The transition to a dark interface in Xiaomi smartphones is not just a fashion homage or a way to make the device visually more rigorous. The main advantage of using a dark theme is a significant reduction in eye load, especially when working in low light conditions, as well as a noticeable savings in battery charge on displays such as AMOLED. However, users often face a situation where the standard switching of the tumbler in the settings does not change the appearance of third-party applications or system menus, which is puzzling.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of Dark Mode configuration on current versions of shells. MIUI You will learn how to forcely activate a dark background where application developers did not foresee it, how to set up automatic switching on a schedule and what to do if the standard Themes application works incorrectly. The instructions are relevant for a wide range of devices, from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and Mi. POCO.
Before you get into deep customization, it’s important to understand that Xiaomi’s shell offers multiple levels of color control.The base layer only affects system curtains and menus, while the advanced one allows you to re-write the interface of almost any installed software. HyperOS and the latest versions of MIUI 14 have brought new dimming algorithms that work softer and more pleasant to perceive, removing sharp contrasts.
Basic activation through system settings
The easiest and most obvious way to change the color scheme is to use the built-in Android settings menu, which works consistently on all devices regardless of the firmware region (Global, China, EEA). First, unlock the screen and find the Settings icon, usually located in the upper right corner of the home screen or in the Tools folder.
In the menu that opens, you scroll down to the Screen and Brightness section. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be simply called "Screen." Inside, you'll see a "Dark Mode" switch. Activation of this slider instantly translates system menus, notification curtains and standard applications (calls, messages, settings) into a black and gray range.
However, it is worth considering an important nuance: on older models with IPS-matrixes, black will look like a dark gray color, since the backlight of the pixels does not turn off completely. Owners of devices with AMOLED screens (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi Note 10/11/12 Pro, POCO F3/F4/F5) will get a real deep black color, which also reduces power consumption, since black pixels on such arrays do not consume energy.
⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models with shells MIUI For India or Russia, the menu item may be called Night Mode, but functionally it's the same.
If you want your phone to switch between light and dark depending on the time of day, you can select the Schedule option from the same menu: “Schedule at sunset and off at dawn” (uses geolocation) or “Time” (specify the clock manually, for example, from 20:00 to 07:00).
Forced activation for all applications
A common problem for users is that after turning on a dark theme, many third-party apps (banks, instant messengers, browsers) remain white, which irritates the eyes and negates customization efforts, and the solution is a hidden feature in the Themes app that forcibly darkens the interface of even programs that do not officially support Dark Mode.
To implement this method, open the standard Theme app (an icon with a multicolored letter T). In the upper right corner, click on the profile icon (humans) or the four-square icon to open the menu. In the list of options, find the Settings item.
Inside the Themes app settings, you need to find a section that could be called Dark Theme or Dark Mode, and you'll be given two options: Default (the apps decide which theme to use) and Enable for all apps. You'll choose the second option, and the system can warn you that some elements may not display correctly, we agree.
- 🌑 Global application: This setting forces the system to redraw the color palette of any running APK-file, inverting bright colors into dark.
- 🎨 Color adaptation: Unlike simple inversion, Xiaomi’s algorithm tries to pick up shades of gray to keep text readable and buttons visible.
- 📱 Compatibility: The method works on MIUI 11, 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS, but the names of items may vary slightly depending on the interface language.
After applying the settings, it is recommended to completely close the background applications and open them again so that the changes take effect.If some programs still do not want to darken, try clearing their cache through the Apps menu in the phone settings.
Configure the Paper mode and additional options
The MIUI shell offers a unique feature known as Paper Mode, which is often confused by users with a dark topic, although it serves a different purpose. However, when combined with dark mode, it can create a specific effect that is useful for reading. Unlike the standard black background, this mode adds texture and reduces contrast, mimicking electronic paper.
To activate additional display options, go to Settings → Screen and Brightness → Paper Mode. Here you can choose to apply the mode for all applications or only for selected ones. It is important to note that turning this mode on top of a dark theme can make the interface dull and yellowish, which is not always convenient for navigation, but ideal for reading texts in complete darkness.
Newer versions of HyperOS have added the Advanced Dark Theme feature, which allows you to fine-tune the contrast of the background. If standard black seems too deaf or too contrasting for the eyes, the contrast slider will help you find the perfect balance, and this is especially true for people with increased eye sensitivity to bright light.
⚠️ Warning: Simultaneously turning on Paper Mode, Vision Protection (blue filter) and Dark Theme can cause severe color distortion of photos and videos. When viewing media content, it is better to temporarily turn off these features.
