How to quickly remove the picture on the lock screen Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, offer users a wide range of personalization options. However, one of the most annoying features for many owners is the Wallpaper Carousel, which automatically changes images on a locked screen, often working incorrectly, downloading ads or simply preventing you from enjoying a selected static background.

The problem is that the standard gallery settings are not always obvious, and the system is actively trying to get the user back to dynamic content. You can remove the image or prevent it from changing automatically in several ways, depending on the firmware version and region, and in this guide we will discuss all the available methods, from simple switches to deeper system settings.

You don't have to be a technical person to do this, but you have to go through the settings menu that we'll describe below, and we'll also talk about why ads can come back and how to prevent them from happening in the future.

Disabling the wallpaper carousel through settings

The easiest and safest way to disable picture changes is to use the built-in settings. This method is suitable for (most) users and does not require the installation of third-party software. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of Android, but the logic of actions remains the same.

To start, unlock the device and go to the main menu. Find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear. In the list that opens, you need to scroll down to the section that controls the appearance. In different versions of the firmware, it can be called Wallpaper, Themes or Lock Screen.

⚠️ Warning: If you don't see the wallpaper carousel right away, try switching the region in your phone settings. Sometimes the feature is hidden for certain countries, such as Russia or Ukraine, and only appears when you select the "India" or "USA" region».

Once you log into the lock screen control, you'll see a switch that activates the slideshow function, and deactivating this switch will instantly return a static image, and the system may ask for confirmation of action, or suggest you select a new photo from the gallery instead of the deleted cache.

It is important to understand that simply turning off the function does not always clear the cache of images already uploaded. If you want to free up memory completely, it is recommended that after disabling the function, you clear the data of the Wallpaper Carousel application through the application management menu.

Removal of advertising images and third-party widgets

Often, users want to remove a picture not because it's dynamic, but because it has intrusive ads or app logos, which is a feature of a company's advertising model that monetizes free devices, and fortunately, most of these elements can be turned off.

Push notifications and pictures often come through Glance or built-in MIUI services. To get rid of them, you need to find the password and security section in the settings, then Data and notifications (or Data Access), and you need to find the Wallpaper Carousel app and turn off mobile Internet and Wi-Fi.

• 🚫 Network Disconnection: Without the Internet, the application will not be able to download new banner ads and pictures.
• 📉 Traffic reduction: This will also save your mobile traffic and battery life as background sync will stop.
• 🔒 Privacy: You will limit the collection of data about which images you view more often.

Another source of garbage on the lock screen is widgets. MIUI 14+ The lock screen may display weather, pedometer or news widgets. To clear the screen, press and hold your finger on the locked screen (if editing is allowed) or go to Settings. → Lock screen. You can delete the extra widgets, leaving only the time and date.

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If the ad appears even after the Carousel is turned off, check the installed apps. Often, third-party programs like Memory Cleanup or Lightning flashlights embed their banners on the lock screen.

Setting up static wallpaper instead of slideshow

Once you've decided to remove the dynamic image, the question is, what do you put in return? The standard Xiaomi gallery allows you to set any photo in high resolution. It's important to choose images with the right aspect ratio so that they don't get cropped off by system elements like watches or notifications.

To set a static background, go to Settings → Wallpaper. Here you can choose an image from a preset collection or download yours from a gallery. It is recommended to use a photo at a resolution of at least 1080x2400 pixels for modern smartphones to make the picture look clear.

There's a nuance with a dark theme, and if you use a dark theme, the system can automatically darken the wallpaper on the lock screen to save energy on the screen. AMOLED-If the picture is too dim, check the theme settings or turn off the Adaptive Dimming feature in the Screen section.

When selecting a picture from the gallery, the system will suggest applying it to the lock screen, the main screen or both, and be careful when choosing to avoid knocking down the desktop settings if you need to change the background only for the locked state.

Using third-party applications to block

If standard MIUI tools don’t seem flexible enough or you want to completely replace the system lock screen, you can use third-party solutions from Google Play. Apps like Hi Locker or KLCK allow you to create unique designs, completely ignoring system limitations.

Installing a third-party lockscreen requires advanced access rights, the application will need permission to display over other windows and access to device administrators, which is necessary so that the third-party lock screen can intercept control before unlocking the phone.

However, it is worth considering that such applications can consume more resources. Battery optimization in Xiaomi is quite aggressive and can kill the process of third-party lockscreen, which when you turn on the screen you will see a standard screensaver, not custom. To avoid this, you need to set the application energy saving strategy “No restrictions”.

⚠️ Note: Using untested screen locking applications can carry security risks, such programs have access to your notifications and phone usage times.

In addition, some system features, such as fingerprint or face unlocking, may not work correctly or slower when using third-party shells, because the system biometric module must first start the locker application, and only then check the fingerprint.

Solving problems with resetting screen settings

There are times when a user tries to remove the picture, but the settings are not saved. After rebooting the phone or updating the system, the Wallpaper Carousel turns on again, a common problem associated with synchronizing the Mi Account account or regional settings.

The first thing you need to do is check if the theme is synced. Go to the Themes app, click on the profile icon and select Settings. Find the Wallpaper Carousel and make sure the Turn on switch is inactive, and there may be an "Update Automatically" check box that you need to uninstall.

If the problem persists, try clearing the theme system app cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Themes → Memory → Clean. Don’t worry, it won’t delete your personal themes, but it will reset the store settings and carousels to factory ones.

Another reason could be malware or an ad module embedded in the system. If you notice that the images change on their own and contain aggressive casino or betting advertising, it is recommended to scan the device with an antivirus, such as Dr.Web or Xiaomi's built-in security scanner.

Specifics of settings in HyperOS and new versions of MIUI

With the release of HyperOS (based on Android 14), Xiaomi has changed the logic of the interface, now the lock screen has become deeper, but also more confusing, and has the ability to customize the style of fonts, the position of the clock and even add widgets directly to the screensaver.

In HyperOS, you often need to go to the lock screen editing menu to turn off the carousel, and you need to press your finger on the locked screen (if the editing function is not disabled in the security settings) and select the Lock screen settings option at the bottom, and there is the wallpaper carousel switch.

• 🎨 Styles: In new versions, you can choose between a classic look and a new style with a large watch.
• 📸 Portraits: The system offers to automatically create depth effects for a photo from the face, which can distort the picture.
• 🔔 Notifications: It is possible to hide the content of notifications on a locked screen to increase privacy.

Users note that HyperOS has made ads less intrusive, but the smart lock functionality requires getting used to. If you want to return the classic look, the lock screen settings often have a “Classic Style” option that removes all new widgets and leaves only time and date.

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The main feature of HyperOS is the deep integration of the lock screen with the smart home ecosystem, and by disabling the carousel, you will not lose the ability to control devices if they are added to quick access widgets.

It is also important to note that in some regions (such as China’s firmware version) features may differ from Global.If you have re-flashed the phone or bought it without global certification, the paths to settings may be changed or translated into English/Chinese.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)