How to remove wallpaper from the screen Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: all working methods

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones, despite the release of new models, and owners of this device often face the need to change or completely remove wallpaper — whether it is standard images from MIUI, user-installed images or artifacts after a system failure. Unlike today’s flagships, where the interface is intuitive, on the Redmi Note 7 with its version MIUI 10/11/12, the process can cause questions.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove wallpaper, from basic settings to advanced methods using ADB and file managers. Particular attention will be paid to the typical problems: when the wallpaper does not change after reset, black bars appear or the system returns an old picture. If you want to not just replace the background, but completely erase it from the device memory (including cache and system folders), here you will find detailed instructions tailored to the specifics of the Redmi Note 7.

Why is the wallpaper not removed in the standard way?

On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, users often find that the wallpaper remains in place even after trying to change it, and the reasons are rooted in the features of MIUI:

• 🔄 Image caching: The system stores copies of wallpaper in a folder /data/system/users/0/wallpaper, And when it fails, it can load them from there, ignoring the new settings.
• 📱 Restrictions of the launcher: Standard launcher MIUI Sometimes blocks wallpaper changes due to errors in the com.miui.home file.
• 🔧 Theme settings: If you activate a theme from the Mi Theme Store, it can override wallpaper regardless of your actions.
• 🛠️ Damaged files: After incorrect update or reset in the folder /system/media There may be "broken" wallpaper files left.

Before you go to radical methods, check:

1. Is the theme turned off in Settings → Design → My Themes (select “Default”).
2. Are there any active profiles in Settings → Screen → Reading Mode (they can overlay a dark filter).
3. Updated to the latest version of MIUI for Redmi Note 7 (current today – MIUI 12.5.7).

Method 1: Remove wallpapers through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use built-in tools, which is suitable if the wallpaper was installed by you or through the gallery, but does not affect the system files.

1. Open the settings → design → Wallpaper.
2. Select the category "My Wallpaper" (if there is your image) or "Default".
3. Click on the wallpaper you want to remove, and at the bottom of the screen tap "Delete" (basket icon).
4. Confirm action. If there is no Delete button, then the wallpaper is system (go to method 3).

If the old wallpaper is still displayed:

• 🔄 Restart your phone (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
• 🧹 Clear the launcher's cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Warning: Some Redmi Note 7 firmwares may turn black after removing the wallpaper. This is not a failure, it's just that the system has not found a replacement. Select any wallpaper from the Default section to return the background.

Method 2: Resetting wallpaper through the launcher (without root)

If the standard method didn't work, try resetting the launcher settings. This won't physically remove the wallpaper, but will force the system to load the standard ones:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Louncher (or com.miui.home) and open its settings.
3. Select "Storage" → "Clear Data" (not cache!).
4. Confirm the action. After that, the home screen will reset and the wallpaper will be replaced with the standard one.

This method helps in 70% of cases when the wallpaper is stuck due to a launcher failure, but it has side effects:

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Before resetting the launcher, take screenshots of the home screen (hold the Power + Volume buttons) to quickly restore the location of the icons.

Method 3: Manually remove wallpaper files (with file manager)

To completely remove wallpaper, including system ones, you will need access to hidden folders. Using a root-right file manager (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).

If you don't have root rights, you can try to do without them, but some folders will be unavailable.

1. Install a file manager and give it access to the storage.
2. Go to /data/data/com.android.settings/files/wallpapers//data/system/users/0/wallpaper/
3. Delete all files with extensions.jpg,.png,.xml (this is cached wallpaper).
4. For system wallpapers, go to /system/media/wallpapers//system/priv-app/WallpaperPicker/res/ Here delete files carefully - some are responsible for standard MIUI backgrounds.

After removal:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🖼️ Install new wallpaper through Settings → The screen will be black, otherwise the screen will remain black.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system If you're not sure, you can skip this step and use the method. 4 (ADB).

Method 4: Removing wallpaper through ADB (advanced method)

If previous methods didn’t work and root rights didn’t, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will be a lifesaver, a method that allows you to remove wallpaper without risking damage to the system.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (Original, for stable connection).
• 📥 Established ADB-driver.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (stick 7 times until you say “You’re a developer”). Then: Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
4. Remove the cached wallpaper: adb shell rm -rf /data/data/com.android.settings/files/wallpapers/* adb shell rm -rf /data/system/users/0/wallpaper/*
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

If you need to remove system wallpaper (for example, after a failed update), use:

adb shell su -c "mount -o rw,remount /system"


adb shell su -c "rm -rf /system/media/wallpapers/*"

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ADB is the safest way to remove wallpaper without root, as commands are executed in the sandbox and do not affect critical system files.

Method 5: Reset your phone completely (if nothing helps)

The last measure, hard reset, is used when wallpaper is not removed due to serious MIUI failures or after unsuccessful experimentation with topics, which erases all data from the phone, including apps, photos and settings.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select "Erase all data" and confirm.
4. After the reboot, the phone will be like new – with standard MIUI wallpaper.

If the phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo:

• 🔧 Turn it off (hold the power button for 15 seconds).
• 🛠️ Squeeze the power. + Increase the volume to enter the Recovery Mode.
• 📛 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Management – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 7 may require re-activation of Mi Account after reset via Recovery. If you forget your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after the successful removal of the wallpaper, Redmi Note 7 users are faced with problems.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📡 Updates MIUI: Outdated versions (below) MIUI (11) may have wallpaper bugs.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Some programs (such as Avast) block changes to system files.
• 🔋 Battery charge: At levels below 20%, the system may refuse to apply the new settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions