How to put a dark theme on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

Many owners of popular Xiaomi smartphones are faced with the desire to change the standard interface to a more comfortable for the eyes. This question becomes especially relevant in the evening, when the bright white background of the standard menu causes fatigue and strain of vision. Owners of the Redmi 5 Plus model, released in early 2018, often wonder whether they have a full-fledged dark theme, given that the device runs on the Android operating system 7.1 Nougat with the shell of MIUI versions 9 or 10.

It is worth noting at once an important technical nuance: the native system dark theme, which repaints all interface elements and third-party applications, appeared in the Xiaomi ecosystem en masse only with the release of the MIUI 11 shell and the Android 10 operating system. Since the official update for the Redmi 5 Plus stopped on earlier versions of the software, the standard switch “one button” in the settings menu, you will not find. However, this does not mean that the device is doomed to bright whiteness of the interface.

There are several proven ways to adapt visual style to modern standards. We will look at methods that allow you to activate dark tones through built-in theme tools, the use of special theme applications and deep system settings. The key here is to understand the differences between the system theme and the theme of specific applications, which will allow you to achieve the desired result even on a not-new device.

Features of the MIUI interface on Redmi 5 Plus

Understanding the Redmi 5 Plus software architecture is the first step to successful customization. The MIUI 9 and MIUI 10 shells, which are the main ones for this model, have a different design structure from the new versions. While modern smartphones use a single global darkness mode setting, older versions share the stylization of system elements and applications. The visual component here depends on the user's chosen set of graphic elements known as the theme.

It is important to consider that the lack of a global switch is not a bug or a limitation of iron, but rather the company's software policy for the period. 1080 × 2160 and IPS-The matrix is very color-efficient, but the constant bright backlight of white pixels consumes more energy and tires the eyes. So the introduction of dark elements becomes not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to save battery power, although the lighting is not very bright. IPS-This effect is less pronounced on screens than on screens. AMOLED.

⚠️ Note: Attempts to install third-party firmware (Custom) ROM) Newer versions of Android for dark theme can lead to loss of warranty (if it is still relevant) or unstable operation of communication modules.

Users often confuse the lack of a feature with the inability to implement it. In fact, the theme engine in MIUI is quite flexible, allowing you to replace graphical resources of the interface, including icons, lock screen wallpaper and most importantly, background images of system menus. The depth of customization depends on how detailed the specific theme you choose to download.

Using the Themes app to change style

The safest and most effective way to change the look of Redmi 5 Plus is to use the regular Themes app, a built-in tool that allows you to download and apply user designs without having to obtain super-user rights (root), which is the channel through which modified interfaces that include dark shades are distributed.

The process of finding the right design requires careful attention. Not all themes called "Dark" or "Black" actually change the system menus. Some of them only affect wallpaper and icons, leaving settings and "calling" white. You need to look for themes that indicate that they support System UI or have a darkened settings interface.

• 🌑 Open the Themes app on the main screen.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the following queries: “Dark”, “Black”, “Night”, “Amoled».
• 👁️ Be sure to view the screenshots in the theme card, paying attention to the type of settings menu.
• ⬇️ Download and apply the topic, confirming the action.

After applying the theme, the system may need to reboot to correctly display all the elements. If after rebooting you see that the Settings menu is left white, then the chosen theme does not affect the system interface, but only changes the appearance of the desktop. In this case, it is worth trying another theme from another author. The variety of styles in the official Xiaomi store is huge, and by trial you can find the perfect one.

Activation of hidden functions through the engineering menu

For more advanced users who are not comfortable with standard solutions, there is the possibility of activating hidden modes of registration. Some versions of MIUI for Redmi 5 Plus hide the feature of forced color inverting or night mode, which can be accessed through special codes or developer menus.

One method is to activate Color Inversion mode in the Special Options section. It's not a full-blown dark theme, but it changes the light to dark colors around the screen. To access the advanced settings, you sometimes need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly tap 7 times on the MIUI build number.

Settings → Advanced settings → For developers

The menu that opens should look for items related to display or rendering. However, be careful: changing the rendering parameters can lead to incorrect display of fonts or artifacts in the interface. The system limitations of the old version of Android 7.1 do not allow you to implement the real Dark Mode at the code level without flashing, so this method is more a “crut” than a solution.

⚠️ Note: Changing the settings in the Developer Menu may affect the stability of the system.

Third-party apps for dark theme

If MIUI is exhausted, Google Play apps come to the rescue. There are specialized utilities that overlay a translucent dark filter on top of the interface or try to force dark themes into supported applications. One popular solution in the past has been apps like Substratum, but they often required root rights to run on older versions of Android.

A safer option is to use “night modes” or blue light filters that also darken the screen. Apps like Twilight or Night Screen can create a dark theme effect by layering a black or dark gray layer over all the contents of the display, which reduces brightness and contrast, making using a smartphone in the dark more comfortable.

• 📱 Download the screen color control app (like Night Screen).
• 🔒 Provide the necessary permits to overlay over other windows.
• 🎨 Adjust the level of dimming and filter color (dark grey is recommended).
• ⏱️ Set an activation schedule (for example, from dusk to dawn).

The main disadvantage of these methods is that they do not change the color of the interface elements (the text remains black on a black background, which makes it unreadable), but only obscure the overall picture. So for full use, it is better to combine this method with choosing a light theme with dark elements or vice versa.

Comparison of methods of dimming the interface

To help you choose the most suitable option for your Redmi 5 Plus, we have systematized the basic ways to activate dark mode. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages that directly affect the usability and performance of the device.

As you can see from the table, using a standard theme store is the safest and most effective way for the average user. Methods associated with deep modification of the system, such as installing Custom ROM (for example, LineageOS with the newer Android), give the best result, but require technical knowledge and carry the risk of turning the phone into a “brick.”

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Before installing any new theme, back up your contacts and important data through your Mi Cloud or Google account to ensure you don’t lose information in the event of a crash.

Optimizing brightness and reading in the dark

Even without a full black theme, you can significantly improve the comfort of using the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus at night. The screen settings have a paper eye feature or a blue filter that makes the colors warmer and less sharp. The combination of minimal brightness of the backlight and warm color temperature creates an effect close to a dark theme.

Also worth paying attention to the settings of specific applications. Many popular programs, such as Telegram, YouTube or VK, have their own night mode settings that work independently of the system settings of the phone, activating them, you will close most of the time spent on your smartphone with dark screens.

Remember, long-term exposure to high brightness in the dark is bad for vision. Vision hygiene involves using the lowest possible brightness in low light. If text becomes unreadable, it's better to turn on the night light than to raise the level of backlight.

⚠️ Attention: Constant use of color inversion (Negative mode) can distort the colors of photos and videos, making them impossible to view without constantly switching modes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The best way to get a dark theme on Redmi 5 Plus is to carefully select a quality third-party theme in the official store, as there is no system switch in this model.