Wallpaper Carousel on Xiaomi: why you need it, how to disable or remove it forever

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone POCO, You may have noticed that the wallpaper on the lock screen and the home screen changes on its own periodically, even if you haven't installed it manually, and this is done by the Wallpaper Carousel system app (often called "Wallpaper Carousel" in Russian). It automatically uploads and updates background images, offering the user fresh options every day or week.

On the one hand, it seems convenient: you don't have to search for beautiful wallpapers, the system does it for you, but on the other hand, many users complain about unsolicited background changes, traffic consumption in the background, and even that the application can not be removed by standard means. In this article, we will explain what Wallpaper Carousel is, how it works on different Xiaomi models (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and others, and most importantly – how to disable, hide or remove it without consequences for the system.

What is Wallpaper Carousel and how does it work?

Wallpaper Carousel is a pre-installed system application from Xiaomi that automatically downloads and installs wallpaper on the lock screen and the main screen. It is integrated into the firmware. MIUI (including global and Chinese versions and works on the following principle:

• 🔄 Automatic wallpaper change: The app periodically updates background images (default – once a day or week, depending on your settings).
• 🌐 Cloud download: Wallpaper is downloaded from Xiaomi servers, which consumes mobile traffic (if not connected to Wi-Fi).
• 🎨 Topics and categories: Users can choose the subject of the wallpaper (nature, abstraction, minimalism, etc.), but the choice is limited to the Xiaomi collection.
• 🔒 System status: The application cannot be removed through standard settings – only disable or hide.

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) Wallpaper Carousel also offers dynamic wallpapers that change depending on the time of day or weather, but even if you don’t use this feature, the app continues to run in the background, consuming the device’s resources.

It's important to understand that Wallpaper Carousel is not a virus or malware. MIUI, But it can seem intrusive, like some users complaining that the app is intrusive:

• ⚡ Resets custom wallpaper to standard.
• 📶 Spends traffic without warning (especially for those who use the mobile Internet).
• 🔋 Increases battery consumption due to background activity.

Xiaomi models that have Wallpaper Carousel

Wallpaper Carousel is present on almost all modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO firmware MIUI 12 and newer. Here's a list of popular models where it's definitely there:

On older devices (such as the Redmi Note 9 or Xiaomi Mi 9), the feature may not be available or work differently (CN ROM) Wallpaper Carousel often imposes wallpaper more aggressively than in global wallpapers (Global) ROM).

If you are not sure if this app is on your device, check this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type Wallpaper or Carousel.
3. If you see com.miui.miwallpaper or com.miui.wallpapercarousel, it means that the function is active.

💡

On some devices, Wallpaper Carousel is hidden under the name "Themes" or "Wallpaper." Try searching for the word "wallpaper" in English in the settings.

Can Wallpaper Carousel be removed?

The short answer is that without root rights or unlocking the bootloader, you can't completely uninstall Wallpaper Carousel. It's a system application that's protected from removal by standard Android tools. However, there are several ways to disable or hide it:

• ⚙️ Disconnection through settings (the safest method).
• 🔧 Removal of updates (if the app has been updated via Google Play).
• 🛠️ Use of the ADB (power-user).
• 🔓 Complete removal with root rights (risky, can disrupt the system).

We'll go through each method in detail next, but first, an important warning:

⚠️ Warning: Complete removal of system applications without root rights can lead to unstable operation MIUI, If you are not sure of your actions, use only official methods of disabling.

Also, it is worth considering that after resetting or updating the firmware Wallpaper Carousel can be activated again, in which case the shutdown procedure will have to be repeated.

How to turn off Wallpaper Carousel via Settings (without root)

The easiest and safest way is to turn off automatic wallpaper changes in settings. This won't delete the app, but it will stop it from being active. MIUI 12–14:

1. Open the Settings. → Lock screen (or Settings) → Wallpaper, depending on the model).
2. Select Lock Screen Wallpaper or Main Screen Wallpaper.
3. Scroll down and find the wallpaper carousel option (or Wallpaper Carousel).
4. Turn off the slider next to the Autoshift or Daily Wallpaper.
5. Return to the main settings menu and go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
6. Find Wallpaper Carousel (or com.miui.wallpapercarousel), open it and click Disable (if the option is available).

