How to permanently remove the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi Redmi 9: a detailed guide

The wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most controversial features of MIUI, which automatically changes the background of the desktop by uploading images from cloud collections. For some users, it is a convenient way to diversify the appearance of a smartphone, for others – an annoying element that eats up traffic and battery power. If you fall into the second category, this article will help completely disable the carousel in all available ways, from standard settings to technical solutions for experienced users.

It's important to understand that the methods vary in complexity and consequences, for example, disabling through MIUI settings is reversible and safe, whereas interfering with system files can lead to failures. We will analyze each option with its pros and cons, and give recommendations on the best solution for your case, especially focusing on the hidden settings of MIUI 12/13, which the manufacturer does not advertise, but which allow you to deactivate the carousel without root rights.

The dynamic wallpaper (or "carousel") feature has been built into MIUI since version 11 and is actively promoted by Xiaomi as part of the ecosystem. On Redmi 9 (models M2003J15SC, M2004J19C, etc.), it is activated by default and works as follows:

  • 🔄 Automatically downloads wallpaper from Xiaomi cloud collections (themes "Global", "Nature", "Abstraction", etc.).
  • 📱 Changes the background of the desktop every few hours or when unlocking the screen.
  • 📶 Consumes mobile traffic (up to 50-100 MB per month) and processor resources.
  • 🔋 Increases battery consumption by 3–7% due to background activity.

You can turn off the carousel, but the degree of "forever" depends on the chosen method:

MethodReversibilityRoot rights requiredRisk of failure
Through MIUI settingsYes.No.No.
Disabling theme updatesYes.No.No.
ADB-teamYeah (after reset)No.Low.
Removal of system APKsNo (firmware required)Yes.High-pitched
Third-party launchersYes.No.No.

The manufacturer does not provide a direct option to "Stop the carousel forever" in the interface, but workarounds do exist. For example, in MIUI 12.5 and later, you can block background activity of the service com.miui.gallery responsible for loading the wallpaper. However, after updating the firmware settings may reset, this is important to consider when choosing a method.

📊 How often do you get in the way of a wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi?
All the time - annoying
Sometimes, you can tolerate.
I used to, but I used to.
Didn't notice the problem.
I don't have it.

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in options. MIUI. It is suitable for users who do not want to risk the stability of the system.Instructions are relevant for Redmi 9 on firmware MIUI 12–14:

  1. Open the “Themes” app (icon with a brush on your desktop).
  2. Go to Wallpaper section. → Wallpaper carousel.
  3. Press the gear. ⚙️ in the upper right corner and select the carousel settings.
  4. Turn off the slider Automatic change of wallpaper.
  5. Go back and manually select a static background from the My Wallpaper section.

This method does not remove the carousel completely, but only suspends it. After restarting or updating the MIUI, the function can be activated again. To minimize the risk, follow additional steps:

  • 📵 Disable mobile data for the "Themes" application: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Mobile data.
  • 🚫 Disallow AutoRun: In the same "Themes" app settings, select AutoRun → Shut down.
  • 🔒 Limit background activity: Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management → Topics → Limit background activity.

Make a backup copy of the wallpaper|Check the version. MIUI|Turn off mobile internet|Prohibit Auto-Run Application "Themes"-->

If the carousel continues to appear after these manipulations, your version of MIUI uses an alternative wallpaper-changing mechanism, in which case move on to the next method.

💡

To return standard Xiaomi wallpaper after turning off the carousel, download the archive with original MIUI themes from the forum xiaomi.eu and install them manually through the Themes app.

Method 2: Block theme updates through system settings

The wallpaper carousel is closely linked to the MIUI theme update service, which operates in the background. disabled automatic shift, the system can periodically load new collections, which leads to the return of the feature.

  1. Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate the Developer Mode.
  2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
  3. Activate the USB Debugging option (required for the following methods).
  4. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  5. Find themes and select Warehouse → Clear cache.
  6. In the same menu, click Data Management → Clear all data (this will remove the uploaded wallpaper, but will not affect the user’s).

Next, block background activity:

  • 🛡️ In the "Themes" application settings, select Battery → Battery management → Limit background activity.
  • 📥 Turn off automatic theme updates: Settings → Topics → Settings → Auto-update themes.
  • 🌐 Stop using mobile data: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Annexes → Topics → Banned.
What if the carousel returned after cleaning the data?
If after cleaning the cache and data, the wallpaper carousel appeared again, then the system restored the settings from the MIUI Cloud backup. To avoid this: 1. Turn off synchronizing themes in the Xiaomi account: Settings → Xiaomi Account → MIUI Cloud → Synchronization → Topics. 2. Delete Xiaomi account (temporarily) and restart the phone. 3. Repeat the steps to clean the data of the “Themes” application.

