How to remove the theme on Xiaomi and return the standard MIUI interface

You installed a new theme on your Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco, but it was too bright, uncomfortable or just doesn't fit into your style? Perhaps after the MIUI update, the interface changed beyond recognition and app icons became unreadable. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to cancel the theme on Xiaomi - from simple reset through settings to radical methods like complete firmware.

The problem is that MIUI often retains elements of third-party themes even after they are removed: fonts, sounds, or animations can remain in the device's memory, we'll show you how to completely clear the traces of custom theme, including hidden files, and return the factory design. And if standard methods don't work, we'll show you how to get around the restrictions through the ADB or the engineering menu.

Important: Some methods require root or unlocked bootloader rights. If you are not sure about your skills, start with the safest options (sections 1-3). For device owners on MIUI 14 and later, updated screenshots are added and changes in the settings menu are taken into account.

1. Standard reset theme through “Settings”

The fastest and safest way to bring back the standard interface is to use the built-in MIUI tools. This method works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices regardless of the firmware version (except custom builds like xiaomi.eu).

Open the Settings app and go to Makeup → Themes. Here you will see an active theme marked “Applyed.” Click on it, then select Reset to Standard (or Default in older versions of MIUI) option. The system will automatically apply the factory theme in 5-10 seconds.

• 📱 For MIUI 14+: The way has changed – now you need to go to Settings → Screen. → Topics.
• 🔄 If the Reset button is inactive, try applying a different theme first (like Classic) and then returning the standard theme.
• ⚙️ On some devices (e.g. Poco) F5) Hidden option – use the method in Section 2.

After the reset, check if the following have changed:

• 🎨 Application icons (must return the original appearance).
• 📝 Fonts (in the Settings menu) → Additionally. → The font should stand Systemic).
• 🔊 Notification sounds (check in Settings) → Sounds and vibrations).

⚠️ Note: If you have artifacts left after resetting the theme (e.g. black icons on a white background), it means that the theme has changed the system files.

2. Delete the topic through the “Themes” app

The Themes app (or MIUI Themes) allows you to not only install new designs, but also completely remove their traces, which is effective if the standard reset did not work or the theme was installed from third-party sources (for example, through a.mtz file).

Open the Topics app and follow the steps:

1. Go to the My Topic (or Installed) tab.
2. Find an active topic and click on three dots (⋮) near her name.
3. Choose to Delete (or Uninstall).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

If the theme is not deleted (button is inactive), it is embedded in the system.

• 🔧 Try applying another theme from the official store and then reset it.
• 📦 Remove the app cache Topics in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Memory. → Clear the cache.

On devices with MIUI 13 and later, you may need to reboot the theme after deleting it. If the interface hasn't changed, check if the theme elements are saved in Settings → Decoration → Icon Style or Font Style.

3. Resetting the design settings (without loss of data)

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting only the design settings, which will bring back standard fonts, icons and animations, but will not affect personal data (photos, contacts, messages).

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Press 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (if not already activated).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Reset.
4. Select Reset Design Settings (or Reset Themes in some versions).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

If there is no Reset option, your firmware does not support partial reset, in which case move to the next section.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro), resetting the design can cause the desktop wallpaper to reset.

4. Complete reset to factory settings

If the theme has changed system files (e.g., replaced framework-res.apk), the only reliable way to return the standard interface is a full reset.This method will delete all data from the device, so be sure to back up through Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud.

Resetting instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete all data (or Factory settings).
3. Enter. PIN-code.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After the reboot, the device will start with factory settings and a standard MIUI theme. If the reset did not help (for example, the theme remained after the firmware was installed via Fastboot), then it is sewn into the system partition, in which case only the firmware (section 5) will help.

On devices with unlocked bootloader, you can reset the theme via Fastboot without completely clearing the data.

fastboot erase userdata (only for power users!)

5. Removal of the theme through ADB or root (for advanced)

If standard methods don’t work and you don’t want to reset completely, you can manually delete theme files via ADB or root, which is suitable for users who have previously unlocked the bootloader or obtained root access.

For removal via ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
2. Open the command line and type in: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.themes
3. Reset the device.

If the theme is installed as a system application, use:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/MiuiThemeManager




rm -rf /data/system/theme/*




reboot

For root devices, you can use a file manager (such as Root Explorer) and manually delete:

• 📁 folder /data/system/theme/ (Here are stored user themes).
• 📁 folder /system/priv-app/MiuiThemeManager/ (theme-file).
• 📄 File. /data/data/com.android.themes/shared_prefs/theme_config.xml (topic configuration).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly deleting system files can lead to bootloop (locked boot).Before actions, back up the partition /system through TWRP.

💡

If the interface gets glitzy after deleting the theme files (e.g., missing icons), install any official theme from MIUI Themes and apply it.

6. flashing the device (extreme case)

If all previous methods failed, the last option is to reflash the device, which is true for cases where the theme was sewn into custom firmware or damaged system files, the firmware will return the device to its original state, but will require an unlocked bootloader.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Downloads website.
2. Unpack the archive and place the firmware folder in the root of the C:\ disk.
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and connect your phone in Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol− when the device is off).
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh, then Flash.
5. Wait for the finish (10-20 minutes) and restart the device.

For devices with a locked bootloader, the only option is to contact the Xiaomi service center. Self-firmware without unlocking will lead to an anti-rollback error.

💡

Firmware reflashing is the only way to return a standard theme if it was sewn into custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or LineageOS).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing themes on Xiaomi