How to remove wallpaper from the desktop on Xiaomi: all the ways (including hidden)

Replacing wallpaper on Xiaomi smartphones usually doesn't cause problems -- just clamp your finger on your desktop and pick a new image. But what if you want to completely remove the wallpaper, leaving a clean background, or return the standard look after unsuccessful experiments with themes? This situation is more complicated: MIUI and HyperOS do not provide a direct option to "remove the wallpaper", and some custom themes block changes through the menu.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways – from basic settings to technical solutions through ADB and launcher reset. Relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS, including Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO F6.

1. Standard method: reset via wallpaper settings

The easiest method is to return the wallpaper to factory status through the built-in menu, which works if you have manually installed the wallpaper (not through themes) and not changed the system launcher.

Open Settings → Wallpaper (or press your finger on your desktop and select Wallpaper). At the bottom of the screen, look for the option "Standard Wallpaper" or "Default Wallpaper Wallpaper." On some firmware, this item is hidden behind the button... (three dots) in the upper right corner. Select any built-in background, the system will automatically delete the user image.

• ✅ Works on: MIUI 12–15, HyperOS
• ❌ It will not help if: wallpaper installed through a theme or a third-party launcher
• ⚠️ Limitation: on some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) Standard wallpaper may differ from factory

If the "Standard Wallpaper" option is missing, try an alternative path:

1. Press your finger on the desktop → “Style” → “Wallpaper”.
2. Scroll down to the "Basic" or "Classic" section.
3. Choose any monochromatic background (for example, black or white).

2. Remove themes through the menu (if the wallpaper is tied to the topic)

Many users install wallpaper through the “Themes” section (Settings → Themes or a separate Themes app), in which case a standard wallpaper reset won’t work – you need to turn off the theme itself.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (or Settings → Themes).
2. Go to "My topics" or "Installed".
3. Find an active topic and click on it.
4. Select the option "Remove" or "Reset to standard".
5. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS, some themes may block wallpaper changes even after removal, in which case, use the standard Basic theme before deleting.

If the subject is not deleted:

• 🔄 Try to apply a different theme first and then return the standard one.
• 📱 Check the Themes application rights in Settings → Annexes → Management of rights.
• 🗑️ Remove the Themes app cache in Settings → Annexes → Warehouse.

Identify an active topic in "My Topics"

Download a backup copy of your favorite themes (if necessary)

Disable automatic update of themes

Check the vacant space (minimum 500 MB)-->

3.Resetting the launcher to factory settings

If the wallpaper is imprinted on the system launcher (for example, after an update or failure), resetting its settings will help, which will return not only the wallpaper, but also the location of icons, widgets and gestures.

How to drop the launcher:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the launcher app: For MIUI: Lawnchair (on POCO) or MIUI Launcher for HyperOS: Hyper Launcher

"Storage" → "Clean the data"

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: POCO F4 GT Black Shark launcher reset may result in loss of game profiles.We recommend pre-export settings through Settings → Special facilities → Game mode.

If the wallpaper remains after the dumping:

• 🔧 Install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) and return back.
• 📲 Check for updates for the launcher in Google Play or App Store (for global firmware).

4. Delete wallpaper through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work and the wallpaper is set at the system file level, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will help.This method requires connecting the phone to a PC and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm access.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb shell pm clear com.miui.home For HyperOS use: adb shell pm clear com.miui.hyperlauncher
4. Reboot the phone.

Critical detail: on Xiaomi with bootloader lock (most global firmware), this command will work only after unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool. On Chinese firmware (China ROM) superuser rights (root) may be required.

• ⚙️ Alternative command for wallpaper reset (no launcher cleaning): adb shell settings put global wallpaper_path ""
• 🔍 To find out the current path to wallpaper: adb shell settings get global wallpaper_path

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If ADB does not recognize the device, install Mi USB Driver drivers from Xiaomi’s official website. Windows may also need to disable driver signature verification via the command line with administrator rights.

5. Complete phone reset (last option)

If none of these methods work, you'll have to reset to factory settings, which is a radical solution that will remove all the data from the phone, including wallpaper, apps and settings.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Open Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select "Resetting" and confirm.
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 13T Pro and Redmi. K70 Pro with HyperOS reset can block access to Mi Account for 72 hours due to theft protection.Make sure to remember the password from your Xiaomi account!

After discharge:

• 📱 The phone will return to the factory wallpaper (usually black or gradient background).
• 🔄 Do not restore backup immediately – first check if the old wallpaper is back.
• 🛡️ If the wallpaper appeared again, the problem is in the firmware - contact the service center.

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to remove wallpaper installed through system APK-files (for example, after unofficial firmware).

6.Alternative solutions: third-party launchers and manual file deletion

If you don’t want to reset the settings, but the wallpaper still isn’t deleted, try to get around the problem:

Method 1: Installation of a third-party launcher

Launchers like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Apex Launcher let you set your background without ignoring the system wallpaper.

1. Open the launcher settings.
2. Select "Desktop style" → "Wallpaper".
3. Upload a monochromatic image or select "No wallpaper" (if supported).

Method 2: Manual deletion of wallpaper files

Wallpapers are stored in /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/wallpaper/ or /data/system/users/0/ to be deleted:

1. Get root rights (for example, through Magisk).
2. Use a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer).
3. Delete files with the.jpg,.png or.wallpaper extension in the specified folders.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting system files without root can cause launcher failure. On HyperOS, some wallpaper is stored in encrypted form - deleting them will require flashing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing wallpaper on Xiaomi