Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with extensive customization capabilities thanks to MIUI firmware. But what if ready-made themes from the Theme do not suit you, and you want something unique? Creating your own theme may seem like a challenge, but with the right approach, even a beginner can do it. In this article, we will analyze all the ways from simple editing existing themes to creating your own from scratch.
It's important to understand that Redmi 8 is powered by MIUI 11/12 (depending on the firmware version), and there's more customization than you think. You can change not only wallpaper and icons, but also animations, fonts, sounds, and even system dialogues. But before you start, deep modifications of themes require an unlocked bootloader and sometimes root rights. If you're not ready for this, there are simpler methods.
So what we're going to do next is look at all the options available, from using a built-in theme editor to working with.mtz files and third-party tools, and if you've never done that before, don't worry, we'll start with the simplest.
1. Preparing a smartphone: what to do before creating a theme
Before you start creating a theme, you need to prepare Redmi 8 for the procedure, which will help you avoid errors and data loss.
- 📱 Back up all your important data. Use Settings. → System and device → Backup or third-party applications like Swift Backup (requires root).
- 🔄 Update. MIUI Check the latest stable version. → The phone. → System Update: Older versions may not support new theme formats.
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (optional) If you plan to deep customize, you will need an official unlocker from Xiaomi.
- 🛠️ Install. ADB-Drivers on your PC, if you work with.mtz files through your computer.
Pay special attention to unlocking the bootloader, which erases all data from the device, so backup is mandatory, and note that once unlocked, Redmi 8 may lose its official warranty (if it is still valid).
⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI Global Stable, some unofficial themes may not apply due to Xiaomi restrictions. MIUI China or custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience).
To check the current version of MIUI, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI. If it says something like V12.5.3.0.RCNRUXM, you have global firmware. The Chinese version is usually labeled as V12.5.3.0.RCNCNXM.
2. Method 1: Use of the built-in MIUI theme editor
The easiest way to create your theme is to use the built-in editor in the Topic app, which allows you to change wallpaper, icons, fonts and colors without deep technical knowledge.
- Open the Themes app on Redmi 8.
Save the topic and apply it.
The main limitation of this method is that you can’t change the system animations, notification styles or dialog boxes, but it is ideal for beginners, since it does not require a PC connection or special knowledge.
⚠️ Note: If after applying the theme, some icons are displayed incorrectly (for example, icons Google Play or WhatsApp), then the selected icon pack does not support these applications. For more flexible customization of icons, we recommend using Icon Pack Studio (available on Google Play), which allows you to create your own icon packs and export them in a format compatible with the Icon Pack Studio. MIUI. ☑️ Preparing for the creation of the topic through MIUI Editor Make a backup of data Update MIUI Up to the latest version Download wallpaper / icons in advance Check font compatibility: 0 / 4 3. Method 2: Editing ready-made topics through MTZ-Files with the.mtz extension are archives of topics for MIUI. They can be unpacked, edited and repackaged to get a unique theme. This method requires a PC, but it offers much more features than an embedded editor. Here is a step-by-step instruction: Download a ready-made.mtz theme from sites like: The official Xiaomi theme directory (requires a Mi Account). MIUI Themes (unofficial) Unpack.mtz file with an archiver (e.g., file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file file, 7-Zip Inside you'll find folders: icon, app icons. wallpaper, font, font, font, media, sounds and melodies. drawable, system images (buttons, dialog backgrounds). Edit files: Icons are stored in.png resolution. 