How to remove system wallpaper on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

System wallpaper on Xiaomi smartphones often cause users to irritate: they take up space in memory, are not deleted by standard methods and can automatically return after updates. This is especially true for MIUI branded themes that the manufacturer integrates at the firmware level. If you are tired of intrusive images on the lock screen or desktop, this article will help you figure out how to remove them forever without disrupting the system.

It is important to understand that MIUI It limits users to manage system files, so simply clicking "Delete" is not enough. We will look at both legal methods (through settings and third-party applications) and advanced ones - using the system. ADB, And each method has its own nuances: somewhere you need a computer, somewhere you need technical knowledge, and some options will suit even beginners. MIUI.

Why System Wallpaper Is Not Removed in the Standard Way

Unlike wallpapers installed by the user, system themes in MIUI are protected from accidental deletion.

• 🔄 Maintaining firmware integrity – deleting key files can cause interface failures.
• 📱 Brand Uniformity – Xiaomi strives for recognizable design across all devices.
• 🔒 Virus protection – restricting access to system folders reduces the risk of infection.
• 🔄 Automatic Recovery – After Updates MIUI can return standard wallpaper.

System wallpaper is stored in protected areas of memory that ordinary users do not have access to, even if you find them through the file manager (for example, in a folder). /system/media/theme/default_wallpapers), Attempting to delete will result in a mistake due to lack of rights. Moreover, some topics are duplicated in several places, which makes it difficult to delete them completely.

Another feature is dynamic wallpapers (like Super Wallpapers), which are multi-layered and animation-based, which cannot be replaced by a static image: you need to shut down the entire module in the system, which is one of the reasons why many Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO F3 users are faced with returning standard themes after a reboot.

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (no root rights)

The easiest way to do this is to hide the system wallpaper without physically removing it, and it won't free up memory, but it will keep it from appearing on the screen. MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → Wallpaper (or Themes on some models).
2. Choose My Wallpaper or Installed.
3. Find the system theme (usually marked with the MIUI icon) and click on it.
4. From the menu, select Delete or Hide (if the button is inactive, go to the next method).
5. Confirm the action. The theme will disappear from the list of available, but will remain in the memory of the device.

On some firmware (e.g. HyperOS for Xiaomi 13), this method works partially: wallpaper can return after the update. To consolidate the result, immediately after the concealment, install a custom theme from the MIUI Themes store, which will reduce the likelihood of automatic recovery of standard wallpaper.

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If the Remove button is inactive, try installing any other theme from the official store first, sometimes unlocking the ability to hide the system wallpaper.

Method 2: Using ADB for removal (no root rights)

If the system wallpaper is not hidden through the settings, you can remove them using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method doesn't require root rights, but you'll need a computer and enabled debugging. USB. It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO on MIUI 11–14.

Warning: Incorrect ADB commands can disrupt the system. On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12T), this method can cause wallpaper to reset to standard ones after rebooting - check the relevance for your model.

Turn on USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)|Install ADB drivers on PC (download from Android Studio)|Plug your phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device |Download the archive with the ADB platform (or use the minimum package)

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Steps to remove:

1. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
3. Remove the system wallpaper with the command (replace) wallpaper_name File name: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.wallpaperbackup For dynamic Super Wallpapers wallpapers use: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.superwallpaper
4. Reset the device.

If after the reboot the wallpaper returned, try to remove the cache additionally to themes:

adb shell pm clear com.android.themes

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11), this method only works until the next system update.

Method 3: Delete through file manager with root rights

If your device has root rights (for example, after unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk), you can manually delete the system wallpaper files. This method is the most radical and requires caution: an error can lead to a bootloop (locked on phone).

System wallpaper in MIUI is stored in several folders:

• 📁 /system/media/theme/default_wallpapers/ — wallpaper.
• 📁 /system/priv-app/SuperWallpaper/ — dynamic wallpaper (if any).
• 📁 /data/system/users/0/wallpaper/ — current-use wallpaper.
• 📁 /vendor/overlay/ — overlay files of theme (on some firmware).

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root rights support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to the folder. /system/media/theme/default_wallpapers/.
3. Delete all files with.jpg,.png or.xml extensions (pre-backup!).
4. For dynamic wallpaper, delete the SuperWallpaper folder in /system/priv-app/.
5. Clear the cache of the Themes app in the settings.
6. Reset the device.

On some devices (e.g., POCO F4 GT), system wallpapers can be duplicated in /product/media/ or /vendor/. Use a file manager search with a filter by name (e.g., wallpaper or default).

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If you don't want to mess around with ADB or root rights, you can use third-party apps that don't physically remove wallpaper, but let you replace it with your own, unlimited MIUI.

For example, Muzei allows you to install your wallpaper through the Android API, bypassing the limitations of MIUI.

1. Install Muzei from Google Play.
2. In the application settings, select the Source of Wallpaper → My photos.
3. Upload your image.
4. In MIUI settings, select Wallpaper → Muzei as the current theme.

Substratum will require additional configuration:

1. Install Substratum and the Andromeda plugin (for devices without root).


2 Download a theme that supports wallpaper (e.g., "PitchBlack").




3. Apply the theme through Substratum.




4. Reset the device.

This method works even on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with HyperOS, but it can conflict with some system applications.

Method 5: Editing firmware files (for advanced)

For users who are ready to experiment, there is a way to modify the firmware by editing overlay files, which allows you not only to remove the wallpaper, but also to replace it with your own at the system level.

• 🔧 Unlocked loader.
• 💻 Computer with ADB and Fastboot.
• 📦 Backup firmware.
• 🔍 Knowledge of structure MIUI (willingness to learn).

Algorithm of action:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Unpack the payload.bin file using the Payload Dumper tool.
3. Find the wallpaper files in the folders: system/system/media/theme/default_wallpapers/ or system/system/priv-app/SuperWallpaper/.
4. Replace them with your images (retain original names and permissions!).
5. Pack the firmware back to payload.bin.
6. Fastboot: fastboot flash system.img fastboot flash vendor.img

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Editing firmware is the most reliable way to get rid of system wallpaper forever, but it requires deep knowledge and risks building a device, and is recommended only for advanced users.

For example, for Redmi. K50 file replacement: default_wallpaper.jpg (desktop and default_lockwallpaper.jpg (lock screen) in the folder /system/media/theme/default_wallpapers/.

Important: Images must be in format RGB_888 and the permissions supported by your device (usually 1080×2400 or 1440×3200).

What to do if the wallpaper returns after the update

One of the most common problems is automatic system wallpaper recovery after a MIUI update, which is because the firmware contains backups of themes in the /vendor or /product section.

⚠️ Note: If you are using beta versions MIUI or HyperOS, refuse automatic updates before wallpaper removal. In test builds, the recovery mechanism is more aggressive.

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📵 Remove the "Subjects" app through ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.themes Minus: You will lose access to the theme store.
• 🔧 Replace System Wallpaper with Transparent Wallpaper: Create an Empty Wallpaper PNG-file-size 1×1 pixel and rename it to default_wallpaper.jpg, Then put it in the system folders (root rights required).
• 🔄 Use Magisk modules, for example. MIUI Debloater that blocks the recovery of standard themes.

HyperOS (a new firmware for Xiaomi 14 and other 2026 models) has an additional limitation: the system checks the integrity of files every time it is turned on, in which case only complete removal of the theme package through ADB or firmware editing will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions