Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the desire to change the standard appearance of the MIUI or HyperOS shell to a more familiar, “classic” style, reminiscent of pure Android or the interface of previous generations. The Chinese giant’s standard shell is rich in features, but its visual language can seem overloaded or simply unusual to those who have previously used devices of other brands.
The process of interface transformation can range from a simple change of theme in the official store to a deep modification of system files requiring Root rights. In most cases, users need only use embedded tools or third-party launchers to achieve the desired result without the risk of losing warranty. It is important to understand that the term “classic theme” can be interpreted in different ways: for some, these are standard Android icons, and for others, no unnecessary animations and widgets.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from secure ways through settings to advanced techniques for power users. You will learn how to circumvent regional restrictions, where to look for quality designs and what pitfalls are the installation of modified system applications. Full replacement of the system interface without superuser rights is possible only through the installation of a third-party launcher or the use of specific themes that mask the elements of MIUI.
The concept of a classic interface in the ecosystem Xiaomi
The classic interface in the context of Xiaomi devices usually means a visual style that is devoid of branded roundings, specific fonts and aggressive recycling of system menus characteristic of MIUI. Users often look for a way to make the settings menu, notification panel and lock screen similar to the reference Android, which can be seen in Google Pixel or Motorola smartphones.
However, Xiaomi itself does not provide an official “Back the Classic” button, as their business model is built around the uniqueness of the shell. However, there are hidden features and third-party solutions. For example, using the Classic Android theme or analogs allows you to replace icons and wallpaper, but system switches can remain the same.
It's worth noting that with the release of the new HyperOS operating system, the company began to implement elements closer to the stock Android, but the deep structure of the menu remained unchanged. So the issue of customization remains relevant for millions of owners of devices from different years of release.
⚠️ Note: Install themes from unverified sources or modify system files through MT Manager can lead to a cyclic device restart (bootloop). Always back up your data before experimenting.
Using the built-in theme store to change style
The safest and easiest way to change the look of a smartphone is to use the official Themes app. Although it is dominated by bright and rich designs, keyword searches can find hidden gems. Type queries like “Stock”, “Pure”, “Classic” or “Minimal” into searches to filter out the extra. Often authors create topics that only slightly adjust the standard to make it more stringent.
Once you find the right option, you need to download and apply the theme. However, some elements, such as the notification curtain or the multitasking menu, may remain unchanged due to the limitations of the MIUI version.
If the standard theme store in your region is limited, you can change the region in your phone settings. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Region and select India or Indonesia. This action will open access to other directories of those where the choice of "classic" designs is often wider. After applying the theme, the region can be returned back, but the the theme can reset, so it is better to leave the selected region or find a topic available in yours.
- 🔍 Open the “Themes” app on the main screen.
- 🌏 Change region in phone settings to expand directory.
- ⬇️ Type in “Stock Android” or “Classic».
- ✅ Click “Download” and then “Apply».
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Before applying a new theme, take a screenshot of the current desktop to remember the location of widgets and folders that may get lost after changing the design.
Installation of third-party launchers for complete transformation
If the built-in tools don't meet your requirements, the only effective solution is installing a third-party launcher. Launcher is an application that completely replaces the desktop, app menus and often the search bar. The most popular solutions for imitating classic Android are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Microsoft Launcher. They allow you to customize a grid of icons, fonts and animations beyond recognition.
The installation process is simple: download APK-You can either find the file or find the app on Google Play, install it, and click the Home button when the system asks you to choose the default app. Choose the launcher installed and the Always option. After that, your smartphone will visually turn into a device with a pure Android. However, system windows (settings, calls, messages) will remain in style. MIUI, Since the launcher does not have the right to change them without root rights.
To maximize the impact, it is recommended to use a launcher in conjunction with custom icon packs. Many themes in the official Xiaomi theme store contain only icons. You can apply the theme with icons, and then in the launcher settings select the style of icons “From the theme”. This will create a hybrid interface: the classic menu structure from the launcher and the graphic style from the MIUI theme.
