How to completely remove system wallpaper on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: a detailed guide

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9A often face a problem: even after installing new wallpaper system images continue to take up space in the device memory and display in the gallery. Unlike flagship models, the budget Redmi 9A does not offer a built-in option to remove them completely through the standard menu. This article will reveal all working methods from simple to advanced, including working with ADB and root rights, taking into account the features of the MIUI firmware for this model.

It's important to understand that system wallpaper is stored in protected memory, and removing it requires caution. Some ways can lead to a theme crash or even a bootloop if done incorrectly. We'll go through each method in detail, identify the risks, and suggest alternatives for those who are not ready for radical measures.

Why System Wallpaper Takes Place and How to Check It

On the Redmi. 9A Pre-installed wallpaper is stored in two places: in the system section /system/media/theme/default_wallpapers and in the user memory in the folder MIUI/Wallpaper. Even after changing the wallpaper through the settings, the original files remain intact, occupying up to 150–300 MB (depending on version) MIUI). You can check their availability through any file manager with access to root folders (for example, MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).

To see the hidden files:

• 📁 Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden folders in the settings.
• 🔍 Go on the path of internal memory → MIUI → Wallpaper.
• 📊 See the folder size (click and hold the folder) → "Properties").
• 🔄 Compare it to the file. DCIM — System wallpaper often takes up more space than all your photos.

On MIUI firmware 12.5 and later, some of the wallpaper is duplicated in the cache of the com.miui.gallery application. This is done to speed up the loading when changing the themes, but leads to unnecessary memory consumption. Clearing the gallery cache (Settings → Applications → Gallery → Clear the cache) will temporarily free up space, but will not delete the files themselves.

Method 1: Hiding wallpaper through theme settings (without deleting)

The safest way is not to delete files, but to hide them from displaying in the gallery and wallpaper selection menu. This method does not require root rights and is suitable for MIUI 11-14:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to Wallpaper section. → My wallpaper.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Wallpaper Management.
4. Check the boxes on the preset wallpaper (they are usually marked as "System").
5. Return to the gallery and update the album list – the Wallpaper folder should disappear.

This doesn't free up disk space, but it does eliminate visual clutter, and you'll have to use other methods to remove it completely.

⚠️ Note: Some of the updates after the update MIUI system wallpaper may reappear in the gallery, in which case repeat the procedure or use the method with the ADB (described below).

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If the Wallpaper folder reappears after the reboot, create an empty file at the root of the memory called.nomedia – this will block the scanning of the folder by media players.

Method 2: Delete via file manager (no root rights)

Some of the system wallpaper is stored in user memory, and can be manually removed.

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (e.g. MiXplorer).
2. Go on the path of internal memory → MIUI → Wallpaper.
3. Select all files (except the Carrier folder, if any) and delete them.
4. Clear the basket.

This method only removes copies of the wallpaper in the user's memory. The original files in the system partition will remain, but will not be duplicated. ADB root-right.

Method 3: Using ADB to remove system wallpaper

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to delete system files without rooting permissions, but requires a connection to a computer.This method works on Redmi 9A with any version of MIUI, as long as USB debugging is enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Return to Additional → For Developers.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
4. Open the command line in this folder and type:

adb shell


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




su -c "rm -rf /system/media/theme/default_wallpapers/*"




su -c "mount -o ro,remount /system"




exit

If the su command is not working (no root rights), use an alternative path:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.wallpaper

This will remove the wallpaper app for the current user, but will not affect system files.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It could cause a system failure. 9A s MIUI 12.5 and the newest mount team -o rw,remount /system This may not work due to dm-verity protection, in which case you will need to disable the check through Magisk (for rooted devices only).

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Enable debugging over USB on your phone | Download ADB Tools from the official website | Connect the phone with the original cable | Check that the device is determined by the adb device command

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Method 4: Complete removal with root rights

If you have a root license (installed by Magisk or SuperSU), you can remove the wallpaper without restrictions. Use any route guide (such as Root Explorer):

1. Open the conductor and provide root access.
2. Move to the /system/media/theme/default_wallpapers.
3. Delete all files in this folder (or the folder itself).
4. Reset the device.

To delete cached copies:

rm -rf /data/system/theme/*


rm -rf /data/data/com.miui.gallery/cache/*

After that, the system wallpaper will disappear from:

• 📱 Menu of choice of wallpaper in settings.
• 🖼️ Galleries (Wallpaper folder).
• 🎨 Annexes “Themes".

If after removing the wallpaper by default reset on the black screen, set the new wallpaper manually through Settings → Screen → Wallpaper.

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Removing system wallpapers with root rights is the only way to free up space completely, but it requires caution. Always back up the /system partition before making changes.

Method 5: Alternatively, replace the wallpaper with empty files

If the deletion causes errors, you can replace the system wallpaper with "empty" files of minimal size, which will keep the system working, but will make room for:

1. Create an empty.png file on your PC (size 1×1 pixel, weight ~100 bytes).
2. Copy it to your phone in the /sdcard/ folder.
3. Through ADB Or the root conductor replace all the files in the /system/media/theme/default_wallpapers:

adb push empty.png /sdcard/


adb shell




su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/empty.png /system/media/theme/default_wallpapers/




chmod 644 /system/media/theme/default_wallpapers/empty.png




mount -o ro,remount /system

This method is safer than complete deletion, as the system will always find a plug instead of a missing file.

Recovery of the system after errors

If after manipulation with wallpaper problems arise (black screen, errors when downloading, resetting themes), follow the following steps:

1. Reset theme settings: Go to Settings → Themes → Reset to factory.
2. Cache Clearing: For com.miui.gallery and com.android.themes applications via Settings → Apps.
3. Recovery via ADB: If the system does not boot, return the deleted files with the command:

adb push default_wallpapers/ /system/media/theme/

(where default_wallpapers/ — backup).

In extreme cases, reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset), but this will delete all user data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing wallpaper on Redmi 9A