How to permanently remove changing wallpaper on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi 8: 5 proven ways

The lock screen of the Xiaomi Redmi 8 with dynamic wallpaper can be annoying — especially when the background automatically changes to uncomfortable pictures or banner ads. Many users are faced with the fact that the MIUI system itself loads new wallpapers, despite manual settings, the reasons for this behavior are rooted in the work of services com.miui.gallery and com.android.themes, which are responsible for personalizing the interface.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable changing wallpapers, from standard settings to hidden developer settings, how to block automatic background loading, return a static image, and even remove unnecessary themes through ADB. Importantly, some methods require superuser rights or a PC connection.

If you've tried changing wallpapers through Settings → Lock screen, but they've reset again, the problem goes deeper. Redmi 8 based on MIUI 11/12 has a feature: the system can ignore user settings if the "Theme" or "Wallpaper Recommendations" functions are activated. Next, you will find solutions for any firmware version.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI
• 🔄 System updates: sometimes wallpaper bugs are fixed in new builds
• 📁 The folder with wallpaper: by default they are stored in /sdcard/MIUI/Wallpaper/

1. Standard method: disabling through MIUI settings

Let’s start with the simplest method that works on most Xiaomi devices without root permissions. You only need 2-3 minutes and access to the basic settings of the phone.

Go to Settings → Lock screen. Here you will see three key items:

• 🖼️ Lock screen wallpaper - slip here
• 🔄 Automatic shift – turn off this switch
• 📱 Synchronization with desktop wallpaper - it is better to deactivate too

Once you turn off the automatics, select a static image from the gallery. Note that if unfamiliar images appear in the wallpaper list (for example, with the words "Recommended" or "Themes"), this means that the system continues to load them in the background.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 12.5+ Autoshift may not be available, which means that the wallpaper is controlled through the Topic app – it must be disabled separately (see Section 3).

Identify version MIUI|Disable mobile Internet (during settings)|Delete the cache of the "Themes" application |Check for system updates-->

2. Clearing the cache and data of the "Themes" application

The Themes app (com.android.themes) is responsible for downloading new wallpapers even if you didn't ask for them, often just resetting it to stop automatic background changes.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Find Themes (Icon with a Brush)
3. Tap the Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data
4. Return to the app menu and select Disable (if the button is active)

Once cleaned, restart your phone. If the wallpaper keeps changing, it's another system process to blame, and check if you have third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher) that may conflict with MIUI settings.

An additional step for advanced users: delete the folder with the uploaded wallpaper through the file manager:

Internal memory → MIUI → Wallpaper → Carousel


Delete all files with the.jpg/.png extension

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If you've cleaned the cache and you've dropped the wallpaper on a standard black background, don't worry, that's okay. Just pick out the new wallpaper manually through the gallery.

3. disable wallpaper recommendations in Mi Account settings

Many people don’t know that Xiaomi’s account (Mi Account) is actively involved in personalizing the interface. If you’re logged in, the system can load “recommended” wallpapers based on your preferences.

How to fix it:

• 🔒 Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account
• 📊 Go to Synchronization Settings
• 🖼️ Find Wallpaper and themes and turn off synchronization
• 🔄 In the same menu, turn off personal recommendations.

If you are not using Xiaomi cloud services, you can go further:

1. Sign out of Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out
2. Remove Mi Account application data in Settings → Apps
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Signing out of your Mi Account will disable access to cloud backups, device search, and some Mi Home features. Use this method only if you are prepared for the consequences.

4.Use ADB for deep service shutdown

If standard methods don’t work, it’s time to connect Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require root rights, but it is necessary. USB-debug.

Important: wrong. ADB-commands may disrupt the system. Follow the instructions accurately!

Steps:

1. Activate. USB-debugging: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times) Settings → Additionally. → For developers → USB-debugging
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux)
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell pm hide com.android.themes pm hide com.miui.gallery
4. Reset the device

These commands will hide (not delete!) the system applications that are responsible for the wallpaper. To bring it back, use:

adb shell pm unhide com.android.themes


adb shell pm unhide com.miui.gallery

5. Radical measures: removal of system APKs (root only)

This method is suitable for experienced users with unlocked bootloader and superuser rights. APK-files responsible for changing wallpaper.

Tools required:

• 📱 Root access (for example, via Magisk)
• 🛠️ Root-right file manager (Root Explorer, FX File Explorer)
• 🔧 Backup of the system (required!)

Instructions:

1. Open root manager and go to /system/priv-app/
2. Remove or rename (add.bak) the following folders: MiuiGallery ThemeManager WallpaperCropper
3. Go to /system/app/ and delete: MiuiWallpaper MiuiSystemUI
4. Clean the cache in Settings → Storage → Clean the cache
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system APK may lead to: 🔴 Loss of gallery functionality 🔴 Errors in updating MIUI 🔴 Problems with the theme of design Always have at hand custom recovery (TWRP) repair!

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Deleting system APKs is a last resort, and 90% of the time, it's safer methods (ADB or Mi Account disabling) that help.

6. Alternative solutions: third-party launchers and wallpaper

If the fight against system settings seems too difficult, you can go a workaround - use third-party tools to block wallpaper.

Proven options:

• 🎨 Nova Launcher + Nova Wallpaper Plugin module: Install launcher from Google Play In Nova settings, select Wallpaper → Fixed wallpaper Disable system wallpaper in Settings MIUI → Lock screen
• 🖼️ Google Wallpapers app: Download the official Google Wallpapers app Choose a static image and set it to lock MIUI Usually does not overwrite wallpaper installed through Google services
• 🔒 Wallpaper Changer (for automatic fixing): Configure the application to one image Disable all update sources in the app settings

The advantage of this approach is that there is no risk to the system. However, note that Xiaomi can re-write the wallpaper after major MIUI updates.

7.Prevention: How to prevent the return of dynamic wallpaper

Even after successfully disabling the changing wallpaper, they can return after a system update or reset.

List of preventive measures:

• 📵 Turn off automatic theme loading: Settings → Topics → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update themes
• 🚫 Block background processes: C Settings → Battery → Selection of applications limit background activity for Themes and Gallery
• 🔒 Use a firewall: Apps like NetGuard or AFWall+ (requires root) may block com.android.themes' access to the Internet
• 📦 Clean the cache regularly: Once a month, delete the Topic and Gallery data through Settings → Annexes

If you notice that the wallpaper has started to change again, check:

1. Have you had MIUI updates (sometimes resets occur after updates)
2. Have you activated any advertising services (like msa – you can turn them off via ADB)?
3. Are there new system applications installed (check in Settings → Apps → All applications)

FAQ: Frequent questions about the wallpaper on Redmi 8