How to permanently remove the wallpaper carousel from the lock screen Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

The wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi’s lock screen is one of the most controversial features of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS. On the one hand, it offers daily background changes, but on the other hand, it annoys users with intrusive animations, random pictures and unnecessary swipes, especially for owners of Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Xiaomi 13, where the carousel is activated by default and it is not always obvious how to turn it off.

In this article, we will discuss all possible methods for removing the carousel, from standard settings to hidden parameters and ADB commands. You will learn why after upgrading to MIUI 14 or HyperOS, the old methods stopped working, how to circumvent manufacturer restrictions and what to do if the carousel returns after a reboot, and we will analyze the risks of each method and give recommendations for different versions of the firmware.

Wallpaper Carousel is a MIUI feature that automatically downloads and installs new wallpapers from Xiaomi collections or third-party sources (such as Unsplash), integrated into the com.miui.gallery system application and closely linked to Mi Account services.

  • 🔄 Automatic update MIUI/HyperOS — After installing a new version of the firmware, the carousel can activate itself, even if you previously disabled it.
  • 📱 The first setting of the smartphone – when you first turn on Xiaomi offers to turn on “dynamic wallpaper”, which automatically starts the carousel.
  • 🌐 Sync with Mi Account – If you’re signed in to a Xiaomi account, wallpaper settings can sync between devices, returning the carousel.
  • 📦 Pre-installed themes – Some themes from the Mi Theme Store forcefully include the carousel as part of the design.

Can we take it away forever? Technically, but there's a nuance.

  • ✅ Nana MIUI The 12-13 carousel shuts down through standard settings, but can return after the update.
  • ⚠️ Nana MIUI 14 and Xiaomi HyperOS hid the direct switch, so workarounds are required.
  • 🔧 Nana POCO Launcher or custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) carousel may not be available initially.
  • 🛠️ Complete removal is possible only through ADB or root rights, but it is risky for beginners.

⚠️ WARNING: If you use a corporate smartphone with politicians MDM (Control of the devices, the administrator can block the wallpaper change, in which case none of the methods will work.

The easiest method is to use the built-in shell options, which is suitable for most devices on MIUI 12, 13 and partially for MIUI 14 (if Xiaomi has not hidden a point in your area).

  1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
  2. Go to the Wallpaper section → Lock screen.
  3. If the carousel is active, you'll see the wallpaper carousel or Dynamic Wallpaper.
  4. In the upper right corner, click on ⚙️ Settings (or Management).
  5. Turn off the Automatic Wallpaper Change or Carousel switch.
  6. Choose a static background from the gallery or upload yours.

If the Carousel item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

  1. Click the finger free space on the main screen → Wallpaper.
  2. Select the Lock screen → More. Three dots).
  3. Turn off the option Dynamic Wallpaper or Carousel.

On some firmware (e.g. HyperOS 1.0 for Xiaomi 14), this method may not work, so move on to the next method.

Check the version. MIUI/HyperOS In Settings → The phone.

Back up your current wallpaper (Settings → Themes → Save)

Turn off the themes sync in Mi Account (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sync)

Close all background applications (especially Gallery and Themes)

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Method 2: Use hidden settings through Activity Launcher

If the standard method didn’t work, you can try running a hidden wallpaper settings menu using a third-party Activity Launcher app, which works on MIUI 14 and HyperOS, where Xiaomi hid the direct settings.

Instructions:

  1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
  2. Open the app and find them in the Topic list (com.android.themes).
  3. Deploy the Activity list and find a item with a name that contains Wallpaper or Lockscreen (such as WallpaperPickerActivity).
  4. Start this activity. The hidden wallpaper menu will open.
  5. Select Lock Screen → Turn off the carousel (if option is available).

If you don’t have the right activity, try an alternative path:

  1. In Activity Launcher, find the Gallery app (com.miui.gallery).
  2. Start an activity called WallpaperSettingsActivity.
  3. In the menu that opens, turn off Auto Update wallpaper.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5) Launching hidden activities can cause the Themes app to crash.In this case, reboot your smartphone.

MIUI 12

MIUI 13

MIUI 14

HyperOS 1.0

The other one/I don't know/

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Method 3: Disconnection through ADB-teams (without root)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android, which does not require root rights, but requires connecting your smartphone to your computer.

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version (you will be notified "You became a developer").

USB debugging

  • Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
  • Turn on USB debugging and confirm the permission.
  • Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute commands: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.wallpapercarousel adb shell pm hide com.miui.wallpapercarousel These commands disable the system app of the carousel for the current user.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting system files may result in a bootloop ( looped boot) or the Topic app crash.Before doing the action, make a backup through TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

What if all the wallpaper is missing after the carousel is removed?
If after manipulating the system files, the wallpaper on the lock screen has disappeared, follow the following steps: 1. Set any wallpaper through the standard Topic → Wallpaper menu. 2. If the wallpaper does not apply, clear the Topic application data to Settings → Applications. 3. Reboot the device. 4. In extreme cases, reset the settings through Settings → Additional → Reset settings (without deleting data).

Method 5: Alternative launchers and workarounds

If none of the methods worked, you can go a workaround - use side launchers or settings that block the carousel indirectly.

Options:

  • 📱 Installation POCO Launcher: Launcher from POCO It doesn't have a built-in carousel. Download it from Google Play and install it as the default launcher. MIUI.
  • 🔒 Disable theme synchronization: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Sync and disable the Topic item, which will prevent automatic carousel recovery.
  • 🖼️ Using live wallpaper: Install live wallpapers (like Google Wallpapers) and apply them to the lock screen.This can disrupt the carousel settings.
  • 🛡️ Blocking through AppOps: Using AppOps (requires) ADB or root) deny the Themes app access to the Internet. This will stop the loading of new wallpapers.