Modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO high-quality OLED and AMOLED They're perfect for displaying deep black, unlike the black. IPS-screens where the black color is illuminated by the matrix, in AMOLED-The technology of pixels in dark areas is simply turned off, which not only improves the visual perception of content, but also significantly saves battery power, which is a critical parameter for active users.
Many device owners prefer to switch to a dark interface in the evening to reduce eye strain. However, a standard dark theme in MIUI or HyperOS shells often looks just like dark gray rather than charcoal black. In this article, we will discuss how to activate a classic dark theme, how to force it on for applications that do not support this mode, and how to create your own design with a truly black background.
The setup process may vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the interface modification. We will look at current methods for new versions of MIUI 14, HyperOS, and also touch on the features of older builds. Understanding these nuances will allow you to fully personalize the appearance of your gadget.
Activation of a standard dark theme in settings
The easiest and safest way to change the color scheme of the interface is to use the built-in functions of the system. You do not need to install third-party software or obtain superuser rights. You just go to the settings menu and select the appropriate profile. On devices with a HyperOS shell or fresh MIUI, the algorithm of actions is almost identical, although the location of the items can vary slightly.
Go to the main settings menu of your smartphone. Find a section that may be called Screen or Display. In some versions of the firmware, theme management is placed in a separate item "Themes" at the bottom of the list or available through the Themes app on the desktop. You need to find the "Dark Mode" or "Dark Theme" switch.
Once the slider is activated, the interface will instantly repaint, but the system offers flexible schedule settings, so you can set the dark mode to automatically turn on by time (for example, when the sun sets) or by geolocation, which eliminates the need to manually switch mode every evening.
- 🌙 Open "Settings» → «Screen and activate the Dark Mode slider».
- ⏰ Use the “Schedule” function to enable the theme to be automatically included at a given time.
- 🎨 For a deeper setting, go to the “Themes” app» → profile) → «Settings of topics».
It is important to note that the standard dark topic in the MIUI often uses shades of gray (#121212 or #1E1E1E), This is done by developers to reduce contrast and prevent the effect of "lubricating" text on some matrices. If you want deep black to save energy, a standard switch may not be enough.
⚠️ Note: When you include a dark theme, some third-party applications may not display correctly if their developers have not provided adaptation.
Using the “Themes” application for deep customization
The Themes app in Xiaomi smartphones is a powerful tool that is often underrated, and it has a huge store of designs created by Xiaomi and independent designers, and it is here that you can find themes that provide a truly black background, as opposed to system settings.
To find the right design, open the Themes app and search. Type in keywords like "Black», «OLED», «Dark or Amoled. In search results, pay attention to the preview: if the background on the screenshots looks charcoal-black, then the theme is optimized for the future. AMOLED-Once you install this theme, black will not only appear in the settings menu, but also in the notification curtain, volume menu and system dialog boxes.
Some themes can only change some of the interface elements. Before installing, carefully read user descriptions and reviews. Often designers indicate which version of Android or MIUI their product is optimized for, and it is worth considering that themes from third-party regions (for example, India or Russia) may have more design options than themes for the global version.
- 📲 Launch the “Themes” app and go to the “Search” tab».
- 🔍 Enter the request "Black" OLED» Search for topics with deep black.
- 📥 Download and apply your favorite theme, making sure it is compatible with your version. MIUI.
If the standard theme store in your area is limited, you can try changing the region in your phone settings. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Region and select, for example, India. After that, the store will update and offer a different set of designs. Remember to return the region back after you have installed the right theme, so that some local services work correctly.
⚠️ Attention: Installing themes from unknown authors may lead to ads in system interfaces or unstable launcher work.Always check the theme ranking before downloading.
Forced inclusion of dark theme for all applications
Not all app developers add dark theme support to their software. As a result, even when the system dark mode is activated, some programs remain bright white, which creates discomfort. MIUI and HyperOS have a hidden feature that allows you to force invert colors in applications that do not have a native dark theme.
To activate this feature, you need to go to the optional settings menu. The path may differ: in some versions it is Settings → Additional settings → Special. features, in others it is Settings → Advanced settings → Special. features. Find the Dark Mode section (not to be confused with the main theme switch).
In this list, you can select specific applications that you want to force color inversion to turn on. The system automatically determines which programs do not support a dark theme, and prompts them to turn on this mode. Once you apply the settings, the white background in the selected applications will turn black and the text will turn light.
Path to setup:
Settings → Additional settings → Special. features → Dark modeAnd you have to consider that forced inversion doesn't always work perfectly, and in some cases, the colors of photos or videos can invert, making them negative, and you can also have artifacts in the interface, so it's better to use this feature selectively, only for applications where you spend a lot of time reading text.
- 📱 Go to “Special Opportunities” and select “Dark Mode».
- ✅ Activate the switch toggle “Enable Dark Mode” at the top of the screen.
- 📝 Click on the name of a particular app and turn on a forced dark theme for it.
☑️ Checking the dark theme work
This feature is especially useful for older versions of popular instant messengers or banking applications that have not been updated for a long time, and allows you to keep the same visual style of the entire system, even if the software developers did not take care of users. OLED-screen.
