Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are famous for their rich functionality and customization capabilities, but users sometimes encounter intrusive interface elements. One of these features is the Live Wallpaper or Wallpaper Carousel feature, which automatically changes the images on the lock screen every time the device is turned on, an option often activated by default when the smartphone is first launched or after the MIUI firmware update, which can annoy those who prefer a static image.
The problem is not only flashing images, but also consuming additional battery power, as well as consuming mobile traffic to download new images. Owners of the Redmi Note and Xiaomi Mi series often wonder how to return the classic look of the lock screen without unnecessary animations. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to disable this feature, from standard system settings to deeper methods of managing themes.
The deactivation process may vary slightly depending on the version of the Android operating system and the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS. The settings interface is constantly updated by developers, so it is important to follow the current instructions exactly. We will look at various scenarios, including situations where standard switches are hidden or blocked by advertising so you can have full control over the appearance of your gadget.
Disconnect via theme and lock screen settings
The easiest and most obvious way to remove dynamic image change is to go to standard customization settings. In most cases, MIUI allows you to control this setting through the menu to where all the visual design data is stored. You need to open the Theme app, which is system-based and usually has an icon in the form of a brush or flower.
Once you start the app, go to the user profile by clicking on the person icon in the lower right corner of the screen, and you should find the Wallpaper or Wallpaper Carousel section, and that's where the switch for automatic image change is located. If the function is active, you'll see the "Disable" button or slider that you need to put inactive.
However, in some versions of the firmware, the path may be hidden deeper in the general system settings. To do this, go to Settings of the smartphone, then select Lock Screen. There may be a separate subsection dedicated to the carousel, where you can not only turn off the feature, but also adjust the refresh rate or select specific categories of images if you still want to leave this option, but in a softer mode.
⚠️ Warning: After the wallpaper carousel is turned off, the current image on the lock screen can be replaced by a standard system image. If you have a third-party theme installed, it can also be reset to a default one.
Note that new versions of HyperOS may have different logic, and this is often done in widgets or separate Google services, and if you don't find the switch in a specified location, try pressing and holding your finger on the free desktop space, then selecting Settings from the bottom menu, which will open up access to global design options, where you can also find the desired option.
Managing through the Topics app and Google services
If the standard path through the settings did not work, it is worth checking the settings of the application itself in more detail. Often users forget that the wallpaper carousel is a separate service within the Xiaomi ecosystem. Open the Themes app, click on the profile icon and find the wallpaper carousel item.
Inside this menu, you'll see a list of all available image sources. To completely remove the live wallpaper, you don't just have to turn off the switch, but also clear the cache or data of that particular service. Go to the phone's Settings, select Apps, search the Wallpaper Carousel (or Glance on some global versions) list, and click Stop and then Delete.
It's important to understand the difference between live wallpaper (animated) and carousel (changing static). If your goal is to remove the animation that consumes the CPU, then you need to go to the Wallpaper section of the Themes app and select any static picture from the Recommended or Standard categories. Installing a static image forcibly cancels the animation engine.
☑️ Checking the carousel settings
Also worth mentioning is Google Discover, which can affect how content is displayed on the lock screen in some Android builds. While this is less common, checking your Google account settings for background sync can be helpful. Make sure your account settings don't check the background automatically based on your interests or location.
Resetting the theme to standard
Often the problem with unwanted live wallpaper is in an installed third-party theme, where users download beautiful designs from third-party sources or Themes store without noticing that the set includes dynamic wallpaper. The most radical but effective way to get things back to normal is to reset the theme to factory settings.
To do this, open the Themes app, go to the profile and select the Themes section. In the list of installed designs, find a theme called Classic, Default or Untitled (usually marked with a house or star icon). Click on it and select Apply. This action will return the standard launcher, fonts, icons and, most importantly, static wallpaper.
If you want to save your theme but only remove the wallpaper, you'll need a finer setup. The theme menu often has the option to select components. When you re-use the theme, click on Setup (or gear) and uncheck Lock screen Wallpaper and Desktop Wallpaper, replacing them with system standards.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting theme can change the appearance of icons and fonts. Take screenshots of important settings in advance or remember font names if you plan to return customization later.
Some heavy themes may contain scripts that force you to return the live wallpaper even after you try to change it, so only removing the theme from your phone’s memory helps. Go to Settings → Apps, find a suspicious theme, and click Delete.
Removing Third-Party Wallpaper Apps
Redmi and Xiaomi smartphone owners often install additional programs from Google Play to expand functionality, unaware that they may conflict with the system. Apps like the Wallpaper Engine, Video Live Wallpaper or various weather widgets can intercept control of the lock screen.
Check the list of installed apps. If you see programs with names that contain the words "Live," "Wallpaper," "Background," "Video," and you're not actively using them, delete them. Often these apps have permissions to display over other windows, allowing them to swap the standard lock picture for their animation.
You can use the developer menu to check for running processes, but the easiest way is to use Safe Mode. However, in most cases, just go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Sort the list by installation date or size. Suspicious programs often weigh a little, but have broad access rights.
What is the resolution “Above other applications”?
Also worth paying attention to widgets. Sometimes the user accidentally installs the "Recommended Photos" widget or similar to the desktop or lock screen (if the launcher supports this), long-clicking on the widget and selecting "Delete" or "Settings" will help get rid of the source of dynamic content.
Specifics of different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
The MIUI shell interface has changed a lot over the years, and the new HyperOS may have different logic, for example, in MIUI 12 and MIUI 13, the carousel was built deep into system services, and in MIUI 14 it was taken into a separate application. HyperOS tends to be minimalist, but the settings can be scattered across different menus.
The table below compares the ways to disable the feature for different firmware versions, which will help you navigate if the standard path doesn’t work:
| System version | The path to settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 13 | Settings → Lock screen → Wallpaper carousel | Often requires a connection to the network to disconnect |
| MIUI 14 | Appendix Topics → Profile → Wallpaper Carousel | It can be called "Glance" on the global versions. |
| HyperOS | Settings → Personalization → Lock screen | Integration with widgets, possible complex menu structure |
| Android One (Mi A) | Settings → System → Wallpaper | Pure Android, no Xiaomi carousel by default |
If you upgrade to the latest version of the software and find that the settings have gone, try searching by settings. Click on the magnifying glass at the top of the Settings menu and type in the "Carousel" or "Block Wallpaper" request. The system will tell you the current path for your version of the firmware.
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Use a Settings Search (a magnifier at the top of the menu) to instantly find the hidden menu item, even if the interface has been changed after the update.
Solving problems with intrusive advertising and failures
Sometimes people confuse the live wallpaper with the banner ads that appear on the lock screen, which is not a wallpaper change function, but part of the MSA (MIUI System Ads) advertising system, and if you change the picture, but you see brand logos or offers to download the game, it's advertising.
To remove it, you need to turn off ad personalization. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to personal data. Find the msa list and turn off the switch. The system will resist and the countdown will go over several times — you need to be patient and wait for the timer to end, then click again “Cancel”.
Also worth checking is the settings of the Security app, which often hides recommendations and news that can be displayed as widgets on the desktop or lock screen. Disabling recommendations in the Security and Explorer settings will significantly clear the interface of unnecessary visual noise.
⚠️ Note: Disabling the msa service may temporarily affect some ad-dependent system features, but it is necessary to make a smartphone comfortable without visual debris.
If nothing helps and the "live" elements keep popping up, it's possible that your smartphone is infected with an adware virus. Check the list of apps for weird names without icons or with minimalist icons.
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Banner ads on the lock screen are not live wallpaper, but the work of the MSA service, which can and should be turned off in privacy settings.