Changing the visual design of a smartphone is the first thing a user does after buying. However, standard images preinstalled by the system often do not match personal preferences or quickly become annoying. Owners of devices based on MIUI and the new HyperOS face features that differ from pure Android. Understanding these nuances allows you to quickly bring the interface to the desired look.
The process of replacing or deleting standard images is not always obvious due to the deep integration of the Themes service into the shell. Users often confuse deleting a specific file with completely resetting the visual style. It is important to distinguish between deleting a file from the gallery and disabling the Wallpaper Carousel feature, which automatically changes images on a locked screen. Incorrect actions can lead to the fact that instead of the desired photo you get a black screen or a standard stub.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all available methods for managing background images. You will learn how to completely disable intrusive advertising in the form of new pictures, how to return the classic static background and how to clean the memory of debris left by personalization applications. Removing system wallpaper without superuser rights (Root) is impossible, but they can be successfully replaced or hidden. Follow the instructions to customize your Xiaomi Redmi or Poco screens exactly as convenient for you.
Difference Between Removal and Replacement in MIUI
The first step is to understand the architecture of the graphics shell. Unlike some other manufacturers, Xiaomi does not allow you to simply “delete” standard wallpaper, because they are part of the system resource package. Trying to find a file in the conductor and delete it will only lead to an access error or automatic recovery by the system. Therefore, deletion in the context of Android shells often means replacing it with another image or resetting to a factory standard.
There are two main types of backgrounds that need to be managed separately: the first is the lock screen, where the wallpaper carousel is most often active; the second is the desktop, where a static image can be part of an installed theme; system constraints do not allow you to delete the source code, but allow you to ignore it by installing your files on top.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete system files through root-righted file managers without creating a full backup.This can result in a cyclical smartphone reboot).
For the average user, the safest and most effective method is to use regular customization tools, which ensures that the interface is stable and that there are no display artifacts. Next, we will look at specific steps for different use cases.
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Standard wallpaper is part of the system partition and cannot be completely removed without modifying the firmware, but it is easy to replace through settings.**
How to turn off the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi
The Glance feature is the source of most questions about how to remove old images, and it automatically uploads new images from the Internet every time you wake up the screen, and it gets in the way of many users because they want to see one particular photo, and disabling it gives back control of the lock screen.
To do this, you need to go to the device settings. Find the partition that controls the lock screen. In different versions of MIUI, the path may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the switch that activates the carousel service and put it inactive.
☑️ Shutting down the wallpaper carousel
After the function is turned off, the system will prompt you to select a static image, you can choose any photo from the gallery or leave a standard one. Cash files of the carousel can remain in memory, taking up space, so it is recommended to further clear the data of the Themes application if you want to completely get rid of the traces of the service.
- 📱 Open the settings and find the section "Block screen».
- 🚫 Click on the item "Carousel wallpaper" and turn off the switchboard.
- 🖼️ Select “Select Photos” to set a static background.
- 🗑️ If you wish, clear the cache of the “Themes” application in the application settings.
These actions ensure that the images no longer change on their own, the lock screen becomes predictable and stops consuming traffic in the background.
Removing and changing wallpapers on the desktop
The Xiaomi Home Screen is closely related to the themes you have installed. If you downloaded a theme from GetThemes, removing wallpaper through the standard Wallpaper menu may be blocked or not effective, as priority is given to the theme files. To change the background, you either need to change the theme to a standard one or force your image to be installed.
The easiest way is to use a long tap on the free space of the screen. In the menu that appears, select Wallpaper. Here you will see categories: Recommended, Offline, Mine and Online. Going to Mine allows you to select any saved image. Using a new file automatically replaces the previous image, effectively "deleting" it from the visible part of the screen.
If your goal is to remove the whole theme along with its wallpaper, go to the Themes app. The user profile (human icon) has a section called "My Themes." Select a theme "Classic" or "Default" and click "Apply." This will return the factory view to the interface.
⚠️ Note: When you remove a third-party theme through the control menu, wallpapers created on its basis may disappear from the previews, but will remain in the gallery if you saved them separately.
For advanced users who want to clean up the themes, it is possible to reset the launcher settings, but this will return all icons and grids to their original state, which will require re-configuration of the workspace manually.
Cleaning cache and junk wallpaper files
Even after visually replacing images, there may be gigabytes of garbage in your smartphone memory, wallpaper carousel and theme store actively caching high-resolution graphics, these files are stored in hidden directories and are not visible when you normally view a gallery, and removing them will require access to application management.
The most effective way to clean up is to reset the Topic app, which will not delete your personal photos, but will clear all the wallpaper, fonts and decorations that you download from the Internet, returning the app to a post-purchase state.
Where are the carousel files physically located?
Follow the following steps for deep cleaning:
- Go to the smartphone settings.
- Go to the Appendix section → All Appendices.
- Find the Themes app (icon with brush) in the list.
- Select the item Memory or Storage.
- Click the Clear button and select All Data.
After this procedure, the phone can freeze for a few seconds, redesigning the interface, which is normal behavior, and you end up with a clean system without intrusive images from the store.
Comparison of wallpaper management methods
So to make it easier to choose your strategy, we've developed a comparison table that will help you determine which method is best for your particular situation: whether you just need to change the picture or if you need to clean the system in depth.
| Method | What's removed | Risks. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement through menu | Visually hiding an old photo | No. | Low. |
| Carousel shutdown | Stops autoloading. | No. | Low. |
| Resetting the Annex Topics | Cash, uploaded themes, fonts | Theme settings meeting | Medium |
| Change the subject to Classic | Style and background | Changing the appearance of icons | Low. |
As you can see from the table, the complete physical removal of system files is not required to achieve the goal. It is enough to use the built-in management tools competently. Using third-party launchers such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher also allows you to completely ignore Xiaomi system wallpapers, covering them with your own layer.
The choice of method depends on how deeply you want to interfere with the system, and for 95% of users, the first two points of the table are enough.
Removal of live wallpaper and video backgrounds
Live Wallpapers consume more CPU and battery than static images. If you set up a video background and want to get rid of it, the procedure is slightly different. Unlike normal pictures, live wallpapers are separate mini-apps or services on the Android system.
To remove them, go to the wallpaper selection menu and find a type switch at the top of the screen (or in the settings) and select the category Photo or Gallery. Then enter a static image. The system automatically deactivates the live wallpaper service. If you downloaded live wallpaper from a third-party source, you need to remove them as a regular application through Settings → Apps.
⚠️ Warning: Some live wallpapers may continue to work in the background even after a background change if they have not been properly disabled. Check running processes in the Battery section».
To return to the factory static state, simply select any standard background from the preset MIUI list. This is guaranteed to stop any animation processes associated with the screen.