Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often find themselves on screens with a patchy feed of news, articles and ads, known as Wallpaper Carousel or Glance, pre-installed on many models, including the popular Redmi Note 9. While some users find interesting information there, most find it intrusive, traffic-consuming and battery-consuming.
Fortunately, MIUI has left the option to completely disable the service or replace it with a standard static image. The deactivation process does not require root rights or flashing the device, all settings are hidden in the standard menu. Below we will discuss in detail how to get rid of information noise and return the usual look to the screen blocker.
It is worth noting that in different versions of the MIUI firmware (Global, EEA, Russia) the names of points may differ slightly, but the logic of actions remains the same. We will consider the universal paths that will suit your Redmi Note 9 regardless of the regional version of the software.
What is a wallpaper carousel and why does it appear
The wallpaper carousel is a system application integrated into the MIUI shell that automatically uploads new background images every time you unlock your smartphone. However, in addition to changing the picture, the service streams news widgets, banner ads and article recommendations, and users often notice that this feature activates itself after a major system update or application installation from Xiaomi.
The main purpose of this mechanism is to monetize the device and keep the user’s attention within the brand ecosystem. Glance (as the service is often called in global versions) consumes Internet traffic in the background, which can be critical when using the mobile Internet. In addition, the constant download of media content creates an additional burden on the processor and RAM.
⚠️ Attention: Complete removal of the system application "Carousel wallpaper" through ADB possible, but not recommended for ordinary users, as this can lead to errors in the work of the theme or cyclic reboot of the interface.
In some cases, especially in Russian versions of firmware, Yandex may pre-installe a service instead of a standard carousel, and its operation is similar: news feed, weather and advertising integrations, and disabling such services is done in similar ways, which we will discuss later, and understanding the nature of this phenomenon helps you manage your device more efficiently.
Disconnection through lock screen settings
The easiest and safest way to remove news is to use the standard interface settings, which do not require third-party software installation and are completely reversible, and you need to access the lock screen design menu where the master switch is hidden.
To start, unlock your smartphone and find the Settings app on your desktop. In the settings list that opens, scroll down to the look section. Depending on the version of MIUI, this item may be called Always on Screen and Lock, or simply Lock Screen, and that's where the basic controls are concentrated.
☑️ Shutdown algorithm
Once you enter the menu, find the Wallpaper Carusol. When you click on it, you will open an additional window with a preview of the available images and settings. At the top of the screen or in the upper right corner (often as three dots or a gear), there is a service activation switch. Transfer it to the Off or Unplug position.
The system can suggest that you choose a static image to replace dynamic content, which is the right step to keep personalization without too much information. Once you confirm the action, go back to the home screen and press the lock button to check the result. If the news is gone, then the procedure is successful.
Management through the Topics app
If the standard path through the settings failed or the menu item was missing, the second option for solving the problem is in the Themes system application, which is the central hub for managing the visual style of the Redmi Note 9, including fonts, ringtones and, of course, the lock screen.
Run the Themes app on your device. At the bottom of the interface, look for the Profile tab (human icon). In the menu that opens, select Settings. Here we're interested in the section related to locking the screen or carousel. In some versions, it's called "Wallpaper Carousel."
- 📱 Open the Themes app on the desktop.
- ⚙️ Go to the user profile and select the settings.
- 🚫 Find the option “Wallpaper Carousel” and turn it off.
- ✅ Confirm the choice of a static background.
Within this menu, you can also manage subscriptions to specific content sources. If you don't want to completely disable the feature, but you want to remove only news, try finding category settings and unchecking the "News", "Sport" or "Technology" boxes. However, completely disabling the service through the switch is a more reliable method.
Remember, the Themes app requires an internet connection to synchronize settings. If you don't have a network at the moment, the changes may not apply immediately. Make sure the connection is stable before you make changes to the system's design settings.
Set up notifications and permissions
Even after the visual part of the carousel is turned off, some residual processes can continue to work in the background, consuming resources. To ensure complete silence, you need to check the permissions for the relevant system applications, which is an important step in optimizing the device.
Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. In the list, find the service responsible for blocking. It can be called Wallpaper Carousel, Glance, Lock screen, or have the Yandex logo if you have a version installed. When you log in to the application card, select the Notifications section and disable all alert categories.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-start | Off. | Prevents the start of the service when turning on the phone |
| Working in the background | Limited. | Reduces battery consumption and traffic |
| Access to data | Only Wi-Fi. | Saving mobile internet |
| Notifications | Forbidden. | Removes pop-up messages |
It is also useful to limit background activity. In the same app settings menu, find Activity Control or Battery and select No Limits mode (so that the system doesn't kill the process if you decide to return everything back) or, conversely, a tight restriction if your goal is maximum savings. For most users, a complete ban on autostart is optimal.
What to do if the app is not on the list?
Specificity of Russian firmware and Yandex
Redmi Note 9 users bought from official retailers in Russia often face aggressive integration of Yandex services. In such firmware, the standard Xiaomi carousel can be replaced by Yandex’s “Tape”.
Unlike the global versions, where one switch is enough, in the Russian build, you may need to turn off several components. Go to the lock screen settings and look for "Tape" or "Recommendations." If there is a search engine logo, click on it. Often there is a "Unplug" button or the option to select "No tape" hidden there.
If software shutdown is not possible (the switch is locked or missing), you can try to remove updates to this component.
- Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
- Find the Yandex or Google Services app (in some cases, the tape is sewn there).
- Click on three dots in the corner and select Remove Updates.
- After that, try to find the switch again in the lock settings - it can become active.
⚠️ Note: Removing updates to system components can cause temporary instability of the interface. If after this procedure the phone starts to work incorrectly, reset or upgrade to the latest version of the system.
Additional methods of cleaning the interface
Sometimes news can come not through the system carousel, but through widgets installed on the desktop or lock screen by third-party launchers. If standard methods did not work, it is worthwhile to review the installed widgets. On the Redmi Note 9, this is especially true, since many users put custom themes.
Check to see if you have pocket launch mode or special gestures that open your news feed. Also, look at the settings of Xiaomi's Security app. The Cleanup or Acceleration section sometimes includes recommendations for turning on news services that a user may have accidentally activated.
Another effective method is to use third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which completely replace the standard MIUI interface and allow you to ignore the system lock settings, offering your own, cleaner options, but this requires getting used to new management.
Remember to check the list of installed apps periodically. Often, along with games or utilities, programs that implement their news widgets are brought to the phone, and removing suspicious or newly installed software can solve the problem radically.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I completely remove the wallpaper carousel app?
Why did the news come back after the MIUI update?
Does the carousel shutdown affect the weather widget?
How to remove ads in Xiaomi apps?
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Tip: After you shut down all news services, restart your smartphone, which will clear the cache of temporary files that may have accumulated while the carousel was running, and free up some RAM.
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The main result: Disabling the news feed on the Redmi Note 9 is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to extend battery life and protect personal data from excessive telemetry collection.