How to turn off pop-up wallpaper on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often encounter an intrusive feature that periodically changes the image on a locked screen.This phenomenon, known as "Wallpaper Carousel" or "Glance", not only distracts, but also consumes traffic, and can also reduce the autonomy of the device due to the constant loading of content.

Many users mistakenly believe it's a system bug or a virus, but it's built into the developers for monetization and personalization. Fortunately, the modern MIUI shells and the new HyperOS provide the tools to take full control of the process. You don't need to be an IT expert to return a static image.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to deactivate advertising and dynamic wallpapers. We will look at system settings, security options and hidden menus that will help you clean the lock screen from unnecessary visual noise.

What is a wallpaper carousel and why does it appear

The feature, commonly referred to as pop-up wallpaper, is officially called Wallpaper Carousel, or Glance, a service that automatically uploads new background images every time you turn on a smartphone screen, originally designed to be aesthetically diverse, but in practice has evolved into a channel for broadcasting ads and news reports.

This feature often occurs unnoticed by the user during system updates or initial device setup. The system may suggest "improvement" of the locking experience, and inattentively pressing the "Accept" button will activate this service.

The main reason for imposing this feature is the company’s business model: by providing high-end hardware at a competitive price, the manufacturer compensates for costs through service and advertising, which does not affect the stability of the system, but significantly improves the user experience.

⚠️ Attention: Complete removal of the system component "Carousel wallpaper" through ADB-commands can lead to errors in the operation of the lock screen. It is recommended to use regular methods of disabling through the settings.

Disconnection through standard theme settings

The easiest and safest way to remove dynamic image change is to use the built-in Themes app, which is where the main switch that controls the behavior of the lock screen resides, and this method works on most current firmware versions.

First, you have to open the Themes app on your device, which usually has a brush icon on a color background, and if you delete it, you can download it again from the GetApps store, and then you go to the user profile by clicking on the person icon in the lower right corner of the screen.

In the menu that opens, look for the Wallpaper Carousel (or Glance) option, click on it to open the service settings, and here you will be offered several options: you can turn off the feature completely or simply disable Internet access for that particular component, which will also effectively stop new images from downloading.

If you choose to turn off, the system may ask you several times about your decision, suggesting you stay in the loyalty program, you must be persistent and confirm the action to turn off, and then only your static image will remain on the lock screen.

Set up via the security menu and passwords

In some versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shells, settings can be duplicated or moved to the security section, so that the user can manage application access rights in one place, and if the theme method fails, it is worth checking this path.

Go to the basic smartphone settings and select Passwords and Security. In the list of options, find the wallpaper carousel. Depending on the version of the software, it can be located in the subsection "Special features" or be entered in a separate line.

Inside this menu, you have a switch to turn on the wallpaper carousel. Make sure it's inactive. There's also a "Receive recommendations" setting that you should also deactivate to avoid notifications that suggest you return the feature.

It is important to note that after shutting down through the security settings, the system may require a reboot to apply the changes, which is normal behavior, since the screen lock module is a system process that updates its status when the device starts.

Managing permissions and network access

If the standard switches don't work or the function turns on again after the reboot, you can use a more radical method - to deny the application access to the network. Without the Internet, the Wallpaper Carousel will not be able to download new content and will become useless.

Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find Wallpaper Carousel (can be called Wallpaper Carousel or Glance) in the list. Go to Data Use or Traffic Control.

So you have to uncheck the Wi-Fi and Mobile Internet, and the system will tell you that the app won't work properly, and that's exactly what we need. Confirm the action.

You can also clear the app data to delete the cached images that have already loaded. To do this, click Clear → Clear Everything in the app menu, which will free up space in the device's memory.

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Use Do Not Disturb or Sleep mode to check if banner ads appear on top of the lock image, if any, it's a sign of a third-party launcher or virus.

Comparison of disconnection methods: pros and cons

There are several approaches to solving the problem of pop-up wallpaper, and each of them has its own characteristics, the choice of method depends on your version of the firmware, the model of the smartphone and personal preferences for the level of interference in the system.

Below is a table that will help you choose the best way, and we will compare standard shutdowns, network denials, and third-party tools.

The safest and most recommended way is to use the standard settings through the Themes app, which is a non-specialized and completely reversible method, and denying access to the network is a great alternative if the switch runs away or is hidden.

Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) requires a computer connection and commands, a method that allows you to completely cut the component out of the system, but if you do not care, it can lead to a software failure or the need to flash the device.

Removing system components through ADB

For advanced users who want to get rid of system debris guaranteed, there is a method of removing the package through USB debugging. This requires the activation of the developer mode and the presence of a PC.

First, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on MIUI Version (or OS Version). After that, a new section “More” → For developers will appear in the settings menu.

Enable USB Debugging. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. The computer must have an ADB toolbox installed. Open the command line and enter a command to delete the packet:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.mishell.connectivity

You may also need to remove the com.miui.personalassistant package if it is responsible for widgets and carousel.Be careful when entering packet names, as removing system components can make the device unstable.

⚠️ Attention: Before use ADB-Incorrect removal of system packets can lead to a cyclic reboot (bootloop).

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Deleting system components completely is a last resort, and in 95% of cases, it is enough to simply disable the function in the settings or deny Internet access.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)