How to permanently remove the wallpaper carousel from the lock screen Xiaomi: from simple ways to hidden settings

The wallpaper carousel icon on Xiaomi’s lock screen is one of the most annoying features of MIUI firmware, which the manufacturer stubbornly refuses to turn off via the standard menu. This element not only takes up space on the display, but also accidentally activates when swipes, preventing quick access to notifications or the camera. Worse, on some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F3), the carousel can change wallpapers arbitrarily, consuming traffic and battery power.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to remove the icon, from official (for the latest versions of MIUI 14) to hidden methods using ADB and editing system files. Importantly, some solutions require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights, so before you start, assess the risks. For most users, the first three methods are enough – they work without root and do not violate the warranty.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t let you just turn off the wallpaper carousel?

The reason lies in the monetization of the MIUI firmware. Wallpaper Carousel is part of the Xiaomi ecosystem, which:

• 📱 Uploads advertising wallpapers from the company’s servers (even if you don’t install them).
• 🔄 Automatically updates content by consuming mobile traffic in the background.
• 🎨 Collects data about user preferences (anonymously, according to the privacy policy).

In MIUI versions 12-13, the icon could be hidden through Settings → Lock screen, but in MIUI 14, this item disappeared. The manufacturer motivates this by “improving the user experience”, although in practice most Xiaomi owners consider the carousel useless. According to a survey on the Mi Community forum, 87% of users want to turn it off.

Another reason is firmware fragmentation, where on China ROM devices, the carousel is shut down in two clicks, whereas on Global/EEA ROMs, the option is hidden, due to different regional advertising agreements.

Method 1: Disable via hidden theme menu (without root)

This method works on MIUI 12-14 and does not require superuser rights, but the point is that the carousel icon is tied to the com.miui.miwallpaper system application, and it can be deactivated through the theme menu.

1. Open Settings → Theme (or Themes in English firmware).
2. Slip the profile icon in the upper right corner (or click). ⋮ → My subjects).
3. Select theme settings → General settings.
4. Scroll down and find the wallpaper carousel. Turn off the slider.
5. Restart the device – the icon should disappear.

If you don't have a point: some firmware (POCO Launcher, HyperOS) may have different paths.

Settings → Additional → Special features → Simplified mode → Theme settings

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) This method may work temporarily, and when you update the system, the icon will come back, so you can move to method 3 or 4.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

If there is no hidden menu, Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to disable system applications without superuser rights, works on all versions of MIUI, but requires a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone.
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools by Google.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate debugging via USB: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the adb.exe folder.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. Run the command to turn off the carousel: adb shell pm hide com.miui.miwallpaper If it didn't work, try: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper
6. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 14 for POCO F5) After the system update, the com.miui.miwallpaper app will recover. To avoid this, create a task in Automation (the Tools app from Xiaomi) to automatically execute. ADB-team after reboot.

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If ADB does not recognize the device, try reinstalling the drivers through the official Xiaomi package.

Method 3: Editing system files (requires root)

For advanced users who are ready to get root rights, there is a radical method - deleting the system files responsible for the carousel, which will permanently delete the function, but can disrupt other components of MIUI (for example, the standard application "Themes").

Tools required:

• 🔧 Root access (for example, via Magisk).
• 📁 File Manager with Root Explorer (Root Explorer, FX File Explorer).
• 📝 Backup of the system (required!).

Instructions:

1. Open the root guide and follow the path: /system/priv-app/MiuiWallpaperCarousel
2. Remove or rename the folder (for example, in the MiuiWallpaperCarousel_bak).
3. Go to /system/app/WallpaperCarousel and do the same.
4. Clear the cache and data of the com.miui.miwallpaper application in the settings.
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic Partition (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) deleting system files can lead to bootloop (cyclical reboot).Before experimenting, check if your model supports Fastboot recovery.

Method 4: Using third-party launchers

If you don't want to dig through system files, you can simply replace the standard launcher with an alternative one. Most third-party shells (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) allow you to customize the lock screen, including removing unnecessary items.

How it works:

• 📱 Install a launcher from Google Play (for example, Nova Launcher).
• 🔧 In the launcher settings, find the Lock Screen or Lock Screen section.
• 🚫 Turn off the option “Show system widgets” or “Wallpaper Carousel".
• 🔄 Reset the device.

💡 Pros of the method:

• ✅ Does not require rooting or ADB.
• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI.
• ✅ Further improves performance (third-party launchers are lighter than standard).

💥 Cons:

• ❌ Certain functions MIUI (Super Wallpapers may not work.
• ❌ Nana POCO-The devices may conflict with the company launcher.

Method 5: Resetting launcher settings (last resort)

If nothing works, you can try resetting the launcher to factory settings, which will remove all custom wallpaper and widgets, but often removes the carousel.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher app (or Launcher, POCO Launcher).
3. Slip the Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) This method results in the wallpaper being reset to standard and the folders being deleted on the home screen.

If the carousel returned after resetting, try setting the wallpaper manually through the Gallery → Set as → Lock Wallpaper. Sometimes this interrupts the automatic MIUI settings.

What if the carousel returned after the update?

MIUI updates often restore remote system applications, to avoid this:

1. Turn off automatic update: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Settings → Deactivate "Car Update"
2. Use Magisk modules: Install MIUI Blocker or Disable Flag Secure module via Magisk Manager.
3. Freeze the app: With Titanium Backup or App Quarantine, freeze com.miui.miwallpaper.
4. Go to custom firmware: For example, Pixel Experience or LineageOS – they do not have a wallpaper carousel.

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If you’re using HyperOS (the new firmware for Xiaomi 13/14), the standard methods may not work, and the only reliable way to do that is to roll back to MIUI 14 or install a custom recavator (TWRP).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi wallpaper carousel