How to customize the theme on Xiaomi: from standard to custom solutions

Xiaomi’s smartphone design theme is not just a background, but a whole range of visuals that transform the MIUI interface beyond recognition. From app icons to screen-switch animations, a properly chosen theme can make your phone more comfortable and sometimes more productive. But how do you choose the right one among the thousands of options available? And what do you do when standard themes are boring and you want something unique?

In this article, we will look at all the ways to customize themes on Xiaomi, from basic actions in the Themes menu to install custom solutions through third-party sources, pay special attention to common mistakes (for example, when the theme does not apply or resets after a reboot) and give recommendations for optimizing performance, because a beautiful interface should not slow down the smartphone.

Basic settings of the themes in MIUI: where to look and how to change

To start with, the simplest way is to change the theme through the standard menu. In MIUI 12-15, the path to customization is the same for most models: Settings → Themes. Here you will see four main sections:

• 🎨 My topics are an already established and active topic.
• 🌍 Online Topics – a catalogue with thousands of free and paid options.
• 📁 Local – manually downloaded themes (.mtz files).
• ⚙️ Theme settings – fine-tuning of interface elements.

To apply a new theme, just tap on your favorite option in the Online Themes section and click Apply. The system automatically downloads and installs all components (icons, wallpaper, fonts). Note: some themes require additional permissions, for example, to change system sounds or animations.

If after applying the theme some elements are displayed incorrectly (for example, application icons remained standard), check:

1. Does the theme support your version of MIUI (as described in the description)?
2. Does it conflict with other modifications (for example, with the installed launcher).
3. Is the phone firmware updated to the latest version?

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Before you install a new theme, back up your current theme through Settings → Themes → My Themes → Save the current one. This will help you quickly return to the previous one if something goes wrong.

How to install a theme from a.mtz file: step-by-step instructions

Not all themes are available in the official Xiaomi directory, and many designers share their work on forums (such as 4PDA or XDA Developers) as files with the.mtz extension.

Download.mtz file to phone | Check archive integrity | Disable antivirus (can block installation) | Make backup of current theme-->

The installation process itself is simple:

1. Place the.mtz file in any folder on your phone (such as Downloads).
2. Open the Topics app and go to Locals section.
3. Click on the theme file and select Apply.
4. Confirm the installation of all components (if requested).

If the file does not appear in the Locals section, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📂 Move the file to the root folder of internal memory (not to subfolders).
• 🔧 Install the file through the File Manager by selecting "Open with the help" → Topics".

Fine tuning: changing individual elements of the topic

You don't always have to change the whole theme. In MIUI, you can customize the individual interface elements.

The Auto Color Scheme (available in MIUI 13+) feature is particularly useful, and analyzes the colors of your wallpaper and adjusts the shades of your system elements to them. To enable it, go to Topics → Theme Settings → Colors → Auto.

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Changing the font may affect the display of text in some applications (for example, in banking or instant messengers). If after changing the font, the characters are displayed incorrectly, return the standard version.

For advanced users, settings are available via ADB. For example, to force the dark theme to be enabled for all applications (even those that don’t support it), follow the command:

adb shell settings put secure ui_night_mode 2

Problem Solving: The topic is not applied or reset

One of the most common problems is when a theme is not fully applied or resets after a reboot.

⚠️ Warning: If after installing the theme, the phone started to brake, check the use of RAM in Settings → The phone. → System state: Some custom themes contain heavy animations that overload weak devices (e.g. Redmi). 9A POCO C3).

• 🔄 Theme resets after reboot: Clear the app's cache Themes in your phone's settings. If it doesn't work, uninstall app updates via Google Play and install them again.
• 🖼️ Wallpaper or icons don't change: Check if a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion) blocks the changes. MIUI.
• 🚫 Error "Theme incompatible": Make sure the version is correct MIUI Your phone is the right subject for you. MIUI 14 won't work on MIUI 12.
• 📱 Theme applies but looks broken: Maybe the.mtz file is corrupted or intended for another model.

If the problem persists, try resetting the theme settings to standard:

1. Open Settings → Themes.
2. Choose My Subjects → Standard.
3. Reboot the phone.

Creating your theme for Xiaomi: where to start

If the themes don't work, you can create your own.

• 🖥️ Computer with software MIUI Theme Editor (Official Tool from Xiaomi).
• 📱 Xiaomi phone for testing.
• 🎨 Skills with graphic editors (for example, Photoshop or GIMP) icon-making.

The process of creating a topic includes several stages:

1. Design: Icons, wallpapers, interface elements in resolutions for different models (for example, 1080×2340 for Redmi Note 10).
2. Build: Import files to MIUI Theme Editor and customize parameters (colors, fonts, animations).
3. Testing: Install theme on the phone through Local Themes and check the display.
4. Post: Upload the theme to MIUI Theme Store (developer account required).

Important: Xiaomi moderates custom themes before publishing in the official store, and prohibited items that violate copyright (for example, brand logos without permission) or contain obscene language.

For inspiration, explore popular themes in the MIUI Theme Store or on sites like Zedge.

• 🌌 Dark themes with neon accents (popular among gamers).
• 🍃 Minimalist light themes with pastel tones.
• 🤖 Futuristic interfaces with 3D-icon.

Optimizing Performance: How Topics Affect Speed

Beautiful themes can slow down your smartphone, especially if they contain:

• 🎞️ Complex animations (e.g. smooth transitions between screens).
• 🖼️ Highly detailed wallpaper (resolution above) 1440p).
• 🔤 Non-standard fonts with a large number of glyphs.

To check the impact of the topic on productivity:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → System Status → CPU Use.
2. Apply the theme and watch the CPU boot schedule for 5-10 minutes.
3. If the load exceeds 30% at rest, the topic is too resource-intensive.

⚠️ Note: On budget models (Redmi) 8A, Poco M2) heavy themes can cause overheating and accelerated battery discharge. If the phone gets warmer than usual after changing the theme, return the standard design or choose the lighter option.

For optimization:

• Turn off animations in Settings → Additional → System animation → No animation.
• Use static wallpaper instead of living.
• Choose themes marked Lightweight (lightweight) in the description.

Where to download high-quality themes for Xiaomi

Besides the official MIUI Theme Store, there are several proven sources:

When downloading topics from unofficial sources:

• 🛡️ Check files with antivirus (for example, VirusTotal).
• 📌 Read other users’ comments (especially about compatibility with your model).
• 🔍 Avoid suspiciously low-weight (less than 1MB) items – they may be empty or contain malicious code.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up themes on Xiaomi