How to permanently disable the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi: a detailed guide

The wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is one of the most controversial features of the MIUI shell. On the one hand, it offers automatic change of background images, but on the other hand, many users complain about arbitrary change of wallpaper, slowing down the system and unwanted traffic consumption when downloading new images. If you are tired of constantly changing backgrounds on the lock screen or desktop, this article will help to completely deactivate the carousel without losing the functionality of the MIUI.

We will cover all the current methods, from standard settings to advanced methods using ADB and root-rights. Instructions adapted to the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and tested on Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5. Importantly, some methods may differ depending on regional firmware (Global, China, EEA), so we will specify the features for each.

Why Carousel Wallpaper May Be a Problem

At first glance, automatic wallpaper change seems to be a convenient feature, but in practice it causes several serious inconveniences:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: the background process of com.miui.gallery constantly checks new wallpaper and loads them, which eats up to 5-7% day-load.
• 📶 Unauthorized traffic: on tariffs with limited Internet, the carousel can "eat" up to 300-500 MB per month.
• 🖼️ Unpredictability: Wallpaper changes without warning, which prevents you from getting used to the visual design.
• 🐢 Slowing down animations: on budget models (Redmi) 10A, POCO M5) wallpaper change causes lags when unlocked.

According to the laboratory tests XDA Developers, on devices with 4 GB of RAM and less carousel increases cold start time of applications on the 12-18%. This is especially true after updating to MIUI 15, where the algorithm of wallpaper selection has become more aggressive.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The simplest method, which works on most devices without any additional manipulation, is suitable for users who do not want to go into technical details.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to Wallpaper → Lock screen or desktop (depending on where you want to turn off the carousel).
3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Wallpaper Settings.
4. Turn off the Automatic Wallpaper Change switch (or the Wallpaper Carousel in newer versions).
5. Confirm the action by selecting a static background from the gallery.

Some firmware (China Stable) may call this item Dynamic Wallpapers or Smart Wallpapers. If you don't have the option on the menu, then your version of MIUI uses a different mechanism - move on to the next method.

Close all background applications

Connect to Wi-Fi (for stability)

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make a backup copy of the current wallpaper-->

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14.0.5+ After the carousel is turned off, it can work to reset the wallpaper to a standard background. To avoid this, immediately after deactivation, set your wallpaper manually through the gallery.

Method 2: Disconnect via the "Themes" application settings

If the standard method didn’t work, try deactivating the carousel through permission control of the Theme app (com.android.themes), which blocks background activity responsible for changing the wallpaper.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Themes app (or Themes in English firmware).
3. Select Permissions → Other permits.
4. Turn it off: 🔄 Auto-start 📱 Displaying on top of other applications 🔋 Battery Optimization (Select Restrict)

Warehouse

Clear the cache

This method doesn't remove the function itself, it only limits it, and once you reboot the device, the carousel won't activate automatically, but you can manually turn it on if you need to.

Method 3: Using ADB to Deep Shut Down

For users willing to take more drastic measures, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is suitable, which allows you to disable the system components responsible for the carousel without obtaining root rights.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 📱 USB-cable (original)
• 🛠️ Google's Platform Tools utility
• ⚙️ Included Debugging by USB phone-on

Instructions:

1. Download and unpack the platform-tools on your computer.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).
3. Open the command line (or Terminal) in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Enter the commands alternately: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.gallery.wallpaper
5. Reset the device.

Once these commands are executed, the system applications that are responsible for the carousel will be deactivated for the current user. The wallpaper will stop changing, but you will still be able to install them manually.

💡

If, after the execution, ADB-Teams carousel still works, check for updates for platform-tools or try an alternative command:

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle force-idle

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI China Developer) Disconnection through ADB It can cause the wallpaper to reset to standard wallpaper. To get your wallpaper back, reset it through the Gallery app after you restart.

Method 4: Remove the carousel through root access (for advanced)

If you have root rights (e.g., through Magisk), you can completely remove the system components responsible for the carousel.This method guarantees 100% results, but requires caution.

Tools required:

• 📱 Root access (check through the Root Checker app)
• 🛠️ Root Explorer (Root Explorer, Solid Explorer)
• 🔧 Backup of the system (recommended)

Step-by-step:

1. Open root manager and follow the path: /system/priv-app/MiuiWallpaper/
2. Delete or rename (add.bak) files: MiuiWallpaper.apk MiuiWallpaper.odex (if any)

/system/app/WallpaperCarousel/

com.miui.miwallpaper


com.miui.gallery

through the settings → Apps.

Reset the device.

After this, the carousel will be removed at the system level, and please note that the next major MIUI update may result in the deleted files being restored, in which case the procedure will have to be repeated.

Method 5: Alternative launchers as a radical solution

If none of the above methods worked, consider using third-party launchers, which completely replace the standard MIUI interface, including the wallpaper mechanism.

The best options for Xiaomi:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports static wallpaper, flexible gesture settings and no carousel.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – Lightweight Open Source Launcher Optimized for Performance.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – Offers advanced customization options without unnecessary background processes.
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher – Minimalist interface with Windows integration (if you use the Microsoft ecosystem).

Installation of an alternative launcher:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. Set it as the default launcher (the offer will appear at the first start).
3. Go to the launcher settings and turn off all options related to dynamic wallpaper.
4. Set static wallpaper through the launcher menu.

The advantage of this method is that not only do you get rid of the carousel, but you also get additional customization options, and the disadvantage is that some MIUI features (such as Super Wallpapers) will become unavailable.

💡

Using a third-party launcher is the only method that is guaranteed to disable the carousel on all versions of MIUI, including beta firmware.

What to do if the carousel returns after the update

One of the most common problems is turning the carousel back on after the MIUI update, which is because system applications are restored when you install a new firmware.

Prevention:

• 🔄 Reverse to the previous version MIUI (If the update only causes problems).
• 📵 Freeze system applications via Titanium Backup or Lucky Patcher (root required).
• 🛡️ Use Magisk modules, for example. MIUI Debloater that automatically removes unnecessary components after updating.
• 🔧 Set up automatic execution ADB-Teams via Tasker or MacroDroid after each update.

If you don’t want to go back to the previous version, but the carousel is a big obstacle, consider disabling automatic MIUI updates:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Turn off Automatic Update Download and Update Notices.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling security updates may put your device at risk of vulnerabilities.If you choose this path, check regularly for critical patches manually.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi