How to make a wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi without advertising: the complete guide

Automatic wallpaper change on the lock screen and desktop is one of the most popular features among Xiaomi smartphone owners. However, standard solutions in MIUI are often overloaded with advertising, and third-party applications from Google Play require additional permissions and can slow down the system. In this guide, we will discuss 4 working ways to set up a wallpaper carousel without advertising, from hidden firmware functions to secure workarounds with minimal interference.

The only thing about this approach is that we will not use questionable ones. APK-files or rooting โ€“ all methods tested on current versions MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS and run on Redmi Note models 12 Xiaomi 14 You will learn how to get around manufacturer restrictions, where native tools for changing wallpaper are hidden, and how to avoid the typical errors that cause the function to stop working after a few days.

The built-in wallpaper change feature in MIUI is integrated with Xiaomi Cloud services and partner platforms (e.g. Zedge or WallpapersCraft).

  • ๐Ÿ“ข Advertising banners are inserted directly into the wallpaper selection interface โ€“ they can not be disabled through the settings.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Image selection algorithms often offer โ€œrecommended contentโ€ from sponsors rather than your personal photos.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š Your preferences (color schemes, frequency of change) may be shared with third parties for targeted advertising.

Moreover, in the latest versions of MIUI 15 (based on HyperOS), the wallpaper carousel function has been partially curtailed for European and global firmware, with users complaining that the option is lost after the update or is not stable, due to Xiaomiโ€™s tightening policy on personal data in the EU.

โš ๏ธ Note: If you use Chinese firmware (e.g., Xiaomi) 13T Pro with China region, standard carousel can work without advertising, but requires binding to a Chinese account Mi Account. SIM-map.

Method 1: Hidden Dynamic Wallpaper Function in MIUI

Few people know, but MIUI has a built-in tool for automatic wallpaper change called Dynamic Wallpapers, hidden in the depths of settings and not advertised by the manufacturer, but it works without advertising.

  1. Open the Settings โ†’ Wallpaper.
  2. Put it on the icon. โ‹ฎ (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Dynamic Wallpaper.
  3. In the list of themes, select My Wallpapers and add a folder with images (for example, DCIM/Camera or a specially created Wallpapers folder in internal memory).
  4. Set the shift interval: from 1 hour to 1 day.

This method works on all devices with MIUI 12+, but there are nuances:

  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Images are automatically cropped to screen resolution, which can distort the proportions.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ The function consumes additional 5-10% Charge per day due to background activity.
  • ๐Ÿ“ The wallpaper folder must contain at least 10 images, otherwise the carousel will not start.

Create a Wallpapers folder at the root of internal memory |

Add at least 10 images in JPG/PNG| format

Make sure that files are not password protected |

Check that the images are at least 1080p| resolution

-->

If Dynamic Wallpaper is not on the menu, then your firmware has been modified (e.g. custom xiaomi.eu).

The Gallery app in MIUI has a hidden feature of creating "wallpaper albums"; unlike the standard carousel, this method does not display ads and allows you to flexibly customize the sources of images.

  1. Open the Gallery and go to the Albums section.
  2. Click Create an album and call it Wallpapers Auto.
  3. Add at least 15 images to the album (you can use photos, downloaded wallpaper or pictures from the Internet).
  4. Return to the main screen, make a long tap on the desktop and select Wallpaper.
  5. In the My Wallpaper section, find the created album and activate the Automan option.

Advantages of this method:

  • ๐ŸŽจ Supported live wallpaper (if added to the album).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ You can configure different albums for the lock screen and desktop.
  • ๐Ÿ“‚ Images are not duplicated in the device memory.

โš ๏ธ Note: If after setting up the carousel stopped working through 2-3 Check the settings of the day. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ gallery โ†’ Permits. Make sure Warehouse and AutoRun permits are enabled.

Every day.|

Once a week |

Once a month |

Only when you're bored with the current |

-->

Method 3: Bypassing restrictions through ADB (without root)

For users ready for a deeper setup, thereโ€™s a way to activate hidden options MIUI through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method does not require root rights, but requires a computer and a computer. USB-The advantage is that you have complete control of the carousel without advertising or restrictions.

Steps:

  1. Turn on the Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings โ†’ About Phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version.
  2. Return to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools and execute the command:
adb shell settings put global dynamic_wallpaper_enabled 1


adb shell settings put global dynamic_wallpaper_interval 3600000

Where 3.6 million is the shift interval in milliseconds (here is 1 hour).

  • Reset the device.
  • Go to Settings โ†’ Wallpaper โ†’ Dynamic wallpaper โ€“ now there will be an option to select a local folder.

This method works on the Xiaomi 11/12/13/14 series and the Redmi Note 10/11/12. On older devices (e.g. Redmi 9), an additional command may be required:

adb shell pm grant com.miui.gallery android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
What if the ADB canโ€™t see the device?
If after connecting the adb device command returns an empty list: 1. Check that the developer settings include Debugging by USB (2. Install the original Xiaomi drivers from mi.com.3. Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original). 4. On Windows, run Device Manager and manually update the driver for the connected Xiaomi (select the ADB Interface).

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use third-party launchers that support automatic wallpaper change without advertising.

