Why the wallpaper carousel on the lock screen annoys users
Automatically changing background images on the lock screen is one of the tricks of MIUI firmware that not everyone likes, for some it is a way to diversify the appearance of a smartphone, for others it is a source of constant irritation. The main complaints of users Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO boil down to three key points:
First, unpredictability: the system loads wallpaper from the Xiaomi cloud service without the possibility of preview. As a result, images with low resolution, poor color scheme or completely out of line with your preferences can appear on the screen. Second, battery load and traffic: background loading of new wallpaper consumes battery power and mobile Internet (especially noticeable on budget models like Redmi 9A or POCO M3). Finally, the lack of flexibility of settings: in the standard parameters of MIUI there is no obvious switch to completely turn off the function.
The root of the problem lies in the integration of Xiaomi Cloud Wallpapers, which is the default activation on most devices with MIUI 12 firmware and later. Even if you manually install a static image, the system can return the carousel after another update or reboot. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to disable the function, from official to hidden methods through ADB and editing system files.
Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings
Starting with the simplest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 13/14 and Android 12/13 firmware. It is important to note that the path to settings may vary slightly depending on the model and version of the software, but the general logic remains:
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
- Go to Lock Screen (or Lock and Password on some devices).
- Select Wallpaper Lock screen (can be called Background lock screen).
- At the top of the screen, find the wallpaper carousel switch (or Automatic Change) and deactivate it.
- Confirm the action by clicking Ready or Save.
If the switch is not on this menu, try an alternative path:
- π Go to Settings. β Wallpaper.
- πΌοΈ Select the section of the Lock screen.
- βοΈ Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Wallpaper Settings.
- π Look for the option Automatic change or Dynamic wallpaper.
β οΈ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) After the carousel is turned off, the system can reset the background to a standard black screen. To avoid this, pre-set your own image through the Wallpaper menu.
Make a backup copy of the current wallpaper|Check the version. MIUI In Settings β The phone.|Connect to Wi-Fi for stable operation|Battery charge of at least 30%-->
Method 2: Remove Xiaomi Cloud Wallpapers
If the standard shutdown didnβt work or the feature continues to activate after the reboot, the reason could be the Xiaomi Cloud Wallpapers background service.This component is responsible for loading and rotating the wallpaper, and deactivating it often solves the problem. Hereβs how to do it:
- Go to Settings β Applications β Application Management.
- In the search bar, enter Cloud Wallpapers (or Xiaomi Wallpaper on Russian firmware).
- Select the app from the list and click Disable (or Remove Updates if the Disable button is inactive).
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
On some devices (such as the POCO F4 GT or Xiaomi 11T Pro), the service may be hidden from direct access.
- π± Use a file manager with root rights (such as Root Explorer) and delete the file /system/priv-app/MiuiWallpaperCloud/MiuiWallpaperCloud.apk.
- π§ Alternative: Disable the service through ADB Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice.wallpaper
β οΈ Attention: Removing system applications can lead to unstable firmware. Before manipulation, back up through Settings β Additionally. β Backup and reset.
Standard settings|Deletion of Cloud Wallpapers|ADB-team|I've tried nothing.-->
Method 3: Using ADB to Deep Shut Down
For advanced users who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), there is a reliable method to disable the carousel at the system level, which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader or USB debugging enabled.
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings β About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Return to Settings β Additional β For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB-tools, and follow the command: adb devices to make sure the device is detected.
- Run the command to disable the carousel service: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.micloudsync If the command doesn't work, try an alternative: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice
After completing the commands, restart the device. The wallpaper carousel should disappear, and in the settings you will be able to set a static image without automatically changing.
| ADB Team Team | Appointment | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| pm uninstall -k --user 0 [package] | Remove the application for the current user | MIUI 12-14, requires ADB |
| pm disable-user --user 0 [package] | Disable the application without deleting | All versions of Android, reversible |
| pm clear [package] | Clears the application data | Helps with carousel failures |
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If, after the execution, ADB-Teams carousel is back, check for updates for Xiaomi Cloud service in Settings β Annexes β Application management β Updates: Turn off automatic updates for this component.
Method 4: Editing system files (for root users)
If you have root access or use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), you can turn off the carousel by editing configuration files, a method that requires caution, as improper changes can lead to a bootloop.
Instructions for experienced users:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Cross the path: /data/system/users/0/ and find the file. wallpaper_info.xml.
- Open the file in the text editor and find the lines containing: <item type="lockscreen" isDynamic="true" /> Replace isDynamic="true" with isDynamic="false".
- Save the changes, set the rights 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the device.
Alternative path (for MIUI 14):
- π Open the file. /data/data/com.android.settings/shared_prefs/com.android.settings_preferences.xml.
- π Find the key. lock_screen_wallpaper_dynamic_enabled and set it to falsehood.
- π Reboot your smartphone.
β οΈ Attention: Editing system files without backup is fraught with data loss or firmware damage. TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.
What if the smartphone does not turn on after editing files?
Method 5: Installation of an alternative launcher
If all previous methods have failed or you donβt want to interfere with system files, consider installing a third-party launcher.Some alternative shells (such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Hyperion Launcher) allow you to fully control the wallpaper of the lock screen, including disabling dynamic shift.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install a launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
- Launch the launcher and set it as the default launcher in the application settings.
- Go to the launcher settings (usually a long press on the home screen β Settings).
- Find the Lock Screen or Wallpaper section and turn off the Dynamic Wallpaper option (the name may vary).
- Set the static image manually.
Advantages of this method:
- π‘οΈ No risk of damaging system files.
- π¨ More opportunities for customization (animations, gestures, themes).
- π It's easy to bring back the standard launcher MIUI anytime.
Disadvantages:
- β οΈ Certain functions MIUI (Super Wallpapers may not be available.
- π± It is possible to increase battery consumption on weak devices (for example, Redmi). 8A).
π‘
Alternative launchers are the safest way to disable the carousel without interfering with the system, but they do not block background activity of Xiaomi Cloud Wallpapers, so to completely solve the problem, it is recommended to combine this method with disabling the service through ADB.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after the carousel is successfully shut down, Xiaomi users face typical problems, including the most common cases and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Carousel returns after MIUI update | Resetting settings service Xiaomi Cloud | Re-disable the service via ADB or remove its updates |
| You can't set up your own image. | Firmware limitations on some models (e.g. POCO X3 NFC) | Use third-party apps like Wallpaper Changer |
| Black screen instead of wallpaper | SystemUI malfunction after file manipulation | Clear SystemUI cache through Settings β Apps β Show everything β SystemUI β Storage β Clear cache |
| Battery consumption increased. | Background activity of a disabled but not remote service | Use Greenify to force hibernation of the process |
If none of the methods worked, consider resetting to factory settings.
- π± Backup your data via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
- π Remember the Xiaomi account data (the link to the device will remain).
- π‘ Check that you have access to Wi-Fi for recovery after a reset.
For discharge:
- Go to Settings β About the phone β Reset settings.
- Select Reset all settings (does not delete media files) or Delete all data (complete cleanup).
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.