Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is known for its customization of the interface, but sometimes users are faced with the need to return standard wallpaper or remove the current. The reasons can vary from bugs with display of live wallpaper to the desire to save battery power. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to disable background images, from simple settings MIUI to advanced methods through ADB.
It is important to understand that the Mi 8 Pro (codename equuleus) procedure differs from other Xiaomi models due to the features of the firmware and the MIUI version. For example, on devices with MIUI 12+, the path to wallpaper settings has changed, and in older versions requires manual cache reset of the com.miui.home application. We took into account all the nuances and collected current methods for different scenarios.
Why would you need to turn off the wallpaper?
Live wallpaper and animated backgrounds are one of Xiaomi's "chips," but they don't always work correctly. Here are typical situations where users are looking for a way to turn them off:
- 🔋 Battery discharge. Animated wallpaper consumes up to 5-7% Charge per hour (according to the tests) XDA Developers, even if the screen is off.
- 🐢 Lags of the interface. On the Mi 8 Pro with 4GB of RAM, live wallpaper can cause slowdowns when opening applications.
- 🎨 Failed update, after update MIUI Wallpapers can be stretched, pixelated or displayed in low resolution.
- 🔒 Rarely, but there are cases where third-party wallpaper contains malicious code (especially from unverified sources).
Another common reason is factory reset, and then the system automatically sets the standard MIUI wallpaper, but some users want to get back an empty black background or their own image, and then we'll look at all the options.
Method 1: Resetting wallpaper through MIUI settings
The easiest method is to use the built-in tools of the system, which is suitable for most cases and does not require root rights or a connection to a PC.
- Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
- Go to Wallpaper section. → My wallpaper.
- Click on the current wallpaper and select Remove (basket icon).
- Confirm action. The system automatically returns the standard MIUI background.
If there is no Delete item, try an alternative path:
- Press the free area on the desktop with your finger.
- In the lower menu, select Wallpaper → Gallery.
- Scroll to the left to the Standards section and select any built-in background.
Add to your favorite current wallpaper (if you want to save)
Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone
Close all applications before changing the wallpaper
Reboot your phone after changing the background-->
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 10 for Mi 8 Pro) after the wallpaper is reset, the weather widget may disappear. To return it, restart the phone or update the widget manually through Settings → Desktop.
Method 2: Removal of the Launcher cache
If the wallpaper is not reset via the menu or returned after a reboot, the problem may be in the cache of the system launcher.This method works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including the Mi 8 Pro.
- Open the Settings → Applications.
- Find the Launcher app (or com.miui.home).
- Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
- Return to the desktop, the wallpaper will reset to standard.
If after cleaning the cache wallpaper has not changed, try additionally:
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
- 📱 Install another launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher) and return the standard one via Settings → Default applications.
💡
If the app icons disappear after cleaning the cache, don't panic - they will recover in 1-2 minutes. Just wait or restart the device.
| Method | Root is required. | Implementation time | Risk to the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reset via "Themes" | ❌ No. | 1-2 minutes | Low. |
| Clearing the launcher cache | ❌ No. | 3-5 minutes | Medium (may be reset the layout of the icons) |
| ADB-team | ❌ No. | 5-10 minutes | High (with incorrect command input) |
| Removal via Root Explorer | ✅ Yes. | 5 minutes. | Critical (risk of damaging system files) |
Method 3: Disabling live wallpaper through ADB (for experienced)
If standard methods don’t help, and the wallpaper continues to “live its own life”, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for removing built-in live wallpaper that is not removed through the interface.
You'll need:
- 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
- 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to unlock the developer menu).
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
Instructions:
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
- Enter alternately the commands: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.wallpaper.livepicker pm clear com.miui.home
- Reboot the phone.
⚠️ Attention: pm uninstall removes the system app of live wallpaper, and if you want to return it, you have to reset the phone to the factory settings or reflash it, and after this operation, some widgets may disappear. MIUI.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
How to return standard wallpaper after resetting?
After removing custom wallpaper, MIUI usually sets the background by default, but sometimes there are bugs. If you have an empty black screen or a stretched image, follow the following steps:
- Download official MIUI wallpapers from the Xiaomi Themes website (Default Wallpapers section).
- Transfer the file to your phone to the DCIM/Wallpapers folder.
- Set wallpaper through the Gallery → Set as → Desktop wallpaper.
If standard wallpaper does not apply, check:
- 📁 Wallpapers folder rights (must be rw-rw)----).
- 🔄 Theme App Version (Update it via Play Market or App Store).
- 📱 Availability of updates MIUI (Settings → Updating the system).
💡
If the wallpaper doesn’t change after all the manipulations, the problem may be in the corrupted system file /system/priv-app/MiuiHome/MiuiHome.apk.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When working with wallpaper on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro users often face typical problems, we have collected the most common and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper is reset after resetting | Damaged launcher cache or system settings | Clear the com.miui.home cache and reboot the phone |
| You can't install wallpaper from the gallery. | No rights to the DCIM folder | Check permissions through file manager or ADB |
| Live wallpaper slows down the phone | High load on the Snapdragon 845 processor | Turn off animation in wallpaper settings or set a static background |
| The wallpaper is displayed in low resolution. | Display resolution mismatch (2248×1080) | Use images with a resolution of at least 2560×1440 |
Another common mistake is that the wallpaper disappears after the MIUI update, which is because the new firmware version resets user settings, to avoid the problem before the update:
- Save the current wallpaper to the Gallery.
- Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
- After the update, restore the wallpaper manually.
Alternative solutions: launchers and custom firmware
If none of the methods helped, consider using third-party software:
- 📱 Installation of a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) They allow you to flexibly customize wallpaper without restrictions. MIUI.
- 🔧 Custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) completely replaces the standard shell but requires unlocking the bootloader.
- 🎨 Wallpaper apps (like Wallpapers Craft or Zedge) offer more customization options than standard Xiaomi tools.
⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware on the Mi 8 Pro will void the warranty and may lead to a brick (breakdown) of the device:
- Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
- Make a full backup through TWRP.
- Check firmware compatibility with the equuleus model.
If you are unsure of your skills, it is best to consult a specialist or use safer methods (such as third-party launchers).