Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer users not only powerful functionality, but also extensive personalization capabilities. One of the most prominent and popular features is the automatic change of images on a locked screen. This mechanism, often called a “wallpaper carousel”, allows you to turn the lock screen into a live gallery, updated every time you turn on the device. Many owners of Redmi and POCO smartphones do not know that this feature is built into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS by default, but its activation can require several specific actions.
Turning on this mode not only graces the screen, but also provides access to operational information such as news, weather or interesting facts, depending on the source chosen. The setup process can seem confusing due to the peculiarities of localizing the menu in different versions of firmware. We will break down all the nuances so that you can easily control the visual design of your gadget.
It is worth noting that the service Glance for Mi or the wallpaper carousel system component is responsible for this functionality in most cases. Depending on the region of sale of the device, the names of menu items may differ, but the logic of the work remains the same for the entire Xiaomi ecosystem.
What is a wallpaper carousel and how does it work
The wallpaper carousel is a system service that automatically uploads and installs new background images to the lock screen. Unlike the standard gallery, where the user has to manually select pictures, here the process is fully automated. Algorithms match content based on your interests, time of day or just offer random high-quality photos from cloud storage.
The mainstay of this mechanism is a constant connection to the Internet. The smartphone periodically checks the servers for new images and caches them in the device's memory. This means that even if there is no network when you turn on the screen, you will still see the previously downloaded picture. However, to get fresh content, a connection to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet is mandatory.
It's important to understand the difference between a live wallpaper and a carousel. Live Wallpapers are animated backgrounds that consume more CPU and battery resources. The carousel works with high-resolution static images, changing them only when the screen is activated, which makes this method of personalization more energy efficient.
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Wallpaper carousels are static images that change with each screen turn on, saving battery power compared to live animation.
The user can flexibly adjust the frequency of updates and categories of images, for example, you can choose only landscapes, architecture or abstract patterns, the system remembers preferences and tries to suggest content of the appropriate style, ignoring inappropriate categories.
Preparing the smartphone before activating the function
Before you start setting up, make sure your device is ready to work with multimedia content. First of all, check for free space in internal memory. Although one image takes up a little space, the service cache can grow to several hundred megabytes if you accumulate many thumbnails.
The second important aspect is the stability of the Internet connection. It is recommended to use fast Wi-Fi to load the wallpaper pack initially. If the network is unstable, the process may interrupt, and the screen will remain a standard stub or the last saved image.
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Before turning on the carousel, clear the Gallery and Themes app cache to avoid conflicts when downloading new images.
Also, make sure that the device has an up-to-date version of the MIUI or HyperOS shell. In older firmware versions, the mechanism of the wallpaper services may have differed, and some modern features may not be available.
☑️ Checking the device's readiness
Step-by-step: how to turn on the carousel through the settings
The most reliable way to activate image change is to use the built-in settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the shell version, but the general logic is the same. First, open the main settings menu of your Xiaomi smartphone.
In the list that opens, look for a section that might be called “Always on screen and lock” or simply “Screen lock.” Inside this menu, look for “Wallpaper carousel” item. In some regions, it may be hidden inside the “Online Resources” or “Receive recommendations” submenu.
Once you log in, you'll see a switch. Activate it. The system may request permission to use data and location to better match content. Accept the terms if you plan to use automatic download.
Settings → Lock screen → Wallpaper carousel → EnableIf the standard path doesn't work or there's no menu item, try the alternative through the Themes app. Open it, go to the user profile (human icon) and find the wallpaper carousel setting. Often, this is the app that brings the configuration files for the service.
Configure sources and categories of images
Once activated, the feature allows you to fine-tune content, and by default, the system can offer a mixed stream of images, but you can limit it to specific topics, which is especially useful if you are annoyed by certain types of images, such as images of people or animals.
In the carousel menu, go to Categories or Interests, and here's a list of topics available: nature, cities, space, art, minimalism, and more. You can turn any of these on or off. Changes take effect almost instantly, but a full updated stream can form in a few hours.
| Category | Description of content | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Nature. | Landscapes, animals, plants | Perfect for relaxation. |
| Cities | Architecture, night pictures of megacities | Good contrast. |
| Abstraction | Geometric shapes, gradients | Not distracting from icons. |
| Art | Paintings, digital painting | For aestheticists. |
| Techniques | Gadgets, cars, mechanisms | Male audience |
Special attention should be paid to the frequency of updates. In some versions of the firmware, you can select a change at each turn on the screen, once per hour or once per day. Choosing the option "On each turn on" provides maximum variety, but can consume traffic faster.
You can also add your own photos to the carousel, so in the carousel settings, select My Albums and select folders in the gallery that should be mixed with online content, which allows you to create a personalized feed from family archives.
Using the Glance app for advanced features
Many global versions of Xiaomi smartphones pre-installed the Glance for Mi app. It is a third-party but officially supported service that provides more advanced functionality than the standard carousel.It not only changes pictures, but also adds widgets, news feeds and interactive elements directly to the lock screen.
To take advantage of this feature, look for Glance in the list of programs or in the lock screen settings. The first start will require authorization and interest settings. The interface here is more modern and offers real-time previews of images.
What is the difference between a standard carousel and a Glance?
You can configure the display of additional data on top of the wallpaper: currency exchange, weather, news headlines, all of these elements are customized separately and do not overlap important parts of the image, since the system automatically determines the safe zones for widgets.
It is important to note that using Glance can require more battery resources due to constant data synchronization and widget display.If you notice an increased discharge, try turning off news display or lowering the frequency of updates in the settings of the app itself.
Solution: Carousel is not working or updated
Despite the ease of customization, users often face problems when images stop changing.The most common reason is aggressive energy saving. MIUI is known for its strict control of background processes, so the wallpaper service can simply be killed by the system to save charge.
To fix this, go to the battery settings and find the Wallpaper Carousel or Glance app, set the energy saving mode to No Limits, and make sure that the permitted actions are ticked with Auto Start, which will allow the service to run smoothly.
⚠️ Warning: If the carousel is lost after changing the region in your phone settings (for example, from Russia to India), return the region back.
Another problem is the lack of cache space. If internal memory is full, new images simply won't be able to load. Clear the app's cache through the Apps menu → All Apps → Wallpaper Carousel → Clear → Clear cache. Don't confuse it with data cleanup, otherwise all settings will reset.
Why is the wallpaper of low quality on the lock screen?
If images change but not the ones you chose in categories, try resetting your advertising ID settings. Under Passwords & Security → Privacy, find the advertising ID and reset it. This will update the interest profile that uses the matching algorithm.
Additional features and hidden settings
For advanced users, there are ways to customize things that go beyond the standard menu, such as using third-party themes from the MIUI Themes store that have built-in wallpaper mechanisms other than the system ones, which often have their own cycles and transition effects.
Also worth mentioning is the ability to sync with the Mi Cloud. If you turn on gallery sync, the carousel can use images from your cloud albums.It's a great way to always have fresh photos on hand, even if your phone has been lost or damaged.
Remember that the quality of the images displayed depends on the screen resolution of your device. On flagship models with AMOLED matrices, the images look especially juicy due to the deep black color and high brightness. On budget models with IPS screens, the contrast may be lower, so it is recommended to choose categories with bright colors.
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For maximum image quality, use original themes and avoid compressed images from messengers that lose quality when transmitted.
In conclusion, the wallpaper carousel is a powerful tool that makes smartphone use more enjoyable and personal.Properly configured sources and regular cache maintenance will allow you to enjoy quality content without annoying glitches.