How to install the theme on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: official and unofficial methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro with its proprietary shell MIUI It offers users a lot of customization, and one of the most visible ways to personalize is to install themes that change icons, fonts, animations, and even system sounds. However, not everyone knows that in addition to the standard theme store, there are alternative methods that allow you to install custom themes that are not available in the official catalog.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the three main ways to install themes on the Redmi Note. 8 Pro: through the built-in Themes Store, manual installation of.mtz files and use MIUI Theme Editor for deep customization. Particular attention will be paid to compatibility of themes with the version MIUI 12/13/14 And the possible errors that you might have when you install third-party themes, and if you want to make the most of your smartphone design, this guide is for you.

1. Preparation of the smartphone for the installation of themes

Before you start changing the topic, you need to follow several preparatory steps, which will help to avoid errors and ensure that new topics work correctly.

The first thing to do is to check the version. MIUI. To do this, go to the Settings. β†’ The phone. β†’ Version. MIUI. Redmi Note 8 Pro officially supports versions MIUI 11 MIUI 14 (depending on the region) The theme compatibility depends on the shell version: some custom themes may not work on older versions or require manual revisions.

Next, make sure that the device is enabled unknown sources (if you plan to install themes from third-party files).

  1. Open Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Special Access.
  3. Go to Install Unknown Applications and allow installation for the browser or file manager.

⚠️ Note: Installing themes from unverified sources may contain malicious code. Use only trusted resources, such as: MIUI Themes Russia or XDA Developers.

It is also recommended to back up the current theme.

  • πŸ“± Open the Topics app.
  • πŸ” Go to the section My topics.
  • πŸ’Ύ Click on three dots next to the active theme and select Export (the file will be saved in.mtz format).
πŸ“Š How often do you change the topic on your Xiaomi?
Once a week.
Once a month
Only when you buy a phone
Never changed.

2. Method 1: Installation of themes through the official store MIUI

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in theme store. It offers thousands of free and paid themes optimized for the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

To establish a theme:

  1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
  2. In the lower menu, select Recommended or Categories.
  3. Scroll through the list and select the theme you like. Click on its preview.
  4. In the window that opens, click Apply (for free themes) or Buy (for paid ones).
  5. Confirm the action – the theme will be downloaded and applied automatically.

If the theme does not apply or there is an error "I failed to apply the theme", try the following actions:

  • πŸ”„ Reboot your smartphone.
  • 🧹 Clear the app's cache Themes in Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Topics β†’ Clear the cache.
  • πŸ“₯ Check your internet connection (themes are downloaded from Xiaomi servers).
Type of topicCostFeaturesCompatibility
Free of charge0 MI-coinageLimited functionality, standard iconsAll versions of MIUI
Paid50 to 500. MI-coinageUnique design, animations, soundsMIUI 12 and newer
Premium1,000. MI-coinageFull customization, support of authorsMIUI 13/14

⚠️ Warning: Some paid themes require a link to your Mi Account. If you drop your phone or log out, the theme may disappear. To avoid this, export it to an.mtz file immediately after you purchase it.

πŸ’‘

If you miss it. MI-Coins to buy a theme, use official promotions in the Topic app or complete daily tasks (view topics, evaluate, invite friends).

3. Method 2: Manual installation of the MTZ-file

If the official store doesn't offer the right options, you can manually install the theme from a.mtz file, which allows you to install custom themes created by enthusiasts.

This will require:

  • πŸ“± Redmi Note 8 Pro with unlocked bootloader (not necessarily, but some themes require root rights).
  • πŸ’» Computer (for downloading files).
  • πŸ“ Theme file in.mtz format (you can download it on miuithemes.ru or ZThemes).

Installation instructions:

  1. Download the.mtz file to your computer and move it to your phone’s memory (for example, to your Download folder).
  2. On your smartphone, open any file manager (such as Explorer or Mi File Manager).
  3. Find the downloaded file and click on it. The system will prompt you to open it through the Themes app.
  4. Confirm the installation and wait for the process to be completed.
  5. Go to Topics. β†’ My themes and apply a new theme.

If nothing happens when you click on the.mtz file:

  • πŸ”§ Make sure the file is not damaged (try to download it again).
  • πŸ“‚ Move the file to the root folder of internal memory (not to subfolders).
  • πŸ”„ Restart your phone and try again.

The file has a.mtz extension (not.zip or.rar)|

The file size does not exceed 50 MB|

The theme is designed for your version. MIUI|

File downloaded from a verified source-->

Method 3: Use of MIUI Theme Editor for deep customization

For advanced users who want to edit themes or create their own, there is a tool available. MIUI Theme Editor. This PC app lets you disassemble.mtz files, modify individual items (icons, fonts, wallpaper) and collect a new theme.

To use the editor:

  1. Download and install. MIUI Theme Editor on the computer.
  2. Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
  3. Copy the.mtz theme file into the editor folder.
  4. Open the file in the editor and make the necessary changes (for example, replace icons or background images).
  5. Save the edited theme and transfer it back to your phone.
  6. Install the theme through the file manager as described in Method 2.

When working with the editor, consider:

  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Changing system icons can result in low resolution display.
  • πŸ“œ Not all theme elements support editing (e.g. download animations).
  • πŸ”§ Some changes will require root rights.
What if the topic is not applied after editing?
If the edited theme doesn’t install, check: 1. File integrity – sometimes errors occur when you save the editor. Try to open the file again. 2. Version compatibility – if you edited the theme for MIUI 12, and you have MIUI 14, some elements may not work. 3. Access rights – make sure the file is not blocked by antivirus or security system MIUI. 4. Alternative way – try to set the theme through ADB (lower-level FAQ).