This method is 80-90% effective, but does not guarantee 100% results, since MIUI can ignore user restrictions when critical updates are made.

If standard settings don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to disable system components without obtaining root permissions, which is suitable for users with basic technical skills.

Warning: Incorrect ADB commands may disrupt the system.

⚠️ Attention: After completion ADB-Teams will have their wallpaper carousel gone, but standard themes may also stop updating. MIUI. To get it back, you need to run the command adb shell pm enable com.miui.gallery.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
  2. On the phone, activate debugging via USB (see Method 2).
  3. Connect Redmi 9 to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
  4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
  5. Enter the following commands: adb devices (should display your device's serial number) adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.gallery adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.themes
  6. Reboot the phone.

After the reboot:

  • 🔧 The Themes app will remain in the system, but its background processes will be stopped.
  • 🖼️ The wallpaper carousel will disappear, but you can manually set static backgrounds.
  • 🔄 To get it back, replace the disable-user commands with enable.

If ADB issues adb: error: failed to get feature set, try:

  1. Update ADB to the latest version.
  2. Reconnect the phone by selecting Only Charge mode, and then again File Transfer.
  3. Execute the adb kill-server command and try again.

💡

ADB-commands don't delete system files, they just block them from running for the current user, which is safer than getting root rights, but requires re-execution after resetting settings.

Method 4: Remove system APKs (root users only)

This method is the most radical and only suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and obtained root rights (for example, through Magisk), it allows you to completely remove the MIUI components responsible for the carousel, but risks disrupting the stability of the system.

Warning: Removal of system APKs may result in:

  • 🔄 Cyclical phone reboot.
  • 📱 Loss of functionality of the application "Themes".
  • 🔧 Inability to install updates MIUI"airborne".

If you are prepared for risk, follow the instructions:

  1. Install Root Explorer or Mixplorer (with root access enabled).
  2. Go to /system/priv-app/.
  3. Find and delete the following files (or rename it by adding the.bak extension): MiuiGallery (responsible for loading wallpapers). ThemeManager (theme management). WallpaperCropper (wallpaper trimming).

Clear the cache and data of the "Themes" application (see Method 2).

Reboot the phone.

The alternative is to freeze apps using Titanium Backup or App Quarantine, which is less risky than deleting them, as it makes it easy to get them back.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 13+ Deleting ThemeManager causes system launcher to crash.Before experimenting, check compatibility on forums 4PDA or Xiaomi.eu.

If the phone stopped booting after removing the APK, use Recovery mode:

  1. Press Power + Volume up when turned on.
  2. Choose Wipe. → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache.
  3. Reset the device.

How to install and configure:

  1. Download the launcher from Google Play.
  2. When you first start, select it as the default launcher.
  3. In the launcher settings, turn off the option Desktop Animation or Dynamic Wallpaper.
  4. Set a static background through the launcher menu (usually Long Press → Wallpaper).

Advantages of the method:

  • ✅ No need for root rights or technical knowledge.
  • ✅ Keeps all functions. MIUI (camera, settings, etc.).
  • ✅ Allows you to customize the interface for yourself.

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Carousel will continue to work in the background, consuming resources.
  • ❌ Some widgets MIUI (For example, weather may not be displayed.

💡

To save battery when using a third-party launcher, turn off background activity of the standard MIUI launcher through application settings (com.miui.home).

One of the most common frustrations of Redmi 9 users is that the wallpaper carousel returns after a firmware update, which is because MIUI resets the custom settings of the system applications to prevent the problem:

  1. Reverse Automatic Updates: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system. Press three dots. ⋮ and turn off the download.
  2. Use the packet blocker: Install the App Quarantine or Package Disabler. Add to the blacklist com.miui.gallery and com.android.themes.

Create a backup of your settings

  • With Titanium Backup, save the state of your system applications.
  • After the update, restore the settings from the backup.

Will the carousel work if I install custom firmware?
No, custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) doesn’t include MIUI wallpaper carousel function. However, you’ll lose Xiaomi branded chips (like Read Mode or Second Space) before installing, check the firmware compatibility with Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot).
Can I turn off the carousel only on the lock screen, leaving it on the desktop?
Unfortunately, MIUI doesn't offer this option, the carousel works synchronously for both screens, and the alternative is to install a third-party launcher for the desktop and leave a standard lock, but that won't solve the problem completely: the wallpaper will still change when unlocked.
Is it true that the wallpaper carousel is watching the user?
There is no evidence that Xiaomi uses the carousel to collect personal data. However, the Themes app has access to the Internet and can transmit anonymous statistics (such as which wallpaper you like) to improve the service. If this raises concerns: Turn off permissions for the Themes app in Settings → Apps → Permissions. Use a VPN or firewall (such as NetGuard) to block its network activity.