How to return a regular theme to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Have you installed a new theme on your Xiaomi or Redmi, but it has proved too bright, uncomfortable or just doesn't fit your style? bringing back the standard MIUI theme is a challenge many users face. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to roll back to factory design, and most of them don't require technical skills.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods, from simple reset via the Mi Themes app to manually delete theme files via ADB (for advanced users), pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of MIUI - from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14, and also consider what to do if a standard theme disappears from the list of available. If you are afraid of breaking something, do not worry: all the described actions are safe if you follow the instructions.

Before you start, check the version of your shell: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This will help you avoid errors when choosing a method.

1. Return the standard theme through the Mi Themes app

The fastest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in Mi Themes app (called Themes on some models), which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones regardless of the firmware version.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Mi Themes app (icon with brush on white background).
• 🔍 In the bottom menu, select My Themes (or My Themes in English firmware).
• 🏠 Scroll down and find a topic called Standard (or Default, MIUI, System - Depends on the version).
• 🎨 Click on it and select Apply.

If the standard theme isn’t on the list, try updating the Mi Themes app via Google Play or the App Store (for global firmware).In Chinese versions of MIUI, you may need to cache the app:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Themes → Storage → Clear cache |

Close the application through the latest tasks menu |

Reboot your smartphone |

Reopen Mi Themes and check for a standard theme

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⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 for POCO F3) The standard theme can be called Basic or Classic. If you're not sure, choose the one that says "System theme by default" in the description".

2. Reset theme settings to factory

If the standard theme doesn’t show up in Mi Themes or if it doesn’t work, try resetting your design settings through the system menu, which doesn’t affect user data (photos, messages, apps), but will return all visual parameters to their original state.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Resetting (on some models, the path may differ: Settings → System and device → Additional → Resetting).
2. Select Reset theme settings (or Reset theme settings).
3. Confirm the action, wait for the reboot (usually takes 10–30 seconds).

After the restart, the smartphone will return to factory design, including:

• 🎨 Color scheme (light/dark theme).
• 📱 Application icons and folders.
• 🖼️ Desktop wallpaper and lock screen.
• 🔊 Notification sounds and system melodies.

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 14+ and HyperOS item Reset theme settings may not be available. In this case, use the method with ADB (section 4) or reinstall the Mi Themes app via APK.

3. manual removal of user themes

If you installed themes from third-party sources (not through Mi Themes), they could be stored in the device’s memory and conflict with standard design. To remove them, you would need access to a root file manager or use ADB.

No root rights:

• 📁 Open any file manager (e.g. Files by Google or Mi File Manager).
• 🔍 Cross the path. /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/theme/.
• 🗑️ Delete all the theme names (e.g. com.example.customtheme).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.

With root rights:

• 🛠️ Use Root Explorer or Solid Explorer.
• 🔍 Move to the /data/system/theme/.
• 🗑️ Delete files with the.mtz extension (theme backups).
• 🔄 Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files without root rights can cause Mi Themes to malfunction. If the theme does not reset after cleaning the folder, reset the application cache (see Section 1).

4. Return the standard theme through ADB (for advanced)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can apply the standard theme forcefully via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB Download Platform Tools from Google).
2. 📱 On your smartphone, turn on debugging by USB: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate Developer Mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
3. 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your debugging permission.
4. 💻 Open the command line (or Terminal) Mac/Linux) enter:

adb shell cmd overlay disable-exclusive com.android.themes.customization.personalization


adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.themes.default

After completing the commands, restart your smartphone. If the standard theme does not apply, try an alternative command:

adb shell pm clear com.android.themes

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB It may vary depending on the version MIUI. On HyperOS, com.android.themes can be used instead of com.miui.themes. Before executing, check the current packages through the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep theme

5.Reinstall the Mi Themes app

In rare cases, Mi Themes application files can be corrupted, making the standard theme unavailable. APK-hand-file.

How to do this:

1. 📲 Download the original APK Mi Themes applications from a reliable source (e.g. APKMirror) Choose the version that matches your firmware (global/Chinese).
2. 🔧 Delete the current version of the app (if possible) or clear its data through Settings → Annexes → Mi Themes → Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. 📥 Set up the downloaded one. APK (Allow installation from unknown sources in security settings).
4. 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.

Once reinstalled, the standard theme should appear in the list of available ones. If this does not happen, check the compatibility of the APK version with your firmware:

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK From unofficial sources, you may be able to block your Mi Account for breaching your security policy.

6. Reset smartphone to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed, the last option is a complete reset.This method will return the smartphone to its original state, including the standard theme, but delete all user data. Before reset, be sure to back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

How to perform the reset:

1. 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings (or Settings) → System and device → Reset).
2. 🔄 Select Reset All Settings (or Factory Reset).
3. 🔐 Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.
4. ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the smartphone will turn on with factory settings, including the standard MIUI theme. Restore data from the backup, but note that with it, the user themes can return. In this case, repeat the steps from section 1.

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If after a reset, the smartphone requests a Mi Account that you do not remember, use the official recovery page or contact Xiaomi for support.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting themes on Xiaomi

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If none of these methods worked, check the integrity of system files through Settings → About Phone → Diagnostic → System Check. You may need to reflash your device via Fastboot or Recovery.