Wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi: what is it and how to remove it forever

If you own a Xiaomi smartphone based on MIUI, you've probably encountered what's called a wallpaper carousel, which automatically changes background images on a lock screen or desktop. For some users, it's a convenient feature of personalization, for others, an annoying element that eats up traffic, battery power and distracts from business. But what is it really from a technical point of view? And most importantly, can it be eliminated without consequences for the system?

In this article, we will take a look at how the wallpaper carousel in MIUI 12, MIUI 13 and MIUI 14 works, which Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models support it, and most importantly, what ways to disable or uninstall it are available, from standard settings to radical methods using ADB and modified firmware, and why some methods stop working after updates and how to get around it.

We warn you that not all solutions are universal. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with HyperOS, the switching algorithm may differ from the same Redmi Note 10 on MIUI 12.5.

What is a wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi and why you need it

Wallpaper Carousel is a feature in the MIUI shell that automatically changes background images on the lock screen or desktop to a predetermined schedule. It was first introduced in MIUI 12 and has since become an integral part of Xiaomi’s brand design.

Technically, the carousel works through the com.miui.gallery system app and com.miui.wallpaper, which interact with Xiaomi's cloud servers to download new wallpapers.

• 📱 Device models (on flagships are updated more often than on budget smartphones)
• 🌍 Firmware Region (in the global version) MIUI The set of wallpaper is different from the Chinese)
• 🔄 User activity (if you change wallpapers manually often, the system may offer similar styles)
• 📶 Traffic saving settings (with limited connection, the carousel is updated less often)

By default, the carousel is activated on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12+, but its behavior can be partially controlled.

• 🔄 Automatic shift (every 30 minutes, 1 hour, 6 hours or 1 day)
• 📁 Image source (only downloaded manually or including cloud wallpaper from Xiaomi)
• 🎨 Thematic collections (nature, cities, abstraction, etc.)

However, even when you turn off automatic change in settings, some users complain that the wallpaper is still updated periodically, due to the background processes of com.miui.wallpaper.carousel, which can ignore user preferences.

What Xiaomi models support wallpaper carousel

The wallpaper carousel feature is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 12 and later. However, there are nuances depending on the model and firmware region.

It is important to note that on custom firmware devices (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the wallpaper carousel turns off automatically, as these firmwares do not include Xiaomi’s branded services. However, if you use a modified version of MIUI (like xiaomi.eu), then the carousel can be saved, but with extended shutdown settings.

Also, it is worth considering that on some models (for example, Xiaomi Pad 6), the carousel works differently - it is integrated into the com.miui.home (Launcer) system application and can manage wallpaper on both screens (lock and desktop) at the same time.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14) standard methods of disabling the carousel through ADB In this case, you will need to use alternative methods described below.

How to turn off the wallpaper carousel through standard settings

The easiest way to remove automatic wallpaper changes is to use the built-in MIUI settings, which works on most devices and does not require superuser rights or special knowledge.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to Wallpaper (or Lock Screen → Wallpaper on some models).
3. Select a Lock Screen or Desktop depending on where you want to turn off the carousel.
4. Click on the Wallpaper Carousel (or Automatic Change).
5. Transfer the slider to the off position. or select Never in the change frequency settings.
6. Confirm the changes by clicking Ready or Save.

If the wallpaper changes after these actions, try additional steps:

• 📵 Turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi on 10-15 minutes, then check if the settings have been reset.
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes background processes don’t apply changes right away.
• 🗑️ Clear the Wallpaper app cache in the settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Wallpaper. → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 11), the option to disable the carousel may be hidden deeper.

1. In the Wallpaper section, click on three dots (⋮) top-right.
2. Select Settings or Additional.
3. Find the Cloud Wallpaper and turn it off.

Automatic change in wallpaper settings disabled |

Wallpaper cache cleared |

Rebooted device |

Checked the lack of wallpaper updates after the Internet disconnection-->

If none of these methods worked, then on your device, the wallpaper carousel is rigidly integrated into the system, and to turn it off will require more radical methods, which will be discussed later.

How to remove wallpaper carousel through ADB (without root)

If standard settings don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which does not require superuser rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to your computer and enabling developer mode.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on most devices with MIUI 12-14.
• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ✅ Reversible process (you can return the carousel back).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ When resetting settings or updating firmware, it may be necessary to re-execute the command.
• ⚠️ On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) Xiaomi is blocking changes through the ADB.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until you become a developer!
2. Activate USB debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer: Use the original USB-Type C cable. On your phone, select File Transfer Mode (not “Charge Only”).
4. Install ADB on your computer: Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive into any folder.
5. Execute commands: Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type: adb devices If the device is determined, type: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.wallpaper.carousel To disable cloud wallpaper, additionally perform: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice

After you execute the commands, restart the device. The wallpaper carousel will be disabled, but you can manually install static wallpaper.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for POCO X5 Pro) the team may fail due to Xiaomi's protection, in which case try an alternative method: adb shell settings put global settings wallpaper_carousel_enabled 0

💡

If the carousel still works after completing the commands, check if the Wallpaper app has been updated through Google Play, in which case you will have to repeat the procedure.

Removing wallpaper carousel with root rights

If you are willing to take drastic measures and have root access (for example, through Magisk), then the wallpaper carousel can be permanently deleted by deleting the system files responsible for its operation, which is suitable for advanced users, since improper actions can lead to unstable system operation.

Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt MIUI, including:

• 🔴 Inability to install wallpaper through standard settings.
• 🔴 Errors in the operation of the launcher (com.miui.home).
• 🔴 The loss of functionality of "Super Wallpapers).

If you are prepared for risk, follow the instructions:

1. Install root-access file manager: Recommended Root Explorer or Solid Explorer (with superuser mode enabled).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/WallpaperCarousel or /system/app/WallpaperCarousel.
3. Remove or rename the folder: For example, rename WallpaperCarousel to WallpaperCarousel_bak.
4. Clear cache and data: For com.miui.wallpaper and com.miui.gallery applications via Settings → Apps.
5. Reset the device.

An alternative method is to use Magisk and Xiaomi Debloater, which allows you to disable system components without physically deleting files.

1. Install Magisk and Xiaomi Debloater from the repository.
2. In the module settings, find and disable: 🖼️ Wallpaper Carousel ☁️ Cloud Service (if you are not using Xiaomi Cloud)

Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), removing the carousel through root can lead to com.miui.home error and permanent launcher reboots. ADB Or revert to an older version of the firmware.

Alternative ways to turn off the carousel

If none of these methods worked, or if you don't want to risk the stability of the system, there are alternative solutions that you can use. They're less radical, but they're also effective.

1.Use of a third-party launcher

Installing an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher) allows you to bypass the MIUI system wallpaper.

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it as the default launcher in the settings (Settings → Applications → By default → Launcher).
3. In the settings of the new launcher, turn off the use of system wallpaper.

The disadvantage of the method: the carousel can continue to work on the lock screen if not disabled via ADB.

2. Restriction of background traffic

If the wallpaper carousel consumes traffic and battery power, you can limit its operation through network settings:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Annexes.
2. Find Wallpaper (com.miui.wallpaper) and turn off Background data transfer.
3. Do the same for the gallery (com.miui.gallery).

If none of the methods worked, consider installing custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu), where the wallpaper carousel is usually disabled by default or easily customizable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi