How to permanently remove the wallpaper carousel in Xiaomi: from simple settings to ADB

The wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most controversial features of the MIUI shell. On the one hand, it offers beautiful dynamic background images that automatically update. On the other, many users find it intrusive, slowing down the system and uselessly consuming traffic. If you are tired of constantly changing wallpaper on the lock screen or desktop, this article will help to completely disable the carousel - from standard methods to hidden settings and commands for experienced users.

It's important to understand that different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) may have different paths to settings, and some methods don't work on all models. We tested the instructions on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Lite and POCO X5 Pro — the article gives the current data for June 2026. If your smartphone runs on an older firmware, some methods may not be available.

Before we get to the instructions, let’s understand why users want to get rid of this feature:

  • 🔋 Increased battery consumption: The carousel loads new wallpaper in the background, which leads to excess energy consumption (up to the previous one). 5-7% Charges per day on weak models).
  • 📶 Traffic and background activity, even with mobile internet turned off MIUI It can be used to download wallpaper via Wi-Fi, spending up to 50-100 MB per month.
  • 🐢 Slowing down the interface on budget smartphones (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) wallpaper-changing animation can cause lags when unlocked.

In addition, many users simply prefer static wallpaper – whether personal photos or minimalist pictures. Automatic background changes disrupt the usual visual rhythm, and some images from the carousel (for example, advertising or thematic) can be annoying.

📊 You use a wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi?
Yeah, I like the variety.
No, I turned it off.
Sometimes I turn it on to change pictures.
I don't know what that is.

The easiest method is to use the built-in shell options, which is suitable for most MIUI 12-14 models and does not require root rights or technical knowledge.

  1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
  2. Go to Wallpaper → Lock screen or desktop (depending on where you want to remove the carousel).
  3. At the top of the screen, find the wallpaper carousel switch and turn it off.
  4. Select a static image from the gallery or standard MIUI wallpaper.

If there is no switch, try an alternative path:

  1. Hold your finger on an empty space on your desk. → Wallpaper.
  2. At the bottom of the screen, tap on the wallpaper settings (cogs).
  3. Turn off the option Automatic wallpaper change or Dynamic wallpaper.

Reboot your smartphone | Check the lock screen after unlocking | Make sure the wallpaper doesn't change when you change the time of day | Open "Themes" and make sure the switch is off-->

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13.5 for Xiaomi 12T) After the carousel is turned off, the wallpaper can be dropped on the standard wallpaper.

Sometimes the switch in the settings doesn't work because of a bug in the Themes app, and then you can reset all the themes to the factory settings, and this method won't delete your data, but it will return the standard wallpaper and fonts.

How to reset themes:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find the Themes app and tap on it.
  3. Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.
  4. Reboot your smartphone.

After the reboot:

  • 📱 Open Themes and manually install static wallpaper.
  • 🔄 Check if the wallpaper carousel section has disappeared in the settings.
  • 🔒 If the carousel reappears after a few days, go to method 3 or 4.

💡

If you have lost your purchased or downloaded wallpaper after resetting themes, don’t worry, they are saved in the MIUI/theme/.data folder, and you can manually transfer them back after you reset them.

Method 3: Disconnect via hidden settings (for MIUI 14)

In recent versions of MIUI 14 (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), developers have hidden some options. To access them, you need to use code for the engineering menu or special gestures.

Instructions for MIUI 14:

  1. Open the Phone app and type in the combination: ##6484## This will open the MTK Engineer Mode menu (not working on all models).
  2. Go to the Display section → Wallpaper Settings.
  3. Find Wallpaper Carousel and set the value of Disabled.
  4. Save the settings and restart the device.

If the code doesn’t work, try an alternative method:

  • 🔧 Keep the Settings icon on your desktop → Choose Version Information.
  • 👆 Tap 7 times on the line version MIUI, Until the message comes out, you become a developer!.
  • 🔄 Return to the main settings, open additionally → For developers.
  • 🔍 Find the option to turn off dynamic wallpaper and activate it.
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
On some models (e.g. POCO F5), code ##6484## is blocked. In this case, try: 1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play. 2. Find activity com.android.themes → WallpaperCarouselSettings. 3. Open it and manually disable the carousel.

