How to permanently remove the wallpaper carousel in MIUI 11 on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Why the wallpaper carousel in MIUI 11 annoys users

The automatic wallpaper change feature in MIUI 11 was originally conceived as a way to diversify the desktop look. However, in practice, it has become one of the most controversial features of Xiaomi's shell. Users complain about sudden changes in the background image that are confusing, especially when important widgets or application icons are displayed on the screen. The problem is compounded by the system sometimes loading wallpaper from the Mi Cloud cloud storage without request, consuming traffic and device resources.

V MIUI 11 developers hid the option to disable the carousel deep in the settings, and in some regional versions of the firmware and completely removed it from the interface. 9T, Poco X3 and other models to look for workarounds – from editing system files to using ADB-In this article, we will look at all the current ways, including those that work without superuser rights (root).

It is important to understand that the methods differ depending on the firmware version. For example, in the global MIUI 11.0.3, the path to wallpaper settings may differ from the Chinese version 11.0.4.0. We will specify universal solutions and separately note the nuances for specific builds.

Method 1: Disconnect the carousel through standard settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in options, and unfortunately, it doesn't work on all versions of MIUI 11, but it's worth trying first.

1. Open the “Themes” app (icon with brush).
2. Go to Wallpaper section. → My wallpaper.
3. Click on the current desktop background (it will be highlighted by the frame).
4. At the bottom of the screen will appear button Settings wallpaper — tap it.
5. Turn off the Automatic Wallpaper Change Switch or Wallpaper Carousel (the name may vary).

If your version of MIUI 11 doesn’t have wallpaper settings, try an alternative path:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Desktop.
• 🔍 Find the Wallpaper Style or Dynamic Wallpaper section.
• ⚙️ Turn off the Automan or Animated Wallpaper option.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro with Chinese firmware), this method can only work after changing the region to India or Europe in the settings of the Mi Account. → Mi Account. → Region.

Update the "Themes" app to the latest version

Check the availability of the "Wallpaper Settings" item in the menu

Make a backup of the current wallpaper (screenshot)

Restart the device before changes-->

Method 2: Use of the ADB-commands without root)

If the standard settings didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which doesn't require super-user rights, but requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer.

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools (includes adb).
2. Activate USB debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to unlock Developer Settings), then go back to Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the device to the PC and execute in the command line:

adb shell settings put secure wallpaper_crop_and_set 0


adb shell settings put global wallpaper_effects_enabled 0

These commands disable the system effects of wallpaper, including the carousel. Applying the changes may require a reset. If the carousel is back after the restart, try the additional command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.wallpaper.livepicker

This command disables the system app that controls the live wallpaper, and be careful, on some devices, it can cause the weather widgets or the clock to malfunction.

adb shell pm enable com.android.wallpaper.livepicker

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If after ADB-commands wallpaper reset to standard, install them again manually through the Gallery app - select an image, click "Install as" → "Desktop wallpaper".

Method 3: Editing system files (requires root)

For users with unlocked bootloaders and root rights, a radical method is available: removing the system files responsible for the carousel, which is guaranteed to remove the function, but requires caution: improper actions can lead to a bootloop (cyclical reboot).

You'll need:

• 📱 Device with root rights (for example, through Magisk).
• 📂 Root-enabled file manager (e.g., Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔧 Backup of the system (recommended to be created through TWRP).

Instructions:

1. Open root manager and follow the path /system/priv-app/WallpaperCarousel.
2. Remove or rename the WallpaperCarousel folder (for example, in the WallpaperCarousel_bak).
3. Go to /system/app/WallpaperPicker and delete the WallpaperPicker.apk file.
4. Clear the cache and data of the “Themes” application in the settings.
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g., Mi) 9 s MIUI 11.0.6) removal WallpaperPicker.apk This can cause the wallpaper change option to disappear in the context menu, in which case restore the file from the backup or reinstall it through the context menu. TWRP.

Method 4: Installation of a third-party launcher

If the previous methods didn't work or seem too complicated, you can just replace the standard MIUI launcher with an alternative one, which won't remove the carousel from the system, but will make it invisible.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – supports customization of gestures, icons and wallpaper without restrictions.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – an open source launcher that mimics the Pixel Launcher.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for Performance and Customization.
• 🔄 Poco Launcher – the official launcher from Xiaomi, but without a wallpaper carousel.

How to determine:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play or APKMirror.
2. Open the app and follow the setup instructions.
3. In the launcher settings, find the Wallpaper section and set a static image.
4. Turn off the standard MIUI launcher via Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher (click Disable).

The advantage of this method is that it does not affect system files and is easily undoable, but some MIUI features (such as pop-ups or navigation gestures) may not work properly.

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Third-party launchers don't remove the carousel from the system, they hide it, and when you return to the standard MIUI launcher, the function can be activated again.

Method 5: Reset theme settings (last resort)

If the wallpaper carousel came after the MIUI 11 update or a new theme was installed, you can try resetting the Themes app, which will return all wallpaper settings to factory settings, but will not affect personal data.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Themes app (com.miui.miwallpaper).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Reset the device.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Install wallpaper manually through the Gallery → Set as wallpaper.
• 🚫 Do not use the themes in the Topics app – they often activate the carousel.
• 📱 Check if the item Disable the carousel in the wallpaper settings appeared.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 11 based on Android 10 (like Redmi) K20 Pro) Resetting theme settings can also reset icon and font settings. Save screenshots of the current design in advance to quickly restore it.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove the wallpaper carousel, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

Another common mistake is to try to turn off the carousel through developer mode. Some users mistakenly believe that the option to turn off wallpaper animation in Settings → For developers will solve the problem. In fact, this option is only responsible for the smoothness of the background change, but not for the merry-go-round function itself.

If none of these methods worked, check to see if the device has a third-party wallpaper management app (such as Zedge or WallpapersCraft) that may conflict with MIUI 11 system settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions