How to turn on the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: a detailed guide with MIUI secrets

Did you just upgrade the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro to the latest version of MIUI, but didn’t find the usual wallpaper carousel on the home screen? Or maybe the feature suddenly disappeared after resetting? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi devices – especially those who switched from newer models to the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia).

The fact is that the wallpaper carousel (aka Wallpaper Carousel) is not always activated by default on older but still popular devices. In some regional firmware, this feature is hidden in the depths of the menu, and in others it requires manual activation through the Theme Settings. Moreover, after upgrading to MIUI 13/14, the onboarding algorithm changed, and many instructions on the network are outdated. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to turn on the carousel on the Redmi Note 8 Pro in 2026, including hidden settings and avoiding possible errors.

Before you go to the instructions, make sure your device meets two key requirements:

  • 📱 Version. MIUI at least 12.0.3 (check in Settings) → On earlier versions, the carousel may not be physically present.
  • 🌍 Regional firmware - global (MIUI Global) or European (MIUI EU). In Chinese firmware (MIUI China) feature often disabled.

If at least one of the conditions is not met, first update the system or change the firmware region (we will talk about this below).

📊 What version? MIUI You are using the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
Other (check in the comments)
I don't know.

Method 1: Standard Enablement through “Theme Settings”

The most obvious and safe method is to activate the carousel through the built-in settings, which works on most firmware, but may vary depending on the version of MIUI.

Follow the step-by-step instructions:

  1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on the home screen or in the app menu).
  2. Go to the wallpaper section (in the lower menu).
  3. At the top of the screen, look for the Carousel tab (or Wallpaper Carousel in English firmware). If it's not, tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select the carousel settings.
  4. Activate the switch Turn on the wallpaper carousel.
  5. Choose the source of the wallpaper: MIUI (standard), Bing (daily wallpaper from Microsoft) or Independent wallpaper (side collection).
  6. Click Apply and return to the home screen – in a few seconds, the wallpaper will automatically change.

If you don't find the Carousel tab in step 3, then the function is disabled at the firmware level, in which case you go to Method 2 or Method 3.

☑️ Preparation for the inclusion of the carousel

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Enable via hidden settings (for MIUI 13/14)

In the latest versions of MIUI, Xiaomi developers have moved some of the carousel settings to the feature lab, a hidden section to test new features.

  1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
  2. Tap 5 times in a row on the line MIUI version (the notification “You became a developer”) will appear.
  3. Return to the main Settings menu and open a new Additional (or Advanced Settings) section.
  4. Select the Laboratory of Functions → Wallpaper Carousel.
  5. Activate the slider and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may not have the Function Lab section even after the developer mode is activated. MIUI It doesn't support this method. In this case, try an alternative method.

What to do if there is no "functions lab" section?
If after 5 clicks on the MIUI version, the section does not appear, check: 1. Is there a global firmware installed (in Chinese versions, the laboratory is often absent). 2. Does the antivirus or optimizer block access to hidden settings. 3. Try to update MIUI to the latest stable version through Settings → System Update.

After activation of the carousel through the laboratory, it is recommended:

  • 🔄 Reboot the device (this will speed up the application of changes).
  • 📁 Clear the application's cache Topics (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Clear the cache).
  • 🌐 Connect to Wi-Fi to download new wallpaper (carousel may not work without internet).

If standard methods do not work, the last (but most reliable) option remains – the inclusion of the carousel through the carousel. ADB-This method requires a computer and minimal technical skills, but it is guaranteed to work on all versions. MIUI For the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

What you'll need:

  • 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
  • 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
  • 📦 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
  • 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 taps) → Additionally. → Developer parameters → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

  1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.
  2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
  3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device appears in the list – go further.
  4. Execute the activation command for the carousel: adb shell settings put global wallpaper_carousel_enabled 1
  5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, the wallpaper carousel should appear in the theme settings. If this does not happen, try the additional command:

adb shell am broadcast -a com.miui.home.WALLPAPER_CAROUSEL_ENABLED --ez enabled true

1. reconnect the cable to another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

2. Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select "Xiaomi ADB Interface").

3. Include in the developer parameters the option Debugging by USB (security parameters) and Unlocking OEM.-->

MethodDifficultyPC requiredIt's working on MIUI 12.It's working on MIUI 14.Risk of error
Through "Theme Settings"⭐ (simple)❌ No.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.Low.
Through the Functions Lab⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road)❌ No.❌ No.✅ Yes.Medium.
Through ADB-team⭐⭐⭐ (difficult)✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.High-pitched
Resetting theme settings⭐ (simple)❌ No.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.Low.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the wallpaper carousel may be physically missing, in which case the only way out is to install a third-party application to automatically change wallpaper (such as Muzei or Wallpaper Changer).

