How to bring back the previous theme on Android Xiaomi: a complete guide with solutions to typical problems

You updated your Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco theme, but the new version was uncomfortable, too bright, or just doesn't fit your style? Returning the previous theme is a doable task, but not always obvious. Depending on the MIUI version and device model, the process may differ: somewhere enough a couple of clicks on the menu, and in some cases you will have to use ADB or restore a backup.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to roll back a topic, from standard system functions to advanced methods for power users, focusing on common errors (for example, when the “Return” button is inactive or the topic disappears from the list of available ones) and explain how to get around them. If you are afraid of losing settings or data, don’t worry: we will describe in detail how to create a backup before any manipulations.

Note: Instructions are tested on MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese versions), but most methods work on older firmware. For HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13), separate guidelines have been added.

1. Method: Recoil through the "Themes" menu (the easiest)

If you've recently changed the subject and haven't restarted your phone, the system can cache the previous version, which takes less than a minute and doesn't require any additional tools.

How to bring back the previous topic:

• 📱 Open the “Themes” app** (icon with a brush on your desktop).
• 🔍 Go to the My Themes tab (or My Themes in English).
• ⏳ Scroll down to Recent – the last 3-5 themes used are displayed here.
• 🔄 Click on the desired topic and select Apply.

If the recent section is empty or the previous topic is not there, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone – sometimes the theme cache is reset after the reboot.
• 🔍 Enter the title of the topic in the search bar of the “Themes” application** (if you remember its name).
• 📁 Check the folder. MIUI/theme/.cache File Manager (root rights required).

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 15 and HyperOS Recent may not be available. №2 or №3.

2. Method: Recovery from backup

If you’ve previously created a backup of settings through Local Backup or Mi Cloud, the previous theme may have been saved in the archive, a method that is suitable for users who regularly sync data.

Step-by-step:

1. 📲 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backup.
2. 🔍 Select the last backup created before the theme change.
3. ⚙️ Click Restore and tick System Settings (or Themes, if any).
4. ⏳ Wait for the process to complete and restart the device.

Important: When you restore from Mi Cloud, the theme may not return if you don’t have custom settings in the cloud.

• 🔄 Try to restore the backup on another device (if any) and export the theme manually.
• 📥 Download the backup archive on your PC and find a file with the.mtz extension (theme format) in it. MIUI).

⚠️ Attention: Recovery from TWRP Mi Cloud can reset other settings (wallpaper, shortcuts, Wi-Fi passwords) before the procedure, be sure to save important data in a separate archive.

Backup contacts | Download ADB drivers (if root is needed) | Check battery power (>50%) | Turn off screen lock (if PIN/pattern lock is used) | Record current network settings-->

3. Method: Manually add theme through.mtz file

If the previous theme was downloaded from the Mi Theme Store, you can manually re-instal it, even if it has disappeared from the list of available themes, and you will need a.mtz theme file.

Where to get the.mtz file:

• 🔍 Find on forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers) by theme.
• 📁 Remove from the backup (see method) №2).
• 🖥️ Download from the official Xiaomi website (if the theme is free).
• 📱 Ask a friend who uses it (the file is in the file). /MIUI/theme/.cache).

How to determine:

1. 📲 Download the.mtz file to your phone (for example, in the Download folder).
2. 📁 Open any file manager (e.g., Explorer** or Solid Explorer).
3. 🔍 Find the downloaded file and click on it → Choose Apply the Topic.
4. ✅ Confirm the installation in the window that appears.

If nothing happens when you click on the file:

• 🔧 Install the app «MIUI Theme Editor** from Play Market – It allows you to import.mtz manually.
• 🛠️ Check if the antivirus is blocking the installation (e.g. Google Play Protect).
• 🔄 Rename the file to theme.mtz (sometimes helps).

Method 4: Recoil through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can return the previous theme with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to a PC and basic command line knowledge, but gives 100% results.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. 📥 Download and unpack. ADB Tools on PC.
2. 🔌 Connect the phone to the computer and allow debugging (on the phone screen will appear a request).
3. 🖱️ Open the command line (Win) + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB:

cd C:\platform-tools

1. 📋 Enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

(The serial number of your device should be displayed.)

