How to turn on the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi: a complete guide with pictures and tips

Automatic wallpaper change on the lock screen or desktop is one of the most popular features among Xiaomi smartphone owners.This option, often referred to as a “wallpaper carousel”, allows you to update the background pattern daily (or at other intervals), making interaction with the device more dynamic. However, not all users are aware that in standard MIUI settings, this feature can be hidden or require additional adjustment.

In this guide, we will detail how to activate the wallpaper carousel on different versions of MIUI firmware (12 to 14), including nuances for specific models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others). Also, you will learn how to configure wallpaper sources (including online galleries and local folders), change the frequency of change and solve typical problems, such as when the carousel suddenly stops working. If you want your smartphone to please every day with new pictures, read on!

The wallpaper carousel is a feature that automatically changes background images on the lock screen, desktop or both at predetermined intervals.In MIUI firmware, it is implemented through the Themes system application and is closely integrated with Xiaomi services.

The main advantages of the function:

  • 🎨 Visual diversity: Every day a new picture prevents visual fatigue from the monotonous background.
  • 📱 Personalization: You can choose thematic collections (nature, cities, abstractions) or upload your photos.
  • ⏱️ Automation: No need to manually change the wallpaper – the system does it itself on schedule.
  • 🌍 Online directories: access to thousands of wallpaper from the community MIUI and partners (e.g. Unsplash).

It is important to understand that the carousel only works with wallpaper from system sources (MIUI gallery or local folders added manually). If you install wallpaper through a third-party application (for example, Zedge or Wallcraft), automatic change may not work. Also, the feature is not available on all models - some budget devices (Redmi A1, POCO C50) may have stripped down theme settings.

📊 You’ve already tried to include a wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi?
Yeah, it worked.
Yeah, but it didn't work.
No, I just learned about the function.
I use third-party apps.

Supported models and versions of MIUI

The wallpaper carousel feature appeared in MIUI 12 and has been significantly improved in subsequent versions, but its availability depends not only on the firmware version, but also on the regional build and device model.

Model of the deviceMIUI 12MIUI 13MIUI 14 (HyperOS)Notes
Xiaomi 11/12/13✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes (with an updated interface)Full support including online directories
Redmi Note 10/11/12✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.Some regional firmware requires manual activation
POCO F3/F4/F5⚠️ Partially.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.POCO Launcher may require switching to standard launcher
Redmi 9/9A/9C❌ No.⚠️ Only through the detours.✅ Yes, after the update)There is no function on older versions of MIUI.
Xiaomi Pad 5/6❌ No.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.On tablets, the carousel works only for the lock screen.

If your model is not listed in the table, check the MIUI version in settings: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. The carousel requires a minimum version of 12.0.3.0 (for some devices - 12.5). If your firmware is outdated, update it through Settings → System Update.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Global ROM (The carousel can be disabled by default due to regional policy restrictions, in which case the change of region to China will help (but this may affect the operation of some services, such as Google Pay).

The process of activating the carousel varies slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the overall scheme is the same. Below is a universal instruction that will work for most devices.

Step 1: Open the "Themes" app

Click on the Theme icon on your desktop (if not, search by app). In some firmware, this application may be called Wallpapers or Personalization.

Step 2: Select the "Wallpaper" section

In the bottom menu, tap the Wallpaper tab, and you'll see the categories of wallpaper: Recommended, Landscapes, Abstractions, and more.

In the upper right corner, find the icon. ⚙️ (Settings, and tap it. In the menu that opens, select Wallpaper Carousel (or Wallpaper Driver). Switch the slider to On position..

Step 4: Set up sources and intervals

Now, choose where the wallpaper will come from:

  • 🌐 Online directories: collections from Xiaomi (requires an Internet connection).
  • 📁 Local folders: Select a folder with wallpaper in the gallery of the device.
  • ⭐ The ones you have previously added to your favorites.

Then set the shift interval: Every day, Every 6 hours, or Every hour (not available on all devices).

Step 5: Apply the settings

Click Save or Apply, and the system will tell you to choose where the carousel will work: on the lock screen, desktop, or both. Confirm the choice.

Theme icon is on the desktop|Device connected to the Internet (for online wallpapers)|The gallery has a folder with wallpaper (for local sources)|Version. MIUI not less than 12.0.3.0-->

If after these actions the carousel did not work, go to the section "Problem Solving".

MIUI system collections are often limited, so many users want to use their own photos or wallpaper from the Internet. To add them to the carousel, follow the following steps:

  1. Create a separate folder in the device gallery (for example, "Wallpaper for the carousel").
  2. Place images in JPG or PNG format with a resolution of at least 1080×1920 (for better quality).
  3. Open the themes → Wallpaper → Settings → Wallpaper Carousel.
  4. Select Local Wallpaper and specify the folder created.

Some versions of MIUI allow you to add wallpaper directly from the gallery:

  1. Open the photo in the gallery.
  2. Slap the icon. ⋮ (More) and select Set as wallpaper.
  3. In the menu that opens, click Add to the carousel.

Note: the system may ignore images with low resolution or inappropriate aspect ratio. The optimal format is vertical wallpaper with a resolution corresponding to the screen of your device (for example, 2400×1080 for Full HD+).

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If the wallpaper in the carousel is displayed blurry, try trimming them manually through the Gallery app (the “Pruning Tool”) to an aspect ratio of 9:16 or 9:18 (depending on the smartphone model).

