How to remove the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi from the lock screen MIUI 11

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often encounter an intrusive feature that automatically changes images on the lock screen, a phenomenon known as wallpaper carousel, and it can annoy users accustomed to a static background. In MIUI 11, this option is built in quite deep, but it is quite possible to turn off it without obtaining superuser rights.

The main problem is that the system periodically suggests enabling this feature when you initially set up the device, and many users agree without reading the text. Later it turns out that advertising images or just random photos begin to appear at the most inopportune moment. To regain control of your gadget, you need to perform a series of sequential actions in the settings menu.

In this guide, we will discuss all available ways to deactivate this service, we will look at standard methods through the security menu, and also touch on more complex cases when a function is blocked by system processes.

What is a wallpaper carousel and why it is needed

The feature, popularly known as the carousel, is officially called Glance or Lock Screen Magazine, depending on the region of the firmware, and its main purpose is to provide users with fresh visual content every time they pick up the phone, which developers position as a way to personalize, but in practice it often turns into a source of distractions.

Technically, it’s a service that downloads packets of images from the cloud and caches them in the device’s memory, and the traffic consumption can be significant if no restrictions are placed on downloading over the mobile network, and the constant change of graphics requires additional CPU resources when the screen is activated.

⚠️ Attention: Some users mistakenly believe that the wallpaper carousel is a virus, but it is actually a legitimate system component. MIUI, which is simply aggressively promoted by the company.

Understanding the nature of this service helps you choose the right method to turn it off. While global firmware versions are just changing pictures, Chinese builds may contain news widgets and advertising integrations, so completely disabling the service is often a priority for ensuring the cleanliness of the interface.

Disconnection through security settings

The most reliable and standard way to remove intrusive images is to use the built-in Security app, which is through this system tool Xiaomi manages most of the services related to locking and cleaning memory, and is available on any device with a MIUI 11 shell.

First, you have to open an application that usually has a green icon with a shield, and then you have to find the screen control section in the interface, and the path may vary slightly depending on the build version, but the logic remains the same, and you have to look for the wallpaper carousel or Lock Screen Magazine.

Once you log in to the menu, you'll see a switch that activates or deactivates the service. Turning off the toggle stops new images from loading. However, the system may try to keep one of the current images as a permanent background unless you manually select a static image later.

Importantly, in some cases, once the function is turned off, it may be necessary to restart the device to apply the changes, and if the downtime doesn't work and the carousel returns, then the process is blocked by system permissions, which we will discuss in the next sections.

Control through lock screen settings

If the security application has restricted access or the interface is changed, the alternative route is through the general system settings, which is more versatile and works even when the service label is hidden. → Lock screen.

And here's the key wallpaper carousel parameter, and if you click on it, you're going to be in the content management submenu, and this is where you can not only turn it off, but you can also adjust the behavior of the feature if you decide to keep it partially active, for example, you can stop downloading on a mobile network.

• 📱 Find the wallpaper carousel item in the top screen settings list.
• 🔄 Switch the slider Include the wallpaper carousel in the "Off" position".
• 🗑️ If necessary, remove downloaded image packets through the memory management button.

This menu often hides the option to Show on the lock screen, and even if the service is formally enabled, turning off the display on the lock screen actually neutralizes its effect, which is a useful life hack for those who want to leave the functionality for widgets, but do not want to see changing pictures.

Problem with administrator rights and special opportunities

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the slider to turn off the wallpaper carousel is inactive or immediately returns to the "On" position. This happens because the Lock Screen Magazine service has received extended access rights, most often these are device administrator rights or access to special features.

To fix this, you need to go to advanced security settings. The path usually looks like Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Special features. Here you should find the application associated with the carousel (it can be called Lock Screen Magazine or miui.screenlock), and deny access to it.

Also, check the list of applications with administrator rights. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Special Access Rights → Device administrators. If you see a suspicious service associated with the lock screen, uncheck it. Resetting often allows you to unlock settings.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful when disabling system services with administrator rights. Make sure you don't block critical functions like device search or corporate email.

Clearing and resetting the service

If standard methods fail and the wallpaper carousel keeps popping up, the way to do that is to force the application data to be cleaned, and this action will return the component to a post-installation state by resetting all user settings and cache.

To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. In the list, find the Wallpaper Carousel (or Lock Screen Magazine). Go inside and select Clear and then Clear all data. Don't confuse it with just cleaning the cache, it won't help in this case.

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After cleaning the wallpaper carousel service data, immediately turn off the Internet on your phone and go to the settings to turn off the function switch. This will prevent the configuration from rebooting from the server.

After this procedure, you should immediately turn off the activation switch, as described in the previous sections. If you do not, the service can be activated again on the first connection to the network.

In the rare cases where the app is not listed or hidden, you can search by settings. Type the word "Carousel" or "Wallpaper" in the search bar at the top of the settings menu, and the system will indicate the path to the desired item, which saves time on wandering through the menu.

Alternative methods and third-party launchers

For advanced users who don’t want to put up with the limitations of MIUI 11, there are more radical methods, one of which is installing a third-party launcher that completely replaces the standard interface. However, it’s worth remembering that launchers only change the desktop, and the lock screen often remains system.

A more effective method is to use lock-screen customization apps that take control, such as Hi Locker or KLCK, which can completely replace Xiaomi’s standard lock screen, in which case the system merry-go-round will simply stop showing as it will be replaced by a new interface.

• 🛠️ Install a custom launcher from Google Play.
• ⚙️ Set it up as the default app for the home screen.
• 🔒 Install a separate app for the lock screen if the standard one is not satisfied.

There is also a method of disconnecting from your computer via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) from your computer: pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.mishka.lockscreen allows you to completely freeze the system package responsible for the carousel, which requires a connection to your PC and drivers, but gives you a 100% guarantee of the result.

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Use of the ADB-Commands are the most reliable way to remove system components MIUI, But it requires a computer and basic technical skills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)