How to switch a dark theme to a light one on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Dark mode in Xiaomi smartphones has become a standard feature since the release of MIUI 10, but not all users like it. Some prefer the classic light interface for better readability in daylight, some for habit, and some just tire of the excess black. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change the dark theme to light on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices – from standard settings to hidden features for older versions of firmware.

It’s important to understand that the process can vary depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS) and the phone model. For example, on flagships like Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5, the theme interface is different from the budget Redmi Note 12. We’ll take into account all the nuances and provide universal solutions that work on 90% of the brand’s devices. If you have questions after reading, check the FAQ section at the end of the article.

1. Standard method: through display settings

The easiest and most obvious method is to use the built-in MIUI settings. This method works on all devices with a firmware version at least MIUI 10 (released in 2018). If your smartphone has been updated at least once in the last 5 years, this method will definitely work.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
• 🎨 Go to the Screen section (or the Display on some models).
• 🌓 Find Dark Mode (may be called Dark Theme or Night Mode).
• ☀️ Switch the switch to the off position to activate the bright theme.

On some devices (such as Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi K50), this option may be in the display style submenu or Color scheme. If not found immediately, use the search bar at the top of the settings (magnifying icon) and type in the "dark mode" query.

2. Quick switching through the notification panel

If you need to change the theme frequently (for example, use a light one during the day and use a dark one at night), it is most convenient to add the appropriate button to the Quick Settings panel, which will save time and eliminate the need to go into the settings every time.

How to add a switch:

1. 📲 Swipe your finger down to open the notification bar.
2. 🔧 Click on the pencil icon (or “Edit”) in the lower right corner.
3. 🌗 Find the Dark Mode (or Dark Theme) button in the list and drag it to the active area.
4. ✅ Click "Ready" - now the switch is always at hand.

On POCO and some Redmi, the button may be called Night Mode or Dark Mode, which is the same thing. If there is no such item on the list, then your version of MIUI does not support fast switching (relevant to very old devices like the Redmi 4X).

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On some firmware, the dark mode button in the notification panel only works when the screen is unlocked. If you can't switch the theme on a locked phone, unlock it and try again.

3. Automatic switching on schedule

The automatic theme switching feature appeared in MIUI 12 and is saved in newer versions, allowing you to adjust the theme change depending on the time of day - for example, a light theme from 7:00 to 20:00, and a dark theme from 20:00 to 7:00.

How to set up:

• ⏰ Go to Settings. → Screen. → Dark mode.
• 🔄 Select the item on schedule (or automatically).
• 🕒 Set a time to turn on and off a dark theme (for example, from 20:00 to 7:00).
• 🌅 Alternatively, choose Sunset before sunrise so that the topic changes depending on the geolocation.

If there is no Schedule option, your firmware does not support this feature, in which case you can use third-party apps like Tasker or MacroDroid to automatically change the theme, but this requires additional settings.

Check the MIUI version (should be at least 12)

Activate geolocation for Sunset Before Sunrise mode

Set a convenient time manually if the automation is not suitable.

Restart your phone after changes (recommended)

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4. Change of theme for individual applications

MIUI 13 and later has the ability to customize the theme separately for the system and for applications, which means that you can leave a light interface in the menu and settings, but use dark mode, for example, in YouTube or Telegram, this feature is called Dark Mode for applications.

How to turn on:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Screen. → Dark mode.
• 🔧 Find Dark Mode for Apps (may be hidden under “More»).
• 📌 Choose one of the values: 🌍 Follow system settings (all applications will be like a system). ☀️ Always light (forced light theme for all apps). 🌙 Always dark (forcedly dark subject). 🔄 Automatically (on schedule).

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 12T), this option may be called App Style or Dark Theme for Apps. If it is not, then your firmware does not support separate settings.

5. Reset dark settings for older versions of MIUI

If you have an outdated device (e.g. Xiaomi Mi A1, Redmi 5 or POCO F1 on MIUI 9 or lower), standard methods may not work.

Instructions for older versions:

1. 🎨 Open the Themes app (brush icon on the home screen).
2. 🔍 At the bottom of the screen, click on My (or Profile).
3. ⚙️ Slip on the icon of the gear in the upper right corner (theme settings).
4. 🔄 Choose Reset theme settings or Restore by default.
5. ☑️ Confirm the action – the system will return to the standard light theme.

If the Theme app is missing (this happens on some custom firmware), try installing it from Google Play or through the MIUI Themes Store. The alternative is to reset your phone to factory settings, but this will delete all data, so back up in advance.

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On devices older than 2017 (MIUI 8 and below), dark mode can only be implemented through third-party launchers or custom firmware.

6 Problems and mistakes when changing the topic

Sometimes when you try to change a topic, you get a crash: the button is inactive, the settings are not saved, or the topic changes only partially.

If none of these methods worked, try updating your firmware to the latest version. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. On devices with HyperOS (the new interface from Xiaomi), the path may be different: Settings → About Phone → Update MIUI.

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If the theme is still the same after the firmware update, try rolling back the settings to factory settings via Settings → Additional → Reset. This is a radical method, but it solves 90% of software failures.

7. Alternative methods: launchers and ADB-team

If standard methods do not work (for example, on custom firmware or very old devices), third-party launchers or other devices may be used. ADB-team-change.

Method 1: Theme-supported launchers

Install one of the popular launchers that support a bright theme:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher (Settings) → Appearance → Dark subject matter → Off.).
• 🌈 Lawnchair (settings) → Appearance → Color scheme → Light).
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher (Settings) → Personalization → Dark subject matter → No).

Method 2: ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If you are familiar with ADB, you can force the light theme to be enabled by the command:

adb shell settings put secure ui_night_mode 1


adb shell settings put secure ui_night_mode 0

Where 0 is a light theme, 1 is dark, 2 is automatic, you need to install ADB to work and enable USB debugging in the developer settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the topic to Xiaomi

If your question isn’t covered in the article, check the official Xiaomi documentation for your model or contact the Security app (Feedback section).Be aware that settings may differ on some devices (e.g. Xiaomi for the global market vs. Chinese versions).