How to disable wallpaper on Xiaomi and remove the annoying carousel

Users of brand smartphones Xiaomi often encounter a situation where, after the screen is locked or the device is idle, changing images appear on the display text that cannot be removed using standard methods. This is not just a static picture, but a function Wallpaper carouselthat is activated by default in the MIUI and new HyperOS shells. Many perceive this as intrusive advertising or an unnecessary consumption of traffic, wanting to return the classic type of blocking.

Disabling this function requires understanding the differences between system wallpaper, live wallpaper, and the content carousel. Depending on the firmware version and model of your Redmi or Poco, the paths to the settings may differ slightly, but the logic remains the same. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you clear your screen of excess visual noise.

It is also worth noting that completely removing all wallpaper (so that the screen is black) is technically impossible without obtaining root access or using third-party launchers, since the system requires at least one background image. However, we will focus on how to remove the dynamic change of pictures and return a static image of your choice.

The nature of the phenomenon: what is Wallpaper Carousel

The function that users are trying to disable is officially called Wallpaper carousel (Wallpaper Carousel). This is a service built into the Themes application that automatically downloads new images from the Internet every time you turn on the screen. Developers position this as a way of personalization, but in practice it often looks like spam.

Activation occurs automatically when you first set up your smartphone or after a major system update. The operating algorithm is simple: the device contacts the server MIUI, downloads a package of images and caches them. If you notice that the pictures change by themselves, then this service is active.

It is important to distinguish between Carousel and regular “Live Wallpaper”. The first ones change a static picture to another static one (or with light animation) when waking up, the second ones are constantly moving backgrounds, powered by the processor. They are disabled in different sections of the settings, although for the user the result is similar - the desire to get a static screen.

⚠️ Attention: In some regions (for example, Russia or Europe) the function may be called “Wallpaper” or “Glance”, and in China - “Super Wallpapers”. The interface may differ depending on the localization of the firmware.

Understanding that this is a separate service, and not part of the system core, gives us the key to the solution. We will not delete system files, but will only deactivate the update service through the standard settings menu. It is safe and does not violate the warranty.

The basic method of disabling it through screen settings

The simplest and most obvious way to remove image changes lies on the surface of the interface. You don't need third-party apps or a computer connection. Just go to the device settings menu. This method works on 90% of current models Xiaomi.

Find the section in the list of settings that is responsible for appearance. In older versions of MIUI this may be the “Wallpaper” item, in new versions it may be “Lock Screen”. The manufacturer's logic implies that visual style control is concentrated in one place.

Inside this section you will see a switch responsible for automatic change. It needs to be put into an inactive state. After this, the system will stop downloading new content, and you can install one single picture that will hang constantly.

• 📱 Go to Settings your smartphone.
• 🖼️ Find the item Wallpaper or Lock screen.
• 🚫 Disable the toggle switch Wallpaper carousel (or “Enable carousel”).
• ✅ Press Apply to save the current static image.

After completing these steps, the lock screen will become “clean”. However, if the switch is missing or immediately returns to the active position, then the problem is deeper and lies in the settings of the Themes application itself.

Disable via the "Themes" application

If you did not find the treasured switch in the main phone settings, it means that the function control is hidden inside the system application Themes. This is a common situation for global versions of firmware, where the settings are duplicated or placed in separate modules.

Find the “Themes” application icon on the desktop (usually a brush or a gift bag). Launch it and pay attention to the user profile in the upper right corner. This is where the advanced service settings are hidden.

In the profile menu, find the “Settings” item. Inside you will find a section dedicated to the carousel. Here you can not only disable the function, but also clear downloaded data to free up space in your phone memory.

Themes → Profile (person icon) → Settings → Wallpaper carousel → Disable

Please note that in some versions of shells this item may be called “Get recommendations” or "Automatically update." The essence remains the same: you need to prohibit the application from accessing network resources to download pictures.

Specific settings in HyperOS and new MIUI

With the release of the shell HyperOS and the latest versions of MIUI 14 the company Xiaomi changed the menu logic. Items have been renamed and some functions have been combined. Users of new smartphones, such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13may encounter that the usual paths do not work.

In the new system, controlling the lock screen is placed in a separate sub-item within the screen settings. You need to be careful when reading the titles, as the translation may not be obvious. For example, the function may be hidden behind the name “Lock screen style.”

Also in new versions there is the possibility of fine-tuning: you can leave the carousel enabled, but disable the display of text or advertising in pictures. If your goal is only to remove the inscriptions and leave the pictures, look for the corresponding checkboxes in the same menu.

