How to completely disable themes on Xiaomi: 5 ways to MIUI 12-14

Xiaomi’s screen with a custom theme may look bright and unusual, but not everyone likes the constant change of backgrounds, icons and animations. Especially annoying is the automatically applied theme on the lock screen or desktop that interferes with the perception of information or conflicts with wallpaper. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable themes on Xiaomi – from standard MIUI settings to radical methods like reset to factory settings.

Complicating the problem, different versions of the MIUI shell (12, 13, 14 and HyperOS) may have different paths to customize themes, and some options are hidden from the user. We tested all methods on Redmi Note 10 Pro, Poco X4 Pro and Xiaomi 12T devices to ensure that the instructions work. If you want to bring back the standard minimalist interface, read on.

Why are Xiaomi themes automatically included?

The MIUI shell is integrated by default with Xiaomi Themes, which offers thousands of themes, from minimalist to anime styles, and can be used automatically for several reasons:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: After installing a new firmware version, the system can reset the theme to a standard one or apply a “recommended” theme from Xiaomi.
• 🎨 Random tap: In menus, it’s easy to randomly select a new theme instead of viewing (especially on high-sensitivity touchscreens).
• 🤖 Smart recommendation: In the Mi Account settings, you can enable automatic theme selection based on your preferences.
• 📱 Sync with Mi Cloud: If you’ve previously used a theme on another Xiaomi device, it can automatically apply when you sign in to your account.

It is important to understand that the themes on Xiaomi are divided into two types: global (change icons, fonts, animations throughout the interface) and local (only affect the lock screen or desktop wallpaper).

Method 1: Disable theme through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to return the standard theme through the settings menu, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices with a MIUI 12-14 or HyperOS shell:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush and palette).
2. Go to the tab My (or Profile in new versions).
3. Click on the current active theme (it is marked with a tick).
4. At the bottom of the screen, select the option Standard or Default.
5. Confirm the application by clicking Apply.

If the “Standard” option is not on the list, try the following path:

1. Hold your finger on the empty space on the desktop.
2. Select Screen Settings → Style.
3. In the Topic section, click Reset to Standard.

Make sure your phone is 30% or more charged.

Close all background applications

Connect to Wi-Fi (to download standard resources)

Take a screenshot of the current wallpaper (if you want to save it)-->

Important: on some devices (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro with HyperOS), the standard theme may be called MIUI Default or System Default.

Method 2: Disabling Automatic Application of Themes

To prevent self-change of topics in the future, you need to disable the appropriate options in the settings of the Mi Account and theme service.

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Go to Account Settings → Synchronization.
3. Turn off the slider opposite the Theme (this will prevent themes from syncing between devices).
4. Go back to Settings and select Themes.
5. Open the settings of the themes (cog in the upper right corner).
6. Turn off the options: 🔄 Automatic update of topics 📊 Recommendations to the topics 🔔 Notifications on new topics

On HyperOS devices, the path may be slightly different: Settings → Personalization → Topics → Settings → Disable “Recommendations”.

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If the topics change after disabling the recommendations, check the permissions for the Themes app in the Settings menu → Apps → Permissions management. Turn off Internet access and notifications.

Method 3: Resetting wallpaper and themes through a hidden menu

If standard methods don’t work, you can use the hidden menu of engineering settings that is available on all Xiaomi devices, which will reset all visual settings, including wallpaper, themes and icon styles, to factory settings.

Warning: Back up important data before you do it, as the reset may affect other personal settings.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter ##3646633## (for MediaTek) or #4636## (for Qualcomm).
3. From the engineering menu, select Engineering Mode (MTK) → MTK Settings.
4. Go to Personalization → Reset Wallpaper & Theme.
5. Confirm the reset by pressing OK.

Critical: on some firmware, this method can result in a reset of all personal data, and if the menu doesn't open after you enter the code, your model doesn't support it.

Method 4: Remove the Themes app (root required)

For experienced users willing to take drastic measures, it is possible to completely remove the Themes system application, which permanently disables the theme change feature, but requires root rights and can disrupt the stability of MIUI.

Warning: Removing system applications can cause shell errors, inability to update firmware and loss of warranty. Use this method only if other methods have not helped.

⚠️ Note: Before removing, make a full backup system through TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool. Without a backup, you can't restore a remote application without flashing it back.

Instructions for users with root:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/app/ThemeManager or /system/priv-app/ThemeManager.
3. Delete the ThemeManager folder and all files inside it.
4. Go to /data/app and find folders called com.android.themes* and delete them.
5. Reset the device.

After the reboot, the Themes app will disappear from the menu, and any attempts to apply a new theme will be blocked by the system.

• 🔧 Updates MIUI Can Restore Deleted Files.
• 📱 Some personalization features (such as changing wallpaper) may not work properly.
• 🔄 Re-flashing will be required to return to standard condition.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these methods worked, the last option is to completely reset the device to factory settings, a radical solution that will remove all data from the phone, including apps, photos and settings, but guaranteed to return the standard MIUI theme.

Before discharge, it is mandatory:

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🔐 Make sure to remember your Mi Account details (autonomy will be required after the reset).
• 📡 Connect to charging – the process can take 10-15 minutes.

Resetting instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click Reset Settings → Erase all data.
3. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock for confirmation.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (the device will restart automatically).

⚠️ Note: HyperOS devices may require re-assignment of Mi Account via reset SMS If you forget your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

Once reset, your Xiaomi will be like new, with a standard theme, wallpaper and settings, but this method should only be used as a last resort, as it takes a long time to recover data.

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Factory reset is the only way to guarantee that you will remove all traces of customization of the theme, but it also deletes all user data. Use it only if other methods have failed.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you turn off themes on Xiaomi, users often encounter common mistakes, and consider the most common ones and how to fix them:

If your problem is not included in the table, try the following universal solutions:

• 🔄 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📱 Reinstall Updates: Remove the latest updates for the Themes app from the Settings menu → Annexes.
• 🔧 Change the firmware region: if you use the Chinese version MIUI, Some options may not be available. Install global firmware.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions