How to install a standard theme on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: 3 working methods

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 often face a situation when after installing custom themes, the MIUI interface begins to brake, eat up battery power or just annoy visually. You can return the factory theme in several ways - from basic settings to manually reinstall system files. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including nuances for models with MIUI 12/13/14 firmware and features of working on the Redmi Note 9 Pro (Joyeuse) and Redmi Note 9S (Curtana).

It's important to understand that the standard MIUI theme isn't just background images, it's a whole host of system styles, including icons, animations, and even fonts. When you reset to factory settings, you'll lose all user data, so let's first look at the more gentle options. If the smartphone is "junk" to the point of not working properly, you'll have to resort to radical measures.

The standard theme on the Redmi Note 9 is called “Default” (newer versions of MIUI 14 — “MIUI Light” or “MIUI Dark”). Its main advantage is the optimization for the hardware of the smartphone: the Helio G85 processor (or Snapdragon 720G in the Note 9 Pro/9S) and 4-6 GB of RAM. Castom themes often ignore these limitations, which causes lags.

Before you start, check the firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If you have custom firmware installed (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), returning a standard MIUI theme will require a complete flashing of the device – this is a separate procedure not covered in this article.

Method 1: Restore a standard theme through MIUI settings

The easiest way to get back to factory design is to use the built-in MIUI tools. This method does not require data resetting and works on all official firmware, including the global (MIUI Global) and European (MIUI EU) versions.

Open the Themes app (an icon with a brush and palette). If it's not on the home screen, search the system (swipe down on desktop → type "Themes"). At the top of the screen, you'll see tabs:

• 🎨 My themes - here are the established styles displayed;
• 🔍 Search – to find new topics in the online directory;
• ⚙️ Settings – you can reset the current theme here.

Go to the My Theme tab and find the Standard option (or MIUI Light) if it's not on the list, tap three dots in the top right corner and select Reset Theme settings. The system will suggest you confirm the action - agree. After the device is restarted (required!), all interface elements will return to factory appearance.

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the theme, some app icons remain customized, this means that they have been modified through a launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Nova Launcher). POCO In this case, return the standard launcher to Settings. → Home screen → Default launcher.

On some firmware (especially MIUI 12.5 and older), the standard theme may be called Classic or Basic. If you don't see these options, update the Themes app via Google Play or GetApps (the Xiaomi store).

Method 2: Reset theme settings through Safe Mode

If the standard theme doesn’t apply or the system gives an error, try running your smartphone in safe mode, which will disable any third-party apps that may block the changes.

To enter safe mode:

1. Press the “Power” button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Slip and hold the “Switch off” (or “Switch off power”) option.
3. In the window that appears, select “Safe Mode” (or “Safe Mode”).

In Safe Mode, repeat the steps from Method 1: open Themes → My Themes → Reset Theme Settings. After applying the standard theme, restart the device as normal.

If the problem persists, it may indicate:

• 🔄 Conflict with renewal MIUI (For example, after a failure OTA-update);
• 📱 Damage to system files (reflashing required);
• 🛠️ Rooting or modifying system partitions (e.g., via Magisk).

⚠️ Warning: All third-party launchers are disabled in Safe Mode, including POCO Launcher.If after leaving this mode icons again became custom, delete or update the launcher through Google Play.

Battery charge > 30% | Important data (photos, contacts) | VPN and proxy disabled | Closed all background applications-->

Method 3: Manually remove custom themes through file manager

If a standard theme is not applied due to custom styles sticking, you can manually delete the theme files through the system explorer, which requires root rights or ADB (for unpatched devices).

Instructions for users with root rights:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Solid Explorer or Root Explorer).
2. Go to /data/system/theme/ All the themes you have installed are stored here.
3. Delete folders with custom themes (e.g. com.example.customtheme).
4. Reset the device.

For users without root, you can use ADB (only USB debugging is required):

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep theme This will display a list of all installed themes.
2. Remove unnecessary themes with the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.example.customtheme (replace com.example.customtheme with the real name of the package).

After deleting the theme files, the system will automatically return to standard design. If this does not happen, clear the theme app cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Topics → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 4: Set a standard theme through APK-file

If a standard theme has been deleted or damaged, it can be restored by installing the original theme. APK-topic-file MIUI. This method is suitable for users who do not have the reset option in the settings.

Download the official APK standard theme for your version of MIUI:

• 🌐 For MIUI 12/13: miui-apk.ru (section "Themes»);
• 📥 For MIUI 14: xiaomi.eu (Installation "Downloads» → «Themes»);
• ⚠️ Avoid third-party sources – they may contain viruses!

After downloading:

1. Open the file through any file manager.
2. The system will offer to set the theme - confirm the action.
3. Go to “Themes” → “My Topics” and apply the standard theme.

If installation is blocked, enable Unknown Sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications and select your file manager.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK-Theme files from unverified sources can lead to data leakage or smartphone infection. Use only official Xiaomi resources or trusted communities (e.g., Xiaomi, 4PDA).

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If the theme doesn’t apply after installing the APK, try clearing the Themes app data in the settings, which will reset all custom styles to factory styles.

Extreme measure: Reset to factory settings

If none of these methods worked, the last option is a hard reset, which will remove all data from the device, including apps, photos and accounts, but is guaranteed to return the standard theme.

Before discharge:

• 📤 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup;
• 🔋 Charge the battery to 50% or more;
• 📡 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (required to reconfigure).

For discharge:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock for confirmation.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After the reboot, the smartphone will offer to go through the initial setting. At the stage of selecting a theme, leave "Standard" (or "MIUI Light").

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to return a standard theme if system files are corrupted or modified (for example, after a failed rooting).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you restore a standard theme, users often encounter typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

1.The theme is reset, but after the reboot, the custom is returned

• 🔄 Check if a third-party launcher is installed (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher.
• 📱 Clear the cache of the Themes and Launcher app».
• 🛠️ If the problem persists, remove the custom theme through ADB (see Method 3).

2.There is no option in the settings to "Reset the theme"

• 🔍 Update the Themes app via Google Play.
• 🌐 Set a standard theme through APK (see Method 4).
• 📡 Check your internet connection – some themes features require online access.

3. After the theme is reset, app icons disappear

• 📦 This means that the icons have been changed through the launcher. return the standard launcher or reinstall the missing apps.
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes icons are restored after a reboot.

If none of the tips worked, Cause could be hiding in the corruption of system files, in which case only the firmware reflash through Fastboot or Recovery will help.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions