Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often encounter intrusive visual content that appears on a locked screen or during device downtime, a phenomenon known as a “wallpaper carousel” or system screensaver that can annoy users accustomed to a static image or their own photos. Remove the screensaver on a Xiaomi phone is a solvable task, but requires understanding what type of blocker is activated in the system.
There are several types of screens: standard lock wallpaper, manufacturer’s advertising “Carousel” and classic screensaver that is activated when charging. Incorrect identification of the source of the problem often leads to users looking for a solution in the wrong settings menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to deactivate unwanted content for current versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shells.
Before we make any changes, it's important to understand that some interface elements are part of the ecosystem and can come back after a system update. Disabling system services through ADB is the most radical, but also the most effective method, but we'll start with a standard tool that is safe for the average user.
Disconnecting wallpaper carousel in MIUI and HyperOS
The most common reason for changing news and advertising images is the Wallpaper Carousel feature, which is built into the Themes system app and works independently of the main lock screen settings, and to turn it off, you need to find the appropriate switch in the personalization menu.
Go to the device settings and find the partition that controls the lock screen. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the wallpaper carousel and put the slider inactive, which will instantly stop downloading new images from the Internet.
Sometimes the system may hide this item or require confirmation via the Internet, and if the standard path doesn't work, try the following algorithm:
- 📱 Open the “Themes” app (icon with brush).
- 👤 Go to the user profile by clicking on the avatar in the corner.
- ⚙️ Select the "Settings" item in the menu that opens.
- 🚫 Find the line "Wallpaper carousel" and click "Disable».
⚠️ Note: After upgrading to the new version MIUI or HyperOS settings of the carousel may reset. it is recommended to recheck this item after each major update.
In some regions, this service may be called “Glance” or have another localized name. If you do not find an exact match, look for sections related to “Recommendations” or “Tape” on the lock screen. Removing updates for the “Themes” application can also temporarily solve the problem, but the system will try to update it again.
Set up a classic screensaver when charging
Unlike the Carousel, the classic Android screensaver only activates when the phone is connected to the charger and is at rest.This is a legacy of early Android versions that are preserved in the Xiaomi shell. Many users confuse it with a lock screensaver, but their mechanisms are different.
To control this setting, you use a hidden or deep menu of display settings, and here you can not only turn off the function, but also choose what will be displayed: a watch, a photo album or color panels, completely turning off the screen will save the screen from burning out and excessive energy consumption at night.
To access these settings, follow the following steps:
- Go to the basic settings of your smartphone.
- Find and open the Screen section always on and lock (or simply "Screen and brightness").
- Scroll down to Screensaver.
- In the menu that opens, select the No option or switch the main switch to the Off position.
If you use your phone as a desktop clock, you can leave the function on, but change the contents of it. Instead of a slideshow from a gallery that can be distracting, you'd better install a static digital clock, which will reduce the load on the processor and battery, while maintaining functionality.
☑️ Checking screen settings
Removal of third-party blockers and viruses
When a screensaver appears on the phone that cannot be removed by standard methods, it often indicates the presence of third-party software, which can be either specially installed applications for changing wallpaper or malicious software disguised as useful utilities.
Look for programs with names like Wallpaper Changer, HD Backgrounds, Clearer, or Battery Saver that you don't remember installing, and often they ask permission on "Above Other Applications," which allows them to take control of the screen.
To identify and remove problem software, use the following table of matching symptoms and solutions:
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| Full screen advertising at random time | Virus or Adware | Safe Mode and Removal of Recent Applications |
| The screensaver returns after switching off | Systems service (Carousel) | Disconnection through the “Themes” app |
| Unknown app without icons | Hidden miner or virus | Remove via application settings (show system) |
| Screensaver only when charging | Android screensaver | Settings -> Screen -> Screensaver -> No |
If you find a suspicious application, but the Delete button is inactive, it has device administrator rights. You need to go to Settings -> Passwords and Security -> Privacy -> Special Features (the path may vary) and revoke permissions for an unknown application.
What to do if the virus is not removed?
Use of work modes and profiles
The MIUI and HyperOS shell offers advanced scenario management tools such as Sleep Mode, Read Mode, or Second Space. Sometimes the screensaver can be part of a customized script that is automatically activated on a schedule or geolocation.
Check the Do Not Disturb or Sleep settings. In some configurations, users accidentally activate a simplified interface or nighttime wallpaper, which is not a system error, but only a result of improperly configured automation.
You should also pay attention to the "Second Space" feature, which is that if you use this mode to separate work and personal data, the lock screen settings may differ there. Make sure you make changes to the profile where the problem is observed. Switching between spaces is done through Settings -> Second Space.
For users who appreciate minimalism, it is recommended to create your own “Silent Mode” in the sound and notification settings, where all visual effects, including unlock animation, will be turned off, which will help reduce visual noise and remove excess dynamics from the screen.
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Save screenshots of your settings before major system updates, which will allow you to quickly restore the usual configuration if your preferences on the lock screen are reset after the update.
Radical methods: reset and ADB
When standard methods fail and the screensaver keeps popping up, more complex technical solutions are needed, which is true for cases where the system file responsible for Carousel is damaged or blocked by the carrier. The two main ways are to completely reset or use the Android debugging bridge (ADB).
Factory Reset is guaranteed to delete all user data and return the phone to the “out of the box” state.Be sure to back up contacts and photos before this procedure. When you first set up after reset, keep a close eye on the ticks – do not agree to include “Recommendations” and “Improving Experiences”.
The ADB method allows you to remove system applications without Root rights. You will need a computer and a USB cable to do this. You must enable “Debugging by USB” in the Developer Menu (to open this menu, you need to click on the build number 7 times in Settings -> About Phone).
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.misystem
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolutionThese commands remove components that are responsible for system advertising and services, but be careful: removing critical system packages can cause the device to function unstable, and use this method only if you are confident in your actions.
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB To remove system packages can cancel the warranty or lead to the phone "bricking" when removing incorrect components.
Prevention and recommendations for setting up
Once you have managed to remove the screensaver on your Xiaomi phone, it is important to consolidate the result and prevent it from coming back.The system seeks to monetize the user’s attention, so new features that return content to the lock screen can appear with updates.
Regularly check the permission list for installed applications. Often new programs, especially free cleaning or flashlight utilities, request access to the lock screen, and denying this access to unverified applications is the best protection.
Also keep an eye out for updates to the Themes and Security app itself. Sometimes newer versions of these system gates will have additional ad-disabled points that haven't been available before, and ignoring updates can leave you with a vulnerable version of the software.
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Regular audit of installed applications and careful reading of the conditions when updating the system is the key to a clean interface without intrusive advertising and screensavers.