How to remove themes on Xiaomi Redmi 9: a complete guide with error solutions

Why users want to turn off Redmi 9 themes and what it does

Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners often face a situation where the installed theme becomes annoying: too bright colors, unreadable fonts or just outdated design. Unlike flagship models where the MIUI interface is flexible, the budget Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) has limitations in customization. But even here there are ways to return the standard look of the system – or at least bring it closer.

Disabling themes on Xiaomi doesn’t just bring back the “native” look, it solves a few practical problems:

• 🔄 Speed up work – third-party themes often load the Helio processor G80, Especially if they are animated.
• 📱 Battery savings – dark topics on the subject AMOLED-screens (which are not in the Redmi 9, but this is true for other models) reduce consumption, and bright – on the contrary.
• 🛡️ Security – Some topics from unverified sources may contain malicious code.
• 🎨 Compatibility – after updates MIUI Many topics are no longer displayed correctly.

It is important to understand that on Xiaomi Redmi 9 you can not completely remove the system application "Themes" without root rights, but you can reset its settings or disable visual effects.

Method 1: Reset themes through standard MIUI settings

The safest and most recommended method is to return the factory design settings through the Topics menu, which does not require super-user rights and is suitable even for beginners.

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to My Topics (usually in the bottom menu).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset Settings.
4. Confirm the action – the system will return to the standard MIUI theme for your firmware version.

If you don’t have the Reset option (this happens on older versions of MIUI), try an alternative way:

1. Press the empty space on the desktop → screen settings.
2. Choose Style. → Standard.
3. Reset the device.

Make sure your phone has enough charge (minimum 30%)

Close all applications in the background

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (if you plan to download a new theme)

Back up important data (theme settings do not affect files, but reinsurance will not hurt)-->

⚠️ Warning: Some firmware may lose desktop wallpaper after resetting themes. Store your favorite image in the gallery in advance, and then return it through Settings → Wallpaper.

Method 2: Disable themes via MIUI Launcher (without root)

If the reset didn't work, or you want more radical changes, you can intervene in the launcher settings. This method doesn't require superuser rights, but it requires care. The thing is, MIUI Launcher is responsible for displaying the desktop and icons, and its settings can be reset separately.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In search, type in MIUI Launcher and select it.
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the action. After that, the desktop will reset to the factory settings, including the standard icons and wallpaper.

This method will also help if:

• 🖼️ Application icons are displayed incorrectly (blurred, with artifacts).
• 🔄 Animations when swiping between screens are slowed down.
• 📱 Widgets or folders are missing on the desktop.

⚠️ Attention: Data cleanup MIUI Launcher will remove all your desktop settings, including the location of icons and folders. Widgets will have to be reconfigured. If you have many customizations, take screenshots in advance to restore order.

Method 3: Advanced Disconnection through ADB (for power users)

If previous methods failed, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) option remains, allowing system applications including com.android.themes to be disabled, but requires a computer connection and basic command-line knowledge.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 9 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB The utility itself (you can download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your computer and allow debugging over USB on your phone.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Run the command to disable the Themes app: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.themes
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

Once you reboot, the Theme icon will disappear from your desktop and the system will return to standard design. To get it back, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.android.themes

1. reconnect the cable to another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

2. Install drivers for Xiaomi manually (you can download on the official website).

3. Insert in the developer settings the item "Debugging by USB (safety parameters)” and “Allow debugging (charging only)".-->

⚠️ Note: Disabling system applications through ADB For example, after deactivation of com.android.themes, the lock wallpaper may disappear or some widgets may stop working. If you notice bugs, immediately return the application with the command adb shell pm.

Solving common errors when disabling themes

Even following the instructions, users of Xiaomi Redmi 9 sometimes encounter problems, let’s look at the typical errors and how to fix them.

1.After the reset, the themes were left with old icons

It's because of the launcher's cache.

• Clear the MIUI Launcher cache (Settings → Applications → MIUI Launcher → Cash → Clean).
• Reboot the phone.
• If it doesn’t help, install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) and customize it for yourself.

2. The reset in the "Themes" appendix does not work

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔄 An outdated version MIUI — Update the firmware through Settings → Updating the system.
• 📱 Damaged theme files – clean the application data Themes in the settings.
• 🛠️ Regional firmware restrictions – if you have Redmi 9 with firmware for India or China, some features may be blocked. MIUI.

3.After disabling themes through ADB, the lock wallpaper was lost

It's standard behavior in the system.

1. Go to Settings → Wallpaper.
2. Select the Lock section.
3. Upload a new image or select from the gallery.

1. Turn off Redmi 9.

2.Put Power + Volume up until the MIUI logo appears.

3. Select Wipe Cache (control - volume buttons, confirmation - power button).

4.Reset the device.-->

Alternative ways of customization without

If you don’t like the standard design of Redmi 9, but you don’t want to use themes, there are other options for personalization:

1. Third-party launchers

Install an alternative launcher from Google Play:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – flexible customization of icons, gestures and animations.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – Minimalist launcher with support for dark themes.
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher – Integration with Windows and Cloud Services.

After installing the launcher, go to Settings → Default Apps → Launcher and select a new one.

2. Configure via "For Developers"

Include hidden options for deeper customization:

1. Activate the developer menu (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Experiment with settings: Windows animation — speed up or turn off animations. Scale — resize interface elements. Simulate additional screens — add virtual displays.

3. Use of wallpaper and widgets

Even without that, you can diversify the appearance:

• 🖼️ Install live wallpapers (such as WallpapersCraft or Zedge).
• 📊 Add weather widgets, watches or notes (long tap on desktop) → Widgets).
• 🎨 Use icon packs (requires a support launcher, such as Nova).

What to do if nothing helps: extreme measures

If all the methods are tried, but the topics are still on or the system is unstable, radical solutions remain, and we warn you that they require technical skills and can lead to data loss.

1.Reset to factory settings

This will bring Redmi 9 back to its original state, including the standard theme.

• Save all important data (photos, contacts, messages).
• Make sure you know the username and password from your Xiaomi account (you will need to unlock it after you reset).
• Charge your phone at least 50%.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).

2. Flashing through Fastboot

If the problem is caused by damage to system files, a clean firmware installation will help.

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 9 (Lancelot code) from the Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive and connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when the phone is off).
3. Run the script. flash_all.bat (Windows or flash_all.sh (Linux/macOS).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot flashing removes all data, including files in internal memory. If you have a bootloader unlocked, custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) can be used, but this voids the warranty and can lead to unstable operation of the camera module or sensors.

💡

Before flashing it, check the bootloader version (fastboot getvar anti). If it is blocked, first unlock it through the official Mi Unlock tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding and a wait of 7-15 days).

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off themes on Redmi 9