How to permanently remove wallpaper on Xiaomi: turn off automatic background change

Automatic wallpaper change on Xiaomi smartphones is a feature that is not popular with everyone. Many users of Redmi, POCO and the Mi line are faced with a situation where the system willfully changes the background of the desktop to standard images from the MIUI gallery or HyperOS. This behavior is especially annoying after firmware updates when the settings are reset to factory ones. In this article, we will analyze all the working ways to turn off carwallpapers, from basic settings to hidden developer parameters.

The problem is compounded by the fact that newer versions of the shell (starting with MIUI 12.5) have a deeper path to shutting down the feature, and HyperOS has integrated the wallpaper algorithm into the recommendation system, and we tested all the methods on current models from 2023-2026, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Importantly, some methods require ADB rights or root access, but most solutions are available without them.

Why does Xiaomi automatically change the wallpaper?

The wallpaper autoshift feature was introduced in MIUI 11 as part of a "smart personalization" that was originally designed to adjust the background to the time of day (morning/evening landscapes) or calendar events, but over time the logic of the work has become more complicated:

• 🔄 Algorithm MIUI Analyzes frequently used colors in applications and selects “harmonious” wallpapers from the standard collection.
• 📅 Seasonal updates: before the holidays (New Year, March 8) the system forcedly sets thematic backgrounds.
• 📱 HyperOS integration: in new firmware, wallpaper is tied to the Mi Account and synchronized between devices.
• 🔋 Energy Conservation: On Some Models (POCO M6 Pro, Redmi A2) dark wallpaper is installed automatically when the battery mode is turned on.

The most unpleasant thing is that the function is often activated after:

• 🔄 Updates to firmware (even minor)
• 📱 Resetting settings to factory
• 🔧 Connect to a new Mi Account

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) The standard shutdown through the settings may not work due to integration with the Mi Wallpaper Carousel service. ADB-commands or roll back the version of the application "Wallpaper".

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI/HyperOS settings

Let’s start with the simplest method that works on most devices without any additional manipulations, and the instructions are relevant for MIUI 12.5-14 and HyperOS 1.0:

1. Open the Wallpaper app (an icon with a mountain landscape).
2. Slip on the current desktop wallpaper (not lock!).
3. At the bottom of the screen, select the My Wallpaper tab.
4. Slide up to the wallpaper block and press the gear. ⚙️ top-right.
5. Turn off the slider Automatic change of wallpaper.

If this is not the case, try an alternative route:

1. Go to Settings → Personalization → Wallpaper.
2. Select Current Wallpaper → Settings (⚙️).
3. Deactivate the option Dynamic Wallpaper or Auto Update.

On HyperOS, the path may be different:

Settings → Screen → Wallpaper → Additional settings → Synchronization of wallpaper (disable)

⚠️ Note: Some of the firmware (Redmi) 10C, POCO M4 Pro) after shutdown, the function can be activated again after 1-2 days.This is due to the background process com.miui.miservice, which resets the settings.

Check the version. MIUI/HyperOS at the Settings → The phone.

Make a backup of the current wallpaper (save to the Gallery)

Disable sync with Mi Account (if not used)

Close all background applications before changing settings-->

Method 2: Remove the Wallpaper application (without root rights)

If a standard shutdown doesn't work, you can try deactivating the system application responsible for the automan, which works without rooting rights, but requires a PC connection and ADB use.

Note: Deleting the com.miui.miwallpaper application will result in:

• 🔘 The ability to install live wallpaper will disappear.
• 🔘 Standard wallpaper MIUI It will be unavailable (only user-generated services will remain)
• 🔘 Some desktop widgets may be missing

If you are satisfied with this, follow the instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack into any folder.
4. Open the command line (Win+R → cmd) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper

Once you've done the command, reboot your phone. The wallpaper app will disappear from the menu, and the automan will stop. To get it back, use:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.miwallpaper

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If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi USB Drivers or using Mi PC Suite. Windows 11 may need to disable driver signature verification.

Method 3: Disconnecting through developer settings (hidden method)

MIUI 13+ and HyperOS have a hidden setting that controls background personalization processes, which can be turned off via the developer menu:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as in Method 2).
2. Go to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
3. Find the option to Disable MIUI Optimization (or MIUI optimization in Russian) and deactivate it.
4. Go back to the basic settings and open the Apps → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Show all the processes.
5. Find the processes: com.miui.miservice (responsible for background synchronization) com.miui.personalassistant (algorithm for wallpaper selection)

Stop it.

Shut down.

After these actions, the system will stop analyzing your preferences and forcedly install wallpaper, but some smart personalization features (for example, adaptive screen lighting) may disappear.

Method 4: Block permissions via AppOps (advanced)

If previous methods failed, you can block the Wallpaper application from accessing key system functions, requiring ADB, but not removing the application itself.

Do it in the command line:

adb shell appops set com.miui.miwallpaper RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND ignore


adb shell appops set com.miui.personalassistant RUN_IN_BACKGROUND ignore




adb shell appops set com.miui.miservice AUTO_START ignore

These teams:

• 🚫 Prohibit the background work of applications
• 🔒 Block auto-start when the phone is turned on
• 🛡️ Prevents changes in system settings

To get it back, replace ignore with allow in commands.

Method 5: Manual System File Replacement (for experienced)

This method is suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and root rights, and involves replacing standard MIUI wallpaper with an empty file, which causes the system to “break” when trying to change cars.

You will need to:

• 📱 Root access (Magisk or SuperSU)
• 🖥️ File Manager with root support (e.g. Solid Explorer)
• 📁 Empty. PNG-file size 1×1 pixel)

Instructions:

1. Download empty. PNG-File (you can create it in Paint or download it here).
2. Open Solid Explorer, provide root access and follow the path:

/system/priv-app/MiuiWallpaper/res/drawable-nodpi/

1. Find files with names default_wallpaper.jpg, lockscreen_wallpaper.jpg similar.
2. Back up the original files (copy to another folder).
3. Replace them with your empty one. PNG-file (pre-renamed it under original names).
4. Set the license 644 (r-w-r-----).
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect replacement of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).Before manipulation, make sure you have a backup of the firmware and access to the Fastboot for recovery. On HyperOS devices, this method may not work due to system file integrity checks.

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If you are not sure about your root skills, you should use methods 1-3. Replacing system files is an extreme measure that can disrupt the shell.

Additional tips: how to prevent the re-enactment of car wallpaper

Even after a successful shutdown, the function can be activated again to avoid this:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play for “Wallpaper” and “Themes".
• 📵 Freeze system applications with Titanium Backup or App Master (root required):
• 🔒 Block Internet access for these applications through Settings → Annexes → Data limitation.
• 📥 Remove the cache and data of the Wallpaper app after turning off the auto shift.

For HyperOS devices, it is also recommended to:

1. Disable synchronization with Mi Account in account settings.
2. B Settings → Accounts and synchronization deactivate the option Synchronization of wallpaper.
3. Install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) that ignores system wallpaper.

If you are using POCO Launcher, check its settings – some versions have a separate autowall switch in Launcher Settings → Personalization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper on Xiaomi