove any hidden configuration files causing the wallpaper to change, but this is an extreme measure that takes time to reset the smartphone.
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Comprehensive approach: disabling the carousel in the settings + freezing Glance + checking widgets give 100% result in eliminating intrusive background changes.