Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often encounter the intrusive Wallpaper Carousel (formerly known as Glance) feature, which automatically changes images on a locked screen. This system not only consumes traffic and battery, but often blocks access to the standard flashlight, which in new versions of MIUI and HyperOS is curtained with notifications. Return the usual functionality and clear the screen from advertising, but the process requires attention to the details of settings.
Compounding the problem, the flashlight icon can be reset and the settings can disappear from the menu or stop working when you double-press the volume button. In this guide, we will look at the algorithmic changes in the MIUI shell that led to the conflict between locking services and system utilities, and propose specific solutions.
You don’t need to be an Android development expert to fix this situation, but you need to follow the steps below, and we’ll look at both software methods for disabling through settings and deeper ways to address updates that may hide critical features.
Causes of the carousel and the disappearance of the flashlight
The main reason for the carousel is a pre-installed system component that is often disguised as part of the interface, which is actually a separate application or service running in the background. After the global updates to MIUI 12, 13, 14 or the transition to HyperOS, the system can force the service to activate, considering it an improvement in the user experience.
The disappearance of the flashlight is often due to the fact that the wallpaper carousel intercepts the control of the lock screen.The regular mechanism of calling utilities (such as a calculator, camera or flashlight) through swipes or buttons ceases to respond, as priority is given to advertising content. In addition, in some regions of the firmware, the flashlight icon may be hidden in the editing menu of the control panel.
⚠️ Note: When disabling system components through ADB or third-party launchers, there is a risk of disrupting the stability of the lock screen.
It's important to understand the difference between a dark topic and a carousel. If you just have a black screen, that's OK, but if you have pictures with logos or news, that's the service that's running Lock Screen Magazine, and that's what most often conflicts with fast access to smartphone features.
Disabling the wallpaper carousel through system settings
The safest and first method to try is the standard shutdown through the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the shell version, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the partition that controls the look of the lock screen.
Go to Settings, then select Always on screen and lock (or just Lock screen). Here you should find the Wallpaper Carousel option. If you have a Russian or global firmware version installed, the name may vary, but the icon is usually a stack of photos.
- 📱 Open “Settings” and go to the “Screen Lock” section».
- 🚫 Find the wallpaper carousel switch and turn it to the "Off" position».
- 🗑️ Confirm the action by clicking “Disable” in the pop-up window (the system will try to convince you to stay).
- 🔄 Check if the ads have disappeared and if there is access to the regular functions.
If a simple switch doesn't help or the function turns on again after the reboot, you need to check the settings of the Wallpaper application itself. Sometimes the carousel is integrated deeper. Go to the Topics app -> User profile (top right) -> Settings. There may be a separate switchboard that activates subscription to content.
Deep Cleanup: Removing System Applications
In cases where a standard shutdown is not possible (the switch is grey or not), a more radical approach is required. The wallpaper carousel is a full-fledged application that can be removed or frozen, requiring a computer and a minimum set of tools to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings -> About phone and quickly press 7 times on the item Version MIUI (or OS). Then, in the advanced settings, the Developer Menu will appear. USB».
☑️ Preparation for removal through ADB
Once you connect your smartphone to your PC, run a command to search for a carousel package, usually called com.miui.misystem or com.android.thememanager (depending on the region), and the removal command (for the current user) looks like this:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaperThis command doesn't remove the app completely from the system, but it makes it invisible and inactive to your user. It's a safe method that allows you to return functionality without the risk of "bricking" the device.
Restoration of the flashlight icon in the curtain
Once the carousel conflict is resolved, the next step is to bring back the flashlight. In modern Xiaomi shells, the management of fast toggles has become more flexible, but sometimes the icon simply hides. To access the control panel editing, you need to unlock the phone and swipe from top to bottom twice.
In the upper right corner of the notification bar, look for a pencil icon or an "Edit" button. When you click on it, you'll see a list of the buttons available and those that have already been added. If the flashlight is on the "Availables" list, just drag it to the active area.
| Action. | Location on the menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Editing the curtain | Swipe down -> Pencil | Opening of the button editor |
| Addition of flashlight | Drag from "Availables" | The appearance of the icon in the active zone |
| Resetting settings | Settings -> Advanced -> Reset | Return to the factory view of the panel |
If you have an icon but the flashlight isn't burning, check the permissions of the Flashlight app. In Settings -> Apps -> All apps, find the system flashlight and make sure it has permission to use the flash camera. Sometimes updates reset those access rights.
What to do if the flashlight flashes and goes out?
Set up hot keys for quick access
In addition to the icon in the curtain, Xiaomi offers convenient ways to activate the flashlight without unlocking the screen. This is especially true if you just removed the carousel and are accustomed to other methods.
Go to Settings -> Additional -> Buttons (the path may be different, look for "Lightlight"). Here you can activate the "Lunchlight with the screen off" function. This is usually a long press of the volume button.
- 🔦 Make sure the screen is off (sleep mode).
- 🔊 Press the volume reduction button on 2-3 seconds.
- ✅ The flashlight should light up instantly, even without unlocking.
This method works at the core level of the system and does not depend on the launcher or the theme of the design. If this feature does not work, check if you have a Chinese version of the firmware with a modified button logic, in which case installing the India or Singapore region in the phone settings can help.
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Use the Tools widget on your desktop. The Tools folder on the home screen often has a separate flashlight shortcut that can be placed on your desktop for instant access without logging in to the menu.
Solving problems with MIUI and HyperOS updates
With the release of the new HyperOS shell, many users have noticed changes in the logic of the interface, the system has become more aggressive in terms of monetization and services, so fighting the carousel may require regular monitoring. After each major update (for example, from MIUI 14 to HyperOS 1.0), the settings can be reset.
After each update, you should check the “Screen Lock” section first, and you should also pay attention to Xiaomi’s “Security” app, which has a “Clean” or “Accelerate” section inside it, where sometimes you hide recommendations to include beautiful wallpapers, which are actually the carousel.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install third-party apps from the Play Market called Flashlight or Lock Screen unless you trust the developer.They often contain ads and may conflict with Xiaomi's system settings, causing cyclical reboots.
If nothing helps and the flashlight is gone along with other system functions, the system files may be damaged, in which case resetting to factory settings will help, but before that, make sure to back up the data -> The phone -> Resetting settings -> Erase all data.
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The main cause of the problems is the conflict between the Glance service (carousel) and the system UI. Completely disabling or removing the carousel package through the ADB is the most reliable solution.