Shell version	Path to settings	Function name
MIUI 12-13	Settings → Wallpaper	Wallpaper carousel
MIUI 14	Settings → Lock screen	Enable carousel
HyperOS 1.0	Settings → Wallpaper and personalization	Wallpaper carousel
Chinese version	Themes → Profile → Settings	Super Wallpapers

If you updated recently and cannot find the setting, use the search in the settings menu. Enter the word “Carousel” or “Lock” in the search bar at the top of the settings screen - the system itself will highlight the desired item.

⚠️ Attention: The HyperOS interface continues to be updated. The location of the items may change in future security patches. If you don't find the item, check for updates to the Themes app.

What to do if the menu item is gray and not clickable?

Sometimes the feature is blocked by the device administrator (rarely) or enabled through a child's profile/parental controls. Check your digital well-being settings or try logging out of your Mi account and logging in again.

Removing advertising and text from the lock screen

Often users are annoyed not by the change of pictures itself, but by the text that is superimposed on them: news, quotes, advertising slogans. Even if you don't want to disable the carousel completely, you can remove this visual clutter.

In the wallpaper carousel settings, there are separate switches for displaying text. Usually they are located immediately below the main toggle switch for turning on the function. By turning them off, you will get a clean picture without overlays.

It is also worth checking your notification settings. Sometimes the text on the lock screen is not part of the wallpaper, but expanded notifications from applications. To remove them, go to Settings → Notifications and status bar → Lock screen and limit the display of content.

• 📝 In the Carousel menu, find the item Show text.
• 🔕 Disable the option Content recommendations.
• 👁️ Check your settings Date and clock formatsso that they do not overlap important parts of the image.

A clean lock screen is not only more aesthetically pleasing, but also saves processor resources, since the system does not need to render text layers on top of graphics. This is especially true for budget smartphone models.

Problems with the “Apply” button and resetting settings

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where they disabled the carousel, selected a new picture, clicked “Apply”, but after locking the screen everything returned to normal. This may be caused by a caching error or a theme conflict.

In this case, it is recommended to clear the Themes app data. This will not delete your personal photos or downloaded themes, but it will reset the carousel service to factory settings. After this, the disconnection procedure will need to be completed again.

Another reason for the “return” of wallpaper is synchronization with Mi Cloud. If you have theme synchronization enabled, settings may be pulled from the cloud. Check your account settings and disable synchronization for the “Themes” section.

Settings → Applications → All applications → Themes → Storage → Clear everything

After clearing the cache, be sure to restart your smartphone. This is a critical step, since many processes in MIUI are launched only when the system starts.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the data of the Themes application will reset your design settings (icons, fonts) if they were applied through this application. Standard wallpaper will remain untouched.

Alternative solutions and third-party launchers

If it is not possible to remove the wallpaper using standard methods (for example, in stripped-down versions of firmware for telecom operators), you can resort to radical measures. Installing a third-party launcher completely changes the logic of the lock screen.

Launchers like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair allow you to customize the behavior of the screen in detail. However, it is worth remembering that they only replace the desktop. The Lock Screen in Android often remains system-specific, regardless of the launcher.

For complete control over the lock screen, there are special replacement applications (Custom Lock Screen), but their use is not recommended due to increased battery consumption and possible security problems. It is better to achieve the result using standard means.

As a last resort, you can set a completely black image as wallpaper. Download the black square from the Internet and apply it. Even if the carousel is enabled, the dark theme can mask its operation, although the pictures will still change in the background.

Is it possible to remove the Themes application completely?

You cannot remove the Themes system application without root access. You can only disable its updates or hide the icon. Attempts to delete via ADB may lead to errors in the interface.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why do the wallpapers still change after disabling the carousel?

Most likely, you disabled the function only for the lock screen, but not for the desktop, or vice versa. Check the settings in both the “Wallpaper” and “Lock Screen” sections. Also make sure that the “Live Wallpaper” function is not activated.

Does the wallpaper carousel affect the speed of the phone?

Yes, minimally. Background loading of images and their processing consumes RAM and CPU time. On older models Redmi disabling this function may slightly improve the smoothness of the interface.

Is it possible to set up the display of your photos instead of advertising ones?

Yes. In the Wallpaper Carousel settings there is an option “My Photos” or “Album”. You can select a folder in the gallery, and the phone will only show your pictures when locked, ignoring server content.

Will the Themes app be deleted if I disable the carousel?

No. The Themes application is a system component of MIUI/HyperOS. Disabling the carousel only prevents one of its modules from running in the background. The icon itself and the functionality of the theme store will remain available.

Where can I find the carousel settings on Redmi Note 12?

On this model with the MIUI 14 shell, the path is as follows: Settings → Lock screen → Wallpaper Carousel. If the item is not there, look for it inside the “Themes” application through the user profile.