192×192 Wallpapers must be in.jpg or.png with a resolution of at least 1080×2340 (for Redmi 8). Fonts are.ttf or.otf files. Pack files back to.mtz: Use MIUI Theme Editor (Windows) or MTZ Builder (Android) Make sure the folder structure is saved. Set the theme on Redmi 8: Transfer the.mtz file to the folder MIUI/theme Open the topics on the phone. → Profile → Import and select the file. For convenience, we recommend using the file. MIUI Theme Editor is a PC program that automatically checks the theme structure and corrects errors. XDA Developers.Theme element File format Recommended resolution Where stored in.mtz Icons.png 192×192 /icon Wallpaper.jpg,.png 1080×2340 /wallpaper Fonts.ttf,.otf — /font Sounds.mp3,.ogg Bitrate no higher 192 kbps /media ⚠️ Note: If a theme is imported with a "Theme is corrupted" error, check: Folder structure within.mtz. No Cyrillic characters in file names. Format matching (e.g. icons must be in.png, not.jpg). 💡Before editing the.mtz file, make a copy of it. Some elements of the themes (e.g. animations) can be stored in binary format and damaged when unpacking. 4. Method 3: Creating a theme from scratch for advanced users If you want to create a theme completely from scratch, rather than editing a finished one, you will need deeper knowledge and tools. This method involves working with: Graphic editors (Photoshop, GIMP, Figma, by editors XML To change system styles. Android Studio (to view theme structure). Here are the main steps: Create a theme template: Download an empty.mtz template from GitHub. Or use MIUI Theme Editor for basic structure generation. Element design: 🎨 Icons: should be in.png format with transparent background. recommended size — 192×192 For adaptive icons (Android) 8+) Use.xml files. 🖼️ The Quran: Create a Quran in the Quran. 1080×2340 (for Redmi 8). For the paralax effect, separate layers are needed. 📜 System Styles: Edit files in /drawable (for example, btn_default_normal.9.png Add animations (optional): Animations are stored in /anim Use.xml to create Adobe After Effects + Lottie plugin. Pack theme: Check all paths to files in description.xml (The main theme manifesto. MTZ Builder for final assembly. description.xml You will need to understand the basic structure. XML. Here is an example of a minimal file: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <theme> <name>My Custom Theme</name> <author>Your Name</author> <version>1.0</version> <compatibility> <miui_version min="11" max="14"/> </compatibility> <preview>preview.jpg</preview> </theme> Where: <name> — title. <preview> — Preview (should lie at the root of.mtz). <miui_version> — version-compatibility MIUI. ⚠️ Note: If you change system styles (such as the color of the status bar or the shape of the dialog boxes), the theme may not pass the checkout on official Xiaomi sites. ADB or TWRP. How to check for errors before installing?Use the utility MTZ Validator (available on the XDA). It checks: - Integrity of folder structure. - Compatibility of file formats. - Correctness description.xml. If there are errors, the utility will indicate in which files they are allowed. 5. Installation of a custom theme on Redmi 8 When the theme is ready, it must be installed correctly on Redmi. 8. The way you do it depends on whether you have the bootloader unlocked and whether you have the root rights. 1: No root rights (official way) Move the.mtz file to the folder MIUI/theme Open the Topic app. Go to Profile. → Import. Select your file and wait for the check. Apply the subject. 2: Root-rights (for uncertified topics) If the theme fails to pass validation MIUI (For example, modifying system files, use TWRP or ADB: adb push your_theme.mtz /sdcard/MIUI/theme/ adb shell am broadcast -a miui.intent.action.CHANGE_THEME -n com.android.themes/.receiver.ThemeChangeReceiver --es theme_path /sdcard/MIUI/theme/your_theme.mtz This command compulsorily establishes the theme, bypassing system checks, only works on rooted devices. 3: Magisk module (for the experienced) If you use Magisk, you can create a module that will automatically apply your theme when you download. theme_module Put an.mtz file and a script in it. service.sh Pack in.zip and install it through Magisk Manager. Example service.sh: #!/system/bin/sh sleep 30 am broadcast -a miui.intent.action.CHANGE_THEME -n com.android.themes/.receiver.ThemeChangeReceiver --es theme_path /sdcard/MIUI/theme/your_theme.mtz ⚠️ Note: Forced installation of those through ADB Magisk can cause a malfunction in the work MIUI, Especially if the theme changes critical system files. TWRP. 💡The most reliable way to install custom theme is through official import in the Topic app. ADB Magisk should only be used if the theme is rejected by the system. 