Creating your own theme with a black background through an editor
For users who want the perfect result and are not dependent on the finished solutions, Xiaomi offers a built-in tool called Theme Editor. This application allows you to create your own designs by changing the colors of system elements, icons and backgrounds. You can set the color value #000000 for all background elements.
First, install Theme Editor from GetApps or Play Market, if it's not preinstalled. Once you start, select a template like Standard or Hybrid. From the editor's menu, go to System or Framework, and you have color settings for different interface elements: status bar, settings menu, contact list, etc.
Find the background option and change it to black. You can use a pipette or enter the #000000 hex code. After making all the necessary changes, save the project and export it as a.mtz file. Then this file can be imported into the standard Themes app and applied.
| Interface element | Standard color (Dark) | Recommended Color (OLED) | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settings background | #121212 (Gray) | #000000 (Black) | High. |
| Notification panel | #1E1E1E (Dark Gray) | #000000 (Black) | Average. |
| Volume menu | #2D2D2D (Gray) | #000000 (Black) | Low. |
| keyboard | #323232 (Gray) | #000000 (Black) | High. |
Creating your own theme takes time and patience, but the result is worth it: you get a unique design that fits your eyes and preferences perfectly, and it's also the only way to blacken out elements of the system that are usually ignored by standard themes.
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When creating your theme, use a pure black image (1x1 pixel) as background to save space and maximize efficiency on AMOLED-screen.
After applying the custom theme, it is recommended to restart the device, which ensures that all system processes pick up new graphic resources and the interface cache is updated correctly. If after rebooting some elements remain gray, try clearing the cache of the Themes application through the application management menu.
Setting up a black theme in Google apps and third-party software
Even with an active system dark theme, Google apps (YouTube, Chrome, Gmail) and third-party programs can behave independently. They often have their own design settings that are prioritized over the system. To achieve complete blackness throughout the interface, you need to configure each application separately.
In Google apps, you usually need to go to Settings» → «General or Appearance, and you can choose Dark Theme or System Theme, but in some cases, like YouTube, there are three options: Light, Dark and Black. AMOLED-It is critical to choose Black screens, as the standard Dark in Google apps is also often gray.
For third-party apps like Telegram, WhatsApp or Twitter (X), the algorithm is similar. In Telegram, for example, you can not only select a night theme, but also adjust its depth. In chat settings, select Night theme and in the background settings, specify Black or upload a black image. In Chrome, you can turn on forced dark mode for all web pages through flags, but this can distort the colors on sites.
⚠️ Attention: Forced inclusion of dark theme for web pages in the browser can disrupt the layout of sites and make some buttons invisible.
Remember that some apps may not have a built-in dark theme, and in such cases only the Dark Mode feature in the MIUI special features mentioned earlier, or the use of browsers with built-in night mode, such as Samsung Internet or Kiwi Browser, helps.
The Effects of Black Theme on Autonomy and Eye Health
The transition to a black theme is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also a practical necessity for owners. AMOLED-The way these arrays work is to highlight each pixel individually, so when the pixel is supposed to be black, it just turns off and it doesn't consume energy. The more black elements on the screen, the less energy the display uses.
Research shows that the use of dark topics on AMOLED-The battery can save between 10% and 30% on screens depending on the brightness of the screen and the amount of time spent in the smartphone. At maximum brightness, the energy savings when using a black theme instead of a white one can reach 60% for individual user-interface scenarios. This is especially true in situations where it is not possible to recharge the device.
In addition to saving energy, dark theme reduces eye strain; blue light emitted by a white background can disrupt melatonin production and impair sleep quality; using a dark interface in the evening helps to preserve circadian rhythms and reduces eye fatigue during long reading.
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The use of black theme on AMOLED-Xiaomi screens are a double benefit: significant battery savings and reduced vision load in the dark.
For users with sensitive vision, it is also recommended to adjust not only the theme, but also the screen parameters. In the section "Vision Protection", you can turn on reading mode or adjust the color temperature towards warm shades, which, combined with a black theme, will give maximum comfort.
Possible problems and solutions
When switching to black topics, users may encounter a number of technical problems, the most common being the incorrect display of boundaries between interface elements. As both the background and buttons become black, boundaries can merge, making navigation difficult. The solution is to use themes with contrasting elements or adjust the boundaries in the theme editor.
Another problem is ghost images or pixel burnout in a static interface. AMOLED-The constant display of black elements (status bar, navigation buttons) for thousands of hours can lead to uneven wear of the matrix. Pixels that are always turned off degrade differently from those that work. It is recommended to periodically change the wallpaper or theme to the load on the matrix is more evenly distributed.
If the interface is unstable, or if the image is missing or is missing, you can reset the theme to a standard one, either through Safe Mode or by quickly clicking on a standard theme in the Themes app if the screen is responsive. It’s also worth checking for system updates, as newer versions of MIUI/HyperOS often fix interface rendering bugs.
- 🔄 If you have problems with display, reset the theme to standard through the “Themes” app».
- 👁️ Change themes periodically to avoid uneven wear of the matrix AMOLED.
- 🛠️ Update the system to the latest version to fix dark theme rendering bugs.
Understanding these nuances will avoid frustration and make using a smartphone as comfortable as possible. Black theme is a powerful tool that, when properly set up, makes using a smartphone a pleasure.