By default, the carousel can only work on the lock screen or both screens at the same time, to set this up manually:

  1. Open the themes → Wallpaper → Settings.
  2. Choose the wallpaper carousel.
  3. In the section Where to apply mark the necessary items: 🔒 Lock screen 📱 Desktop 🔄 Both screens (synchronous change)

Save the changes.

On some devices (e.g. POCO F4), when you select both screens, the wallpaper on the desktop and lock will change independently — meaning you can see different pictures. This is normal system behavior.

If you want your desktop wallpaper to remain static and change on lock, select the Lock Screen. Note: some firmware (MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11) may reset the weather widget when you change the wallpaper on the lock, a well-known bug that is fixed in new versions.

If the carousel is not working or is not working properly, check the following points:

  • 🔄 Update the Themes app: Go to the Play Market (or App Store for global devices) and check for updates.
  • 📱 Reboot the device: Sometimes a basic reboot helps.
  • 🛠️ Clear the cache: go to Settings → Annexes → Topics → Memory. → Clear the cache.

Problem 2: Wallpapers do not change on schedule

  • ⏰ Check time and date: incorrect settings can throw off schedules. Go to Settings → Additionally. → Date and time and activate Autodetermination.
  • 📶 Internet connection: online wallpapers require a stable connection. If you use mobile Internet, check if background traffic for the Topics app is disabled.
  • 🔋 Battery Optimization: Add Themes to the Optimization Exceptions.Path:Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Topics → No restrictions.

This is a common problem after major MIUI updates, to restore the settings:

  1. Open the themes → Wallpaper → Settings → Wallpaper Carousel.
  2. Turn it off and turn the function back on.
  3. If the sources of wallpaper are dropped, add them again.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 (HyperOS) after resetting, you may need to re-authorize in your Xiaomi account, as some online collections are tied to the account. Without authorization, the carousel will only use local wallpaper.

What if the carousel is not in the settings at all?
On some devices (especially custom firmware or stripped down versions of MIUI), the carousel function can be disabled at the system level. In this case, there are two options: 1. Install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) with support for automatic wallpaper change. 2. Use third-party applications like Wallpaper Changer or Muzei that emulate the carousel through widgets. Both methods require additional settings and can conflict with system wallpaper.

Alternative ways to automatically change the wallpaper

If you don't like the standard MIUI carousel (for example, because of a limited choice of wallpaper or bugs), you can use third-party solutions.

1.The Muzei Live Wallpaper app

Muzei is a popular open source app that automatically changes wallpaper by downloading it from a variety of sources (including Flickr, Reddit, Unsplash).

  • 🌄 Support for live wallpaper (with smooth transitions).
  • ⏱️ Flexible interval settings (from 1 hour to 1 day).
  • 🎨 Ability to add your sources through plugins.

To set up Muzei:

  1. Download the app from the Play Market.
  2. Open it and select the source of the wallpaper (e.g. Unsplash).
  3. Set the interval in Settings → Update frequency.
  4. Use the wallpaper through the system menu (Install as wallpaper).

2. Wallpaper Changer (Automate)

This app allows you to create automatic rules for changing wallpaper based on time, location or other conditions, and is suitable for advanced users, as it requires customization through the Automate interface.

3. Zedge (with premium features)

Zedge is known for its wallpaper and ringtones database, with a premium version that offers automatic wallpaper changes on schedule, with a minus for free advertising and a limited selection for the carousel.

Third-party applications can conflict with system wallpaper, so it is recommended to disable the standard MIUI carousel before using them.

💡

If you use third-party applications to change wallpaper, turn off battery optimization for them in the MIUI settings. Otherwise, the system may block their operation in the background, and the wallpaper will stop updating.

Can you set up a carousel only for the desktop, but not for the lock screen?
Yes, but not on all devices. In MIUI 14, this is done in the carousel settings: select Desktop Only. On older versions (e.g. MIUI 12), this option may not be available, in which case the carousel will work synchronously on both screens.
Why does the carousel show the same wallpaper in a circle?
This happens if the source you choose (folder or online collection) doesn’t have enough unique wallpaper.Solutions: Add more images to your local folder (at least 10-15 pieces). Select another online collection in the carousel settings. Clear the Topics app cache (see Problem Solving section).
Can I use Google Photos in a carousel?
There is no direct integration with Google Photos, but there is a workaround: Download the desired wallpaper from Google Photos to the local folder on the device. Add this folder as a source in the carousel settings (see "How to add your wallpaper"). Alternatively, use the Muzei app, which supports Google Photos through plugins.
The carousel works, but the wallpaper is not cut properly.
The problem of pruning is related to the discrepancy between the sides of the wallpaper and the screen. Solutions: Use wallpaper with a resolution that matches your display (for example, 2400×1080 for Full HD+). Cut wallpaper manually through the Gallery → Edit → Trimming. In the carousel settings, select the option to fit under the screen (if available).
Will the carousel work if you turn off the mobile Internet?
Depends on the source of the wallpaper: 📶 Online collections: won't be updated without the Internet. The last loaded set of wallpapers will be repeated cyclically. 📁 Local wallpaper: will change on schedule regardless of the connection. If you often remain without the Internet, it is recommended to download your favorite wallpaper from the online catalog to the local folder.