How to install a dark theme on Xiaomi Redmi 4A

Owners of the budget but reliable Redmi series smartphones often face limited functionality of the standard shell compared to flagships. Xiaomi Redmi 4A, released in 2016, is based on the Snapdragon 425 processor and runs MIUI, which in early versions did not have a full-fledged system dark theme. However, the desire of users to reduce eye load at night and save battery power remains relevant.

There are several proven ways to change the color scheme of the interface, ranging from official methods through the theme store to more complex manipulation of system files. It is important to understand that the depth of dimming will depend on the version of Android and MIUI installed on your device. In this article, we will look at all the available options that will help make the interface comfortable for the eyes.

Before you start making changes, you need to make sure that the installed security and system software updates are up to date. Sometimes Xiaomi adds new design features through the service. OTA-Updates, even for older models. If you want to get maximum control over the look, you'll need access to advanced settings.

Features of the display and MIUI interface on Redmi 4A

Redmi model screen 4A technologized IPS, This means that you can always illuminate the matrix, regardless of the color of the image you're displaying. AMOLED-In the case of panels where black means off the pixel, the darkening of the interface is more aesthetic and (eye-protective) in nature. MIUI manages the colors of interface elements, but does not always affect all third-party applications.

The MIUI shell installed on Xiaomi 4A has its own design file structure. Android standard features are often overlaid with manufacturer customization, which means that enabling Night Mode in Android settings may not produce visible results without the use of specialized themes.

⚠️ Note: Before making any changes to system files or installing third-party launchers, be sure to create a full backup of data. Incorrect modification of system partitions can lead to a cyclical restart of the device.

It is also worth noting that the use of dark tones on IPS-matrixes can lead to the effect of “ghosting” or uneven lighting around the edges of the screen, if the brightness is twisted to a minimum.

Use of the official MIUI theme store

The safest and easiest way to change the look is to use the built-in Theme app. The MIUI Themes store contains thousands of designs, many of which are designed specifically to obscure the interface. To get started, open the app and type in queries like "Dark," "Black" or "Night" in the search bar.

When choosing a theme, look for a preview that shows what the settings, menus and standard apps will look like. Some themes only change icons and wallpaper, leaving the system windows white. You need comprehensive solutions that repaint the entire shell.

• 🌑 Open the Themes app on the desktop.
• 🌑 Search for the Dark System keyword to find deep-dimmed themes.
• 🌑 Click Download button and then Apply.
• 🌑 After application, the system may suggest a reboot to correctly display all elements.

If you're downloading a third-party theme, check the rating and downloads. A low rating can indicate bugs in the display of fonts or icons.

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If after applying the theme, some icons have become invisible against a dark background, try changing the icon set in the same theme editing menu to a standard or popular alternative set.

Activate hidden settings through the engineering menu

In some versions of MIUI that are relevant to Redmi 4A, it is possible to activate forced color inversion or night mode through hidden developer menus.This method does not require root rights, but requires caution when navigating. To enter the settings menu, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version.

After you’ve been told you’ve become a developer, go back to the main settings menu and find the “Additional → For Developers” section, where you’ll look for hardware acceleration or night mode options. On older versions of Android, it could have been called “Night Mode” or “Force Dark Mode.”

If there is no standard dark theme switch on the developer menu, it means that your firmware version does not support this feature at the kernel level, in which case you move to using third-party tools.

Application of third-party launchers for deep customization

When MIUI’s built-in capabilities are exhausted, alternative shells come to the rescue: Launchers like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or dedicated Black Theme Launchers allow you to completely replace the desktop and app menus, the most efficient way to achieve a black background on Xiaomi 4A.

Installing a third-party launcher requires permission to display on top of other applications and assign it to the application by default. Once installed, you can select a black desktop background, black folders and dark widgets. However, it is worth considering that system windows (such as Volume or Control Center) may remain light, since they belong to the system, not the launcher.

• 🚀 Download the selected launcher from Google Play Market.
• 🚀 Launch the application and follow the initial setup instructions.
• 🚀 In the section "Decoration" or "Palette" select black background color.
• 🚀 Install dark watch and weather widgets for a harmonious look.

Using heavy launchers on Redmi 4A with 2GB of RAM can lead to lower performance.Select lightweight shell versions optimized for budget devices to avoid scroll lag.

Modification of system files (requires ROOT)

For advanced users with superuser rights (Root), you can access a complete repainting of the system. framework-res.apk and miui_framework.apk. The procedure is complex and requires a computer, tools ADB and knowledge of Android modding.

The idea is to replace the color values in the system's resources, so white (#FFFFFF) is replaced by dark gray or black, and there are many ready-made mods and patches created by enthusiasts on forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers that can be installed through recavers.

⚠️ Note: Any error when editing.apk system files in the folder /system/framework/ This will lead to a bootloop, and you can only restore the functionality by flashing the device through Fastboot, which will completely delete all data.

If you decide to take this step, be sure to find a mod created specifically for your version of MIUI. Installing a mod from another version of the firmware is guaranteed to lead to a conflict of resources and inoperability of the interface. Xiaomi 4A is relevant versions of MIUI 8, 9 and 10 based on Android 6 and 7.

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Modifying system files is the only way to get real black on all menus, but the risk of data loss and system breakdown is maximum.

Alternative solutions and reading mode

If you don't need a full dark theme, but only want to lower the white glow, use the built-in Read Mode. It adds a warm, yellowish filter that is less aggressive for the eyes in the dark than a bright white background. It is activated through Settings → Display → Reading Mode.

You can also use the Color Inversion feature in special features, but it inverts all colors, making photos negative, which is inconvenient for constant use. A softer option is the installation of dark wallpaper and widgets, which visually creates a sense of a dark theme without deep changes to the system.

To view text at night, it is better to use specialized apps with a built-in dark theme, such as Moon+ Reader or Google Play Books. They ignore system settings and use their own design schemes to ensure maximum comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)