How to remove the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often encounter an intrusive service that automatically changes images on a locked screen, a phenomenon dubbed “Wallpaper Carousel” (or Glance by Mi in newer versions of the shell), which aims to show the user beautiful landscapes, news and banner ads every time he picks up the device.

However, for many, it becomes an annoying factor, preventing them from quickly unlocking the gadget or simply distracting, especially the question of how to remove the wallpaper carousel on the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus, since this model, released several years ago, can work on different versions of MIUI firmware, where the settings may differ, in some cases, standard disconnection methods are hidden or changed.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to deactivate this feature, from standard system settings to more advanced methods through the engineering menu, you can return a static image that you chose, and get rid of the constant consumption of traffic and battery power that causes background updates of images.

What is a wallpaper carousel and why it is needed

The wallpaper carousel is a built-in service from Xiaomi integrated into the MIUI shell. Originally conceived as a way to personalize the device, it automatically uploads new background images from the Internet. The algorithm runs in the background, periodically checking servers for new content.

The main purpose of the feature is to retain the user’s attention and promote partner services. Often, along with beautiful landscapes, ads for games, apps or stores are placed on the lock screen, the system can prompt the user to “rate” the picture or click on a link, which creates additional information noise.

It's important for Redmi 5 Plus owners to understand that it consumes resources, uses mobile internet or Wi-Fi to download high-resolution images, and consumes the CPU battery, and if you don't use it consciously, it's a waste of energy.

⚠️ Note: Complete removal of system components responsible for the carousel may require root rights and is not recommended for ordinary users, as this may disrupt the stability of the system. MIUI.

Disconnection through standard system settings

The easiest and safest way to get rid of intrusive image change is to use the built-in operating system tools. Depending on the version of MIUI installed on your Redmi 5 Plus, the path to settings may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same.

You first need to go to the main settings menu. Find the gear icon on your desktop or swipe down to call the notification curtain and select the appropriate item. You are interested in the section related to the design and lock screen.

Inside the settings menu, you need to find a item that might be called "Wallpaper Carousel," "Glance," or "Screen Lock," and that's where the switches that control the content loading automatically hide, and turning that off will return a static image.

Once you have found the switch, turn it to the off position, the system may request confirmation of action or warn that some functions will stop working, and accept the changes, as that is what is required to achieve our goal.

Management through the “Themes” app

In some versions of Xiaomi firmware, the carousel is controlled in a separate system application, Themes, which is responsible for the visual design of the interface, including fonts, sounds and, of course, lock wallpaper.

Open the Themes app on your Redmi 5 Plus. It usually has an icon with a diamond or brush. In the upper right corner or at the bottom of the screen (depending on the version) is a user profile icon or menu with three stripes.

In the menu that opens, you need to find Settings. Scroll down to the block associated with the lock screen. There's a wallpaper carousel or Autoshift option. By removing the tick here, you'll stop the app from downloading new content.

It's worth noting that after the system update, the settings may reset and the function will turn on again. So if you notice that the pictures have started changing again, check this section again, and you can also clear the cache of uploaded images to free up space.

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If the switch in the Themes app is inactive (gray), try first to turn off the internet, turn off the feature, and then turn the network back on.

Configure through the engineering menu and hidden options

For advanced users who haven’t found standard switches or want to gain deeper control of the system, there is access to hidden settings. On Redmi 5 Plus, you can activate an extended developer menu that contains additional debugging options.

To activate this mode, go to Settings → About the phone. Find the line "Version." MIUI» And press it fast. 7-10 It'll tell you that you've become a developer, and then a new item, "Developers" will appear in the settings menu».

Inside the developer menu, you can find options that affect the animation of windows and transitions, as well as the operation of system services. While there may not be a direct kill carousel button, turning off background processes or limiting application activity can indirectly affect the work of the wallpaper service.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.misystem

Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands allows you to disable system packages without root rights. The command above disables the system service, often responsible for advertising and carousel. However, use it with caution, since improperly disabling a critical component can lead to unstable work.

Comparison of MIUI versions on Redmi 5 Plus

Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince) has officially been updated to Android 8.1 with MIUI 11 or 12 (depending on the region), and different versions of the firmware have different menu structures and item names, and understanding which version you have will help you find the right switch.

In older versions of MIUI (e.g., MIUI 9 or 10 based on Android 7), the carousel could be implemented as a standalone application or widget that can be simply removed from the desktop. In the newer versions (MIUI 11+), this functionality is deeply integrated into the system settings of the lock screen.

If you have a Chinese firmware (CN) installed, you may not be able to remove the carousel using standard methods, as this service is a key element of the ecosystem in China, in which case the only solution is to reflash to the global version (Global ROM).

Solving problems with automatic inclusion

Users often complain that after turning off the wallpaper carousel turns on itself after a while, this can be due to updates to system components or the work of third-party applications that have permission to change the wallpaper.

Check the list of installed applications. Often, memory cleaners, antiviruses, or battery optimizers have a "Beautiful Lock" feature, which is essentially a carousel-like feature, and these applications either need to be configured or removed.

It’s also worth checking the permissions for the Themes system application. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Themes → Permissions. Make sure the application doesn’t have redundant rights, such as access to geolocation or background activity, unless they’re required for basic functionality.

⚠️ Attention: Some social media client apps may request permission to change wallpaper to install profile pictures on the lock screen.

Another reason for the carousel to "resurrect" could be sync with Mi Cloud. If you have settings synced, the phone can restore previous settings, including the carousel turned on, after resetting or flashing. Turn off theme and wallpaper sync in your Mi Account.

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The most common reason for re-enabled carousel is to update the Themes or Security system app, which resets user settings to default values.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)