If you want to make your Xiaomi stand out with a unique design, but the standard themes from MIUI Themes seem boring? Adding a custom theme is a great way to personalize the interface by changing icons, fonts, animations and even system sounds. In this article, we will break down three proven methods: through the official application, manual installation of.mtz files, and an advanced way using ADB.
It is important to understand that customization options depend on the version of the MIUI and the device model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 15, there are more options available than on the budget Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5. Also note that some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights - this will void the warranty and can lead to unstable system operation. We will warn about the risks in each section.
If you're a beginner, start with the first one, which is the safest and doesn't require technical skills. MTZ-file ADB. At the end of the article you will find answers to frequent questions and a list of proven resources for downloading topics.
1. Installation of themes through the official MIUI Themes app
The easiest way to add a new theme is to use the built-in MIUI Themes app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones and allows you to download themes directly from the official directory. Here's how it works:
Open the Themes app (Brush icon) and go to the Online tab, where you'll see hundreds of free and paid themes, sorted by category: Minimalism, Dark, AMOLED, Game, and more, to apply your favorite theme:
- 🔍 Find a topic through search or select from recommendations.
- 📥 Then click on the preview, then tap on the download (for free) or buy (for paid).
- 🎨 After download, click Apply – the changes will take effect immediately.
- ⚙️ Additional settings are available in some themes (such as the choice of accent color or icon style).
Note that official themes do not change system icons of applications (such as Settings or Phone), this will require custom.mtz files, which will be discussed later, and some of the themes can be blocked by region, in which case changing the region in the settings of the Mi Account will help.
⚠️ Attention: Some of the themes in the directory contain ads or collect user data. Before installing, check the reviews and rating of the theme. If after applying the theme, the smartphone started to slow down, return the standard design in the settings.
Manual installation of those through MTZ-file
If you don't have enough official themes, you can install a custom theme in.mtz, which is an archive of design files that unpacks directly into the system, and this gives you more freedom, you can change the icons of the apps, fonts, sounds and even animated screensavers.
Where do I download.mtz files?
- 🌐 MIUIer Themes – the largest database of themes with ratings and screenshots.
- 📱 Telegram channels (e.g, MIUI Themes Collection).
- 🛠️ XDA Developers – here you can share unique themes from developers.
To install the.mtz file:
- Download the file to your phone (for example, via browser).
- Open the file manager and find the downloaded.mtz.
- Slip on the file - the system will prompt you to open it through the Themes application.
- Confirm the installation and wait for unpacking (may take up to 1 minute).
- Go to Settings → Themes → My Themes and apply a new one.
If nothing happens when you click on.mtz, check:
- 🔄 The file is not damaged (try to download again).
- 📌 You have the latest version of the Themes app installed (update to Google Play or Mi App Store).
- 🔓 On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU) You need to enable the option of Installation from unknown sources in the security settings.
Download the.mtz file from a trusted source
Check the integrity of the archive (the size must match the size indicated on the site)
Update the "Themes" app to the latest version
Backup the current theme (in the app settings)
Shut down. VPN (Some topics are blocked by region)-->
⚠️ Attention: Themes from unverified sources may contain malicious code. Before installing, check the file via VirusTotal. If the theme starts to overheat or discharge quickly, immediately return the standard theme and perform a virus check.
Install themes through ADB (for advanced users)
If previous methods have failed (e.g., on custom firmware or a locked version of MIUI), you can install the theme through ADB, an Android debugging tool that is suitable for advanced users, as it requires command line work and can cause system failures if used improperly.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
- 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (path: Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap according to the version → return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
- 📁.Theme mtz file, renamed theme.mtz and placed in the platform-tools folder on the PC.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.
- Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB:
cd C:\platform-tools- Check the connection of the device:
adb devices(Your Xiaomi serial number should be displayed.)
- Upload the theme to the system folder:
adb push theme.mtz /sdcard/MIUI/theme/- Apply the theme through ADB:
adb shell am start -n com.android.themes/.activity.ThemePreviewActivity -d file:///sdcard/MIUI/theme/theme.mtzIf it is successful, the theme will appear in the My Themes list in the Topic app, which works even on blocked firmware, but requires caution: incorrect ADB commands can lead to resets or data loss.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
4. How to Create Your Theme for Xiaomi
If you don't find the right theme, you can create it yourself.
