Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are famous for their deep customization of the interface, from icons and fonts to animations and sound effects. However, many users are faced with the problem of where exactly the themes are stored, how to find them in the system and how to install them correctly, especially for beginners who have just moved from iOS or naked Android.
In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to access themes, from the standard Theme app to hidden folders in the file system, learn how to download design from the official MIUI Themes store, import.mtz files manually, and where physically downloaded themes are stored on the internal drive, separately focus on common errors (for example, why some themes do not apply) and give recommendations for security when using third-party sources.
The official application "Themes": where to look and how to use
The main design tool in MIUI is the pre-installed Themes app (paliter icon), which is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, regardless of the firmware version, to open it:
- Go to the main screen and find the icon "Themes" (if it is not, check the folder "Tools" or use the search system).
- In the bottom panel, select the tab "Online" - here are collected all available themes from the official store MIUI Themes.
- To apply the theme, tap on its preview, then click "Apply" (some elements, such as screensavers or fonts, may require separate installation).
Important: in the latest versions of MIUI 14/15, some themes have been paid, free options are marked with a green “Free” label, and premium registration is marked with a yellow price (payment is deducted from the Mi Account balance).
If the Themes app is not on your device (this happens after manual removal or on custom firmware), it can be restored:
- 📥 Download. APK latest version from the official website themes.mi.com (section "Downloads").
- 🔧 Install the file by pre-allowing installation from unknown sources in Settings → Annexes → Special access.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone so that the application is integrated into the system.
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If some elements (such as icons or wallpaper) haven’t changed after installing the theme, try re-applying it or restarting your phone. Sometimes cleaning the theme app cache in the settings helps.
Where to store downloaded themes on internal memory Xiaomi
All theme downloaded through the official application is stored in the internal memory of the device in the following way:
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/theme/.data/In this folder, you will find subdirectories with the titles of the topics (usually a set of numbers and letters, such as a1b2c3d4).
- 📁 Icon folder - application icons.
- 📁 Wallpaper folder – wallpaper for desktop and lock.
- 📄 File. desc.json — metadata topics (title, author, version).
- 📄.mtz files – archives with additional elements (sounds, fonts).
Important: Do not delete or rename files manually, this can cause the Themes app to crash. If you need to free up space, use the cache cleanup function in the application settings.
To open this folder:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC or use any file manager (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
- Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings (the option "Show hidden files").
- Go to /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/theme/.
What to do if theme folder is missing?
How to install a theme from a.mtz file manually
.mtz files are archives of themes that can be downloaded from third-party resources (e.g. miuithemes.com or XDA Developers) to establish the following theme:
Download.mtz file to smartphone | Open the Themes app |Click on the profile icon (top right) |Click on Import theme |Select the path to the file.mtz|Confirm installation-->
If the option “Import theme” is not available in your version of MIUI, use an alternative method:
- Rename the.mtz file to.zip (e.g., from theme.mtz to theme.zip).
- Unclick it into /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/theme/ (a theme folder should appear).
- Reboot your smartphone.
- Open the Topics → Mine → find a new topic in the list and apply it.
⚠️ Note: Installing themes from unverified sources may contain malicious code. Before downloading, check for reviews about the topic and scan the file with an antivirus (for example, Dr.Web or Malwarebytes).
Why Some Topics Are Not Applying or Are Not Working Right
Application problems are most often associated with incompatibility of MIUI versions or file corruption.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Subject not applicable (Apply button is inactive) | Incompatibility with the MIUI version | Check the theme description – it shows the supported version (e.g., “MIUI 12-14”). Update the firmware or find an alternative theme. |
| Icons or wallpaper don't change | Partial application of the topic | Go to “Themes” → “Mys”, select a theme and manually apply the missing elements (icons, wallpaper, fonts). |
| After applying the theme, the smartphone slows down | Too heavy animation or fonts | Go back to the standard theme or choose an easier option (for example, no animations). |
| The topic disappeared after the MIUI update | Resetting user settings | Re-import the.mtz file or download the theme from the store. |
If the theme is applied but not displayed correctly (e.g. icons are cropped or wallpaper stretched), the problem may be in the screen resolution. Some themes are optimized for FHD+ only (1080×2400) and look bad on HD+ (720×1600).
- 🔍 Find a version of the theme for your permission (usually the file title indicates, for example _FHD).
- 🖼️ Manually replace wallpaper in the display settings (Settings) → Wallpaper).
- 📏 Use adaptive themes (the description should include "Supports all resolutions").
Where to look for unique themes for Xiaomi: TOP-5 proven sources
The official MIUI Themes store offers a limited selection, especially for users outside of China. If you want exclusive themes, check out these resources:
- MiuiThemes.ru is the largest Russian-speaking community with themes, icons and fonts. All files are checked by moderators for viruses.
- XDA Developers is a forum for enthusiasts to share custom themes and patches for MIUI. Registration required. Forum.
- Zedge is an Android app with wallpaper and themes, including those adapted for MIUI. Available on Google Play. Link.
- Telegram channels – many designers share their work in channels like @MIUI_Themes or @XiaomiThemes. Search the hashtag #MIUI.
- GitHub -- some developers put their theme source codes out there, look for repositories with MIUI theme or mtz keywords.
⚠️ Note: When downloading themes from third-party sites, disable automatic application after import (Settings) → Topics → Auto-Application: This will allow you to first check the topic for bugs or malicious code.
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Before installing a theme from an unverified source, back up your current design in the Themes app (Export option) to help you quickly return to your original look if something goes wrong.
How to Create Your Theme for Xiaomi: A Brief Guide
If you don't like the solutions, you can create your own theme.
- 🖥️ Computer installed MIUI Theme Editor (official utility from Xiaomi).
- 📂 Set of graphic files (icons in format) PNG, wallpaper JPG/PNG, print TTF).
- 📝 Knowledge of basic design principles (Icon resolution should be 192×192 px, wallpaper - under the permission of your screen).
Step-by-step:
- Download and install MIUI Theme Editor from the official website.
- Create a new project and import your graphics files into the relevant sections (icons, wallpaper, sounds).
- Customize colors and animations in the editor (use preview to check).
- Export the theme to the.mtz file.
- Transfer the file to your smartphone and import through the “Themes” app.
To simplify the process, you can use templates from official MIUI documentation or adapt existing themes (for example, changing only icons or wallpapers), and the finished theme can be posted to forums for sharing with other users.
How to Reset a Theme to Standard (If Something Goes Wrong)
If after installing the custom theme, the smartphone began to work unstable (lags, application departures, display errors), return the standard design:
- Open the Themes app.
- Go to the "Mine" tab.
- Select a theme called “Default” or “Standard” (usually the first one on the list).
- Click "Apply" and confirm the reset.
If the standard topic is not on the list:
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes it restores default settings.
- ⚙️ Reset the theme settings through Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Reset themes (not available on all devices).
- 📥 Install the standard theme manually by downloading the default.mtz file from the official Xiaomi forum.
In extreme cases, reset all settings to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Reset and Restore), but remember that this will delete all data from the device.