How to remove the theme on Xiaomi phone: a complete guide to returning standard design

Changed theme to Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, but the new design irritates the eyes, slows down the system or just doesn't like? You can return the standard MIUI in 2-3 minutes - if you know the right steps. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods from basic reset through settings to manually delete theme files for power users.

The problem is that the manufacturer doesn't always make the process obvious. For example, in some versions of MIUI 14/15, the "Delete theme" button is hidden behind several menus, and in POCO Launcher, the algorithm is completely different. We tested all methods on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 models - instructions are relevant for firmware 2023-2026.

Important: Some themes (especially paid or downloaded from third-party sources) may leave behind tails, such as modified icons, fonts or animations. At the end of the article, there is a section on how to return all interface elements to factory settings without resetting the phone.

1. Standard reset theme through MIUI settings

The simplest method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, is suitable for themes installed through the official MIUI Themes app.

Open the Topic app (a brush icon on your desktop). If it's not available, check the Tools folder or search the system (swipe down on the home screen). At the top of the screen, tap the profile avatar (or gear icon), then select:

Settings → My themes → Current theme → [The name of your theme] → Delete

After that, the system will automatically apply the standard MIUI Default theme, and if there is no “Delete” button, then the theme is system (it can not be deleted, but you can block another).

Try the method №2 (forced discharge)

Check if the theme is systemic (the title begins with "MIUI")

Update the Themes app in Google Play

Reboot the phone-->

⚠️ Note: Some of the scoring for POCO (for example, POCO F4 GT) Themes app may be called Wallpapers & Themes. The functionality is the same, but the path to settings may be different: Profile → My subjects. → Additionally (⋮) → Reset to standard.

Forced reset via "System settings"

If the theme is not removed through the app or you see an error "failed to apply changes", use an alternative path:

1. Open Settings → Design (or Screen on older versions of MIUI).
2. Select Topics → Current theme.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Reset to Standard.
4. Confirm the action – the system will restart Launcher (desktop shell).

This method bypasses the limitations of the Themes app and works even if it is frozen. Minus: does not delete downloaded theme files from the phone’s memory (they will remain in the /MIUI/theme/.data folder).

Standard MIUI (I don't like the design)

Paid Theme from MIUI Themes

Downloaded from a Third-Party Source (APK)

Castomy Theme via Magisk/TWRP

I don't know where it came from.-->

3. manually delete theme files (for experienced)

If the theme is not resetting through the menu, or if you want to completely erase its files from the device, you'll have to work with the file system, which requires root rights or access through ADB.

All MIUI themes are stored in the folder:

/data/system/theme/

Or (for custom themes):

/sdcard/MIUI/theme/.data/

To remove the subject:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap → Return to Additional → For Developers).
2. Open the command line on your PC and type in: adb shell su rm -rf /data/system/theme/[name theme]
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Removing system themes (e.g. com.android.theme.icon.default) can cause Launcher to crash. In this case, you will need to flash through Fastboot or reset to factory settings. /data/system/theme/.

4.Reset via Safe Mode (if the theme blocks the system)

There are times when the theme breaks the interface, when icons disappear, settings don't open, or the phone is constantly rebooted.

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Slip and hold the "Switch Off" option (or Reboot on some models).
3. In the window that appears, select Safe Mode.
4. After downloading, delete the theme through Settings → Applications → Themes → Storage → Clear the data.

In Safe Mode, all third-party themes are automatically disabled, so you can return the standard interface. Once you reboot in normal mode, the problem should disappear.

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If the phone doesn't load even in Safe Mode, try the Power Button + Volume combination up for 10 seconds. On some Redmi models, this triggers a recovery menu where you can make Wipe Cache without losing data.

5. Complete reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If none of these methods work, it's hard reset, which will erase all the data from your phone, including apps, photos and settings, but it's guaranteed to bring back the standard theme.

How to reset:

1. Back up your important data (via Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud).
2. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm.
4. After the reboot, the phone will be like new – with a factory theme.

⚠️ Note: On phones with unlocked bootloader (for example, after firmware custom recavator) reset may lead to blocking of the account Mi. Before the procedure untie the account in Settings → Xiaomi account.

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to return all interface elements (icons, fonts, animations) to their original appearance if the theme has changed them at the system level.

6 How to avoid problems with topics in the future

To avoid “broken” topics or difficulties in removing them, follow these rules:

• 🔍 Check the topic rating in MIUI Themes Topics rated below 4.5 often contain bugs.
• 📥 Don't set topics from APK. mtz files outside the official store may contain malicious code.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI. New versions of firmware corrected errors with the use of themes.
• 📁 Regularly clean the cache of the "Themes" application (Settings) → Annexes → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

If you like customization but are afraid of crashes, use alternative launchers like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher, which allow you to change icons and design without interfering with MIUI system files.

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Before installing a paid theme, check if it has a demo version. In MIUI Themes, many themes offer a free trial period of 1 day.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing themes on Xiaomi