1. 🔧 Run a command to reset the theme to the standard:

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


adb shell cmd overlay reset com.android.theme.iconPack.miui




adb shell settings put secure theme_customization_pkg

1. 🔄 Reboot the phone:

adb reboot

After the reboot, the theme will be reset to the factory (MIUI Default). If you want the previous one (not the standard one), follow the additional commands:

adb shell am start -n com.android.themes/.activities.ThemePreviewActivity

This will open the hidden menu to those where you can select any of the previously installed ones.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB You may be in conflict with some Magisk or Xposed modules. If the phone stops loading after execution, press Volume up. + Power to log in to Fastboot and execute: fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot 5. Method: Reset launcher settings (if the theme does not apply) Sometimes the problem is not in the theme itself, but in the crash MIUI Launcher is the standard launcher Xiaomi, in which case it helps to reset its settings without losing data: 📲 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management. 🔍 Find "Luncher"** (or com.miui.home). 🗑️ Press Warehouse. → Clear the data and clear the cache. 🔄 Reboot the phone after the reset: ✅ The theme will return to the standard, but the previous one will remain on the list of available. ⚠️ Widgets and icons will disappear on the desktop (they will have to be reconfigured). 🔧 If the problem persists, try installing an alternative launcher (like a Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher). 💡If the theme is still not applied after the launcher is reset, check if the battery and performance block it. → Battery → Performance mode and select Balanced over Energy Saving. 6. Solving typical problems Even after a successful rollback of the theme, users often encounter bugs. Here are the most common ways to fix them: Problem Reason Solution Theme applies, but icons remain the same Conflict with the icon package Remove the current icon pack in Settings → Topics → After the rollback, wallpaper is tied to the theme Restoring wallpaper manually in Settings → The "Apply" button is inactive Theme is not compatible with the version MIUI Update. MIUI or find the theme version for your firmware Theme applies but resets after rebooting Failure in system settings Clear the theme app cache** in Settings → Apps No notification sounds after the theme change Theme overwrote sound files Return sounds to Settings → Sounds and vibrations If none of these methods worked, perhaps the problem lies deeper: 🔧 Damage to system files: perform a check through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Verification of updates. 🛠️ Conflict with Magisk/Xposed: Turn off all modules and restart your phone. 📱 Hardware reset: extreme option - Settings → Resetting settings (data will be deleted!). 💡Before resetting, be sure to save data via Mi Cloud or Google Drive. Recovery after a hard reset doesn't always return the launcher themes and settings. FAQ: Frequent questions: Can I return the theme if I reset to factory settings? If you didn't back up, no, the reset removes all custom themes. The only option is to find the.mtz file of that theme online and install it manually (see method). №3). Why After Updating MIUI My favorite theme has disappeared from the list? It is related to Xiaomi policy: with major updates (for example, with the help of the company). MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) Some themes become incompatible. Solutions: Find an updated theme for your firmware. Reverse to the previous version MIUI (Contact the theme author (if it is a custom theme) How to save the current theme so you don’t lose it the next update? How to save: Export the theme to.mtz via the next update «MIUI Theme Editor.** Create a local backup with a tick on System Settings. Copy the folder /MIUI/theme/.cache You can also take screenshots of all the screens with the current settings, which will help you restore the look manually. There's no way HyperOS works. What do you do? HyperOS is very different from the way it looks? MIUI, And many of the standard methods don't work. ADB (method №4), but with the team: adb shell cmd overlay reset com.miui.hyperos.theme Set theme through "Themes»** → Import (if you have a.mtz file). MIUI 14 (If HyperOS has been installed recently). Xiaomi doesn’t officially provide theme rollback tools in HyperOS, so these methods may not work. Can you return a theme to Poco Launcher? Poco Launcher uses its own non-MIUI theme system. To return the previous style: Open Poco Launcher Settings → Themes. Choose Classic or Standard. If you don’t have the right theme, install MIUI Launcher as the main one (in Settings → Home screen).