6. Solving Common Problems When Creating and Installing Themes on Redmi 8 Users often face common mistakes. Here's how to fix them: Problem Possible cause Solution Topic not applied Incompatibility with version MIUI Check it out. <miui_version> into description.xml Icons don't change No icon pack support for some apps Use Nova Launcher with icon pack support Theme is damaged Error Improper structure.mtz or broken files Repackage theme with the help of MIUI Theme Editor Animations Not Working Wrong Format or File Paths Check folder /anim and description.xml Theme resets after rebooting System reset to install the theme through Magisk module or ADB If you have used the Redmi theme 8 It's starting to slow down or overheat, and it's probably a problem with too heavy animations or high-detail wallpaper: 🔄 Reduce the resolution of wallpaper to 1080×2340. 🎞️ Remove complex animations from the folder /anim. 🗑️ Clear the theme cache in Settings → Annexes → Topics → Warehouse → Clear cache. To diagnose problems with topics, it is useful to examine the system log. You can do this using Logcat (available through Android Studio or the Logcat Extreme app from Google Play). Look for errors with the ThemeManager or MiuiTheme tags. 7. Alternative ways to customize without creating themes If creating your theme seems too complicated, there are easier ways to change the look of the Redmi 8: 📱 Launchers: Nova Launcher – allows you to change icons, animations and gestures. Lawnchair – supports adaptive icons and a dark theme. 🎨 Icon Packages: Download packs from Google Play (such as Whicons or Delta). Apply through the launcher settings. 🔤 Fonts: Use iFont or FontFix to install custom fonts without root rights. 🔊 Sounds: Replace tunes through Settings → Sound or Zedge. 🖼️ Wallpaper: Apps like WallpapersCraft or Backdrops offer adaptive wallpaper. Substratum (requires Andromeda to work without root) is a deep customization tool that allows you to change system styles, similar to themes, but with greater flexibility. However, the Redmi 8 can be unstable due to limitations. MIUI. If you only want a dark theme, you can include it in Settings. → Screen. → Dark subject. MIUI 12+ There is also an automatic schedule switch available. 8 Where to publish your topic If you have created a unique theme and want to share it with other users, there are several sites for publishing: 🌍 Xiaomi official resources: Mi Theme Store - requires Mi Account and moderation.Reward: for popular themes Xiaomi pays bonuses (up to 1000 Mi Credits). 🤝 Informal communities: MIUI Themes – English-language forum. 4PDA — Russian-speaking community. XDA Developers – for experienced users. 📦 Own site or GitHub: Upload a.mtz file to GitHub or Google Drive and share a link. Specify version compatibility MIUI Before posting, make sure: The theme is free of other people's copyrighted material (icons, wallpaper, fonts). All files are optimized (e.g. icons don't weigh 500KB each), there is a preview (preview.jpg) and a description in English/Chinese (for the official store). On the Mi Theme Store, moderation can take up to 7 days.If the topic is rejected, check the reason letter (usually a mismatch or technical error). 💡By publishing a theme on official platforms, you lose control over its distribution. Xiaomi can modify or remove your theme without notice. FAQ: Frequent questions about creating themes on Redmi 8 Can you create a theme without a computer? Yes, but with limitations. You can use the built-in editor in the Topic app or in an app like Theme. DIY (But deep customization (changing animations, system styles) still requires a PC. Why my theme doesn't apply to Redmi 8? Possible reasons: Incompatibility with the version MIUI (check description.xml). Damaged.mtz file structure: No root rights for uncertified themes; Global firmware restrictions (try switching to the new file) MIUI China. How to change animations in a theme? Animations are stored in a folder. /anim You can edit them in Adobe After Effects and export them to.xml via Lottie. You can find the animations on LottieFiles. 8 Due to the weak Snapdragon processor 439. Do I need to unlock the bootloader to install themes? Not if you use official methods (import via the Themes app). Unlocking the bootloader will only be required for: Install uncertified themes through ADB or TWRP. Use custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience). Without unlocking, you are limited to themes that have been tested by Xiaomi.