Why Xiaomi is Automatically Changing Wallpaper and How to Stop It
Are you tired of your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO unwittingly changing wallpapers on your lock screen or desktop? This feature, built into the MIUI shell, can be annoying — especially when you have carefully selected the picture, and the system replaces it with a standard theme in a day or two, the reasons for this behavior lie in several mechanisms:
First, the default theme settings can activate the "Wallpaper Automan" option, which cycles through images from the MIUI collection. Second, some system applications (such as Mi Wallpaper or GetApps) automatically update the background as part of "personalization." Third, after updating the firmware settings can be reset, returning default settings.
The good news is that you can disable this feature in a number of ways, from simple menu settings to deep changes to system files (for advanced users). MIUI 14 and new models of 2026 (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+, POCO F6).
Method 1: Disabling the auto changer in the theme settings
The most obvious and safe method is to deactivate the option in the standard theme menu, which is suitable for 90% of users and does not require superuser rights (root).
- Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
- Go to Wallpaper → Lock screen or desktop (depending on where the change occurs).
- Slip on the current wallpaper, then select Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
- Find the wallpaper automan switch and turn it off.
- Save the changes by clicking Apply.
If you don't have the "Automan" option on the menu, your version of MIUI uses a different mechanism, and then try an alternative way:
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → Display. → Wallpaper.
- 📱 Select Current Wallpaper → Additionally.
- 🔄 Look for the option Schedule Change or Dynamic Wallpaper.
Themes app is open | Wallpaper section checked |Switch switch switch switch switch switch switched off |Save changes-->
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for the European region) the option of auto-shift can be hidden. In this case, use Method 3 with disabling the system application.
Method 2: Removing standard MIUI wallpaper
If the system continues to replace your wallpaper with default wallpapers, the problem may lie in cached theme files. MIUI stores spare wallpaper options that are loaded when the settings fail or reset. To avoid this:
- Install a file manager with access to system folders (such as MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).
- Go to /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/theme/.data/ or (for older versions of MIUI): /data/system/theme/
- Delete folders with wallpaper names, lockscreen_wallpaper or default_wallpaper.
- Reset the device.
After that, the system will not be able to "roll back" to the standard wallpaper.
| Action. | Risk | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Delete folders in /data/system/ | Could cause them to fail. | Create a backup of the folder before deleting |
| Changes to root | Restricted access | Use ADB (see Method 4) |
| Removal of wallpaper from /MIUI/theme/ | Resetting themes after updating | Repeat the procedure after each update |
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If after removing the folders, the wallpaper is completely gone, install any wallpaper manually through the Themes application - the system will create new configuration files.
Method 3: Disabling the system application "Wallpaper"
On some devices, the automanager is handled by the system app com.miui.miwallpaper (or com.android.wallpaper) and can be disabled without being removed, preventing automatic replacement.
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer.
USB debugging
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaperReset the device.
After deactivation of the application:
- ✅ The wallpapering will stop.
- ⚠️ You will no longer be able to change wallpapers through the standard menu (use third-party apps, such as WallpapersCraft).
- 🔄 To get it back, run the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.miwallpaper
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) disabling miwallpaper may cause errors when locking the screen. In this case, use Method 5 with editing the configuration file.
Method 4: Using Magisk and the Disable Miui Wallpaper
For users with an unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed, there is a more radical solution, a special module that completely blocks the wallpaper change mechanisms, which is suitable for MIUI 12-14 and works even after system updates.
Instructions:
- Install Magisk Manager (if not already installed).
- Download the module. Disable_Miui_Wallpaper_Auto_Change.zip (Check compatibility with your version MIUI!).
- In Magisk, go to Modules → Install from storage.
- Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
- Reset the device.
The module not only disables the auto-swainer, but also prevents wallpaper reset after MIUI updates – this is the only method that is guaranteed to work on firmware with enhanced protection (for example, MIUI China).
| Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|
| Works after updates | Requires Magisk and unlocked bootloader |
| Blocks all system shifting mechanisms | It may conflict with other modules. |
| Compatible with HyperOS (new firmware Xiaomi) | You need to keep an eye on module updates. |
Method 5: Editing a Configuration File (for Advanced)
If none of the previous methods worked, the last resort is to manually edit the system file that controls the wallpaper settings, which requires root rights and caution, as incorrect changes can lead to failures.
Step-by-step:
- Install Root Explorer or any file manager with root support.
- Cross the path: /data/data/com.android.settings/shared_prefs/
- Find the file. com.android.settings_preferences.xml Open it in the text editor.
- Add or change the following lines: <boolean name="wallpaper_auto_change_enabled" value="false" /> <boolean name="lockscreen_wallpaper_auto_change_enabled" value="false" />
- Save the file, set the rights 644 (rw-r--r---).
- Reset the device.
If the file does not exist, you can create it manually with the specified content, and check for similar files in the folders:
- /data/data/com.miui.home/shared_prefs/
- /data/data/com.miui.miwallpaper/shared_prefs/
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Editing system files can cause MIUI to run unstable. Always back up before making changes!
Additional tips: how to prevent wallpaper dumping
Even after the switching off of the auto, the wallpaper can be dropped in the following cases:
- 🔄 After updating MIUI (The system returns default settings).
- 📱 When cleaning the cache of the application "Themes".
- 🔧 After resetting the settings to the factory.
- 🛠️ When installing a new theme from the store MIUI.
To minimize the risks:
- Turn off automatic themes update: Go to Themes → Settings → Update Themes. Turn off Auto Update.
- Back up your wallpaper: Copy your wallpaper to /Pictures/Wallpapers/. Use applications like Wallpaper Backup & Restore.
Block the Internet for "Them."
- In Settings → Applications → Application Management → Topics.
- Turn off your mobile data and Wi-Fi.