Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often encounter an intrusive service that automatically changes images on a locked screen.This feature, known as Wallpaper Carousel or Glance, not only consumes traffic but can also show ads at an uncomfortable moment. On the Redmi 9 Pro model, this option is built deep into the MIUI shell, creating the illusion of its irreplaceability.
Fortunately, system limitations allow you to completely deactivate this mechanism without losing warranty or having to flash the device. You don't need to be an Android development expert to regain control of your lock screen. We'll look at all the methods available, from standard settings to more advanced ways through hidden menus.
Before you start, it’s important to understand that shutting down the service won’t affect the basic functions of the phone, you’ll still be able to install any static or live wallpaper you want, and the only change will be the automatic image-shifting mechanism that many users find redundant.
What is a wallpaper carousel service and why it is needed
Wallpaper Carousel is a system service designed to automatically upload and change background images on a lock screen, originally conceived as a way to personalize a device without effort on the part of the user, it quickly became a channel for distributing advertising content. On devices like Redmi 9 Pro, this service operates at the system level, giving priority over user settings.
Technically, this component is closely related to the MIUI shell and is often updated independently of the main Android version.It collects user preferences data to offer relevant images, but it also raises privacy questions.Many users prefer to disable it to reduce the load on the processor and battery.
It is worth noting that in different regions, the firmware can be called differently: Glance, Lock Screen Magazine or simply “Carousel”. Despite the differences in names, the principle of operation and disabling methods remain similar for the entire line of budget and mid-budget Xiaomi smartphones.
⚠️ Note: Complete removal of system components through ADB It can cause the lock screen to work unstable. It is recommended to try the standard shutdown in the settings first.
Disconnection through standard MIUI settings
The safest and easiest way to get rid of intrusive image changes is to use the built-in tools of the system, which requires access to the screen settings menu, which requires no root rights and is safe for warranty maintenance of the device.
You need to go to the settings section that controls the look, and there's a switch that activates or deactivates the background download of media content, and once you turn off this option, the system will stop asking for network permissions for that service.
If the standard path doesn’t help, you may have a global firmware version where settings can be hidden deeper, so it’s worth checking the Password & Security section, as Xiaomi often groups locking features there.
The sequence of actions is as follows:
- 📱 Open Settings and find Always on screen and lock.
- 🖼️ Click on the Wallpaper Carousel (or Glance) section).
- 🚫 Turn the switch Include the wallpaper carousel in the "Off" position».
- 💾 Confirm action if the system requests a confirmation of disconnection.
☑️ Checking the service disconnection
Management through Security Application
In the MIUI shell, there's a Security system app that controls permissions and background processes, and sometimes turning off the carousel through basic settings is not enough, and you need to stop the app from accessing the Internet, and that will prevent new images from uploading even if the service is formally launched.
To implement this method, open the Security app (green zipper icon). Go to traffic management or permissions. Here you will find a list of all installed applications, including Xiaomi system services. Find the wallpaper component and limit its network activity.
This approach is especially effective if you want to leave the blocking functionality but remove the advertising component, but it is worth remembering that restricting access to the network can lead to the fact that the service will stop updating or will not work correctly, giving errors in the system logs.
⚠️ Attention: Restricting network access for system processes can cause error notifications in the notification curtain.
Use of hidden menu of engineering settings
For advanced users who don't find standard switches, there is a hidden test menu, which allows you to control system UI parameters that are usually hidden from the eyes of the average user. Be careful: changing unknown parameters can lead to malfunctions.
To get into this menu, use the standard dialing code. Enter ##6484## or ##4636## (code may vary depending on the version of MIUI). In the menu that opens, look for items related to Lock Screen or Wallpaper Service.
Alternatively, use a developer menu, turn it on by quickly tapping 7 times the build number in the About Phone section, then look up options on the developer menu that are related to window animation or background processes, and try to limit them to work.
Codes for entering the engineering menu
Comparison of methods of turning off the carousel
The choice of method depends on your technical training and the desired result. Below is a table that will help you compare the effectiveness of different ways to remove or disable the service on Redmi 9 Pro.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risk of failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen settings | Low. | Medium | No. |
| Traffic ban | Medium | Tall. | Low. |
| Engineering menu | Tall. | Maximum | Medium. |
| ADB team | Maximum | Complete. | High-pitched |
As you can see from the table, for most users, the best option is to standardize the settings to disconnect. However, if advertising continues to bother, you will have to resort to more radical measures, such as banning traffic. ADB-Teams are recommended only by experienced users.
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The most secure and stable method is to disable through the standard lock screen settings menu.
Removal via ADB (for advanced users)
If none of the above methods worked, you can use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, which allows you to remove system applications that cannot be removed by standard means, and this will require a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and ADB utilities installed.
Connect your smartphone to your PC in USB debugging mode. In the command line, type a command to find the package responsible for the carousel. Usually it is called com.miui.misystem or contains the word glance. After identifying the package, use the command pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaperThis command will remove the wallpaper carousel component for the current user, and it's important to understand that this action is irreversible without resetting the settings to the factory or re-installing the package, and only use this method if you are fully confident in your actions and have made a backup of the data.
⚠️ Note: Removing system packages through ADB It can cause a phone to “brickle” or cyclic reboot if critical system components are removed.
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Before use ADB Please include “Debugging by Debugging” USB» in the menu for developers and confirm trust in the computer on the smartphone screen.