If the option is inactive (grey), the application is deactivated, in which case try the following method.

Go to Settings. → Lock screen|Deactivate “Automatic shift»|Find the application in Application Management|Click "Disable" (if available)|Reset the device-->

After disconnection, the application will cease:

• ✅ Change the wallpaper without your permission.
• ✅ Spending traffic on loading new backgrounds.
• ✅ Show notifications about new wallpaper.

However, the application itself will remain in the system and will take up space (usually about 20-30 MB). ADB.

Removal of Wallpaper Carousel via ADB (rootless)

If the standard shutdown didn’t help, you can remove updates or hide the application using the help of the ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method doesn’t require root rights, but it will require connecting your smartphone to your computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB Debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (its serial number should appear).
5. Run the command to remove updates (if the app has been updated via Google Play): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.wallpapercarousel Or for a complete shutdown (if deletion didn't work): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.wallpapercarousel
6. Reboot your smartphone.

After that, Wallpaper Carousel will stop working, but will remain on the system as a disabled application. To return it back, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.wallpapercarousel

⚠️ Attention, misuse ADB If you are not sure about the commands, it is better to contact a more experienced user or use a standard shutdown.

Complete removal of Wallpaper Carousel with root rights

If you are willing to take risks, you can completely remove Wallpaper Carousel with root rights. This method is only suitable for advanced users, since:

• 🔓 Requires unlocking the bootloader (which resets all data).
• 🛠️ You need to install a custom recavator (for example, TWRP).
• ⚠️ The risk of loss of warranty and unstable system operation.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the Xiaomi website).
2. Install a custom recavery (TWRP).
3. Download and install Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Use a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer) and delete files: /system/priv-app/WallpaperCarousel/ /system/app/WallpaperCarousel/ Or run the command in Terminal: su rm -rf /system/priv-app/WallpaperCarousel rm -rf /system/app/WallpaperCarousel
5. Reset the device.

After that, Wallpaper Carousel will be permanently removed.

• ❌ Certain functions MIUI (For example, setting up wallpapers through theme may not work properly.
• ⚠️ The next firmware update, the application may return.

💡

Complete removal of Wallpaper Carousel is only advisable if you use custom firmware (such as LineageOS) or are willing to put up with possible bugs. MIUI.

Wallpaper Carousel Alternatives: How to Set Up Wallpaper Manually

If you have disabled or removed Wallpaper Carousel, but want a beautiful and diverse wallpaper, use alternative methods:

• 🎨 Google Wallpaper (an app from Google with a large collection of backgrounds, including dynamic ones).
• 🌄 Backdrops or Zedge – popular apps with wallpaper for every taste.
• 🖼️ Manual installation: download the image you like and install it through Settings → Wallpaper.
• 🔄 Automatically change through third-party applications (such as Wallpaper Changer or Muzei).

To set the wallpaper manually:

1. Download the image to the gallery (preferably in a resolution that matches your screen, for example, 1080×2400 For the Redmi Note 12).
2. Click the empty space on the main screen and select Wallpaper.
3. Click My Wallpaper or Gallery and select the downloaded image.
4. Customize and apply for the home screen, lock screen, or both.

If you want dynamic wallpaper (which varies with time), try:

• 🌅 Google Wallpaper (there is a category "Dynamic Wallpapers»).
• 🌌 Into Live Wallpapers (animated background images).
• 🎮 Wallpaper Engine (for advanced users, requires root on some devices).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you work with Wallpaper Carousel, users face a few typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them:

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the settings (but don’t forget to back up the data!):

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (does not delete files, but resets application settings).
3. Once you reboot, turn off Wallpaper Carousel again.

⚠️ Attention! on some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi) K70) Wallpaper Carousel is linked to Super Wallpapers. If you remove it, the dynamic wallpaper will stop working.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions