How to Return Wallpaper Carousel to Xiaomi After Accidental Deletion: The Complete Guide

The wallpaper carousel is one of the MIUI’s signature features that allows you to quickly change background images on the lock screen and desktop. Many users of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO face a problem: after cleaning the cache, resetting or unsuccessful update, this widget suddenly disappears. In some cases, the carousel is removed along with system applications when trying to free up memory or after using “developer mode”.

You can return it in several ways - from simple manipulations in the settings to use. ADB-It's important to understand that the recovery method depends on the version. MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and device models. For example, on the Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi Note 11, the algorithm may differ from the actions on the device. POCO F4. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including hidden shell functions and circumventing restrictions for devices with unlocked bootloader.

If you have removed the wallpaper carousel through the app menu or with tools like App Remover, don’t panic: 90% of the time, it can be restored without losing data, and the main thing is not to try to install third-party fixes from unverified sources, as this can lead to damage to system files or conflict with the shell.

Method 1: Recovery through theme settings

The easiest method is to return the carousel via the standard theme menu, which works on most MIUI 12-14 devices if the widget has been deactivated rather than completely removed.

Instructions:

  • 📱 Open the "Themes" app (icon with brush).
  • 🔍 Go to Wallpaper section. → Wallpaper carousel.
  • ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Restore by default.
  • 🔄 Restart the device by holding the power button.

If you don't have a wallpaper carousel on the menu, you've removed the widget at the system level, and then you can move on to the following.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for the European region), the "Carousel" section may be called Wallpaper Carousel or Dynamic Wallpapers. If you don't find this item, try changing the language of the system to English.

📊 What version? MIUI installed on your Xiaomi?
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
Another version
I don't know.

Method 2: Resetting the settings of the MIUI launcher

Often the carousel disappears after updating the launcher or experimenting with its settings, in which case the reset to factory parameters will help.

How to drop the launcher:

  1. Hold your finger on the free space on the desktop.
  2. Select Desktop Settings (or Home Screen Settings).
  3. Scroll down and click Reset Settings.
  4. Confirm the action and wait for the launcher to restart.

After reset, check if the carousel appears on the wallpaper menu. If not, try clearing the cache of the Themes app:

  • 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
  • 🔍 Find the Themes app and select Warehouse.
  • 🧹 Click Clear Cache and Clear Data.

☑️ Preparation for launcher reset

Done: 0 / 4

If the carousel has been removed as a system application (e.g., through a ADB Root, it can be restored by installing the original APK-This method is suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader or root rights.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download. APK wallpaper carousels for your version MIUI: 🔗 For MIUI 12/13: APKMirror (Wallpaper Carousel) 🔗 For MIUI 14: Search for files marked com.miui.wallpaper on forums XDA Developers.

APK

X-Plore

Solid Explorer

🔄 Reset the device.

If the installation is blocked, enable installation permission from unknown sources:

Settings → Applications → Special access → Installation of unknown applications

⚠️ Attention: Installation of third-party APK System applications can cause shell conflicts or lead to bootloop ( looped boot). TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

What to do if the APK is not installed?
If you see an error when installing "Application not installed", try: 1. Remove the residues of the old version via ADB: adb uninstall com.miui.wallpaper 2. Use a patched APK with a signature compatible with your firmware. 3. Install via TWRP in recovery mode.

Method 4: Recovery through ADB (without root)

If the carousel has been disabled at the system level but not removed, it can be activated via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require superuser rights, but a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed is required.

Instructions:

  1. 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging. USB: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB
  2. 📂 Download. ADB Tools and unpack in a folder on PC.
  3. 🐍 Open the command line in this folder and type: adb shell pm enable com.miui.wallpaper/.carousel.WallpaperCarouselActivity
  4. 🔄 Reset the device.

Before resetting or firmware, be sure to back up via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or Mi Cloud. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to entrust the recovery to specialists - the wrong firmware can lead to a "brick" of the device (complete inoperability).

💡

The factory reset is the last chance to return the carousel without the firmware, but after that, you have to reconfigure the phone and restore the data from the backup.

❓ Can I return the carousel without a computer?
Yes, if it was just disabled, try resetting the launcher settings (Method 2) or cleaning the Themes app cache. If the carousel is removed at the system level, you can't do without a PC or root rights.
❓ Why After Updating MIUI carousel's gone?
In newer versions of MIUI 13/14, the wallpaper carousel can be replaced with super wallpaper or integrated into another section. Check the Settings menu → Screen → Wallpaper – perhaps it is now called differently (e.g. Dynamic Wallpapers).
❓ Will the carousel work on custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience)?
No, the wallpaper carousel is an exclusive MIUI feature, replaced by the standard Android wallpaper selector on custom firmware (AOSP, LineageOS), but you can install alternative launchers that support dynamic wallpaper.
❓ How to get the carousel back on POCO Launcher?
POCO Launcher does not support the standard MIUI carousel. To return it, switch to the standard launcher: Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher and select MIUI Launcher.
❓ Can I transfer the carousel to another Xiaomi?
Technically, yes, if you copy APK and com.miui.wallpaper application data via TWRP or ADB Backup, however, this can cause conflicts if the MIUI versions on the devices are different.