Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where the background on the lock screen begins to change constantly without their knowledge.It is not a bug, but a working feature called Wallpaper Carousel or Glance, which is activated by default in the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS. The system automatically uploads images from the Internet, creating a slideshow effect every time the screen is turned on.
While some users like variety, many are annoyed by the intrusiveness of the feature, the presence of banner ads on images and increased traffic consumption. Moreover, constantly downloading pictures can slightly increase the load on the processor and battery in the background. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to deactivate this option and return a static image that you chose yourself.
The process of disabling does not require root rights or complex flashing of the device. All the necessary settings are hidden in the standard personalization menu, but are not always located obvious. We will look at the current algorithms for the latest firmware versions, so you can quickly bring the interface to the desired look.
What is a wallpaper carousel and why it turns on itself
The feature, popularly known as “changing wallpaper,” is officially called Wallpaper Carousel, a service built into the Themes system app, and its primary task is to automatically update the background image on the lock screen using Mi libraries or third-party content providers such as Glance.
Often, users will detect activation of this feature immediately after buying a new smartphone or after a major system update, which is because when the device is initially set up (First Run), many items, including subscription to wallpaper updates, are marked with the default ticks.
Developers implement this mechanism to increase the visual appeal of the interface, but in practice this often leads to advertising integrations, images can contain brand logos or promo codes, which turns the lock screen into an advertising platform.
⚠️ Warning: Wallpaper carousel requires a constant internet connection to upload new images. If you have tariff-charged traffic, turn off Mobile Download to avoid wasting megabytes.
Understanding the nature of this service helps you to consciously approach its settings, you can either completely remove it, or simply prohibit automatic change of pictures, leaving the option to manually choose from the options you like.
Disabling the carousel through lock screen settings
The fastest way to remove the change of images is to use direct access to the lock screen settings, which is relevant for most devices based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, Russia, China).
To start, unlock your smartphone and go to the main settings menu, you'll need to find the section that controls the appearance of the interface, usually called "lock screen" or inside the "wallpaper and personalization" category.
Inside the menu, find the wallpaper carousel. Click on it to reveal additional settings. Here you'll see a switch that activates or deactivates the function. Turn it to "Off."
☑️ Checking the lock settings
Once turned off, the system can suggest that you choose a static image that will be displayed permanently. If that doesn't happen, just lock the screen and check the result. The image should become fixed.
In some versions, the settings can be hidden deeper. For example, in HyperOS, the path can look like Settings → Wallpaper and Personalization → Lock screen. Carefully study all sub-items in this section to avoid missing hidden switches.
Management through the Topics app
If you can’t turn off the function through the standard settings menu, or if you want to fine-tune the download settings, you need to refer to the native Theme app, which is the engine that controls the change of images.
Find an icon on your desktop or in the Tools folder called Themes (usually a multicolored T or store icon). Launch the app and look at the bottom navigation bar. You're interested in the Profile tab, which is often marked by the little person icon.
In the profile menu that opens, look for the wallpaper carousel item, which can be located in the Settings section or be entered in a separate line.
More advanced settings are available here:
- 🔄 Frequency of updates: Selecting the period of change of the picture (every time, once an hour, once a day).
- 📶 Network type: permission to download only via Wi-Fi or also via mobile Internet.
- 🔔 Notifications: Configure notifications for new wallpaper sets.
- 🗑️ Cleanup: Removing uploaded images to free up space.
To completely remove changing wallpaper, find the "Enable wallpaper carousel" switch and deactivate it. It is also recommended to clear the app's cache to remove images already uploaded but not displayed.
Where to find hidden carousel settings?
Using the Themes app gives you more control over the process, you can leave the feature on, but you can disable downloading over the mobile network, which will save traffic, but will save the ability to change pictures at home.
Comparison of shutdown methods: Table
To make it easier to choose how to turn off the changing wallpaper, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you understand which method is best for your situation, whether it is a complete deactivation or just adjusting the parameters.
| Parameter | Through System Settings | Through the Topics app | Through ADB (for experts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| PC required | No. | No. | Yes. |
| Complete removal | No (only shutdown) | No (only shutdown) | Yes. |
| Security | Safe. | Safe. | It requires caution. |
As you can see from the table, for 95% of users, the best option is to use standard system settings or the Themes application. The method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) should be used only for advanced users who want to completely cut the system component from the firmware.
The usual shutdown of the function is enough to stop it from bothering, the system will stop downloading new images and waste the processor resources on processing them.
Glance specifics and regional features
Global firmware versions often feature InMobi's Glance, a partner service that provides content for wallpaper carousels. Unlike the standard Xiaomi carousel, Glance can have its own settings and even a separate app on the installed list.
If you find Glance, the shutdown procedure may be slightly different, sometimes the switch in the lock screen settings doesn't work or returns to its original position, so you'll need to look for Glance in the list of all the programs.
Find it, go to “About the App” and try:
- 🛑 Stop: Compulsoryly complete the process.
- 🚫 Disable: If the button is active, it will freeze the service completely.
- 🔒 Permits: Prohibit access to network and storage.
⚠️ Note: On some devices with Global firmware, the Glance system application cannot be removed or disabled by standard means without using the ADB-Be prepared for the menu item to be inactive.
Regional features play a big role: In Chinese firmware versions (CN ROM), the wallpaper carousel is integrated deeper and often lacks English localization, making it difficult to set up, and European and Russian versions usually allow for flexible management of this functionality.
It is important to understand that Glance is often updated independently of the system, so after another firmware update, the settings may reset and the function will have to be disabled again.
Cleaning the cache and removing uploaded images
Once you have disabled the changing wallpaper, images that were previously uploaded can remain on the device, taking up space in memory and can continue to be displayed if a software failure occurs.
To make room, you need to clear the app cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the Themes app (or Glance) on the list.
Go to the Memory or Storage section inside the app card, where you will see two buttons: Clear cache and Clear all (or Reset), and select cache cleanup. This is secure and will not affect your personal photos.
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If the cache clearing button is inactive, try to force the app to stop first, then re-enter the memory menu.
Also worth checking is the folder in the file manager. The path usually looks like MIUI > wallpaper > carousel or Android > data > com.miui.misys > files. Deleting the contents of these folders will help get rid of the garbage.
Regularly cleaning the cache of system applications is a good habit to keep Xiaomi fast, and it helps to avoid conflicts when updating themes and wallpapers.
Installation of high quality static wallpapers
Once the problem with spontaneous background change is solved, it's time to install a high-quality static image.The Xiaomi standard gallery offers a lot of built-in options, but often users want to put their own photo.
To set your own image, open the gallery, select the photo you want, click on three dots in the corner (menu) and select "Install as wallpaper." The system will suggest you choose: lock screen, desktop or both.
It is important to consider the screen resolution of your Redmi or POCO. If the image is too low quality, it is very high quality. AMOLED-It can look blurry on the screen. It's best to use pictures with at least a resolution. 1080×2400 pixel.
For best quality on screens with a frequency of 120 Hz and above, it is recommended to use PNG images or high-quality JPG without strong compression to avoid artifacts.
There's also a Panoramic feature in the wallpaper settings, and if you turn this on, the static picture will move slightly when you tilt the phone, creating a depth effect, and it's a great alternative to a carousel for those who want dynamics but no ads.
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Turning off the wallpaper carousel not only removes visual noise, but also prevents background data loading, which has a positive effect on the battery life of the smartphone.
Now your lock screen looks exactly the way you want it to, without intrusive suggestions and unexpected changes.