How to Make a Dark Background on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, working on the basis of shells MIUI Or the new HyperOS, which gives users a lot of customization, and one of the most popular features is the ability to switch to a dark theme of design, and it's not just an aesthetic solution that makes the interface more stylish and minimalistic. Using a black or dark gray background significantly reduces the load on the eyes, especially in low light conditions, and allows you to save battery power on devices with a high-powered light. AMOLED-display.

The process of activating dark mode can vary depending on the version of the operating system and the model of your device. In some cases, standard system settings are not enough, since many third-party applications may not support automatic switching. That is why it is important to understand where additional options are hiding and how to force the dark background to be activated where the software developers did not foresee this. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to darken the interface.

It’s worth noting that the deep integration of dark theme into Xiaomi’s system allows you to change not only the color of the desktop background, but also the design of the notification curtain, settings menu, dialog boxes and standard applications. Properly configuring these parameters creates a single visual environment that is comfortable for perception. Next, we will look at step-by-step instructions that will help you transform the appearance of your gadget.

Activating a system dark theme through settings

The easiest and most reliable way to change the color scheme of the interface is to use the built-in tools of the system. In current versions of the shells from Xiaomi, this functionality is put in a prominent place, making it accessible even to inexperienced users. First, you need to open the main menu and find the Settings app icon, which usually looks like a gear.

Once you log in, you scroll down to a section called Screen or Display. Depending on the regional firmware (Global, China, EEA), the names of the items may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. Inside this section, you need to find a switch called Dark Mode or Dark Mode. Activating this slider will instantly change the background color of the system menus to dark gray or black.

However, just by turning on the switchboard, you may not see changes in all applications at once. The system offers flexible schedule settings. You can set the dark background to automatically turn on by time (for example, from sunset to dawn) or by a specific schedule, which eliminates the need to switch mode every evening.

  • πŸŒ™ Go to Settings. β†’ Screen. β†’ Dark mode for basic activation.
  • ⏰ Use a scheduler to automatically turn on at night to save energy.
  • 🎨 Choose the design option (classic or contrast) in the submenu of the topic.
  • πŸ“± Check that the switch is active in the fast settings curtain for quick access.

⚠️ Note: On some models with IPS-A deep black color may appear dark gray, which is a normal physical limitation of the matrix, not a system error.

πŸ“Š What kind of screen do you have on Xiaomi?
AMOLED
IPS LCD
I don't know.
Super AMOLED

Set up dark design in the application Topics

If a standard switch isn’t enough or you want to get a deeper dimming of the interface, you should consult the official Themes store.This app is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones and is a powerful tool for changing the visual style of the device. Here you can find not just wallpaper, but entire design packages that change icons, fonts and system colors.

To find the desired design, open the Themes app and search for "Dark" or "Black." You will be offered a variety of options, from strict monochrome designs to bright neon themes. Before installing, be sure to pay attention to the theme ranking and the number of downloads to make sure that it is stable. After choosing the option you like, click Download and then Apply.

It is important to understand that using a third-party theme can affect not only the background, but also the appearance of system applications such as phone, messages and contacts. Some topics can be heavy and contain a lot of animation, which in theory can have a slight impact on the autonomy of the device, so after installation, it is recommended to check the speed of the interface.

What to do if the theme breaks the interface?
If the menu is unreadable or icons are missing after installing the theme, go to the Topics β†’ Profile (the person below) β†’ My Themes. Select a standard theme (usually Classic or Default) and apply it. This will return all settings to the factory look.

Also, the theme store often has individual components available, like wallpaper only or lock style only, which allows you to combine elements: you can use the system dark mode, but add to it specific wallpaper from the store that perfectly matches with a black background, this approach gives maximum flexibility in setting.

Forced Dark Mode Enablement for All Apps

One of the common problems is that many applications don't have a dark theme of their own and remain white even when the system mode is on, and this can be solved through hidden system features or special settings for developers, which allows applications to "force" to display a dark background by inverting colors or using system dimming algorithms.

The first method is available through the Developer Options menu, and if you don't have this section open, you have to click on the build number several times in the About section. Once the notification appears, you can find Force Dark Mode in the advanced settings, and activating this option will apply a dark filter to all running programs.

The second method is more secure and accessible to ordinary users through the special features menu. In the settings, look for the Advanced Settings or Additional, then go to Special. Opportunities. Here you should find the Visual Effects or Display tab and activate the Color Inversion or Dark Application Theme switch. This method works programmatically and can be applied selectively.

β˜‘οΈ Checking the dark theme work

Done: 0 / 4

Keep in mind that forcing dark mode to be turned on may cause some interface elements to be incorrectly displayed, such as photos that may invert to become negative, or some buttons that may become invisible against a dark background, in which case it is better to add a specific application to the exclusion list if such an option is available in your version of the software, or disable the feature for specific programs.

