Wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi: how to enable, configure and fix errors

The wallpaper carousel feature on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to automatically change the background of the desktop on a schedule or with each unlock of the screen. Despite the convenience, many users are faced with the fact that the option is either missing from the menu or does not work correctly after the MIUI updates. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to activate the carousel – from standard settings to hidden firmware features, and also consider typical errors and their solutions.

It’s important to understand that the availability of the feature depends on the shell version and device model. For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 14, the carousel is turned on via Themes, and on the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, you may need to manually adjust through ADB. We have collected current methods for all modern versions of MIUI (including HyperOS) so that you can adjust the automatic wallpaper change regardless of the model.

If you've tried to turn on the carousel before, but it didn't work out, don't give up on the idea. Often the problem is with the system resolutions being turned off or the battery optimization conflict. Below you'll find step-by-step instructions with illustrations (for key steps), a model compatibility table, and answers to frequent questions.

What is a wallpaper carousel and how it works on Xiaomi

The wallpaper carousel is a built-in MIUI feature that cycles the background of the desktop according to given rules. Unlike static images, it allows you to:

• 🔄 Automatically update wallpaper when unlocking the screen or by timer (each one). 5/10/30 minute).
• 🎨 Use collections of images from a gallery, Xiaomi themes or third-party sources (e.g. Google Photos).
• 📱 Synchronize background on the home screen and lock screen (on supported models).
• 🔧 Configure transitions between wallpapers (smooth dimming, shifting, scaling).

Technically, the function is implemented through the system application com.miui.home (launcher). MIUI) And WallpaperCarousel, on new versions. MIUI 13+ HyperOS carousel is integrated into the Topics section, but on old firmware (MIUI 12 and below) manual activation may be required through ADB or hidden settings.

Note: Some models (e.g., POCO F3 or Redmi 9A) do not have a wallpaper carousel due to hardware restrictions or Xiaomi’s policy for budget devices, in which case it can be added through third-party launchers (e.g., Nova Launcher) or modified firmware.

Method 1: Enabling the carousel through standard MIUI settings

If your device supports the function natively, you can activate it in 3 steps:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the Wallpaper → Wallpaper Carousel (or Dynamic Wallpaper on HyperOS).
3. Select the source of the images: 🖼️ Gallery - own photos. 🌄 Xiaomi Themes – Pre-loaded Collections. ☁️ Cloud – sync with Mi Cloud or Google Photos.

1 minute.

1 day

Automatic shift

On MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the path may be slightly different: Settings → Personalization → Wallpaper → Carousel.

⚠️ Note: If the wallpaper carousel section is not on the menu, then your model does not support the function natively.

Method 2: Activate via hidden settings (for MIUI 12 and below)

On older versions of MIUI, the wallpaper carousel may be hidden, but it can be turned on via the engineering menu or ADB.

Method A. Through the set code:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. Go to the phone information section → MIUI settings.
3. Find the Wallpaper Carousel option and set the value 1.
4. Reset the device.

Method B. Through ADB (PC required):

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the line with the version).
2. Open the command line on PC and execute: adb shell settings put global wallpaper_carousel_enabled 1
3. Reset the device.

After using one of the methods, the wallpaper carousel section should appear in the Topic app. If not, check if the settings have reset after the reboot (sometimes you need to repeat the ADB command).

Method 3: Using third-party apps for the carousel

If the built-in feature is not available, you can replace it with third-party launchers or specialized utilities.

For the installation of a third-party carousel:

1. Download and install the selected application.
2. Set it as the default launcher (when you request the system).
3. In the application settings, select the source of the wallpaper and adjust the shift interval.
4. Turn off battery optimization for the application in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autostart.

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (such as Nova Launcher) may conflict with system gestures MIUI. If swipes stop working after installation, return the standard launcher to Settings → Home screen.

Why the wallpaper carousel doesn’t work: typical mistakes and decisions

If you have turned on the carousel but the wallpaper doesn’t change, check out the following points:

• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Topics and Disable Battery Optimization.
• 📂 Access Rights: Make sure that the Topic app is allowed access to Memory and Gallery.
• 🔄 Cash and data: Clear the app's cache Topics in Settings → Annexes.
• 📡 Internet connection: To download wallpaper from Xiaomi themes requires stable Wi-Fi or mobile Internet.
• ⏳ Delayed activation: Sometimes changes are only applied after a device restarts or after 10-15 minutes.

If the problem persists, try:

1. Reset the settings of the Themes app to factory.
2. Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) and set up a carousel through it.
3. Check for MIUI updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

💡

If the carousel is unstable, try to reduce the interval of wallpaper change to 10-15 minutes. Frequent change (every minute) can lead to freezes due to overloading of the system.

How to set up a wallpaper carousel on the lock screen

On most Xiaomi devices, the carousel only works on the home screen by default, to activate it on the lock screen:

1. Open the Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select Wallpaper → Wallpaper Carousel (if there is no option, proceed to step 3).
3. For models without built-in support: Install the Lock Screen Wallpaper Changer app from Google Play. Give it Overlay rights over other apps and Device Administrator. Set up the wallpaper source and change interval.

Important: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12T), the carousel on the lock screen may conflict with Always-On Display. In this case, disable AOD in Settings → Lock screen → Always-On Display.

Compatibility of wallpaper carousel with different models Xiaomi

Not all Xiaomi devices support the wallpaper carousel out of the box. Below is a compatibility table for popular models:

For devices marked "Required" ADB" Follow Method 2 of this article. If the model is not in the table, test for the function experimentally or check in the forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

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On HyperOS devices, the wallpaper carousel is more stable than on MIUI 12-14, thanks to the optimization of background processes.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions