Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Often encounter an intrusive feature called wallpaper carousel, which automatically replaces images on a locked screen. Known as Glance by Mi or Wallpaper Carousel, this phenomenon was introduced by the company for monetization and advertising, but for many users it interferes with, distracts with notifications and consumes traffic. MIUI 11, since it was in this version of the shell that the interface began to actively implement such services.
The problem is not only aesthetic discomfort, but also that the system periodically compulsively returns default settings, ignoring the user's wishes. MIUI 11 was a turning point when image-shifting algorithms became more aggressive. However, there is a proven method to completely deactivate this feature and return the static image you chose. In this article, we will detail all the steps necessary to clean the lock screen from advertising debris.
It is worth noting that the names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the regional firmware (Global, China, EEA) and the Android version. However, the logic of the Wallpaper system application remains the same for all devices of the brand. By performing the sequential actions described below, you can forget about spontaneous change of images forever.
Why the Wallpaper Carousel Reappears and How It Works
Many users wonder why, after manually setting a static image, a tape with news and changing images reappears on the lock screen after a while, because a special service is activated in the system that takes precedence over user settings, and the wallpaper carousel feature is integrated deep into the system's theme and screen settings application.
The main purpose of this mechanism is to retain the user's attention and display advertising content. The algorithm works in the background, periodically downloading new packets of images over the Internet. If you just changed the picture in the gallery, but did not turn off the function itself, the system will return its settings at a certain interval (or after rebooting).
⚠️ Attention: Complete removal of the system application responsible for the carousel without the presence of Root-rights can lead to unstable interface operation or cyclic reboot.
And it's also important to distinguish between live wallpaper and carousel. Live wallpaper is animated backgrounds that you choose voluntarily, whereas a carousel is a forced service. Understanding this difference will help you navigate the settings menu correctly and not turn off the extra.
Step-by-step: disabling through the theme settings
The safest and most reliable way to remove the intrusive feature is to use the built-in theme management menu, which is where the main levers of control over the appearance of the system are located, you do not need third-party programs or access to debugging over USB.
To start, you need to open the Themes app (an icon with a brush) This is the system visualization control center of your Xiaomi. Find the profile icon (usually a user avatar or a person) in the upper right corner, and click on it, you will be taken to the account menu and additional options.
In the list that opens, you'll need to find Settings or Wallpaper Carousel. The exact name depends on the version of MIUI, but the meaning remains the same. When you enter this section, you'll see a switch that activates or deactivates the service. Put it in "Switched off." The system can request confirmation of action — agree boldly.
Once the feature is disabled, it is recommended to immediately go to the standard settings menu of the phone to fix the result. Select the Lock Screen section and make sure that there is no tick on the "Enable Wallpaper Carousel". If there is such a tick, remove it.
☑️ Checklist for carousel shutdown
By doing this, you break the connection between the update server and your lock screen, and your phone will stop downloading new image packets, but to be 100% sure, you should check for additional activation sources, which will be discussed later.
Management through the Security app
There's another control center in the MIUI shell that's often overlooked, and that's the Security app, which not only cleans the cache and checks for viruses, but also contains optimization settings, including managing advertising and system services, and sometimes the carousel settings are duplicated or controlled from here.
Launch the Security app (green shield icon). At the top of the screen, click three dots or the gear icon to enter the settings. In the options list, find the section related to Recommendations or Getting Recommendations. Disabling this feature often blocks the wallpaper carousel as they use the same data channel.
Also worth noting is the Memory Cleanup section, where some firmware versions have a Speed Up button, and underneath it, small setting icons, where you can see the carousel on/off, and be careful when cleaning, so you don't accidentally activate the service again.
⚠️ Attention: There are often hidden ad switches in the Security app. Be careful and read the descriptions of the features carefully before activating or deactivating them.
If you use older versions of MIUI, the path may be different. Try to find Receive recommendations in your security settings and disable it. This action will prevent the system from showing you any promotional content, including the carousel on the lock screen.
Lock screen settings in MIUI 11 and later
The lock screen interface in MIUI 11 has changed from previous versions, and now the display is in a separate, more accessible section. To get there, open the phone's main menu settings.
Find the Always On and Lock screen section. In some firmware, it may be simply called the Lock Screen. Inside this menu is the Wallpaper Carousel key switch. If it's active, you'll see a preview of the images and the "Enable" button. Your task is to click on this item and select "Disable."
It's also important to check the settings for Double Tap and Raise to turn on, and sometimes the carousel is activated when the screen is turned on by these methods, and make sure that the source of the image is "No" or "Static image" rather than "Carousel".
After making the changes, be sure to press the Home button and lock the screen to check the result. If the picture is static and does not change after unlocking and re-locking, then you have successfully coped with the task.
Comparison of disconnection methods: table
For ease of perception, we have systematized various ways to disable the function into a single table, which will help you choose the most suitable option depending on your situation and the version of the software.
| Method of disconnection | Efficiency | Difficulty | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the Topics app | Tall. | Low. | Minimum |
| Through Screen Settings | Medium | Low. | Absent. |
| Through the Security App | Tall. | Medium | Minimum |
| Disconnection through ADB | Maximum | Tall. | Medium (for beginners) |
As you can see from the table, standard methods through settings are highly effective and do not require special knowledge. the use of ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is recommended only for advanced users who understand the consequences of removing system components.
Choose the method that you find most understandable. 95% of the time, it's enough to just switch the switch in the Topic app to forget about the problem.
Advanced level: Disconnection through ADB
If standard methods do not help, or if the carousel function is