How to turn off the wallpaper change on the lock screen Xiaomi MIUI 12

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners who upgraded to MIUI 12 often face an intrusive automatic image change feature on a locked screen. Instead of the usual static image, the system offers a "Wallpaper Carousel" or Glance service, which regularly loads new backgrounds, often accompanied by banner ads. This not only annoys users who want to see a permanent picture, but can consume mobile traffic and battery power in the background.

The process of deactivating this feature is not always obvious, as developers hide switches in different menu sections depending on the firmware version and region. In some cases, the standard shutdown through lock screen settings does not work, requiring deeper intervention in system settings. Our goal is to fully regain control of the appearance of your gadget and remove unnecessary visual hype.

In this guide, we will look at all known ways to solve the problem, we will look at both standard methods for global firmware versions, and specific settings for Chinese and Russian Xiaomi builds, you will learn to distinguish between the system "Carousel" and third-party aggregator applications that can be preinstalled by the manufacturer.

Before you make any changes, it's important to understand what's working on your device. MIUI 12 has an aggressive policy of monetizing through advertising services, and changing wallpaper is just one tool, and setting it right will not only remove images, but also increase overall responsiveness.

Features of the work of the wallpaper carousel in MIUI 12

Unlike previous versions of the shell, MIUI 12 is actively promoting the concept of a live lock screen, analyzing your preferences and offering content that algorithms think you should like, but technically, this is implemented through a separate system service that works independently of the main gallery.

Often users confuse the standard background change function with the operation of a Glance application or similar services pre-installed in certain regions. These applications may have their own settings that overlap system preferences, so the first step is to identify the source of the image change.

⚠️ Note: Disabling system services through settings may temporarily affect the performance of the Video Wallpaper or Theme Store widgets. If you are actively using paid themes from the Mi Store, check their compatibility after making changes.

The main difference between a regular carousel and viruses or malware is that there are legal ways to shut down. You don't have to search for root rights or use them. ADB-commands for basic deactivation, although in complex cases they may be needed. MIUI 12 helps to avoid accidental removal of important system components.

Basic disconnection through lock screen settings

The easiest and most obvious way to get a static image back is to use a regular settings menu, which is enough in most cases to stop the system from downloading new images, but in Xiaomi, the path to this setup can vary.

Go to the main settings menu of your smartphone, find the section responsible for appearance and locking, depending on the location, it can be called "lock screen", "Always on screen and lock" or simply "lock screen".

Inside the section, find the wallpaper carousel (or "Wrapper Change"). Click on it to reveal additional options. There should be an active switch that triggers the rotation mechanism of the images. Put it inactive.

If the switch is missing or immediately returns to active position, this may indicate a conflict with other services or restrictions on the regional version of the firmware, in which case the MIUI 12 system may force the service to display ads.

Management of Glance Service and Third Party Applications

In many Xiaomi smartphones, especially those released for the Indian and European markets, the Glance partner app is responsible for changing the wallpaper. It is often built into the system at the system application level and is not removed in the usual way.

To manage this service, go to settings and search for settings, type "Glance." If you find an app, go to its menu. Here you will find the "Glance Lock Screen" switch. Disabling this item completely stops the service.

If you can't find a service by standard methods, try looking for it in the list of all apps. Look for names like Lock Screen Magazine, Wallpaper Carousel, or just Glance. By going into the app information, you can not only turn it off, but also limit background activity.

Disabling Advertising in MSA System Applications

A common reason MIUI 12 continues to show new wallpaper or banner ads even after the carousel is turned off is the MSA (MIUI System Ads) service, which is the main module responsible for advertising in the entire shell.

To turn off ads, you need to go to settings, select Passwords and Security, and find Access to Personal Data. In the list, find msa. Turn off the switch next to it. The system will warn you several times about the consequences, but to turn off the ads, this is necessary.

It’s important to note that the first time you turn off MSA, it may not work. Xiaomi’s interface sometimes hides the confirmation button or makes it inactive for a few seconds. Be persistent and wait for the stop button to appear.

⚠️ Note: After disabling system advertising, some features, such as personalized recommendations in the Mi browser or theme store, may stop working correctly.

It is also recommended to check the settings of the "Security" application, which often hides additional cleaning and optimization modules inside it that can load the content, and disabling the recommendations in the "Cleanup" section will help reduce information noise.

Use of ADB Rights for Advanced Users

If MIUI 12 does not allow you to completely get rid of intrusive services, you can use the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and having minimal technical skills.

First, you need to activate the developer mode. To do this, quickly click on the build number in the About Phone section seven times. Then, in the advanced settings, turn on "Debugging on USB." Connect the phone to your PC and start the command prompt.

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

This command disables the system module responsible for various service functions, including some content update mechanisms. Be careful: disabling critical packages can lead to unstable system operation.

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Before use ADB-commands must make a full backup of data. Disabling system packages can lead to a cyclic restart (bootloop) on some versions of firmware.

There are also special graphical shells for ADB, such as Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools, which allow you to safely remove or disable system applications through a user-friendly interface.

Alternative solutions and the choice of static wallpaper

After you have successfully disabled all automatic shift services, it is recommended to install a high-quality static image. MIUI 12 allows you to install wallpaper not only from the gallery, but also from the built-in storage of those where there is a section with free HD-picture.

If you do like the idea of diversity, but without advertising or intrusiveness, consider installing third-party apps from Google Play, such as Wallpaper Changer, which give you complete control over the frequency of change, the source of images and do not contain hidden system restrictions.

Do not forget that the choice of too bright or contrasting static wallpapers on the AMOLED-screens can cause pixels to burn out over time, it is recommended to use images with dark tones or include a dark interface theme.

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Completely disabling the wallpaper change requires a comprehensive approach: you need to turn off not only the carousel itself, but also limit the rights of advertising services MSA and Glance.