How to remove changing screensavers on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 smartphones with MIUI firmware often automatically change the screensavers on the lock screen and desktop - this is part of the proprietary feature of the Theme. For some users, this is convenient, for others it is annoying: wallpaper can be reset after updates, reboots or even when changing the time of day. In this article, we will discuss all ways to disable automatic screensaver change, including hidden settings and workarounds for different versions of MIUI.

Compounding the problem, newer versions of Xiaomi’s firmware have removed direct switches for this feature, but there are ways to go from editing system files (without root) to using third-party applications. We tested each method on Redmi Note 9 with MIUI 12-14 and only selected working solutions. Importantly, some ways require caution – wrong actions can lead to themes failure.

Why do the screensavers change automatically?

The function of dynamic wallpaper in MIUI is tied to three mechanisms:

• 🔄 Themes service: automatically loads wallpaper from the Xiaomi cloud when you connect to Wi-Fi, even if you manually set a static image.
• ⏰ Adaptive topics: some topics MIUI Change the wallpaper depending on the time of day (morning / evening) or weather.
• 📱 System Updates: After Updates are Installed MIUI Resets wallpaper settings to default values.

On the Redmi Note. 9 The problem is more common after updating MIUI 13/14, And Xiaomi is aggressively promoting cloud themes, and even if you turn off sync in your Mi Account settings, the themes service can ignore that and download wallpaper in the background. MIUI/Wallpaper with unfamiliar images – your smartphone uses dynamic screensavers accurately.

Method 1: Disconnect via theme settings (official method)

The safest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It works on all firmware versions, but in MIUI 14, the path to customization has changed:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Wallpaper section → Lock screen or desktop.
3. Select any static wallpaper from My Wallpaper section (not from cloud categories!).
4. Click Apply and hold your finger on the screen for 2 seconds and the option to Disable Automatic Shift (in MIUI 12–13) or Disable Dynamic Wallpaper (in MIUI 14) will appear.

⚠️ Note: If the option does not appear, then your current topic is MIUI It doesn't support manual shutdown. In this case, go to Topics. → My themes and choose the basic theme by default or classic – they are guaranteed not to change the wallpaper automatically.

Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi

Close all applications in the background

Check the space in memory (need ≥500 MB)

Make a backup copy of the wallpaper (copy from the folder) MIUI/Wallpaper)-->

Method 2: Blocking through Mi Account settings

Dynamic wallpaper is downloaded through the Xiaomi cloud, linked to the Mi Account. If you turn off the synchronization of the themes, the system will stop downloading new screensavers.

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Go to Data Synchronization.
3. Find the Topic item and turn off the slider.
4. Go back to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
5. Find the Themes app, open its settings and Clear the cache.

After this, the existing wallpaper will remain, but new ones will not be downloaded. However, the next major MIUI update may reset the settings - check them after the updates.

Method 3: Editing system files (without root)

If previous methods didn't work, you can manually delete dynamic wallpaper files, which doesn't require superuser rights, but requires an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) that's suitable for power users.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper This will remove the cloud wallpaper app for the current user.
3. Delete the folder with the wallpaper cache: adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/MIUI/Wallpaper/*

⚠️ Warning: After that, some features will stop working (e.g. wallpaper preview:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.miwallpaper

Method 4: Using third-party launchers

If you need to turn off wallpaper change only on your desktop (not on the lock screen), the easiest way to install an alternative launcher is to install the Redmi Note 9's best options:

• 📱 Nova Launcher: allows you to fix wallpaper and turn off their automatic change. → Fixed wallpaper.
• 🎨 Lawnchair: lightweight open source launcher. Supports manual wallpaper management without interference MIUI.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher: Optimized for Xiaomi, Blocks Cloud Themes at the Interface Level.

After the launcher is installed:

1. Assign it as the default launcher in the application settings.
2. Set the wallpaper through the launcher menu (not through the standard MIUI settings!).
3. Turn off updating widgets in the launcher settings (this will prevent wallpaper reset).

💡

If the wallpaper changes after installing the launcher, clear the Themes application data in the MIUI settings. This will reset all cloud settings.

Method 5: Reset theme settings (last resort)

If none of these works, you just have to reset the themes to the factory, and that will remove all the wallpaper you've downloaded and bring back the standard ones.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the themes and open its settings.
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.
4. Reboot the phone.

After discharge:

• 🔧 Install wallpaper manually through the gallery (not through the Topic app).
• 🚫 Turn off automatic theme updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙) → Auto-update themes.
• 📴 Delete the folder. MIUI/Wallpaper through any file manager (e.g., Mi File Explorer).

⚠️ Warning: Reset will remove all uploaded themes and wallpapers, including purchased ones. If you used premium themes, you will have to download them again (free if they were purchased through your Mi Account).

💡

Resetting themes is the most radical method, but it's guaranteed to remove all traces of dynamic wallpaper. Use it if other methods have not worked.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Redmi Note 9 users often face typical problems when disabling screensavers:

1. Wallpaper is reset after rebooting: this is due to the service com.miui.miwallpaper, which restores cloud settings. Solution - disable it via ADB (Method 3) or remove updates for the application of Themes in Settings → Apps.
2. You can't use gallery wallpaper: MIUI blocks manual wallpaper installation if the cloud theme is active. First, select the basic theme (Method 1), then set the wallpaper.
3. After the MIUI update, the wallpaper changes again: this is a feature of the firmware. After each update, check the theme settings and repeat Method 1 or 2 if necessary.

If you use third-party wallpapers (like Google Wallpapers), install them through Google Wallpaper app, not through standard MIUI settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions