How to replace or remove the wallpaper carousel on the lock screen Xiaomi: all ways

Why Xiaomi’s Wallpaper Carousel Irritates Users – and How to Fix It

Xiaomi lock screen with shell MIUI It's the default Wallpaper Carousel, which automatically changes the background image, and for some people, it's a handy feature, but most users have problems: from random changes of your favorite background to uncontrolled traffic consumption for loading new wallpaper (up to the previous one) 50 MB per month, and moreover, on Redmi Note models. 10/11 and POCO X3/X4 The carousel sometimes "snags" showing blurred or cropped images.

In this article, 3 proven ways to disable or replace the carousel: through standard MIUI settings, using hidden developer parameters and an alternative method for firmware without root rights. All instructions are relevant to MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions) and tested on Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5 and other models of 2021-2026. If you want to return a static background or install your own image, read on.

Method 1: Disabling the carousel through lock screen settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. It works on all devices without any additional manipulation, but has a limitation: some regions (for example, India) may not display the item "Carousel" in the menu.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the Lock Screen section.
3. Slip on the lock screen wallpaper.
4. At the top of the screen, find the Wallpaper Carousel switch and turn it off.
5. Select a static image from the gallery or standard MIUI wallpaper.

If you don't have a switch, your firmware is using a stripped-down version of the menu. In this case, try method 2 or method 3. Also check if you have Mi Wallpaper Carousel installed, which can be removed through Settings → Apps → Application Management.

Back up the current wallpaper (screenshot of the lock screen)

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi (to download alternative wallpaper)

Close all background apps (especially Themes and Gallery)

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⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) After the carousel is turned off, the background may be dropped on standard black. To avoid this, immediately after the function is deactivated, manually set the wallpaper through the Wallpaper menu. → My wallpaper.

Method 2: Hidden developer settings for wallpaper management

If the standard method didn't work, you can use the developer mode, which requires you to activate the hidden menu, but doesn't need to activate the hidden menu. ROOT-It's right for you. MIUI 13/14 on Xiaomi devices 11T, Redmi K50, POCO F4 GT others.

First, turn on the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
3. Return to the main Settings menu and open a new section for developers.

Now turn off the carousel through system parameters:

1. In the menu for developers, find the item Lock screen wallpapers.
2. Turn off the option Auto-download wallpapers.
3. Reset the device (required!).

Wallpaper carousel

Static image

Widgets (weather, calendar)

Animated Wallpaper (Live Wallpaper)

Background (black screen) disabled

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Method 3: Alternative method through the "Themes" app

If the first two methods didn’t work, try to bypass the restrictions through the official Themes app, which works even on devices with stripped-down firmware (for example, for the European market). MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (brush icon).
2. Go to the Wallpapers section.
3. Select the category of the Lock screen.
4. Scroll down and tap on My wallpaper.
5. Click Set Wallpaper and select an image from the gallery.
6. Confirm the use only for the lock screen (not for the home screen!).

After this, the carousel will be deactivated and your image will be fixed. If the background changes anyway, check if you have third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or Hyperion), which may conflict with the MIUI settings.

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If after using the wallpaper through the “Themes” background is reset during the restart, try installing the wallpaper through the file manager: copy the image to the folder /MIUI/theme/default_wallpaper/ and rename it to lockscreen.jpg.

What to do if the wallpaper carousel returns after the MIUI update

Many users complain that after updating the firmware settings carousel resets, this is due to Xiaomi's policy, which forcibly includes some features "to improve the user experience."

• 📵 Turn off automatic theme loading in Settings → Topics → Settings of topics → Auto-update.
• 🔄 Reset the settings of the “Themes” application through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 📥 Remove the system wallpaper cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache → System data.
• 🔒 Block the background through ADB (for advanced users).

If the problem repeats after each update, consider rolling back on a previous version of MIUI or installing custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu).However, remember that this may deprive you of warranty and access to certain features (e.g. Mi Pay or Game Turbo).

Additional settings: how to make the background of the lock screen unique

If you are annoyed not only by the carousel, but also by standard MIUI wallpaper, there are several ways to customize:

• 🎨 Install live wallpapers via Google Wallpapers or Zedge. On Xiaomi, they only work on the home screen, but some apps (e.g., Google Wallpapers, KLWP) Allows you to adjust animation and to block.
• 🖼️ Use paralax-effect wallpaper. Download the resolution image to do this. 1080×2400 (For most modern Xiaomi, and apply it through Settings → Wallpaper. → paralax.
• 🔒 Add widgets to the lock screen. MIUI 14 This can be done through Settings → Lock screen → Widgets (not available on all models).
• 📱 Synchronize wallpaper with the weather. Apps like Muzei or Wallax automatically match the background depending on the time of day or weather conditions.

For models with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi) K60) It is recommended to use dark wallpaper – this will reduce battery consumption by 5-10 (AOD), because they accelerate the discharge.

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On devices with MIUI 14 and later, the wallpaper carousel can be linked to your Mi Account. If you have disabled the feature but it comes back, try logging out of your account in Settings → Accounts → Mi Account and re-applying the settings.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you change the wallpaper on the lock screen, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If after turning off the carousel, the lock screen began to lag or hang - reset the animation settings in Settings → For developers → Windows animation (install) 0.5x). This will eliminate delays without loss of functionality.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions