How to Remove the Theme from Xiaomi Redmi 8: From Standard Methods to Hidden MIUI Features

Setting custom themes on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular ways to personalize a smartphone. However, over time, accumulated themes take up precious space in memory, and some of them may conflict with MIUI updates or simply stop liking them. Unlike apps, themes are not deleted in the standard way through the Delete menu - this requires special actions.

In this article, we will discuss three proven methods of removing themes (including system and hidden), explain why some themes are not deleted at all, and give recommendations for cleaning the cache in order to avoid errors in the future. MIUI — 11 to 14, because the algorithms may be different.

If you encounter a message that says, “It’s impossible to delete a topic,” or if it keeps showing up in the list after deleting it, don’t rush to reset your phone. Most likely, the problem is solved in two clicks, but these clicks need to be done in the right place.

Why Xiaomi Redmi 8 themes aren’t removed in the standard way

Unlike apps, MIUI themes are integrated into system files and stored in secure folders. Even if you click "Delete" in the themes menu, the system can:

• 🗑️ Remove only the cache by leaving the main theme files in memory.
• 🔄 Reset the topic to default, but do not physically remove it.
• 🚫 Block deletion for preset topics (e.g., Default or Default) MIUI Global).

In addition, on Redmi 8 with MIUI below 12.5, themes can be stored in.mtz format (archives), which are not always correctly deleted through the interface. and in newer versions (MIUI 13+), the themes are broken down into separate components - icons, fonts, wallpaper - which makes it difficult to completely remove them.

Another reason is access rights: the /data/system/theme/ folder, where the themes are stored, is closed by default to the user, and without root rights or special MIUI tools, you can't delete files from there.

Method 1: Remove theme through MIUI settings (without root)

This method works for custom themes installed from the Dark Store or downloaded manually, and is not suitable for system themes (Default, MIUI Global, etc.).

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the section My topics → Local.
3. Find the topic you want to remove and hold your finger for a preview of 2-3 seconds.
4. In the menu that appears, select Remove (or the basket icon).
5. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

If no button Remove:

• 🔍 Try to use another topic first (an active topic cannot be deleted).
• 📱 Restart your phone and try again.
• 🔄 Update theme app via Play Market or App Store MIUI.

Apply a different topic (not the one you delete)

Close all background applications

Connect to a stable Internet (for synchronization)

Check the vacant space (minimum 500 MB)

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⚠️ Note: If the topic has been set through APK-file (for example, from the site Xiaomi-Themes), it must be deleted as a regular application - through Settings → Annexes → Application management.

Method 2: Use MIUI Theme Editor (for power users)

If the standard method didn’t work, you can use the official tool from Xiaomi – MIUI Theme Editor. This application allows you to edit and delete themes at the system file level, but you need to be careful.

Steps:

1. Download MIUI Theme Editor from Play Market (or APKPure if the app is not available in your area).
2. Open the application and provide all the permissions requested (file access, window overlay, etc.).
3. Go to the Local section (Local topics).
4. Find the right topic and click on three dots (⋮) near her name.
5. Select Delete and confirm.

If the topic is not listed:

• 🔎 Try updating the list of topics by pulling the screen down.
• 📁 Check the folder. /sdcard/MIUI/theme/ In any file manager (e.g. Mi File Explorer), delete the theme folder manually.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders with default names, miui_global or system, which can cause the interface to crash, and it's also not recommended to edit the themes manually without a backup.

Method 3: Reset theme settings to factory (radical method)

If the first two methods didn’t help, and the theme continues to take up space or conflicts with the system, you can reset the theme settings, which will return all visual settings to the factory, but will not affect personal data (photos, contacts, etc.).

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the Reset option (or additionally → Reset).
3. Select Reset Theme Settings (on some versions of MIUI, this option may be called Reset Personalization).
4. Confirm the action by entering the unlock password (if required).
5. Wait for the process to be completed and restart the phone.

After discharge:

• 🎨 All custom themes will be deactivated and the system theme will return to the standard.
• 🗑️ Theme files will remain in memory, but they can be deleted through MIUI Theme Editor or manually (see Method 2).
• ⚙️ Settings of wallpaper, fonts and icons will be thrown to the factory.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 8 firmware (especially custom ones like Pixel Experience or LineageOS) may not work properly on the reset. ADB (see the next section) or return the stock firmware.

Additional: Removing themes through ADB (for advanced)

If you are familiar with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can remove themes directly through the command line, which is suitable for system themes that are not deleted in other ways.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 8: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the message “You’re a developer” appears.

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

ADB-driver

Terminal

adb shell


pm list packages | grep theme

This command will list all packages related to themes and find the name of the package of the desired theme (for example, com.android.theme.iconpack.fancy).

To remove the topic, do:

pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet themes

For example:

pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.iconpack.fancy

If the team doesn’t work, try:

adb shell cmd package uninstall --user 0 name packet themes

adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -shared

This will save all applications and their data to the backup.ab file on your PC.-->

⚠️ Note: Removing System Themes Through ADB It can cause the interface to crash (e.g., icons disappear or loading errors).If the phone starts to glittle after removing the theme, reset or refashion the device.

How to Clear Cache Themes and Free Memory

Even after removing themes, their cache and temporary files can remain in memory, taking up to 1-2 GB on Redmi 8.

Step 1: Cleaning the app cache Topics:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Themes app and open its settings.
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Step 3: Cleaning through the Warehouse:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Press Clear or Free the Place.
3. Select the Topic category or Other files and delete unnecessary data.

💡

Regular cleaning of the theme cache helps to avoid errors when applying new themes and speeds up the MIUI interface.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you delete themes on Redmi 8, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔄 Updates MIUI — In new versions, bugs with themes can be fixed.
• 🛠️ System File Integrity – Use the App MIUI Diagnostics for inspection.
• 📱 Theme compatibility – some themes are designed for other Xiaomi models and may conflict with the Redmi 8.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions