How to remove or disable theme on Xiaomi Redmi: the complete guide

Replaceable themes in MIUI are one of the features of Xiaomi’s firmware, but sometimes users face a problem: the installed theme does not like, is not deleted or even interferes with the interface. For example, after updating the system, a dark theme with aggressive colors can automatically apply, and you can not return the standard design. Or you downloaded a paid theme, but it was inconvenient, and the money was written off.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable a Redmi theme, from basic methods through the settings menu to advanced ADB solutions and factory resets. The instructions are relevant for all Redmi models (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C, etc.) on MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS. If you can’t return a standard theme, here you will find a solution.

Why is the topic not switched off in the standard way?

Most often, problems with disabling themes arise due to:

• 🔄 Themes app malfunctions – the cache or application data is corrupted and the changes do not apply.
• 🔧 Conflict with renewal MIUI — after a major update, the system can reset the settings of the themes to default, but with errors.

If you try to change the theme, you see a message that says, “Not able to apply the theme,” or the changes simply don’t persist, it’s a sign of a system failure, and in such cases, cleaning the cache or completely resetting the Themes app helps.

Method 1: Disable theme through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to return a standard theme through the Themes menu, which works 80% of the time if the system is not damaged.

1. Open the Themes app (brush icon on desktop).

If the standard theme is not on the list, try:

• 🔍 Manually find it through a search in Themes on the request “default».
• 📥 Download it again from the Recommended section (sometimes hidden).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes changes only apply after a reboot.

Important: Some HyperOS firmwares may have a standard theme called "MIUI" or "Basic," and if it's not, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Reset the settings of the Themes application

If the theme doesn't turn off or the Themes app is bugged, it can help to reset its data, and it will delete all downloaded themes, but it will return to work:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Themes on the list and tap it.

After that:

• 🔄 The standard theme will be applied automatically.
• 📥 All downloaded themes will be deleted – they will have to be downloaded again.
• ⚠️ The wallpaper and font settings will also be reset.

💡

If the theme hasn't changed after resetting Themes, try applying any other theme from the store and then return the standard one. This will sometimes "unlock" the system.

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro), resetting Themes may cause the My Themes section to disappear, in which case only reinstalling the app via the app will help. ADB (4).

Method 3: Remove theme through MIUI Themes (for root users)

If you have root rights, you can manually delete the theme files from your system folders. This method is risky - an error can cause the interface to crash, so back up!

Instructions:

1. Install any file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/system/theme/ This is where the files of the applied theme are stored.
3. Delete all files in this folder (or rename them by adding the.bak extension).
4. Reboot the phone.

If the theme was system-based (not downloaded from the store), its files can be found here:

/system/priv-app/MiuiSystemTheme/

It is not recommended to remove them - it is better to rename them.

⚠️ Note: If the phone stops booting after deleting the theme files, you will have to reflash the device via Fastboot!

Method 4: Disable theme through ADB (without root)

If standard methods don't work and root rights don't, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works even on locked devices.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to become a developer) → Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and type: adb shell pm clear com.android.themes This command resets the settings of the Themes app.
4. If it doesn’t work, try adb shell settings put secure. current_theme 0 (Reset the current topic to standard).
5. Reboot the phone.

If the theme does not reset after executing commands, check if a third-party application (for example, a launcher or a Magisk module) blocks it.

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings

If none of these methods work, the last resort is hard reset, which will remove all data from your phone, including apps, photos and settings, but is guaranteed to bring back the standard theme.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose Erase All Data (Erase All Data).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After discharge:

• 📱 The phone will boot with factory settings and a standard theme MIUI.
• 🔄 Do not restore data from the backup at the first start – first check if the theme change is working.
• ⚠️ If the problem was a system failure, resetting it will fix it.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) After the reset, you may need to re-activate your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your login and password!

💡

Before resetting, check if your Xiaomi account is connected to your phone (Find the device setting). If so, untie it, otherwise the phone may lock after the reset!

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Let’s look at the typical problems that arise when trying to disable the topic:

If you use custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), MIUI themes may not work at all, in which case, go back to the official firmware via Fastboot.

Tip for Redmi owners on HyperOS: In the new shell, themes are integrated deeper into the system. If standard methods don't work, try rolling back to MIUI 14 through Recovery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions