Changing the visuals is the first thing a user does after unpacking a new smartphone. The standard MIUI shell or the new HyperOS offer ample personalization options, but often hidden in the depths of system menus or require additional actions to fully unlock the functionality. Understanding how to properly customize themes on Xiaomi allows you to turn the standard interface into a unique tool that reflects your style.
In this article, we will cover all aspects of working with thematics, from the basic installation through the official store to advanced methods of editing system files. You will learn how to get rid of intrusive advertising in the themes, how to activate paid designs for free and what hidden features are available to owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices in 2026.
Customization isn't just about changing your desktop image; it's about integrating fonts, icons, system sounds, even lock animations, and a smart approach to customization that helps reduce visual noise and make smartphone use more comfortable for the eyes.
Basic setting of topics through the official annex
The main tool for changing the look of the system is the built-in Themes app, which is pre-installed on all the devices of the brand and has access to a huge catalog of designs, and to start work, you need to run an application, which usually is in the Tools folder or on the home screen.
The store interface is divided into several tabs: “Recommended”, “Ranking”, “New” and “Category”. The algorithms of the recommendation system analyze your preferences, so over time the feed will be filled with more relevant content.
When choosing a theme, look for a preview that shows changes not only on the desktop, but also in the settings menu, call and gallery. Some designs can be hard on the processor, which is especially noticeable on the budget models of the Redmi Note or POCO M series.
⚠️ Warning: Many free themes in the official store contain embedded ads that can be displayed on the lock screen. Carefully study the description before installing or select themes marked "No Advertising».
The installation process takes from a few seconds to a minute, depending on the size of the package and the speed of the Internet connection. Once downloaded, the system will prompt you to apply changes immediately or customize individual elements, such as wallpaper or font, regardless of the main theme.
Working with regions and unblocking topics
One of the most common user problems is that content is limited to the region you choose, and the themes for Russia, Ukraine or Kazakhstan can be very different from the Indian or Indonesian segment, and you need to change the region in your phone settings to access the entire range.
Go to Settings → Additional Settings → Region and choose India or Indonesia, for example. Once you reboot the Themes app, you’ll see a completely different set of available designs, including exclusive collaborations that aren’t available in your geographic location.
💡
Use Plane mode when changing region if the Themes app doesn't update content. Sometimes you need to clear the app's cache through your smartphone settings.
There is also a method of hidden activation of paid themes, which is based on interrupting the download process: you need to start downloading the paid theme, wait until the progress bar reaches about 98-99%, and abruptly turn off the Internet (turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data).
If done correctly, the Apply button will become active and you can use the premium design without paying. However, this method works unstable on new versions of HyperOS and requires accurate timing.
Advanced setting: fonts, icons and lock screen
Deep personalization is not possible without fine-tuning the individual elements of the system. Themes app has a separate section dedicated to the components of the interface, where you can replace the system font, which dramatically changes the perception of text on the screen.
When choosing a font, pay attention to the readability of characters. Decorative fonts may look stylish in headlines, but in long-term correspondence or reading news, they quickly tire your eyes. The best choice is fonts with Cyrillic support and clear outlines.
The lock screen is a standalone song in the Xiaomi ecosystem, and the wallpaper carousel allows you to change images every time you turn on the screen, drawing content from cloud storage or a local gallery, and you can set this option through the Wallpaper menu in the system settings.
| Element | Where to find out. | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| font | Topics → Fonts | Readability of text throughout the interface |
| Icons | Topics → Icons | Visual style of applications on the desktop |
| Lock screen | Topics → Blocking | Unlock animation and view of widgets |
| Sounds. | Topics → Sounds | System notifications and ringtones |
To create a single style, it is recommended to select all elements from one thematic line, if the developer provided such an opportunity, this ensures the coincidence of the color palette and the stylistics of the graphic elements.
☑️ Checklist of the perfect topic
Advertising Hiding and System Restrictions
Free themes are often media for advertising content, and this can be a static image on the lock screen or a video that is played when unlocked, and to get rid of this, you need to turn off the wallpaper carousel or the glance feature in the lock screen settings.
Go to Settings → Always on screen and lock screen. Find the wallpaper carousel switch and deactivate it. It’s also worth checking the settings of the Themes app itself: there are often menus hidden in the user profile with options where you can turn off personalized recommendations, which are essentially targeted advertising.
⚠️ Attention: Complete removal of the system application "Themes" (via ADB or superuser rights) can cause system instability, widget resets and inability to change system fonts.
There's another nuance about system fonts, which is that some themes try to replace the standard font with a modified one, which can cause some characters to disappear or "squares" instead of letters, and then resetting the font to the standard font through the settings menu will help.
For advanced users, a method of editing the theme files is available. Once you download the theme file (extension.mtz), it can be renamed.zip, unpack and edit. XML-description files by removing links to ad servers, but this requires knowledge of the structure MIUI and careful.
Use of third-party launchers and widgets
If standard MIUI or HyperOS capabilities aren't enough, third-party launchers come to the rescue, and these are apps that completely replace the desktop, app menus, and control panel, with Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, and Microsoft Launcher being the most popular.
Installing a third-party launcher gives you complete control over the desktop grid, icon size, and control gestures. You can create unique navigation, like double tapping to run the camera or swiping down to search, and it takes personalization to the next level.
Widget compatibility
Widgets are an important element. In recent versions of Android and Xiaomi shells, they have become interactive and functional. By combining weather widgets, calendars and notes, you can create an informative dashboard right on the home screen.
Remember that third-party launchers consume more battery life than a standard shell. If you're critical to autonomy, it's better to optimize the standard interface than install heavy alternatives.
Creating your own themes and modifying
For those who want to create a theme from scratch, Xiaomi provides the official Theme Editor tool for PC, XML-Interface codes and even add new features.
The process of creating a template starts with choosing a basic theme: you can replace icons, backgrounds, change the colors of controls, and you will need a basic understanding of graphics editors (Photoshop, GIMP) and the structure of Android file paths.
Once a theme is created, it must be signed with a digital certificate. For developers, there is a program called Xiaomi Theme Designer, registration in which allows you to publish your work in the official store and even earn money from them if the theme becomes popular.
⚠️ Warning: Modifying the theme system files without proper qualifications can lead to a phone bootloop.Always back up the data before experimenting.
The alternative to a sophisticated editor is the theme builder apps available in the Play Market, which lets you change colors and icons in semi-automatic mode, generating a ready-made file for installation, ideal for beginners.
💡
Creating your own theme is the best way to understand the structure of the Android interface and get a unique design that no one else has.