LauncherSupport for the carouselRequirementsPlusesCons
Nova Launcherโœ… Yes (via Nova Wallpaper Plugin)Android 8.0+, 50 MB of memoryFlexible settings, gesture support, no advertisingPay plugin ($0.99), a difficult setup for beginners
Lawnchair 2โœ… Yes (built-in function)Android 9.0+, open sourceFree, lightweight, Android 13/14 supportNo official support for Xiaomi, possible bugs with gestures
Microsoft Launcherโœ… Yes (Wallpaper section")Android 7.0+, Microsoft accountIntegration with OneDrive, Bingโ€™s Daily WallpaperTelemetry collection, limited customization

To set up the carousel in Nova Launcher:

  1. Install the launcher and plugin Nova Wallpaper Plugin.
  2. In the launcher settings, select Wallpaper โ†’ Automan.
  3. Specify the folder with images and the interval (from 30 minutes to 1 week).
  4. Activate the option Apply to the lock screen (Android 10+ is required).

โš ๏ธ Note: When using third-party launchers, disable battery optimization for them in Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Permits โ†’ Battery optimization, otherwise the carousel will not work regularly.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the wallpaper changes with a delay after installing the launcher, add it to the list of optimization exceptions in the battery settings. Also check that Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Launcher โ†’ Notifications are included all permissions.

Even after successful setup, users face common errors, and here's how to fix them:

  • ๐Ÿ›‘ The carousel stopped working after the update MIUI: Reset the wallpaper settings in Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Wallpaper. โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the data and reconfigure it.
  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Images cropped or stretched: Use wallpaper with a resolution appropriate to your screen (e.g, 2400ร—1080 For the Redmi Note 12 Pro+). For automatic matching of proportions, use the Wallpaper Engine app (there is a free version).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Fast battery discharge: Limit the shift interval to 1 time in 6 hours and turn off animation in wallpaper settings.
  • ๐Ÿ“ต Function resets after rebooting: It's a bug MIUI 15. Solution - set the fix through ADB: adb shell cmd overlay enable-exclusive com.android.systemui --user 0

If none of the methods worked, check:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Firmware region: On Chinese firmware (CN ROM) The carousel can be blocked without being tied to the Mi Account.
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Device Policies: On corporate phones (with Android Enterprise), the function can be disabled by the administrator.

๐Ÿ’ก

On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14), the standard wallpaper carousel works more stable if you turn off Adaptive Wallpaper in the theme settings, an option that conflicts with manual interval settings.

Comparison of methods: which to choose

To determine the best way, we will evaluate each of them according to the key criteria:

MethodDifficultyStabilityAdvertisingSupport for MIUI 15Energy consumption
Dynamic Wallpaper (MIUI)โญโญโญโญโŒ No.โœ… Yes.โญโญ (mean)
Albums at the GalleryโญโญโญโญโญโŒ No.โœ… Yes.โญ (low-key)
ADB-teamโญโญโญโญโญโญโญโŒ No.โœ… Yes (except HyperOS)โญ (low-key)
Side of the launchersโญโญโญโญโญโŒ No (in paid versions)โœ… Yes.โญโญโญ (high-end)

For most users, the best solution is a combination of albums in the Gallery (for stability) and ADB-Third-party launchers should only be considered if you need deep customization of the interface.

Can I make a wallpaper carousel on the lock screen and desktop at the same time?
Yes, but with reservations: In MIUI 14/15, this only works if you use the same source (for example, the same folder in the Gallery). On HyperOS, you can set different albums for the lock screen and desktop, but the change interval will be common. In third-party launchers (for example, Nova), the settings are divided - you can configure separate rules for each screen. If the function does not work, check if the wallpaper Synction option is enabled in Settings โ†’ Lock screen.
Why does the carousel work unstable (missing wallpaper or freezes)?
Causes and Solutions: Battery Optimization: Add Gallery or Wallpaper app to exceptions in Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Battery optimization. Memory shortage: If the device has less than 1 GB of free space, MIUI It suspends the background. Clear the cache to Settings. โ†’ Warehouse. Topics conflict: Turn off the subject in Settings โ†’ Theme โ†’ My subject. โ†’ Firmware error: On some devices (e.g., standard, POCO X5 Pro) helps to reset wallpaper settings through ADB: adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery
How to add wallpaper from the Internet without advertising to the carousel?
Use these services to download wallpaper: ๐ŸŒ„ Unsplash Wallpapers โ€“ Free High-Resolution Photos (up to resolution) 5K). ๐ŸŽจ Wallhaven โ€“ filtering by resolution and tags (choose format) PNG transparently). ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Reddit r/wallpapers โ€” community with unique wallpaper (use search by phrase) AMOLED To avoid ads: Download wallpapers through an ad blocker browser (like Brave or Firefox with uBlock Origin). Use bootloader apps (like Image bootloader) that bypass pop-ups. Check the license before downloading โ€“ some sites (such as Zedge) add watermarks to the โ€œfreeโ€ wallpaper.
Can I set up a wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi without an internet connection?
Yes, all of the methods described (except for downloading wallpaper from the Internet) work offline, the main condition is that the images must be uploaded to the device memory in advance: ๐Ÿ“ Create a Wallpapers folder at the root of internal memory and transfer wallpaper there via Explorer or Total Commander. ๐Ÿ”„ If you use ADB-The change interval will be observed even without the network. โš ๏ธ In Lawnchair 2 The first time you start, you'll need the Internet to activate, but then the carousel is autonomous. To save space, compress the wallpaper to your screen resolution (for example, to save space, 2400ร—1080 Xiaomi 12T) Using Photo & Picture Resizer.
Will the carousel work after resetting the phone to factory settings?
No, all carousel settings are reset. To quickly restore function: Back up the wallpaper folder (e.g., copy it to your PC or the cloud). ADB-For third-party launchers (e.g. Nova), just re-specify the path to the folder in the settings. On HyperOS devices, after reset, you may need to re-activate Developer Mode.