- 🎨 Official topic editor MIUI (browser-based).
- 🖼️ Set of icons in.png format (resolution) 192×192 pixel).
- 🎵.ogg audio files (for notifications and alarms).
- 📝 Text editor (for example, Notepad)++) for editing configuration files.
The process of creating the theme:
- In the MIUI Theme Editor, select a template (e.g. Light or Dark).
- Upload your icons, background images and fonts (.ttf and.otf formats are supported).
- Customize the interface colors in the Color Scheme section (use Coolors to select the palette).
- Export the theme in.mtz format and install it on your phone (see Section 2).
The finished theme can be uploaded to MIUIer or sold in the official store MIUI Themes (this requires registration of a developer), popular themes bring creators up to 500-2000 rubles per month from sales.
💡
To make the theme look professional, use a homogeneous style of icons (for example, all in flat design or 3D). To check the display, test it at different screen resolutions (FHD, HD+) through the Android Studio emulator.
5. Solving problems with the installation of topics
Sometimes, when you set themes up, you get some errors, and we've collected some of the most common problems and ways to solve them.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The theme is not installed from the.mtz file. | Incompatibility with the MIUI version | Check which version of MIUI the theme is intended for (e.g. MIUI 14+). |
| After the application of the theme, the application icons disappeared | The theme does not contain icons for all installed applications | Return the standard icons in the theme settings or install the icon package separately (for example, via Nova Launcher). |
| Theme applies, but changes are not displayed | App cache Topics damaged | Clear the cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Themes → Storage → Clear the cache. |
| When installed via ADB, a read-only file system error appears | System partition protected from recording | Unlock the bootloader and get root rights, or use the Magisk module MIUI Theme Manager. |
| The theme works, but some elements remain standard. | The topic does not support customization of these elements. | Use additional modules (e.g. MIUI Extra Settings to change the status bar). |
If none of these methods worked, try:
- 🔄 Reboot your phone after installing the theme.
- 📱 Install MIUI Theme Editor APK (Sometimes it helps to get around the restrictions).
- 🔧 Reset the application settings Topics to factory (Settings) → Annexes → Topics → Delete the data).
💡
Before installing custom themes, always back up your current theme through Settings → Themes → My Themes → Save the current theme. This will allow you to quickly return the original design when crashes.
6.The Best Themes for Xiaomi in 2026
We tested dozens of themes and selected the best for different styles:
- 🌙 Pitch Black AMOLED — Ultra-Dark Theme with Optimization for AMOLED-screens (saving battery power.
- 🎮 Cyberpunk Neon is a futuristic design with neon accents and animations. POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T.
- 🍎 iOS 17 Style - imitation of the iPhone interface with round icons and smooth transitions.
- 🌿 Nature Green is a minimalist theme with green hues and organic textures.
- 🤖 Material You Dynamic is an adaptive theme that adapts to wallpaper (requires) MIUI 14+).
For the Redmi Note 12 and other budget models, we recommend light themes without complex animations to avoid lags.On flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, MIX Fold 3 can be used to install resource-intensive themes with 4K-wallpaper and 120 Hz animations.
Before installing, check for compatibility with your MIUI model and version. For example, MIUI 15 themes may not work on MIUI 13 due to changes in system file structure.
7. Safety and risks in setting themes
Customization of the interface is an exciting activity, but it is important to remember the possible risks:
- 🛡️ Viruses and spyware: some.mtz files contain hidden scripts to collect data or display ads. Always download themes from trusted sources (see Section 2).
- 🔋 Increased battery consumption: Animated and live wallpaper themes can increase power consumption by 10 to 15 percent. → Battery.
- 🔄 System instability: Incorrectly installed themes can cause lags, application crashes or overheating.
- 🔓 Violation of the guarantee: use ADB or root for installing themes can cause denial of warranty service.
To minimize the risks:
- Before installing a new theme, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup.
- Use MIUI Security to scan.mtz files for viruses.
- Do not install topics that require root rights unless you are sure they are safe.
- After installation, monitor the behavior of the phone for 24 hours (check the temperature, battery consumption, the presence of suspicious processes).
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI China Stable) custom themes are blocked at the system level, in which case only the flashing on the computer will help. MIUI Global or MIUI EU.