How to permanently remove the wallpaper gallery on Xiaomi: 5 proven methods

Why Xiaomi Wallpaper Gallery Irritates Users and How to Turn It Off

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face an automatically updated wallpaper gallery that not only consumes traffic but also slows down the system, a feature built into the MIUI shell and activated by default on most devices starting with MIUI 12. The problem is compounded by the gallery downloading wallpaper even when the mobile Internet is turned off via Wi-Fi, which leads to uncontrolled memory consumption and accidental change of the background image.

According to an analysis of user reports on the 4PDA and XDA Developers forums, up to 68% of Xiaomi device owners have tried to disable this feature, but faced difficulties: hidden settings, no direct switch in the menu, or returning the gallery after the MIUI update. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods – from standard settings to editing system files – that work on models from 2020-2026 (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5/X5).

Important: the methods vary depending on the MIUI version and the device model. If your smartphone is running MIUI 15 (or newer), some menu items may be renamed - we will specify alternative paths.

Method 1: Disconnection through standard MIUI settings

The safest way is to use the built-in options, which is suitable for MIUI 12-15 and does not require superuser rights (root).

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the Wallpaper → Wallpaper Gallery (on some models the path: Settings → Screen → Wallpaper → Gallery settings).
3. Turn off the slider Automatic wallpaper update.
4. Return to the previous menu and select Remove downloaded wallpaper (if the option is available).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ The wallpaper gallery can be hidden, in which case, search by settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner) and enter the request "wallpaper gallery».

Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)

Make a backup copy of the wallpaper (if you use custom)

Connect to Wi-Fi (to download alternative wallpaper)

Close all background applications-->

If the gallery continues to update after the shutdown, the cause may be the cache of the com.miui.gallery app.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Gallery (or Wallpaper) and select the Warehouse.
3. Click Clear Cache and Clear Data (Warning: This Will Delete All Saved Wallpaper!).

Method 2: Use of the ADB-commands (without root)

For advanced users who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), there is a reliable way to disable the wallpaper gallery at the system level, which works on all Xiaomi models, including Black Shark and POCO with custom firmware.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Steps:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (CMD or Terminal) and type in: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper
3. To disable background wallpaper synchronization, execute an additional command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.wallpaper
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI These settings can reset. To return them, repeat the commands or use Tasker to automatically execute the script after the reboot.

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If ADB-When the teams are not working, check if the Allow Debugging (Safe Mode) option is enabled in the developer settings. PIN-code.

Method 3: Editing system files (root required)

For users with unlocked bootloader and root rights, a radical way is available - removing system APK-This method permanently removes the function, so use it only if you are confident in your actions.

Procedure:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiWallpaper/ or /system/app/MiWallpaper/ (the path may be different!).
3. Delete or rename files: MiuiWallpaper.apk MiWallpaper.apk WallpaperCarousel.apk (if any)

Clear the folder /data/data/com.miui.miwallpaper/.

Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system APK It can cause a launcher crash or update errors MIUI. Before doing this, create a backup copy through TWRP Or OrangeFox.

Method 4: Disconnect via Xiaomi Cloud (for synchronized devices)

If your smartphone is linked to your Xiaomi account and your wallpaper sync is enabled through the cloud, the gallery can update even after a local shutdown.

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select Synchronization and turn off Wallpaper slider.
3. Return to Settings → Wallpaper and manually set a static image.

Instructions:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Click Home and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. In the launcher settings, disable the option to Allow wallpaper change by the system (the name may differ).
4. Set the wallpaper manually through the launcher menu.

The advantage of this method is that you have complete control over the look of the screen, and the disadvantage is that some MIUI features (like Super Wallpapers) will become unavailable.

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Alternative launchers not only block the wallpaper gallery, but also speed up the interface by optimizing animations.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the wallpaper gallery is turned off, it can still work, and let's look at the typical scenarios and how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, the reason could be custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or PixelExperience), in which the logic of the gallery is changed.

1. Check the firmware settings in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Contact the firmware forum for instructions (e.g. xiaomi.eu).
3. Install the Magisk module to block system services (e.g., DisableFlags).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions