How to remove automatically changing images on the lock screen Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s lock screen, with its beautiful but ever-changing wallpaper, can be annoying for many users, especially when the system uploads random images from the Internet or gallery, interfering with the familiar look of the device. This feature, built into the MIUI shell, is often activated by default after updates or when a smartphone is first turned on, but not everyone knows that it can be completely turned off — and do it in several ways.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the working methods for removing live wallpaper from the lock screen, including hidden MIUI settings that the manufacturer doesn’t advertise. You’ll learn how to capture a single static image, disable image downloads from the network, and even how to return the classic lock view on older firmware versions.

Why does Xiaomi automatically change the wallpaper on the lock?

The dynamic wallpaper feature appeared in MIUI 12 and developed in later versions.

• 🎨 Aesthetics: Xiaomi aims to make the interface more “lively” and personalized, offering users a variety of thematic pictures (landscapes, abstractions, arts).
• 📱 Monetization: Some of the wallpaper is downloaded from the official Mi Themes theme store, where some collections are paid.
• 🔄 Content Rotation: The system analyzes your preferences (for example, through Settings). → Special facilities → Personalization) and selects images for mood.
• 🌍 Localization: In some regions (e.g. India) wallpaper is tied to local holidays or events.

But there’s a downside to this feature: it consumes traffic (if images are loaded off the network), battery power (due to background activity), and can slow unlocking on weak devices, and many users prefer to see their photos on the lock rather than random images.

Method 1: Disconnect via lock settings (the easiest)

If you just need to capture one image, this is the best method, and it works on all devices with MIUI 12-14 and doesn't require superuser rights.

1. Unlock your smartphone and go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Slip on the lock screen wallpaper (or lock style in new versions).
3. In the menu that opens, select Static Wallpaper or My Wallpaper (depending on the firmware version).
4. Select any image from the gallery or standard MIUI wallpaper and click Apply.
5. Make sure that the Automatic Change (or Dynamic Wallpaper) switch is in the off position.

After this, the picture on the lock screen will be fixed. However, in some versions of MIUI, the system may reset after the update. To avoid this, use Method 3 (below).

Open the lock screen and unlock the phone 2-3 times|Make sure the wallpaper hasn't changed.|Reboot the device and check again.|Check the settings of the lock screen → Dynamic wallpaper-->

Method 2: Removal of the dynamic wallpaper source

If the first method didn't work, the problem could be in the background service, which uploads new images, and in MIUI, the Mi Wallpaper Carousel (or MIUI Wallpaper) system app is responsible for this, which can be turned off, but it will require additional action.

Warning: This method may cause a failure of the standard wallpaper. If the lock screen turns black after the service is turned off, return the settings back.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (POCO X3, Redmi 9) disabling Mi Wallpaper Carousel causes the weather widgets to disappear on lock.Before action, back up your settings!

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter Wallpaper and select the Mi Wallpaper Carousel app (or MIUI Wallpaper).
3. Press Disable (if the button is inactive, first tap Forced Stop).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.
5. Reboot your smartphone.

After the reboot, the dynamic wallpaper should disappear. If the lock screen is empty, return the application to work and use Method 4 (Reset lock settings).

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If the "Disable" button is inactive, try first to clear the cache of the MIUI Wallpaper app from the same menu, sometimes unlocking the possibility of deactivation.

Method 3: Editing system files (for advanced)

This method is suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and root rights. It allows you to permanently remove the wallpaper change mechanism, but requires caution - improper actions can lead to the loss of warranty or "brick" of the device.

The essence of the method: we delete the configuration file responsible for rotating the wallpaper, which requires a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Instructions for users with root rights:


1. Open the file manager and follow the path:




/data/system/users/0/




2 Find the file wallpaper_info.xml and back it up.




3. Open the file in the text editor and find the lines:




<item name="lock_screen_wallpaper_change_enabled" value="true" />




<item name="lock_screen_wallpaper_uri" value="content://..." />




Replace value="true" with value="false."




5 Delete the line from lock_screen_wallpaper_uri (or replace it with the path to your image).




6. Save the file, restart the device.

⚠️ Note: If after editing wallpaper_info.xml Lock screen stopped working, restore file from backup. This method is not recommended for devices on the backup. MIUI Global Stable, as it has enhanced system file protection.

Method 4: Reset the lock settings to factory

If previous methods failed, you can return the lock screen to factory status, which will delete all user settings (including fingerprints and pattern lock), but save the data in the device’s memory.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset Lock Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action by entering a password (if required).
4. After rebooting, set up the lock screen again by selecting static wallpaper.

Additional Tips for Setup of the Lock Screen

If you managed to disable the changing wallpaper, but want to customize the lock screen even more, use these tips:

• 📸 Your photos on the lock: In Settings → Lock screen → Select the wallpaper Gallery and upload any image. Use resolution photos for better display. 1080×2340 (for most of Xiaomi).
• 🔒 Hiding Notifications: To prevent sensitive messages from showing up on the lock, go to Settings → Notifications → Lock screen and select Do not show content.
• ⚡ Quick unlock: Activate Face unlock or fingerprint in Settings → Password and security, which will speed up access to the device.
• 🎨 Dark theme to lock: Enable Dark Mode in Settings → Screen so that the wallpaper automatically adjusts to the dark palette.

It is also worth noting that in MIUI 14 appeared the function "Super Wallpapers" (Super Wallpapers) - animated 3D-backgrounds that respond to the device's tilt. You can turn them off separately in Settings → Wallpaper. → Super wallpaper if they're in the way.

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If the wallpaper continues to change after all the manipulations, check if you have a third-party wallpaper app (such as Zedge or WallpapersCraft) installed.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the dynamic wallpaper is turned off, users sometimes face a problem returning, and consider typical situations and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: After the MIUI update, the wallpaper started to change again.

Solution: This is due to a reset when you update. Repeat Method 1 or Method 2. To prevent recurrence, turn off automatic wallpaper updates in Settings → Wallpaper → Settings → Auto Update.

Problem 2: Banner ads appear on the lock screen instead of wallpaper.

Solution: This is a manifestation of the MIUI advertising module. Disable it in Settings → Password & Security → Autoboot → M-services (turn off autorun for msa and MiuiDaemon). Also check the settings in Settings → Additional → Special features → Advertising.

Problem 3: Wallpaper changes only when connected to Wi-Fi.

Solution: This means that images are downloaded from the Internet. Block network access for the MIUI Wallpaper application in Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Wallpaper → Mobile data and Wi-Fi.