Wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi: how to customize the theme and choose the perfect backgrounds for MIUI

The wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a tool for changing background images, but a full-fledged personalization system that allows you to adapt the appearance of the device to your mood, style or even time of day, MIUI It offers unique theme algorithms, integration with Xiaomi Themes services, and the ability to sync with weather conditions or calendar, but many users are faced with the problem of how to set up this carousel so that it shows the exact topics that you like?

In this article, we will analyze all ways to customize the wallpaper carousel - from the basic settings in the Topics menu to the hidden functions available through the ADB You'll learn how to filter out unnecessary categories (such as advertising or seasonal wallpaper), add your own collections, and optimize the carousel to save battery. MIUI 14/15, which analyzes your preferences and automatically adjusts the wallpaper selection - this function can be either strengthened or completely disabled.

Wallpaper carousel in firmware MIUI โ€” It's a dynamic system that cycles the background images on the lock screen and the home screen, and unlike static wallpaper, it uses multiple content sources:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Local Wallpaper: Images uploaded by the user to the folder DCIM/Wallpapers or chosen from the gallery.
  • โ˜๏ธ Cloud themes: Xiaomi Themes collections that are updated weekly (including premium content and free selections).
  • ๐ŸŒฆ๏ธ Dynamic wallpaper: backgrounds that change depending on the time of day, weather or user activity (for example, dark tones in the evening).
  • ๐ŸŽจ AI-Generation: in new versions MIUI (From 14 onwards, the system can create wallpaper based on your photos or preferences.

The algorithm of the carousel takes into account several factors:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Shift frequency: By default, wallpaper changes every 12 hours, but this can be customized.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š Behavioral data: if you like certain topics frequently, MIUI will offer similar.
  • ๐Ÿ“ก Geolocation and weather: Local collections are available in some regions (e.g., landscapes of your city).

It is important to understand that the wallpaper carousel is closely integrated with Xiaomi services, so for full operation you need an active Internet connection and synchronization with your Mi Account. Without this, only local wallpaper is available.

๐Ÿ“Š How often do you change your smartphone wallpaper?
Every day.
Once a week.
Once a month
Only when you buy a phone
Never change.

The main parameters of the carousel are hidden in the Topics menu, but the path to them may differ depending on the version. MIUI. Hereโ€™s a general guide for most models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14):

  1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush and palette).
  2. Go to the Wallpaper tab (bottom of the screen).
  3. Slap the icon. โš™๏ธ Settings in upper right corner.
  4. Select the Wallpaper Carousel (or Wallpaper Carousel in older versions).

In this menu you will see the following options:

ParameterDescriptionRecommendation
Turn on the carouselActivates/deactivates automatic wallpaper changeTurn on dynamic backgrounds if you want.
Wallpaper sourcesChoosing between local, cloud and AI-wallpaperTurn off unnecessary ones to save traffic
Shift intervalUpdate frequency (from 1 hour to 1 week)Optimal: 12 or 24 hours
Thematic filtersCategory selection (nature, abstraction, games, etc.)Set up your preferences
Battery savingsLimits background activity of the carouselTurn it on if you notice a quick discharge.

In the models with MIUI 15 (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) There is a new personalization section in this menu. AI, where:

  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Upload your photos to generate wallpaper.
  • ๐ŸŽจ Choose the style of processing (watercolor, cyberpunk, minimalism, etc.).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Set up the refresh rate AI-Wallpaper (weekly or monthly).

๐Ÿ’ก

If your Themes menu doesn't have Wallpaper Carousel, update the app via Google Play or Mi App Store. on some budget models (e.g. Redmi). A2) This function can be disabled by default.

How to adjust the theme of wallpaper: step-by-step instructions

Now, to the main thing, which is to set up the thematic collection. MIUI Shows random wallpaper from all available categories, but you can narrow down the selection to specific styles.

Step 1: Selection of categories

  1. In the wallpaper carousel menu, tap on thematic filters.
  2. Choose the categories you are interested in. Options available: ๐ŸŒฟ Nature (mountases, forests, waterfalls) ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Cities and architecture ๐ŸŽจ Abstraction and art ๐ŸŽฎ Games and pop culture ๐Ÿ–ค Dark topics (AMOLED) ๐Ÿถ Animals ๐Ÿš€ Space and fiction

Save the changes.

Step 2: Priority of sources

If you want the carousel to show more wallpaper from a particular source (for example, only your local images), do the following:

  1. Go back to the carousel settings.
  2. Smack the wallpaper sources.
  3. Drag the desired sources up the list (priority from top to bottom).