Even after the carousel is successfully turned on, Redmi Note 8 Pro users are faced with typical errors, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the wallpaper does not change automatically:

  • 🔄 Check the update interval in the carousel settings (by default - once every 6 hours).
  • 📶 Make sure that mobile internet or Wi-Fi is turned on (carousel downloads new wallpaper from the network).
  • 🗑️ Clear the app cache Themes and the Theme loader.
  • 🔧 Manually update the wallpaper by pulling the screen down on the home screen (the gesture does not work on all firmware).

After the system update, the carousels can reset to return the function:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Themes → Storage.
  2. Click Clear Data (not cache!).
  3. Reboot your phone and re-enable the carousel through the theme settings.

Problem 3: Low resolution wallpaper

If the carousel loads blurred or stretched wallpaper:

  • 🖼️ In the carousel settings, select the source Local Wallpaper and upload your own images in resolution. 2340×1080 (native 8 Pro).
  • 🌐 Check the firmware region - in Chinese versions MIUI The two are optimized for other permissions.
  • 🔍 Install a third-party wallpaper app (like Zedge) and select it as the source for the carousel.

💡

If the carousel is unstable, check the MIUI version first. On firmware below 12.0.3, the function may be physically absent, and an update via OTA does not always solve the problem, in which case you will have to install the firmware manually through Fastboot or Recovery.

Few people know, but the wallpaper carousel on the Redmi Note 8 Pro supports hidden settings that allow you to:

  • 🕒 Change the interval of wallpaper change (from 1 hour to 1 day).
  • 📂 Add your own folders with wallpaper.
  • 🎨 Apply the effects of blurring or dimming.
  • 🔒 Block individual wallpaper from the display.

To access these functions:

  1. Open theme settings → Carousel → Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
  2. Slip 3 times on the Version line (bottom of the screen) and a hidden menu will appear.
  3. Turn on the options: Custom Interval — setup intervals, Local Folders — add your folders, Blur Effect — blur wallpaper.

To add your own wallpaper:

  1. Create a WallpaperCarousel folder at the root of internal memory.
  2. Place images in JPG or PNG format (at least 1920×1080 resolution).
  3. In the carousel settings, select the source of Local Wallpaper.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a dark topic MIUI, Some carousel wallpapers may appear too dark. To fix this, turn on Auto Brightness Adjustment in the carousel settings).

Can I turn on the carousel on Chinese firmware (MIUI China)?
Yes, but with reservations. On Chinese firmware, the carousel is often turned off by default, and standard methods may not work. Try: Install global firmware via Fastboot (risky but effective). Use ADB-Install a third-party wallpaper change app (e.g. Muzei) Remember that switching to global firmware can result in data loss and warranty voiding (if the device was purchased in China).
Why does the carousel eat up traffic and how to stop it?
The wallpaper carousel downloads new images from the Internet, which can consume up to 50–100 MB per month. To limit traffic: Turn off automatic loading in the carousel settings (Wi-Fi only). Choose the source Local Wallpaper instead of network collections. Set a longer shift interval (for example, once every 24 hours).
The carousel works, but the wallpaper is cut off at the edges.
The problem with trimming is related to the discrepancy between the resolution of the wallpaper and the screen of the Redmi Note 8 Pro (2340×1080). Solutions: Use wallpaper with a resolution of 2340×1080 or 1080×2340 (for vertical orientation). In the carousel settings, enable the Fit to Screen option. Turn off the blurring of the edges in hidden settings (see section above). If the cropping remains, try to manually crop the wallpaper in any graphic editor (for example, Snapseed or Photoshop Express).
Can I transfer the carousel settings to another Xiaomi?
No, wallpaper carousel settings are specific to the device and version of MIUI. However, you can: Copy the WallpaperCarousel folder with local wallpaper to another phone. Back up the themes via Settings → Additional → Backup (but this will not save all the carousel parameters); Manually configure the carousel on the new device using the same wallpaper sources. On new Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13), the carousel works differently - it uses an updated mechanism with animation support.
The carousel is slowing down the phone.
If the Redmi Note 8 Pro carousel started to slow down after turning on, the reasons could be: Weak CPU: Mediatek Helio G90T doesn't always cope with the animation of changing wallpaper. Turn off transitions in the carousel settings. Memory shortage: Clear the cache and free up at least 1 GB of internal memory. Launcher conflict: If you use a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher), the carousel may not work smoothly. Return to the standard MIUI Launcher. If the brakes remain, disable and use the carousel.