5. Common mistakes and their solutions

When installing themes on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, users often face typical problems. Let’s consider the most common ones and how to fix them.

Error 1: Theme is not supported by your version MIUI"

This error occurs if the theme is created for a newer or older version of the shell.

  • πŸ” Check the compatibility of the theme on the site where it was downloaded.
  • πŸ“₯ Try to find a similar theme for your version. MIUI.
  • πŸ”§ If the topic is critical, update MIUI Up to the latest version (but remember that this may result in data loss).

Error 2: The topic is set but not applied

Sometimes the topic is downloaded, but after clicking Apply nothing changes.

  • 🧹 Clear the Themes app cache and reboot the phone.
  • πŸ“ Make sure the theme file is not corrupted (try to download it again).
  • πŸ”„ Try to apply another topic and then go back to the right one.

Error 3: App icons are missing after installing the theme

This happens if the theme contains an incomplete set of icons.

  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Return the standard theme and check if the icons are back.
  • πŸ” Install a launcher (like Nova Launcher) that lets you assign icons manually.
  • πŸ“₯ Find a theme with a full icon package (usually indicated in the description).

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Before installing custom themes, always check the reviews of other users on the forums, which will help to avoid problems with compatibility and stability of the system.

6.Security when installing third-party themes

Installing themes from unverified sources can pose risks to the safety and stability of your smartphone.

1. Check the source of the topics

Download.mtz files only from verified resources:

  • 🌐 MIUI Themes Russia (Russian-speaking community).
  • 🌐 XDA Developers (International Forum).
  • 🌐 ZThemes (Catalogue of Custom Themes).

2. Check the files for viruses

Before installing, scan the.mtz file with an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky).

  • πŸ“Œ File size (standard themes weigh 10–30MB; if the file is too large or small, it is suspicious).
  • πŸ“Œ Executable files (.apk,.exe) should not be there).

3. Create backup copies

Before setting the custom theme:

  • πŸ’Ύ Export the current theme (as described in Section 1).
  • πŸ“± Backup important data through Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ Backup and reset.

⚠️ Warning: Some custom themes may contain hidden ad modules or spyware. If after installing the theme you notice suspicious activity (advertising, fast battery discharge, overheating), immediately return the standard theme and scan the phone with antivirus.

7. Alternative ways of customizing the interface

If standard themes don’t suit you, consider alternative ways to change the look of the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

1. Use of launchers

Launchers allow you to completely change the interface without installing themes.

  • πŸ“± Nova Launcher – flexible customization of icons, gestures and animations.
  • πŸ“± Lawnchair – launcher with support for themes and adaptive icons.
  • πŸ“± Microsoft Launcher – Integration with Windows and Cloud Services.

2. Change icons through icon packs

Google Play has thousands of icon packages available for use through the launcher.

  • 🎨 Whicons are minimalist white icons.
  • 🎨 Delta – round icons with shadow.
  • 🎨 CandyCons – bright and juicy icons.

3. Configure via ADB (for advanced users)

With help. ADB You can change system settings that are not available in standard settings:

  • πŸ”§ Turn off animations.
  • πŸ”§ Change the density of the screen (DPI).
  • πŸ”§ Install custom fonts.

To do this, connect the phone to the PC and execute the command:

adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0.5

Where 0.5 is the animation speed (can be set from 0 to 1).

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If you want to return standard system icons after using the icon package, simply delete the package via Settings. β†’ Apps and restart launcher.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a topic without root rights?
Yes, most themes are installed without root rights, but some custom themes (especially those that change system files) may require an unlocked bootloader or root. MIUI Superuser rights are not required.
Why did the phone start to slow down after installing the theme?
This can happen for several reasons: 🐒 The theme contains too many animations or highly detailed elements that load the processor. πŸ—‘οΈ The cache has accumulated in the system (clean it through Settings). β†’ Memory. β†’ Clean up). πŸ”„ Conflict with other established themes (try to return the standard theme and apply the one again). If the brakes are still there, delete the theme and check the phone for viruses.
How to bring back the standard MIUI theme?
To return the original theme: Open the Topic app. Go to My Themes. Select Standard (or Default) and click Apply. If the standard theme is not listed, download it from the Topic directory (search on request "MIUI Default").
Can I install the theme from another Xiaomi smartphone?
Theoretically yes, but there are nuances: βœ… Themes for Redmi Note 8/9/10 often compatible with Note 8 Pro. ❌ Topics for Mi 11/12 or POCO It may not work due to different screen resolutions. ⚠️ Before installing, check if the theme screen is allowed (should be) 2340Γ—1080 note 8 If the theme doesn’t fit, it will either not install or it will not display correctly (stretched icons, cropped wallpaper).
How to Create Your Theme for Redmi Note 8 Pro?
To create your own theme: Download MIUI Theme Editor (link in section 4) Explore the structure of the.mtz file (which contains folders with icons, wallpaper, fonts) edit the desired elements in Photoshop or GIMP (The icons should be in format PNG Collect a theme in the editor and test it on your phone. You can also use a utility to unpack and pack.mtz. MTZ Tool (available on XDA).