How to turn off wallpaper on Xiaomi: get rid of excess

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive functionality, which, according to the developers, should decorate the interface, but in practice only annoying. We are talking about the Wallpaper Carousel, a service that automatically changes the background image on a locked screen, loading advertising images and news. Many users want to return their gadget to a static appearance or simply free RAM from unnecessary processes.

The procedure for turning off depends on the version of the MIUI firmware or the new HyperOS, and the region for which the device is released. Global versions may call the settings differently than in Chinese, but the logic remains the same. Below we will discuss all possible ways to completely remove the dynamic background change and regain control over the visual design of your device.

It is worth noting that the complete removal of system components responsible for this functionality requires deeper intervention, but standard means can achieve a complete shutdown of their work. This will not only remove visual noise, but can also have a positive effect on the autonomy of your smartphone, as the background loading of images will no longer consume traffic and CPU resources.

What is a wallpaper carousel and why it should be turned off

The Glance is a service integrated into the MIUI shell that broadcasts images to the lock screen, originally marketed as a personalization tool, but has evolved over time into a tool for displaying ads and news, and automatically changing images without the user's knowledge unless you make a careful adjustment immediately after you buy a phone.

The main problem is that it's deeply embedded in the system, and it doesn't just change the image, it keeps the network connection active to load new content, and it can be critical for devices with little RAM or weak network signal, and many users notice that after installing updates, the settings are reset and the "ad" wallpaper reappears.

⚠️ Note: Complete removal of system applications through ADB This can cause unstable system operation. Use only proven methods of disabling through the settings described below.

By disabling this feature, you will not only get rid of unnecessary visual noise, but also prevent accidental clicks on advertising links, which are often placed on images in the carousel, this is especially true if the phone is used by children or elderly people who may inadvertently activate unwanted content.

Disabling the carousel through lock screen settings

The easiest and safest way to remove dynamic image change is to use the standard settings menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and shell, but the overall path remains similar. You need to find the partition responsible for the appearance of the lock screen.

To start, unlock your smartphone and go to the main settings menu. Find Lock Screen or Wallpaper and Personalization. In some versions of the firmware, this section may be hidden inside the Always On and Lock screen tab, and that's where the key switches that control background behavior are.

Inside the menu, find an item called the Wallpaper Carousel (or Glance for Mi). Click on it to reveal additional options. Here you will need to switch the switch to the Off position. The system may try to convince you to leave the feature on, suggesting you choose a specific topic, but persistently ignore these suggestions and complete the shutdown.

Once the main switch is turned off, the system can suggest that you choose a static image. That's a normal reaction. Choose any picture you like from the gallery or standard sets to become a permanent background. Now your lock screen will look the way you want it, without surprises.

Setting up the theme and removing advertising elements

Even after the carousel is turned off, some interface elements may be reminiscent of Glance, often because the active theme of the decoration is forced to include certain decor elements. In MIUI, the themes govern not only the icons but also the behavior of the system windows.

Go to the Themes app, which is standard on Xiaomi smartphones. Go to the user profile (usually the person icon in the lower right corner) and select Settings. Here you should find the Wallpaper Carousel option and make sure it is disabled. It is also recommended to check the settings of the specific theme you have installed.

If you use a third-party theme downloaded from the Xiaomi store, it may have its own screen blocker settings, in which case, disabling in the system settings may not work until you change the theme to a standard one or find the appropriate switch inside the theme settings.

It's also important to check the Guidelines section, which is that you often check the "Get recommendations" box in your theme or carousel settings, and that disabling it prevents new images from being uploaded from the Internet even if the carousel mechanism is formally on, which is a good compromise for those who want to leave the option of manually changing, but without advertising.

Managing Application Permissions for Full Blocking

For those who want to be 100% sure that the service will not run in the background, you can restrict its rights. The system application that controls the wallpaper requires certain permissions to work, and by limiting them, we effectively choke the functionality in the bud.

Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. In the list, find the Wallpaper Carousel app (can be called Glance or Mi Wallpaper), and click on it, you will be taken to the application management menu.

Here we are interested in two items: Permissions and Battery. In the permissions section, turn off access to geolocation, microphone (if any), and most importantly, to the network (if such an option is available in your version of Android). In the battery section, select No restrictions mode (so that the system does not wake it up) or, conversely, hard energy saving to prohibit background activity.

This approach allows you to leave the application on the system without errors, but makes it completely useless in terms of data collection and advertising. It is a secure method that does not require root rights.

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Check the autorun list periodically. After major MIUI updates, settings may be reset and the Autorun ban for the Carousel will have to be reset.

Specificity of the shutdown in different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi shells are constantly updated, and the location of settings can change. In recent versions of HyperOS, the company tried to make the interface cleaner, but some marketing features remained.

In MIUI 12 and 13, settings are often scattered. The path can look like Settings → Lock screen → Wallpaper Carousel. In older versions (MIUI 10-11), this feature could be called a "slideshow" and be located in the "Themes" app.

The new HyperOS has made the logic more linear, but new kinds of widgets have appeared on the lock screen, and it's worth checking not only the carousel settings, but also the lock screen widget section. Delete the wallpaper or news widget if it's there. This is often overlooked, wondering why the picture still changes.

⚠️ Note: In Chinese versions of the firmware (CN ROM) Glance functionality can be more aggressive and not have a switch in the standard menu, in which case only changing the region to India or Russia (with subsequent return) or using third-party launchers will help.

Global ROM users are usually better off, as European data protection laws (GDPR) force manufacturers to make privacy settings more accessible. If you can't find the switch, try changing the system language to English - sometimes the translation hides important menu items.

Use of third-party launchers and applications

If you can't get rid of obsessive wallpaper by standard methods, or you just want to change the interface, a third-party launcher is a great solution. Applications like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher take full control of the lock screen and desktop.

Once you install this launcher, the system stops using the standard lock screen Xiaomi, and therefore the wallpaper carousel stops working, you get a clean interface, high speed and the ability to fine-tune each element.

However, it’s worth remembering that third-party launchers may not support some of Xiaomi’s signature gestures, such as gestures to call up app menus or control music, may work differently.

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Installation of a third-party launcher is a “nuclear option”, which is guaranteed to remove the system wallpaper, but requires getting used to the new interface management.

There are also dedicated screen locking apps that replace the standard lockscreen, which let you put your static wallpaper, widgets and passwords, completely ignoring the system settings of MIUI. This is a good choice for those who want maximum customization.

Frequent questions and problems when disconnecting

The process of disabling is not always smooth. Users often experience settings “fly off” after rebooting, or the menu item appears inactive, this may be due to device administrator rights or active profiles.

One common problem is that you can't click on the switch, which often happens when a child's mode or corporate profile is activated on the device, and in such cases, the restrictions are imposed by the manager profile, and only the administrator can unlock the function.

It’s also worth mentioning that in some regions, the service may come back after updating Google Play Services or Xiaomi services themselves, so if you notice a return of ads, check this settings item first.

Keep in mind that static wallpapers also consume charge, especially if you use live wallpapers from the theme store. Turning off the carousel does not mean automatically turning off the live wallpaper, they need to be manually changed to a static image through the gallery.