UI personalization is one of the key features of the MIUI shell, which favorably distinguishes Xiaomi smartphones from competitors. Unlike many manufacturers, here the user does not need to be a programmer to radically change the appearance of the system.
There are several proven methods to bypass regional locks and activate the right skins even on global versions of Android.The process can range from simple download from a directory to manually installing files through an engineering menu. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods relevant for 2026-2026.
Deep customization allows you not only to change the wallpaper, but also completely redesign icons, notification curtains, settings menus and even system sounds. A properly selected theme can rejuvenate a device or give it a strict business look. Let's look at what tools you need to do this.
Official catalog of topics and its features
The standard path for most users is the built-in Theme app, which is preinstalled on each device of the brand. When you first start, the system automatically determines the region and offers the relevant content. For users who choose the "India" or "Russia" region when initially set up, the directory may be limited or not work with third-party skins.
The main problem is that servers filter the content available, and to access the full range of design, you often need to change the region in your system settings, and you need to go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Region and choose, for example, Singapore or India. After the reboot, the directory will be updated.
But even changing the region doesn't always get 100%, because some topics are labeled "China Only," in which case the standard Download button can be blocked or absent, and workarounds come to the rescue to enable hidden functionality.
- 🌏 Changing the region to China opens up the maximum number of options, but can change the format of the date and time on the lock screen.
- 🔒 The official store checks the digital signature of files, prohibiting the installation of modified versions without additional actions.
- ⚙️ Some design elements, such as Always On Display, may only be available for certain phone models.
⚠️ Note: If you change region to China, you may see Chinese-language apps that cannot be removed by standard methods without root rights.
⚠️ Note: Using unofficial themes may cause text to be displayed incorrectly in Google’s settings or standard apps.
It's important to understand that official themes are certified for security, so the risk of getting viruses when using them is minimal, and this is the safest way to change the interface for inexperienced users.
Use of the Theme Editor app
If a standard store doesn't allow you to install your chosen design, Theme Editor comes to the rescue, an official but hidden application from the developers of MIUI that allows you to edit and install themes manually, bypassing the region check, which is often already built into the system, but hidden from the user's eyes.
To access this tool, you need to follow a hidden path in the settings menu or use special codes. Most often you need to open the Themes app, go to profile and click several times on the version. MIUI. If this method does not work, you can download it. APK-Editorial file from verified sources.
Once you run Theme Editor, you'll see a list of all the designs installed on the device, and you can select any.mtz file you downloaded from the Internet and click "Apply" and the system will warn you that the theme is not from an official source, but will allow you to continue the installation.
☑️ Pre-installing check
The main advantage of this method is the ability to put any topic, including one that is exclusively for the Chinese market, and you get full access to thousands of design solutions created by the community.
Where to find the hidden menu editor?
FiveStar Method (Five Star Method)
One of the most popular and effective ways to unlock installation of any theme is the so-called FiveStar method, which is based on the emulation of user actions, which gives high ratings to developers in the official store, the system algorithm "thinks" that you are an active and loyal user, and removes restrictions.
The idea is to consistently open five random themes in the official app and set five stars, and then quickly jump to the topic you want (downloaded from a third-party source or blocked) and try to apply it, and the verification window disappears and the topic is set.
It can take a few tries, because timing matters, and if you don't do it the first time, you have to close the theme app completely (download it from memory) and repeat the procedure again, which is root-free and works on most versions of MIUI.
| Step. | Action. | The result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open 5 random topics | Activation of the internal meter |
| 2 | Put 5 stars each. | Enhancing the user's "reputation" |
| 3 | Open the target theme | Preparation for installation |
| 4 | Press "Apply" | Bypassing signature verification |
The effectiveness of FiveStar depends on the shell version. On fresh HyperOS algorithms can be changed, so sometimes you need to repeat the cycle of assessments several times in a row without leaving the application.
💡
FiveStar does not require additional software, but requires accuracy and speed.
Install themes via MiXplorer and file manager
For advanced users who want to have full control of the file system, installing through third-party file managers such as MiXplorer or Total Commander is convenient because it allows you to manage already downloaded themes without having to open the browser every time.
The idea is simple: you download a theme file (usually with the.mtz extension) and open it through the built-in Explorer. The system will ask what to open the file. You need to select the Themes app. If the theme doesn't install, you'll need to link the file to the Theme Editor that was mentioned earlier.
Some file managers have a built-in theme preview feature, which allows you to see what the interface will look like before the actual installation, but you still need system resolution to finalize the activation.
- 📂 The files are stored in the folder. MIUI/Theme internal.
- 📥 When downloading from the browser, it is important to save the file in the format.mtz, not.zip.
- 🔄 After installation through the file manager, it is recommended to restart the device for the correct application of all fonts.
Using third-party explorers gives you more freedom, but it requires caution when deleting system files. Always check what you delete or modify.
Working with custom fonts and icons
Replacing theme is not just a change of color, but also a change in typography. Installing custom fonts can dramatically change the perception of the interface. Xiaomi allows you to install third-party fonts, but often requires them to buy or complex activation procedure.
There is a method of installing fonts through the Developer Menu. By enabling USB debugging and selecting Minimum Width (or changing the DPI), you can make the font visually smaller or larger, but this affects the entire interface.
This app automatically downloads popular fonts and applies them, creating a temporary theme with only the changed font. Once applied in the theme settings, you can return the previous design, but the font will remain changed.
⚠️ Note: Installing fonts that do not support Cyrillic will lead to the fact that all text in the system will turn into a set of squares or question marks.
Other than fonts, you should also pay attention to icon packages, and many themes don’t change the icons of your system applications (camera, phone, messages), and you can use separate icon packages from Google Play to replace them, using third-party launchers or built-in MIUI personalization tools.
💡
If after installing a new theme, the names of the applications under the icons disappeared, check the theme settings: often there is a “Show Signatures” switch, which is reset by default.
Solving common problems and errors
In design experiments, users often encounter technical problems, the most common being a black screen or a bootloop (cyclic reboot) immediately after applying the theme, which occurs when the theme file is corrupted or incompatible with the screen resolution of your smartphone.
If the phone is turned on, but the interface looks broken (the icons are missing, the text is on the buttons), you need to urgently reset the theme to the standard, you can do this through Safe Mode or quickly open the Themes app and select the classic style. If the screen does not respond, try to press the volume button when you turn on to enter the Recovery and clear the cache.
Another common error is the message “Can’t download theme.” This often happens when the Internet connection is unstable or when the app cache is crowded. It is recommended to clear the cache of the “Themes” application through Settings → Apps → All Apps → Themes → Clear the cache.
Also worth mentioning is the Always On Display (AOD) issue. Third-party themes can conflict with the always-on screen function, causing increased battery consumption. If you notice that the phone has become discharged faster after changing the design, try disabling AOD or returning the standard lock theme.