Where did the wallpaper carousel on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face unexpected changes to the interface after another system update. One of the most notable and discussed events was the disappearance of the automatic wallpaper change feature on the lock screen. Users accustomed to daily news and high-quality images find a static picture that cannot be changed by standard means.

It's not just a visual bug, it's the result of a company's deliberate policy to change the software ecosystem, and the wallpaper carousel, formerly known as Mi Wallpaper Carousel or Glance for Mi, is no longer a pre-installed system component in many regions, instead offering other services or removing the feature altogether, leaving the user confused.

Understanding the reasons for this behavior of the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS will help not only return the usual functionality, but also protect the device from unnecessary debris. In this article, we will discuss the technical aspects of removing the service, check the settings and propose current alternatives for automatic background change.

Why the function of changing wallpaper was lost

The main reason for the carousel’s disappearance is the global reorganization of Xiaomi’s services, which is gradually abandoning regional partnerships with content providers such as Glance in favor of its own solutions or completely removing this module from global firmware. If you upgrade your smartphone to MIUI 14 or HyperOS, chances are high that the system package has been replaced with a lightweight, module-free carousel.

In addition, often deleting a function is forced through server updates. Even if the application is physically left in memory, the server can block its operation if the region is not used. SIM-The card or Mi Account does not support the current version of the service. Server lock is a common method that makes it impossible to use the feature without complex manipulation of the region.

It’s also worth considering that some budget models originally shipped with pre-installed advertising content that was deemed too intrusive over time.In response to complaints from users and regulators, Xiaomi began implementing stricter Privacy rules, which led to the default default image backup being turned off.

Check system settings and hidden options

Before looking for third-party solutions, you need to make sure that the feature is actually removed, and not just hidden in the depth of the menu. In new versions of the shell, the path to settings may have changed. Often users look for an option in the design section, while it moved to the system settings of security or screen.

To start, check the main activation path. Go to Settings → Lock screen. This may be the wallpaper carousel or connected devices. If you see a switch that is inactive, try clearing the application data. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Wallpaper or Glance, and select Clear Data.

In some cases, resetting theme helps. If you use a third-party theme from Themes, it can block the system carousel. Go back to the standard Classic or Default theme and see if you can adjust the changes to the images. Theme conflict is a common cause of system widgets not displaying correctly.

Return of the carousel through APK installation

If there is no built-in option, the only legal way to get back to work is to manually install the current version of the application. APK-Files will stop working with new servers, and new ones may not be compatible with your Android version.

You will need to find a working installation file to install. It is recommended to look for versions marked Global or for a specific region (India, Europe), as they are most often updated. The installation process requires permission to install from unknown sources. Go to Settings → Security → Install unknown applications and give permission to your file manager or browser.

It is important to understand that the installation APK-Data security may be compromised if the file has been modified by third parties. Always check the digital signature of the application, if possible, or use only authoritative repositories.

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Use only. APK-Files from trusted resources such as APKMirror or Xiaomi’s official forum to avoid malicious code.

Compatibility issues with HyperOS

The transition to the HyperOS operating system was a watershed moment for many of the features familiar to MIUI. Xiaomi engineers rewrote (base code) systems, which led to the abandonment of many old modules. Wallpaper carousel, dependent on specific MIUI libraries, simply can not work correctly in a new environment without deep adaptation.

HyperOS users often report that even with a successful installation of the old one. APK-The carousel file does not start or crashes immediately after the screen is turned on, due to changes in the lock screen control mechanism, the system now tightens control over processes working in the background and blocks uncertified attempts to change the image.

⚠️ Note: Attempts to implement system files from MIUI In HyperOS, root rights can lead to a cyclic bootloop.Do not replace system files without a full backup.

In addition, HyperOS has changed the permission structure, which may not allow an app to access the network or storage, even if you have granted it, and requires fine-tuning through a special developer menu that is not recommended for ordinary users.

Alternative applications for changing the background

If you can't get the carousel back with standard methods, you should look at third-party solutions that often work even better than the original. Google Play offers a lot of apps that specialize in auto-change wallpaper. They don't require system rights and run on top of a standard blocker.

One of the most popular solutions is the Wallpaper Changer app, which allows you to create playlists from thousands of images and change them at a given interval, another option is Murphy Wallpapers or Backdrops, which offer curated collections of high-quality images with auto-update function.

• 🎨 Wallpaper Changer – a classic solution with flexible change times and sources.
• 🌄 Murphy Wallpapers – Minimalist design and great battery optimization.
• 🖼️ Google Wallpapers – Google’s official app with daily image changes.

Using third-party apps gives another bonus - the lack of advertising, which often annoyed Xiaomi's stock carousel: You choose the sources of images: whether it's a folder in the phone's memory, Unsplash, Pexels or Reddit.

Set up third-party solutions and optimization

Once you install an alternative app, you have to set it up properly so that it works consistently. Android aggressively kills background processes to save energy. To make your carousel work, you have to add the app to the exceptions.

Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Activity Control. Find the wallpaper app installed and select No Limits mode. This will prevent the service from being stopped by the system. It is also recommended to fix the application in memory if you have such a feature in your shell version.

Way to verify permits:


Settings → Applications → [Your App] → Permissions




→ Insert: Warehouse, Internet (if you need online wallpaper)

Be sure to adjust the frequency of the changes in images. Too frequent updating (every minute) can significantly affect the autonomy of the device, the optimal is considered to be an interval of 15-30 minutes or a change at each turn on the screen.

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Third-party apps often offer more freedom in choosing image sources and do not contain the intrusive advertising characteristic of stock solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)