How to remove the wallpaper tape on Xiaomi: the complete guide to disabling MIUI Wallpaper Carousel

The MIUI Wallpaper Carousel is a proprietary feature of Xiaomi’s firmware that automatically changes the desktop background every few hours. For some users, it’s a handy feature that adds variety, for others, an annoying element that eats up traffic and battery power. Unfortunately, in the latest versions of MIUI 13/14, developers have hidden or removed obvious switches to turn it off. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to remove the wallpaper tape on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO – from standard settings to advanced methods using ADB.

It's important to understand that some methods require developer rights or third-party application installation. We'll describe each option in detail, specifying the level of complexity and possible risks. If you're a beginner, start with the first two, they are the safest and require no technical skills. We have instructions for advanced users to deep-tube the system, including editing configuration files.

Before you start, check your firmware version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This is what makes some options available. Also note that after major system updates, the paths to settings may change – we update the article as new versions of MIUI are released.

1. disable wallpaper tape via standard MIUI settings

The easiest way to do this is that it works on most Xiaomi devices before MIUI 13. In newer versions of the firmware, this path can be hidden or modified, but it’s worth trying first.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the “Themes” app** (icon with brush).
• 🖼️ Go to the Wallpaper tab (or Wallpapers in the global version).
• ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Wallpaper Settings.
• 🔄 Find the option Automatic Wallpaper Change (or Wallpaper Carousel) and turn off the slider.
• 💾 Save the changes and restart the device.

If your MIUI version does not have wallpaper settings, try an alternative path:

1. Hold your finger on the free space on the desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select Wallpaper.
3. Scroll down to the Additional section - there may be a tape switch hidden.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 14) this method may not work. In this case, proceed to the next method.

2. Use of a third-party launcher (without root)

If the standard settings didn't work, the most reliable way to get rid of the wallpaper tape is to install an alternative launcher, an application that replaces the standard MIUI interface, allowing you to completely control the appearance of the desktop.

• 🔧 Does not require root rights or ADB.
• 🎨 Provides access to additional customization functions.
• 🔄 It is easy to return the standard launcher at any time.

Recommended launchers for Xiaomi:

How to install and configure:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. After installation, click Home and select a new launcher as your primary.
3. In the launcher settings (Long Press → Settings), disable all options associated with automatic wallpaper.
4. Set the static image manually through the launcher menu.

⚠️ Attention: Some functions MIUI (For example, Second Space or App Lock may not work properly with third-party launchers. Check compatibility on forums before installing, 4PDA).

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If after installing the launcher, the wallpaper still changes, clear the cache of the Themes application in the phone settings (Settings → Applications → Topics → Storage → Clear the cache).

3. Disconnect via ADB (no root, for power users)

For those who are not afraid of the command line. ADB (Android Debug Bridge allows you to disable system components, including Wallpaper Carousel, without obtaining root rights. MIUI.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Initiated Debugging Mode USB phone-on.
• 📦 Utility. ADB Tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Enable USB Debugging: Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and execute: adb devices (should display your device).
5. Enter the command to disable the wallpaper tape: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper This command does not remove the application completely, but only disables it for the current user, which is safe for the system.
6. Reboot the phone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI setting ADB You'll have to do it again, and it's also not recommended to use this method on a bootloader that's locked unless you're sure you're doing it.

4. editing system files (root only)

This method is only suitable for hard-wired devices with unlocked bootloader and obtained root rights, it allows you to completely remove the components of the wallpaper tape from the system, but requires caution: wrong actions can lead to a bootloop ( looped reboot).

Tools required:

• 📱 Root access (for example, via Magisk).
• 🛠️ File Manager with support for root (for example, Root Explorer or Root Explorer) FX File Explorer).
• 📝 Backup of the system (required!).

Instructions:

1. Create a backup copy through TWRP or OrangeFox.
2. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/priv-app/MiuiWallpaperCarousel
3. Remove or rename the folder (for example, in the MiuiWallpaperCarousel_bak).
4. Also check for files in /system/app/MiuiWallpaperCarousel and delete them if necessary.
5. Reset the device.

If after deleting there are problems with the system performance, restore files from a backup or reflash the device.

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Editing system files is the most radical method, but also the riskiest. Use it only if other methods have failed and you are confident in your actions.

5. Alternative methods (for individual models)

On some Xiaomi devices, the wallpaper tape is implemented differently, for example, on the POCO F3 or Redmi K40, it can be part of the proprietary launcher POCO Launcher.

For POCO-device:

• 📲 Install. POCO Google Play Launcher (Even if it’s already available).
• 🔄 In the launcher settings, disable the Dynamic Wallpapers option.
• 🎨 Select a static image manually.

For the global versions of MIUI (EU/Global ROM):

• 🌍 Switch the phone region to India in settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Region).
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes this opens up access to hidden wallpaper settings.
• 🔙 Return the region back after the tape is turned off.

For devices with MIUI 14 (Android 13+):

• 📦 Install the module. MIUI Wallpaper Carousel Disabler for Magisk (available at WEB) XDA Developers).
• 🔄 Restart your phone after activating the module.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after you turn off the wallpaper tape, you're going to have a lot of problems, and we're going to look at some of the most common ones.

Problem 1: Wallpaper is reset after reset.

• 🔹 Solution: Install wallpaper through a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) and turn off battery optimization for it.
• 🔹 If you use ADB, Repeat the command after the system update.

Problem 2: The wallpaper tape returns after the MIUI update.

• 🔹 Solution: Before updating, back up your current wallpaper (they are stored in the /sdcard/MIUI/Wallpaper/). After the update, restore them manually.
• 🔹 Turn off automatic theme updates in Settings → Topics → Settings → Auto-update.

Problem 3: Cannot connect to ADB.

• 🔹 Solution: Check that the developer settings include the Debugging option USB (Security settings) and selected Allow for your PC.
• 🔹 Install Google Drivers USB.

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If none of the methods worked, check to see if you have a third-party Themes app installed.Some modified versions of MIUI (e.g. xiaomi.eu) may conflict with system settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions