Wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: how to turn on and configure automatic background change

The wallpaper carousel feature on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to automatically change background images on the lock screen or desktop on a schedule or every time you unlock. On the Redmi 9T, this option works through the branded MIUI shell, but is not always enabled by default. Many users do not even know it exists, although it will significantly diversify the appearance of the device.

In this article, we’ll look at three ways to activate the carousel (built-in settings, third-party apps, and hidden MIUI features), look at typical configuration errors, and give you recommendations for optimizing the function. We’ll focus on the nuances for MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13 firmware, as the interface and options are different. If you want your Redmi 9T to enjoy new images every day, read on.

⚠️ Important: On some versions MIUI for Redmi 9T The wallpaper carousel can be disabled at the firmware level, in which case manual activation through the ADB Or installing an alternative launcher, and we'll talk about it in the appropriate section.

1. Verification of MIUI version and compatibility

Before you turn on the wallpaper carousel, make sure your firmware version supports this feature. 9T It is available starting with MIUI 12.0.3.0, but in some regional builds (e.g. Europe or India) it may be disabled. MIUI so-so:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Scroll down to the MIUI version block.
3. Remember or write down the full name (e.g., V12.5.3.0.RJQMIXM).

If your version is older than MIUI 12.0, but there is no feature, the problem may be:

• 📱 Regional firmware (e.g. Global vs China).
• 🔧 No updates (check in Settings) → Updating the system).
• 🛠️ Manual restrictions (sometimes Xiaomi blocks features for budget models).

For Redmi 9T with firmware below MIUI 12.0.3.0 wallpaper carousel to include standard means is impossible – you will need to update or use workarounds (we will talk about them in section 4).

2. Enable the carousel through standard MIUI settings

If your firmware supports the function, you can activate it in 30 seconds.

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush and palette).
2. Go to the Wallpaper section → Lock screen or desktop.
3. At the top of the screen, look for the Carousel tab (may be called Dynamic Wallpaper).
4. Choose one of the proposed wallpaper packages (e.g. Nature, Cities, or Abstraction).
5. Click Apply and confirm the selection.

After that, the wallpaper will automatically change according to the set settings. By default, the change occurs:

• 🔄 Every time you unlock the screen.
• ⏰ Once a day (if selected in the settings).
• 🌅 When changing the time of day (morning/day/evening/night).

Update the Themes app in Google Play

Make sure time synchronization is enabled

Disable energy saving mode (it can block background processes)

Check the free space on the device (needs at least 500 MB)

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⚠️ Warning: If the carousel doesn't work after using the wallpaper, restart the phone. Sometimes the function is activated only after the reboot.

3. Customization of the carousel parameters

By default, MIUI offers basic carousel settings, but you can flexibly customize them to your needs.

1. Return to the Themes app → Wallpaper → Carousel.
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ (Settings) in upper right corner.
3. Options are available here:

To save battery power, turn off the option of Change-Change animation, which increases consumption by 5-7% per day, and we also recommend limiting the source of wallpaper to built-in collections, so as not to burden the system with processing personal photos.

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If you want to use your photos in a carousel, pre-cut them to a resolution of 1080×2340 (aspect ratio 9:19.5) – so they will be displayed without stretching.

4. Alternative ways to include carousel

If you don't have a built-in carousel in your firmware, you can use workarounds. Let's look at two proven options.

Method 1: Wallpaper Carousel (without root)

This is a third-party app from Google Play that emulates the carousel feature.

• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI.
• ✅ Supports custom folders with wallpaper.
• ✅ You can set the timetable by time.

Cons:

• ❌ Requires permission to access files.
• ❌ Sometimes sheds the wallpaper after updating. MIUI.

The app is linked to Wallpaper Carousel on Google Play.

Method 2: Activate via ADB (for power users)

If you're willing to work with ADB, you can force the hidden carousel function to be activated.

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on version → return to Additional → For developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell settings put global use_wallpaper_carousel 1

After the device is restarted, the Carousel tab will appear in the wallpaper settings, which works on MIUI 12.5-14, but may reset after the system update.

5. Solving common problems

Even when set up properly, the carousel can malfunction, and let's look at the common mistakes and their solutions.

Problem 1: Wallpaper does not change automatically

Causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Energy saving: Turn off Battery mode in Settings → Battery.
• ⏱️ Wrong Time: Enable automatic synchronization in Settings → Additionally. → Date and time.
• 📵 Background Limitation: Add the Topics app to the optimization exceptions (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start).

Problem 2: Carousel resets after update

This is a well-known MIUI error. To avoid resetting:

1. Before updating, back up the wallpaper (copy /MIUI/theme/.data/wallpaper on your PC).
2. After updating, re-apply the carousel settings.

Problem 3: Not all of the collections are displayed

MIUI sometimes hides some of the wallpaper because of regional restrictions, to see all the options:

• 🌍 Change your phone region to India or China in Settings → Additionally. → Language and region.
• 🔄 Restart the device and check the wallpaper list again.

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If the carousel stopped working after resetting, first update the Themes app to the latest version – this solves 80% of the problems.

6. Optimizing the carousel to save battery

Automatic wallpaper changes can increase battery consumption by 3 to 10 percent per day to minimize the impact of:

• 🔋 Set the shift interval 1 time per day instead of unlocking.
• 🖼️ Use wallpaper with dark tones (AMOLED-screenshot 9T less energy).
• 🚫 Turn off the transition animation in the carousel settings.
• 📁 Limit the number of folders with wallpaper (optimally 1-2 folders of 10-15 images).

We also recommend adding the Themes app to the list of Secure Applications (Settings → Battery → Secure Applications) so that the system does not close it in the background.

7. Comparison of the carousel on different versions of MIUI

The functionality of the wallpaper carousel varies depending on the firmware version. Below is a comparison table for the Redmi 9T:

If you are using MIUI 12.5 or later but the carousel is not, check if it is disabled in Settings → Additional → Special Features → Simplified Mode. In simplified mode, many MIUI features are hidden.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper carousel on Redmi 9T