☑️ Set up a third-party launcher
It's worth mentioning that some HyperOS shells can aggressively optimize background processes, which can cause the launcher to periodically "fly out" by returning the standard interface. To avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings, find the launcher process, and set the background activity restriction in "No Limits" mode, which will ensure stable operation of the new interface.
Advanced customization through hidden menus and ADB
For users who don’t want to install third-party launchers but want to change system elements, there are customization methods through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to disable MIUI system components such as Mi Video, Mi Music, or even individual interface elements, making the system cleaner.
You need to activate the developer mode before you start. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the build number MIUI. Then you'll see a "Developer" option in the "Advanced Settings" menu. You'll need to turn on "Debug by Debugging" inside. USB» and «USB-Debugging (security settings).” Without the last item, the computer will not be able to make changes to the system.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.mihome2The above command is an example and can disable the system launcher, which will lead to the need to reset settings if an alternative is not installed.Be extremely careful with pm disable-user commands.A safer option is to use specialized assistant applications such as ADB AppControl or Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools, which have a graphical interface and allow you to safely remove or freeze system debris, freeing up space and simplifying the interface.
| MIUI component | Package Name (Package Name) | Security of removal | Influence on the classical look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | com.android.browser | Safe. | Allows you to use Chrome by default |
| Mi Video | com.miui.videoplayer | Safe. | Remove ads and extra widgets |
| MSA (Advertising) | com.miui.msa.global | Safe. | Reduces load and pop-up windows |
| GetApps | com.xiaomi.mipicks | Safe. | Removing the Xiaomi app store |
⚠️ Warning: Do not disable system components that you do not know what they are intended for (especially those that contain the words security, framework, or settings.
Reset theme settings and return to factory state
Sometimes, by "setting a classic theme," users mean returning to the original state if previous design experiments led to visual bugs or unstable work. MIUI does not have a direct "Reset theme" button, but there is a proven algorithm for actions. First, you need to apply the standard theme "Classic" or "Default" from the official store to overwrite corrupt configuration files.
If a simple change doesn't work, you can use the theme reset feature. Go to the Themes app, go to the profile (human icon) and select Settings. There can be Reset Themes or similar. If that doesn't work, the effective method is to clear the theme and system interface application data through the application menu. To do this, press the app icon, select About app and click Clear → All data.
In extreme cases, when visual artifacts are saved, resetting all phone settings helps. This is a radical measure that will delete all user data, but is guaranteed to return the software part to its original state.Be sure to back up to Google Drive or computer before that. After resetting, the phone will look like it looked the first day after buying in-store.
What to do if after resetting the theme icons disappeared?
Frequent problems and their solution when changing the interface
Customization is rarely perfectly smooth. One of the common problems is to desynchronize icons. Once a new theme or launcher is installed, some icons may remain old or look out of place. The solution is to use icon packs. In a launcher setting (like Nova), you can select "Icon Style" and specify "Out of the Theme," which will force the system to take graphics from the applied MIUI theme.
Another common problem is that you will see ads in system applications after you change region or install themes from unknown authors. To minimize this risk, only use themes with high ratings and a lot of downloads in the official store. It is also recommended to disable the MSA (MIUI System Ads) service in the authorization settings, which will significantly reduce the number of intrusive offers.
Keep in mind compatibility. Themes created for MIUI 12 may not display correctly on HyperOS due to changes in the design of the file design. Always check the update date of the theme and user comments. If the theme causes lags or heat on the device, delete it immediately and return the standard design until the system is unstable.
- 🛑 Did the ad appear after installing the theme? check the list of installed apps for "cleaners" or "accelerators" from the theme.
- 🎨 Do icons not change? Make sure that the theme settings tick "Apply icons».
- 📉 Phone started to brake?complex live wallpaper and theme widgets can load the processor, try static image.
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There is no perfect way to turn MIUI into pure Android without flashing it, but the combination of a third-party launcher and a quality theme gives a result close to 95%.