Xiaomi Themes: What it is, how to install, change and create them from scratch

Xiaomi smartphones based on the shell MIUI They're famous for not only performance, but also for the deepest customization of the interface, and one of the key elements of personalization is the themes, the pre-made design packages that transform the look of the device in seconds, but what exactly is behind this term? Why some users change themes daily, while others do not even know they exist?

In this article, we will understand what Xiaomi themes are at the technical level: how they are arranged, where they are stored, what they are (from static wallpaper to dynamic animations) and why their installation sometimes ends in errors. You will learn how to download themes from the official Themes store, install third-party.mtz files manually, and create your own designs from scratch. MIUI.

If you've ever wondered why your Redmi Note 12 looks different than a friend with the same device, or if you'd like to make your screen as personal as possible, this guide is for you. We'll do without water: only proven instructions that are relevant to the screen. MIUI 14 (and partly for HyperOS), with nuances for global and Chinese firmware.

What are Xiaomi Topics: Definition and Principles of Work

In the context of Xiaomi, a theme is a set of files that redefines the visual elements of the interface. MIUI. It is not just about the wallpaper on the desktop, but also about:

• 🎨 Application icons (form, color, style)
• 📱 Color schemes (accent colors, dark/light theme)
• 🔄 Animations (transitions between screens, pressing effects)
• 📂 System menu styles (settings, notifications, locking)
• 🎵 Sound signals (alarm clock melodies, SMS, notice)

Technically, the theme in Xiaomi is an archive with the.mtz extension (MIUI Theme Zip, which contains:

• 🖼️ images/ — graphic elements (icons, wallpaper, buttons)
• 🎨 colors.xml — colour-pallette
• 📜 description.xml — metadata (title, author, version)
• 🔊 sounds/ — audio files (optional)

When using the theme, the system does not overwrite the original files. MIUI, It puts a new layer on top of it:

• ⚡ Return to standardization immediately.
• 🔄 Change themes without restarting the device.
• 🛡️ Avoid conflicts with system updates (in most cases).

Important: Themes in Xiaomi don’t touch the Android kernel or low-level settings – they work exclusively at the shell level MIUI. This means that even a radical design change will not affect the performance or stability of the device.

Official and informal topics: how they differ

Xiaomi’s themes are divided into two big groups: official (from Themes) and third-party (from the Internet), and the difference between them is not only in source, but also in functionality, security, and limitations.

Official themes (available in Themes app):

• ✅ Xiaomi Moderates for Compatibility and Security.
• ✅ Automatically adapt to the version MIUI.
• ✅ Supports cloud backups.
• ❌ Limited choice for global firmware (compared to the Chinese version) MIUI).
• ❌ Some elements (such as animations) may be blocked.

Unofficial themes (manually installed via.mtz files):

• ✅ Unlimited customization options (up to system font changes).
• ✅ Access to exclusive designs from independent developers.
• ✅ Ability to edit the topic for yourself.
• ❌ The risk of conflicts with updates MIUI.
• ❌ Potential security threats (malicious code in.mtz).

Example: The theme “Pixel Experience” from the official store will change only icons and wallpaper, whereas custom theme will change the icons and wallpaper "MIUI Mix can completely rewrite unlock animations, notification menus, and even the style of the Gboard keyboard.

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial themes on devices with a locked bootloader can cause a reset. Before experimenting, check the status of the bootloader in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times on "Core").

How to install a theme from the official Themes store

The easiest way to change the design is to use the built-in Themes app. It is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones with a new design. MIUI 10 and newer.Redmi's instructions are up to date, POCO and Mi series:

1. Open the Themes app (pattern icon).
2. Go to the Themes tab (or Themes in English).
3. Select a category: 🌙 Dark Mode for Dark Mode. 🎨 Icons – App icons only. 📱 Complete - comprehensive design. 🔥 Trends are popular novelties.

Tapping on a topic you like. → Apply.

Confirm the changes (some items may require a reboot).

After applying the topic, you can:

• 🔄 Return the standard design to Themes → Mine. → By default.
• 📥 Save the topic in the favorite (long press). → Add to the select few).
• 🔄 Update the topic if the author has released a new version (notice will appear in My Subjects).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI The global portion of the themes may appear as “incompatible” due to regional restrictions. To get around this, change the region in your Xiaomi account to India or China (but note that this may affect the performance of some services, such as Google Pay).

Installation of custom themes through MTZ-file

If you don't have the official choice, you can install a theme from a third-party source, and you'll need a file with the.mtz extension.

