How to install the default theme on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 proven ways

Introduction: why the smartphone “does not obey” and how to fix it

You installed a new theme on your Xiaomi Redmi 9, but it turned out to be too bright, slows down the system or just doesn’t like it? Or maybe after the MIUI update the interface began to look different and not work back? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi smartphones – the MIUI shell offers thousands of themes, but it is not always clear how to roll back to standard design.

In this article, we will discuss three working methods for returning a factory theme: through phone settings, using reset parameters and manually through ADB. Each method is suitable for different situations, from simple inconvenience to cases when the smartphone is “hanging” on someone else’s topic.

Before you start, make sure your Redmi 9 has an up-to-date MIUI (at least MIUI 12). Older firmware may not support some theme reset features. Also check if third-party launchers are installed - they can override system settings.

Method 1: Reset theme through standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to return the factory theme directly to the settings menu, which works 90% of the time and doesn't require any additional tools.

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to My Themes section (the tab at the bottom of the screen).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset to the default theme.
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

If there is no default reset to theme, try an alternative path:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap 7 times on the line with the version to activate the developer mode.
• 🔧 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable the debugging option USB.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes it helps to bring back hidden reset options.

Close all applications in the background

Connect to Wi-Fi (in case of loading the factory theme)

Check the battery power (minimum 30%)

Disable VPN (can block access to MIUI servers)

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⚠️ Note: If after resetting the theme on the lock screen there are elements of the old theme (wallpaper, fonts), go to Settings → Lock screen and manually select standard wallpaper. MIUI Sometimes it retains separate design elements even after a global reset.

Method 2: Reset your phone settings (without data loss)

When a standard theme reset fails, a partial reset will help, which does not delete your files (photos, videos, documents), but returns to factory settings:

• 🎨 Appearance (themes, fonts, animations)
• 📶 Network settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
• 🔊 Sound profiles

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Settings Reset (Do not “Delete all data!”).
3. Enter your Mi Account password if required.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 2-5 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If you have used a side launcher (such as a Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher), it may conflict with the reset. MIUI. To avoid desktop “departures”, before the procedure, return the standard launcher: Settings → Annexes → By default. → Launcher.

- Through the Topics app.

- Resetting the menu settings

- Full reset (Hard Reset)

- I haven't tried anything.

- Another way.

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Method 3: Manual reset via ADB (for power users)

If the first two methods didn't work, there's the ADB heavy artillery, which requires a computer and basic console skills, but it's guaranteed to reset the topic even in "run-through" cases. Importantly, it only works on MIUI 12 and later, it can cause errors on older versions.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (original or quality)
• 📦 Google’s Platform Tools (download and unpack)
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and go to the folder with Platform Tools:

cd path to folder/platform-tools

1. Check the connection of the device:

adb devices

(Your phone number should be displayed.)

1. Run the theme reset command:

adb shell cmd overlay reset com.android.theme.icon_pack.android

adb shell cmd overlay reset com.android.theme.icon

adb shell cmd overlay reset com.miui.home.launcher

1. Reboot the phone:

adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI. If after executing commands the phone began to “glutch” (for example, the notification panel disappeared), reset the settings through the recovery menu (Volume Up). + Power when the phone is turned off).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after a successful theme reset, Redmi 9 users are faced with nuances, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Theme dropped, but icons remained stranger: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Theme, clear the cache and data. Then reboot the phone.
• 🎨 The colors on the menu are not the same as before: MIUI 13+ Added a color palette that adjusts the shades to the wallpaper. Turn it off in Settings. → Screen. → Color palette.
• 📱 Desktop turned 'empty': This means launcher dropped MIUI Restore standard widgets (can take up to 10 minutes).
• ⚙️ Settings are not completely reset: Check if Magisk or Xposed modules are installed that block themes changes.

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If the phone is slower after resetting the theme, clear the system cache: Settings → Memory → Cleanup → Cash. This will delete temporary files that may have conflicted with the new theme.

Another common complaint is that animations disappear when you switch between screens. This is not a bug, but a feature of the MIUI factory theme. To return smooth transitions, go to Settings → Additional → System Animation and select Standard or MIUI style.

How to avoid problems with topics in the future

To avoid having to look again for a way to return a standard theme, follow these tips:

• 🔍 Check reviews before installing themes from MIUI Themes Topics rated below 4.5 often contain errors.
• 📥 Download themes only from the official store. APK-Files may contain viruses or may not work properly.
• 🔄 Backup before you install a new theme. Use Settings. → System and device → Backup.
• 📵 Don’t set themes “weight” anymore. 50 MB - they're slowing down Redmi 9 (device 3/4 GB RAM).

If you like to experiment with design, consider launching machines like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher, which allow you to customize the interface without risking “breaking” the system theme MIUI. The main advantage is that all changes are easy to roll back in one click.

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Before installing any theme, check it is compatible with your version of MIUI. For example, MIUI 14 themes may not display correctly on MIUI 12.5, leading to graphic artifacts.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions