How to install a theme on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways with instructions

Why Xiaomi Users Change Themes and What It Does

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their flexibility in personalization, from icons to animations. But standard themes get boring quickly, and the MIUI Themes store doesn’t always offer relevant designs. Custom themes can dramatically change the look of the device, from minimalist interfaces to dark modes with unique fonts.

It is important to understand that not all themes are compatible with the latest versions of MIUI 14/15. For example, theme for the Redmi Note 10 may not display correctly on the Xiaomi 13 Pro due to differences in screen resolution and support for dynamic wallpaper.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to install themes, from official to advanced, including bypassing regional restrictions and recovering from crashes. We will focus on security: why you can not download.mtz files from unverified sources and how to avoid viruses in the Internet. APK-topical.

Method 1: Install themes through the official MIUI Themes store

The safest and easiest method is to use the built-in theme store. It is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with official firmware. To open it, go to Settings → Decoration → Themes or find the Theme icon on your desktop.

The theme in the store is broken down into categories:

• 🎨 Popular – trendy designs with high ratings
• 🌙 Dark topics with themes AMOLED-Optimization for saving charge
• 💎 Premium – paid themes (cost from 50 to 300 rubles)
• 🔄 Dynamic - themes with animation when changing wallpaper

To set the selected theme:

1. Slip on your favorite design.
2. Click Apply (for free) or Buy (for paid).
3. Confirm the download – the theme will be installed automatically.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with global firmware (MIUI Global) some topics may be blocked due to regional restrictions. To get around this, change the region in your Mi Account to India or China (instruction below).

Synchronize your Mi Account account|Check for updates MIUI|Release 200+ MBT memory|Connect to Wi-Fi (themes weigh up to 50MB)-->

Method 2: Manual installation of.mtz files (without root)

If the official store does not have a suitable theme, you can install it manually through a file with the.mtz extension.This method works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 10 and later, but requires preliminary preparation.

Where to download.mtz files:

• 🔗 Miuier Themes – the largest preview base
• 🔗 Telegram channels (e.g, @miuithemes)
• 🔗 Xiaomi.EU Forum – sections for custom firmware

Installation instructions:

1. Download the.mtz file to your phone (preferably to the Downloads folder).
2. Open the Themes app and go to Profile → My Themes → Import.
3. Select the downloaded file and wait for the unpacking.
4. Click Apply – The theme is activated after rebooting.

⚠️ Note:.mtz files may contain malicious code, especially if downloaded from torrent trackers. Before installing, check the file through VirusTotal and make sure that its hash matches the one listed on the donor site.

Method 3: Install themes via APK (for advanced users)

Some topics are distributed in the form of APK-File files are convenient if the design includes not only visual elements, but also additional functions (for example, modified system sounds or blocking animations: APK You may be able to request dangerous permits.

Step-by-step:

1. Download. APK-A topic from a verified source (recommended by APKMirror).
2. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Accesses → Install unknown applications.
3. Install APK and launch the theme app.
4. Click Apply Theme (some themes require a reboot).

Critical information: APK-Themes often conflict with system updates MIUI. After installing such a theme, turn off automatic firmware updates, otherwise the design may fly off.

💡

Before installation APK-Themes create a backup of the current one through Settings → Registration → Topics → Backup. This will allow you to quickly return the standard design when it fails.

Method 4: Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Hyperion)

If you want maximum customization, but you don’t want to risk system stability, use third-party launchers.They allow you to change icons, fonts and animations without interfering with MIUI.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – supports icon packs (.iconpack) and gestures
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for the MIUI, retains
• 🎭 Action Launcher – unique widgets and adaptive icons

How to set up Nova Launcher to work with themes:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Download a pack of icons (such as Whicons or Delta) in.apk format.
3. Open Nova Settings → Appearance → Icon Style and select the installed pack.
4. For a full theme, install wallpapers via WallpapersCraft or Backdrops.

⚠️ Note: Some functions are disabled when using third-party launchers MIUI, For example, Super Wallpapers and Second Space, switch back to the standard launcher in Settings to return them. → Annexes → By default.

Method 5: Install themes on locked devices (bypassing restrictions)

On some Xiaomi devices (especially those with EU/Russia firmware), the theme store is locked, and manually installing.mtz leads to the error "Not supported in your region."

Method 1: Change region in Mi Account

1. Open Settings → Mi Account → Personal Data.
2. Click on Region and select India or Indonesia.
3. Restart your phone and access to the themes will be unlocked.

Method 2: Using VPN

If the change of region didn’t help, connect to a VPN with servers in India or Singapore (protonVPN or Windscribe is recommended).

1. Clear the theme app cache in Settings → Apps.
2. Open a theme store via VPN and a full directory will appear.

💡

Changing your region to Mi Account does not affect your warranty, but it may temporarily block access to certain services (such as Mi Cloud) before you re-authorize.

What to do if the topic is incorrectly set

Sometimes, after you install a theme, you get bugs, you lose icons, you lose fonts, you get a system that starts to slow down.

If the theme has damaged system files (for example, after installing a modified.mtz), reset the design:

1. Go to Settings → Design → Themes.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset to a standard theme.
3. Confirm the action - the device will restart.

As a last resort (if the system is getting stuck), use the safe mode:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger to Turn off - the option Safe Mode will appear.
3. In Safe Mode, remove the problematic theme through Settings → Apps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing themes on Xiaomi