Also worth mentioning is the Adaptive Brightness feature, which works more efficiently when combined with a dark theme, and the light sensor responds more quickly to a dimming of light in a room if the screen is already in dark mode, preventing sharp spikes in brightness that tire your eyesight.
Use of third-party design themes
If standard black and gray tones seem boring, Xiaomi’s theme store offers thousands of design options that completely change the look of the system.Themes are the most powerful customization tool, allowing you to change not only colors, but also icons, widgets, lock screen and sounds.
To search for quality themes, open the Topics app and enter the keywords in the search bar: “Black”, “Dark», «AMOLED» Or Night. Notice the themes that are marked "Deep Dark" or "True Black." They're optimized for the best. OLED-screens using pure black (#000000), which saves the battery.
- 🎭 Often created by independent designers, they can be more stylish, but sometimes contain errors in the layout of the menu.
- 🏆 Xiaomi is tested, guarantee stability, but can be less diverse.
- 🌍 Regional restrictions: Some themes are only available for specific regions (such as India or Russia), so you may need to change your region in your phone settings.
When you install a theme, look at the "Apply" section, and the system will suggest you select the components: "Wallpaper", "Systma", "Block screen". To activate the dark interface, make sure that (check) is opposite to the "System" item. If you want to leave your icons but take a dark background from the the theme, you can deselect from the "Icons" item when you use it.
After applying the theme, the phone can blink for a few seconds or reboot the interface — this is normal behavior. If you don’t like the new theme, you can return to the standard design in the Themes app profile under My Pages → Themes → Default.
Solving problems with displaying a dark topic
Despite the system’s thoughtfulness, users sometimes encounter bugs: the theme “flys” after a reboot, some menus remain white, or text becomes unreadable (black on black), most often due to a conflict of component versions or cache.
The first step when problems arise is to clean the data of the Themes app itself. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, search for Themes (or Themes) in the list, and click Clear Data → Clear Everything. This will not delete downloaded themes, but reset the settings for their application.
The second common reason is the outdated version of system components. Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI/HyperOS to check for updates. It's also worth checking for updates for system applications through the GetApps (Mi Apps) store.
☑️ Checklist of dark topic diagnostics
⚠️ Warning: If you lose your icons or desktop after changing the theme, don’t panic. Press the power button to call the off menu, then hold your finger on the “off” button for a long time until you are prompted to boot into Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, remove the last set theme.
Problems can also arise when using third-party memory accelerators or cleaners that aggressively unload the theme processes. Add the Themes app to the exceptions or the Fixed Apps to the multitasking menu.
The influence of dark theme on autonomy and vision
The question of saving batteries in dark mode is often overgrown with myths. The real savings are only possible on screens made with technology. OLED or AMOLED, So, in a pixel, each pixel is individually illuminated, and in these pixels, the black pixel is actually turned off and it doesn't consume energy. IPS-screens (budget models Redmi) backlight works constantly throughout the area, so there will be no savings, or it will be negligible (less than the average). 1-2%).
Studies have shown that using a dark theme in low light reduces strain on eye muscles and reduces the risk of digital overstrain. However, in bright daylight, a dark interface can, on the contrary, impair readability due to glare and low text contrast, which is why automatic scheduling is the smartest option.
Technical details of OLED operation in dark mode
It is also important to note the health effects: the blue spectrum of light that prevails in white interfaces suppresses melatonin production, and the dark theme minimizes this effect by helping to keep circadian rhythms alive if you use your smartphone before bedtime.
Comparison of methods of dimming the interface
To make it easier to choose the best way to set up, we have prepared a summary table that compares the available methods, which will help you to understand which option is suitable for your use case.
| Method | Interface coverage | Impact on the battery | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| System switch | System menus only | Medium (on AMOLED) | Low. |
| Compulsory inclusion in the annex Topics | All applications (globally) | High (on AMOLED) | Low. |
| Third-party theme of design | Full customization | Depends on the topic. | Medium |
| Paper mode | Textual annexes | Minimum | Low. |
To sum up, the most effective way for most users is to combine the system dark mode with the forced application function for all applications through the Themes menu, which provides maximum comfort and unity of visual style without the need for deep intervention.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with contrast settings and schedules. A properly configured smartphone becomes an extension of your body without causing discomfort even after a few hours of active use. Remember that settings may vary slightly depending on the Android version (11, 12, 13, 14) and the specific device model.
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The ideal setup for Xiaomi is a system dark mode + forced application for all applications + automatic sunset timetable.