Step 3. Set-up AI-recommendations (only for recommendations) MIUI 14+)

The system analyzes your actions and adjusts the selection to improve the recommendations:

  • ๐Ÿ‘ Like your favorite wallpaper in the Topics section โ†’ Wallpaper.
  • โŒ Remove uninteresting topics (long press) โ†’ Delete).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Update collections manually (Update button in upper right corner).

Choose. 3-5 favorites|Disable unnecessary sources (e.g. advertising)|Set shift intervals 12-24 hour|Activate battery savings at low charge|Update the Themes app to the latest version-->

For advanced users who want to gain full control of the carousel, there are a few hidden options available through the carousel. ADB (Android Debug Bridge.These settings are not documented by Xiaomi, but work on most devices with a mobile device. MIUI 12-15.

It's important before use. ADB Turn on the debugging. USB in the developer settings (Settings) โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI โ€” Tap 7 times, then return to the additional โ†’ For developers).

Here are the most useful teams:

Disable cloud wallpaper (saves traffic)


adb shell settings put global miui_wallpaper_cloud_enabled 0




Set a fixed shift interval (in seconds, for example, 43200 = 12 hours)



adb shell settings put global miui_wallpaper_change_interval 43200




Delete AI- Recommendations



adb shell settings put global miui_wallpaper_ai_recommend 0




Turn on displaying only local wallpaper



adb shell settings put global miui_wallpaper_local_only 1




Reset all carousel settings to factory



adb shell settings delete global miui_wallpaper_*

After you've applied the commands, restart the device. To return the standard settings, use:

adb shell settings delete global miui_wallpaper_cloud_enabled


adb shell settings delete global miui_wallpaper_change_interval
What happens if you use it incorrectly? ADB?
Incorrect commands can cause the application to crash Themes or reset all wallpaper to standard. In extreme cases, resetting the application settings through Settings will help. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Topics โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the data.

Warning: changes through ADB will not persist after resetting the phone to factory settings or updates MIUI. Also, some teams may not work on customized firmware (for example, Xiaomi.EU).

If you don't like the standard collections, you can add your own images to the carousel.

Method 1. Through the Wallpapers folder

  1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer).
  2. Go to the file. DCIM/Wallpapers (If it is not, create it manually).
  3. Put images in format there. JPG or PNG permittably 1080ร—1920.
  4. In the carousel settings, turn on the source Local Wallpaper.

Method 2. Through the gallery

  1. Open any image in the gallery.
  2. Put the button on it again (โ‹ฎ) โ†’ Set up how โ†’ Wallpaper.
  3. Select Add to the carousel.

Method 3. Through third-party applications

Apps like Wallpaper Engine or Muzei can integrate with the carousel MIUI, but require additional adjustments:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ Install the app from Google Play.
  • ๐Ÿ”— In the application settings, select Integration with MIUI.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reboot the phone.

๐Ÿ’ก

For wallpaper to be displayed correctly, its resolution must match the screen resolution of your device. 13 Pro (permission) 3200ร—1440) Images with aspect ratios are suitable 20:9.

If the added wallpaper does not appear in the carousel, check:

  • ๐Ÿ“‚ Correct path to the folder (DCIM/Wallpapers, Not Pictures).
  • ๐Ÿ“ File resolution and format (not applicable) HEIC or).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Updating the carousel manually (in the settings of the Themes).

Despite the convenience, the carousel wallpaper in MIUI It sometimes doesn't work properly. Here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Wallpaper doesn't change automatically.Battery synchronization or savings disabledCheck the Carousel settings and Battery Optimizations for the Themes app
The wrong subjects are emerging.Filters or app cache are lostClear the Tome cache in Settings โ†’ Apps and reconfigure filters
Carousel brakes or flies offToo many local wallpapers or damaged filesRemove unnecessary images from DCIM/Wallpapers or reboot the phone.
Cloud wallpaper doesn't load.Problems with the Internet or servers XiaomiCheck your network connection or switch to mobile internet
AI-wallpaper looks blurryLow quality of initial photosUpload images with at least a resolution 2K

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the Topics app settings:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Themes โ†’ Storage.
  2. Tap Clear the data and Clear the cache.
  3. Reset the device.

๐Ÿ’ก

In some models (for example, POCO F5) The wallpaper carousel may conflict with branded shells like POCO Launcher.In this case, try temporarily disabling the alternative launcher.