Activation methodLevel of accessImpact on the batteryStability
System switchCustomizedHigh savings (AMOLED)Maximum
Tham's shopCustomizedDepends on the topic.Tall.
Developer parametersExpandedMinor.Medium (possible bugs)
Special opportunitiesCustomizedAverage.Tall.

Install dark wallpaper and customize Always on Display

Once the interface is dark, the logical continuation is to install the appropriate wallpaper. A white lock screen with a bright picture can contrast sharply with the dark menu, causing discomfort. To find quality images in the resolution of your screen, you can use the built-in Wallpaper app or third-party services such as Google Wallpaper or Ameba.

When choosing an image for the main screen, focus on images with a predominance of black, dark blue or dark gray colors. AMOLED-In the screens, these wallpapers allow the pixels to completely turn off, which creates an infinite depth effect and really saves energy. Avoid bright gradients and white spots in the center of the screen, where the widgets of time and date are usually located.

You can also look at Always On Display, if your smartphone supports this technology, you can set the time and notifications to the screen off. In AOD settings (in Wallpaper and Personalization), choose a black background style to ensure visuality: when you pick up the phone, you don't get a flash of light.

  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Use live wallpaper with dark colors for a dynamic background.
  • πŸŒ‘ For AOD Choose minimalist dials with black background.
  • πŸ“ Make sure that important wallpaper elements are not overlaid by system widgets.
  • πŸ”‹ Nana IPS-Dark wallpaper does not save charge, but protects the eyes.

πŸ’‘

Use the Wallpaper Carousel feature in Xiaomi’s settings, adding only dark images to it, which will automatically change the background, while maintaining the overall stylistics of the device.

Dark theme in standard Xiaomi apps

Xiaomi’s app ecosystem is quite extensive, including gallery, guide, music, video, and other utilities, most of which automatically adapt to the system theme, but sometimes require manual adjustment within the app itself. For example, in the Gallery app, the dark background makes viewing photos much more comfortable, since the black color of the frame does not distract from the content of the image.

In some cases, especially in older versions of MIUI, theme settings can be scattered. Go to each standard app, open its settings (usually through a three-dot menu or gear), and look for "Theme" or "Night Mode." Make sure it has a "Like in the system" or "Dark" value on it, which ensures that there is no sudden color switching when you log in.

You should pay special attention to the Mi Browser browser and the book reader app if you use them. In a browser, a dark theme not only changes the color of the panels, but can also force the content of web pages to darken, which is very convenient for reading news at night. In browser settings, this is often placed in a separate section β€œNight Mode” with the ability to adjust contrast.

⚠️ Warning: When using a dark theme in a reading app or browser, check the display of images. Some images may become too dim and you will need to temporarily turn off the mode to view them.

Solution: white background in applications and display bugs

Despite the efforts of developers, users sometimes face a situation where part of the interface remains white, this can occur in the notification curtain, volume menu, or in specific third-party applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram, if they do not include their own dark theme). For instant messengers, the solution is usually inside their own settings in the Chats section. β†’ Theme of the design.

If the white background is left in system elements, such as the control panel or pop-ups, reset the theme settings. Go to the Themes app, go to the profile and select the standard Xiaomi theme, applying it. Then activate the dark mode again in the screen settings. This action overwrites the interface configuration files and often eliminates visual glitches.

In more complex cases, when a white background appears after a system update, the problem may be in the cache of the System UI application. Clearing the cache of this component through the Apps menu β†’ All Apps β†’ Show System Processes β†’ System interface β†’ Cleaning can help. However, this should be done carefully, as this can temporarily reset the location of widgets on the desktop.

πŸ’‘

If the dark theme is unstable, first update the Themes and MIUI/HyperOS Services app via GetApps or Google Play.

Also worth mentioning is the Simplified Mode (for older people), which can sometimes conflict with a dark topic, making fonts unreadable on a black background. If you use this mode, make sure that the font contrast is set correctly in the special features section.

Why does the background remain white in some apps even if a dark theme is included?
This is because the developers of these apps have not added support for dark theme to their code. Xiaomi's system switch can only prompt the app to change color, but cannot force it to change without using developer modes. For such applications, the only solution is to wait for an update from the developer or use the color inversion feature in special features, although this can distort the colors of the pictures.
Does the dark background affect smartphone performance?
In most cases, dark backgrounds do not affect the performance of the processor. AMOLED-It's a big power cut because black pixels don't consume energy. IPS-There will be no energy savings on the screen, but the eye strain will decrease. In rare cases, complex live wallpapers in a dark theme can consume more resources. GPU, static.
Can you make a dark background for certain hours of the day?
Yes, there is a Schedule option in the dark theme settings (Settings β†’ Screen β†’ Dark Mode), you can select the Sunset to Dawn option, and the phone will use geolocation data to automatically switch, and you can also set up a specific time, such as turning on at 20:00 and turning off at 07:00.