Method 4: Using ADB to completely disable (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a low-level system management tool that requires a computer and basic command line knowledge, but is guaranteed to disable the carousel at the system level.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
  2. On your smartphone, activate USB Debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times) → For developers → Debugging by USB.
  3. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
  4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and execute: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.themes This command disables the Themes application responsible for the carousel.

⚠️ Note: Disabling the com.android.themes application may result in:

  • 🎨 Disappearance of the ability to change wallpaper through the standard menu.
  • 🔄 I'll drop the current wallpaper on a black background.
  • 📱 Incorrect operation of weather widgets on the lock screen.

To get it all back, follow the command:

adb shell pm enable com.android.themes

Xiaomi modelDoes it work? ADB-methodSide effects
Redmi Note 10 ProYes.Wallpaper is dropped, weather widgets are not working
Xiaomi 12TYes.Disappears the "Subjects" section in the settings
POCO X4 ProPartially.The carousel is off, but remains in the settings
Xiaomi 13 LiteYes.No side effects.

This is an extreme method for users with an unlocked bootloader and a custom TWRP recavator installed.It allows you to physically delete the files responsible for the carousel, but requires a backup and can lead to unstable system operation.

Instructions:

  1. Download TWRP for your model and install it.
  2. Load into the Recovery (usually Nutrition + Volume up).
  3. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
  4. Delete the following folders: /system/priv-app/ThemeManager//data/data/com.android.themes/
  5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files may result in:

  • 🚨 Bootloop (locked on) in case of error.
  • 🔧 Loss of functionality of themes and wallpapers.
  • 📱 Need for reflashing of the device.

💡

Use this method only if you are an experienced user and are prepared for the possible consequences. For most tasks, there are only 1-3 ways.

After major updates (e.g., from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), the settings may be reset.

  • 📥 Before updating, make a backup of the current wallpaper (they are stored in the /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Wallpapers).
  • 🔧 After the update, immediately turn off the carousel through the theme settings.
  • 🔄 If the carousel is back, use it. ADB for re-disconnection (method 4).
  • 📵 In the future, block the update of the app “Themes” in Google Play.

If you use Xiaomi.eu or custom firmware (e.g. PixelExperience), wallpaper carousels may not be original, but some builds (e.g. MIUI by XIAOMI.RU) retain this feature – in this case, use the same methods as for official firmware.

Can I turn off the carousel only on the lock screen, leaving it on the desktop?
Yes, in theme settings (Wallpaper → Lock screen) you can turn off the carousel separately to lock without affecting the desktop. However, on some models (Redmi 9C, POCO M4 Pro), these settings are related - turning off on one screen automatically removes the carousel on the second.
Why are the carousels reset to standard after the carousel is turned off?
This is due to a glitch in the Theme app. To return your wallpaper: Open the Gallery and select the image you want. Slip on three dots → Set as → Lock/Desktop screen wallpaper. If wallpaper doesn't fit, clear the Topic app cache (see Method 2).
Is there a way to turn off the carousel without root and ADB?
Yes, most users have enough ways to 1-2 (standard settings or reset themes). If they did not work, try: Install a third-party wallpaper app (for example, Wallpaper Changer), which will override system settings. Use Nova Launcher - it allows you to fix wallpaper regardless of MIUI.
The wallpaper carousel eats up traffic. How do you check that?
To find out how much data the carousel is using: Open Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic usage. Find the Topics app on the list. Check the statistics from the last month. If the traffic is over 50MB, the carousel is actively downloading wallpaper. To limit background traffic: In the same traffic settings, tap on Topics. Activate Limit background data.
My Xiaomi doesn't have the option to turn off the carousel. What do I do?
If there is no switch in the settings, try it: 🔍 Update the firmware to the latest version (sometimes the option appears after the update). 📱 Install MIUI.eu – in this build, the carousel is often disabled by default. 🛠️ Use it. ADB (method (4) or TWRP (5) for forced shutdown. If nothing helps, write in the comments model of your smartphone and version MIUI — We'll help you find a solution!