• 🌍 Forums: XDA Developers (part of Xiaomi Themes), 4PDA (topic MIUI).
• 📱 Telegram: Channels like this @MIUIThemes or @XiaomiThemes.
• 🛠️ Self-creation: through editors like MIUI Theme Editor (more on this below).

Step-by-step instructions for installing.mtz:

1. Download the.mtz file to your phone (for example, to the Downloads folder).
2. Open the Themes app → Go to Profile. → Settings → Import theme.
3. Select the downloaded file and wait for the unpacking.
4. After importing the theme will appear in the section My → Imported ones. → Apply.

Warnings when working with.mtz:

• 🚫 Do not install themes from unknown sources – they may contain adb commands to steal data.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Custom themes can fly (solution: repeat import).
• 📱 Nana POCO and a firmware Redmi MIUI for POCO Some topics are not displayed correctly.

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Before installing a third-party theme, back up your current design: open Themes → Mine. → Current theme → The file will be saved in.mtz format and can be restored later.

Why the topics are not applied or are not working properly

Theme problems at Xiaomi usually boil down to five main reasons, and let’s look at each and the solution:

1. Incompatibility with the version MIUI. The theme is created for MIUI 12, and you have MIUI 14 → interface elements are displayed crooked or not changed at all. Solution: Check the theme description for supported versions. Use patches for old themes (e.g., patches, MIUI 14 Theme Patcher from Magisk).
2. Restrictions of global firmware. MIUI Global disabled some themes features (e.g. animations). Solution: Switch to MIUI China or Xiaomi.EU (requires unlocking the bootloader).
3. Conflict with other modifications. If you use Magisk modules (e.g., Magisk modules, MIUI System Ad Remover, they can block theme elements.Solution: Disable modules via Magisk Manager and restart your phone.
4. A damaged.mtz file is common when downloaded from unreliable sources. Solution: Check the checksum (MD5) file or download it again.
5. Memory shortage. Themes are cached in the system partition, and when it is overflowed, new ones are not installed. Solution: Clear the cache to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.

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If the application icons are missing after applying the theme (gray squares are displayed), this means that the theme does not contain an icon package for your programs. → Icons or return the standard to Settings → Display. → Icon style.

To diagnose problems, use the topic log:

1. Open Themes. → Profile → Settings → Journal of theme.
2. Find the error (for example, Theme applies failed: signature mismatch).
3. Copy the error code and look for a solution to the problem. 4PDA or XDA.

How to Create Your Theme for Xiaomi from Zero

If you don't like the solutions, you can develop your own theme.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows or Linux (for editing files).
• 📂 Archive of the Standard Theme MIUI (You can export from your phone).
• 🎨 Graphic Editor (Photoshop, GIMP or Figma).
• 🔧 MIUI Theme Editor or MTZ Theme Builder (for packaging).

Step-by-step process:

1. Export the basic theme. In Themes, select a standard theme → Export..mtz file copy to PC and rename to.zip.
2. Graphics editing. Unpack the archive and edit the files in folders: images/icons/ — Application icons (.png format, size) 192×192 px). images/wallpapers/ — wallpaper (permission at least) 1080×2340 px). colors/ — Color schemes (edit) colors.xml text-edit).

Editing metadata. description.xml specify:

<theme name="MyCustomTheme" author="Your name" version="1.0">


<compatibility>MIUI14</compatibility>




</theme>

Package in.mtz. Use it. MIUI Theme Editor:

1. Download the edited files.
2. Give me the name and version.
3. Press Build. MTZ.

Installation on the phone. Transfer the resulting.mtz to the device and import through Themes, as described above.

Tips for beginners:

• 🎨 Start by changing only icons – it’s easier than redoing the whole theme.
• 🔍 Use it. MIUI Theme Previewer (PC app) to see how the theme will look before installing.
• 📤 Publish your work on XDA or 4PDA — This way you will get feedback and help from experienced designers.

Best themes for Xiaomi in 2026: a selection

The choice of themes depends on your preferences, but we have selected proven options that work stably on the basis of the best possible solutions. MIUI 14 and HyperOS:

Where to download:

• 🌍 Official: in the Themes app (enter name in search).
• 📥 Unofficial: Pixelify: 4PDA Dark Matter: XDA Material You Dynamic: Telegram channel

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Before installing themes with effects (such as rain animations on the lock screen), check their effect on autonomy. Some dynamic elements increase battery consumption by 5-15%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about topics in Xiaomi