How to completely remove the theme from the Xiaomi Redmi 9T phone: a detailed guide

Changing the theme to Xiaomi Redmi 9T is a five-minute process, but getting rid of unnecessary themes after installing them is not so easy. Many users find that the themes removed through the standard menu continue to take up space in the device’s memory, and some even return after rebooting. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to completely remove themes with Redmi 9T, including hidden system methods and tools for power users.

The feature of MIUI firmware is that it caches themes and their elements (icons, fonts, wallpaper) in several folders at once. Even after clicking the "Delete" button in the Themes app, files can remain in /data/system/theme/ or /sdcard/MIUI/theme/. We tested all current methods on Redmi 9T with MIUI 12.5-14 versions and identified those that are guaranteed to clear the system of unnecessary data.

Why are topics not removed in the standard way?

The problem is the MIUI Theme Manager architecture, and when you install a theme from a store, the system is:

• 📥 Downloads the theme archive to the folder /sdcard/MIUI/theme/.temp;
• 🔄 Unpacking it in /data/system/theme/[ID_topic];
• 🗄️ Save thumbnails and cache in /sdcard/MIUI/theme/.thumb;
• 🔗 Creates symbolic links to system resources.

When you click "Delete" in the Topic app, only the main archive from.temp is erased, and the unpacked files and cache remain.

• 📉 Filling internal memory (up to 500 MB for 10-15 topics);
• 🔄 Return of topics after update MIUI;
• ⚠️ Conflicts when installing new topics (error "failed to apply»).

⚠️ Note: If you use custom themes (downloaded from a non-official store), removing them through standard settings can cause the interface to crash.

Method 1: Removal via the Topics app (official method)

This method is suitable for those installed from the official MIUI store.It does not clear the cache completely, but deletes the main files:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to My Topics section (the person icon in the lower right corner).
3. Find an unnecessary topic and click on it.
4. In the window that opens, tap three points (⋮) top-right.
5. Choose Delete and confirm the action.

If the Remove button is inactive or absent:

• 🔄 Try to apply another topic (e.g. standard), then repeat the deletion;
• 📱 Restart your phone and check again;
• 🔧 Update theme app via Google Play or App Store MIUI.

Apply a different topic (not the one you delete)|Close all background applications|Connect to Wi-Fi (for synchronization)|Check the vacant space (minimum 200 MB)-->

Limitations of the method:

Method 2: Manually cleansing through file manager

To completely remove themes, you will need to manually clean the folders where their files are stored. Use the built-in file manager or Total Commander/FX File Explorer with root permissions (if any).

Cleaning folders:

1. /sdcard/MIUI/theme/ – it stores downloaded themes in.mtz format.
2. /sdcard/MIUI/theme/.thumb/ – thumbnail cache
3. /data/system/theme/ – unpacked theme system files (root rights required)
4. /sdcard/Android/data/com.android.themes/ – Temporary files of the Topic application.

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden folders (in the settings).
2. Go to /sdcard/MIUI/theme/ and delete folders with the names of unnecessary themes.
3. Clear the.thumb folder (you can delete all contents).
4. If you have root access, delete the corresponding folders in /data/system/theme/.
5. Reboot the phone.

💡

Before deleting, back up the MIUI/theme folder to your computer, and if the interface gets jammed after cleaning, you can recover files.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/system/theme/ rootless can cause a cyclical reboot of your phone. If you're not sure, skip this step.

Method 3: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If the themes are not removed by standard methods, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS;
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original);
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the Redmi 9T;
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB and platform-tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone; Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode; Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers; Activate Debugging over USB.
2. Connect Redmi 9T to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Linux/macOS) and do:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed. If not, check the drivers.)

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/system/theme/*




rm -rf /sdcard/MIUI/theme/*




exit




exit

After you execute the commands, restart your phone. All topics except system ones will be deleted.

How to remove system themes (without root)

System themes preinstalled in MIUI cannot be removed without unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights, but they can be hidden or disabled so that they do not interfere with:

Ways:

• 🔧 Shutdown through ADB (without root): adb shell pm hide com.android.theme.icon.pack.[name theme] (Adb shell pm list packages are available for information on the exact name of the package. | grep theme.)
• 📱 Reset theme settings: Go to Settings → Topics; Select a Standard Theme MIUI; Click Apply and restart the phone.

Clearing the cache

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management;
2. Find themes and click Clear cache;
3. Repeat for Launcher (if the icons are lost).

Cash thumbnails add another ~10–50MB to each theme.