If you don't need a dynamic wallpaper change, you can deactivate it completely, and it can also save battery power and traffic.

Method 1. Through the Tem settings

  1. Open Topics โ†’ Wallpaper. โ†’ Settings (โš™๏ธ) โ†’ Wallpaper carousel.
  2. Turn off the switch. Turn on the carousel.
  3. Choose fixed wallpaper manually.

Method 2. ADB (shutdown)

If the carousel continues to work after turning off the menu, use the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miwallpaper

To return the function, perform:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.miwallpaper

Method 3: Removing Application Updates Themes

On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A) The carousel appears after the Themes app updates to bring back the old version:

  1. Go to Settings. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Topics โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Remove updates.
  2. Turn off automatic updates to the app in Google Play.

๐Ÿ’ก

Turning off the carousel won't remove your wallpaper - it just stops them automatically changing.

If the standard collections MIUI Youโ€™re tired, here are proven sources of high-quality wallpaper optimized for carousel:

  • ๐ŸŒ Wallhaven (wallhaven.cc) โ€“ more than 1 million wallpapers with filters by resolution and subject. 4K, AMOLED, Minimalism.
  • ๐ŸŽจ Unsplash (unsplash.com/wallpapers) โ€” Free high-resolution photos. Download in Raw format for better quality.
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ 4K Wallpapers (4kwallpapers.com) โ€” Specializes in ultra-clear wallpaper for smartphones.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Zedge (an app in Google Play) โ€“ easy to search by category with preview.
  • ๐ŸŒŒ NASA API โ€” Wallpaper is automatically updated with Hubble photos (requires Tasker or Automate for integration).

When downloading wallpaper from the Internet, pay attention to:

  • ๐Ÿ“ Resolution: Must match your Xiaomi screen resolution (e.g, 2400ร—1080 For the Redmi Note 12).
  • ๐ŸŽจ Color scheme: for AMOLED-screens will fit dark wallpaper with clear accents.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ License: Use images marked CC0 Free for personal use.

To automatically load new wallpapers, you can use applications like Tapet or Walpy, which generate unique backgrounds and integrate with the carousel. MIUI.

How to download Wallhaven wallpaper without watermarks?
On Wallhaven, watermark-free images are available in the original resolution. When downloading, select the Download Original option. If the button is inactive, register (free).

Can I customize different wallpapers for the lock screen and the main screen in the carousel?
Yes, but with limitations, in a standard merry-go-round. MIUI The wallpaper is synced for both screens, but you can: Turn off the carousel and manually set different wallpapers through the Themes. โ†’ Wallpaper: Use third-party launchers (e.g., Nova Launcher) that support separate backgrounds. MIUI 15 A separate carousel beta feature has appeared, but it doesn't work on all devices.
Why does the carousel show ads or paid wallpaper?
In some regions (e.g. China or India), Xiaomi integrates banner ads or premium content into the carousel. To turn them off: In the carousel settings, uncheck Recommended Content. Turn off Partner Wallpaper. Update MIUI If there is less advertising in the new builds, try changing the region of your Mi Account to Russia or Europe.
How do you make sure that the wallpaper changes according to the schedule (for example, in the morning and evening)?
Standard carousel MIUI It doesn't support flexible schedules, but you can get around this limitation: Install the Tasker or MacroDroid app. Create a time-trigger task (e.g. 7:00 and 19:00). Add the action Set wallpaper with the desired image. MIUI 14+ You can use the built-in Smart Wallpaper function in the carousel settings, but it works only with AI-generation.
The wallpaper carousel eats a lot of battery. How do you reduce the consumption?
Indeed, the background activity of the carousel can increase energy consumption on the 5-10%. To optimize: Increase the interval of wallpaper change to 24 Turn off the source Cloud Wallpaper (it spends traffic and battery to boot). In battery settings (Settings) โ†’ Battery โ†’ Optimize) add themes to the list of limited applications. Use only local wallpaper in format JPG (they're lighter than PNG). At Xiaomi's test 12T This reduces the battery consumption of 8% before 2% day-to-day.
Can I transfer the carousel settings to another Xiaomi phone?
Yes, but not all options are exported automatically. Here's how to move the settings: Copy folder DCIM/Wallpapers Export Mi Account settings (if you use cloud sync) Manually configure filters and sources on the new device. Settings ADB and AI-Recommendations are not transferred - they will have to be reconfigured.