How to get back to the old theme on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: 5 working methods

Changed the theme to Xiaomi Redmi 7A, but the new screensaver, icons or fonts annoying? Or after updating MIUI interface began to look different, and return the usual look does not work? The problem is familiar to many owners of budget smartphones Xiaomi, where the functionality is limited compared to the flagships. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to return the standard theme, from basic settings to technical manipulations with firmware.

It's important to understand that Redmi 7A runs on a simplified version of MIUI, where some of the options are hidden, for example, there's no separate "Themes" section on the menu, like on new models, but that doesn't mean that you can't get back to the factory, but the main thing is to act consistently and not miss the steps.

If you’ve tried resetting your settings through Settings → Additional → Resetting, but the theme hasn’t changed, don’t worry. Below you’ll find alternative methods, including working with theme files via ADB and even manually deleting custom packets. And for those who are afraid of breaking your phone, we’ve highlighted secure ways to do so without the risk of data loss.

1. Check the current theme and basic settings

Before you start taking drastic measures, make sure the problem is really the theme, not the system failure. On the Redmi 7A, the factory theme is usually called "MIUI" or "Default" (depending on the firmware version), and you can check it out this way:

1. Open the settings → Screen → Screen style.
2. Scroll down to the "Themes" block (if any).
3. Click on the current topic – a list of available options will open.

If there is no Themes section at all, then your device has a lightweight version of MIUI (e.g. MIUI Lite) that has the themes stripped down, in which case you can move to the second method.

Once a week.|Unless you like the standard.|Never change.|I tried it, but I went back to the factory.-->

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7A firmware MIUI Themes section 12 may not even be available in the full shell. It's not a bug, it's the way the system works.

If there is a theme in the settings, but the factory options are not in the list, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes crashes don’t display all the available themes.
• 📥 Update MIUI through settings → The phone. → Update system: new versions may have hidden options.
• 🗑️ Delete downloaded themes (if any) – go to the File Manager → MIUI → theme and delete folders with custom themes (start with the mtz_).

2.Reset screen settings without data loss

If you have a standard theme in your system, but you don't use it, resetting your display settings will help, and this method doesn't affect your personal files, photos or apps, but it will return to factory settings:

• Brightness and contrast of the screen
• Color scheme (including dark mode)
• Size of fonts and icons
• Style of notifications and control panel

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → System → Additional → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset Screen Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After the reboot, check if the factory theme is back. If not, move on to the next method.

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Before reset, take screenshots of the current screen settings (brightness, color profile) to help quickly restore the usual settings if the factory is uncomfortable.

3. Custom themes removal via MIUI Theme Editor (no root)

On Redmi 7A, the themes are stored in the /data/system/theme/ system folder, but are not accessed without superuser permissions. However, there is a workaround through the official MIUI Theme Editor app that allows you to manage themes even without root rights.

First, download and install MIUI Theme Editor from Google Play.

1. Open the application and provide all the permissions requested.
2. Go to the tab “Local” – here you will see all the installed themes, including system ones.
3. Find a theme called “Default” or “MIUI” (this is a factory theme).
4. Click on it and select "Apply".

If the factory theme is not on the list, it's been deleted or overwritten.

• 📂 Download the factory theme for Redmi 7A.mtz format (see forums) 4PDA or XDA Developers).
• 📲 Import it through MIUI Theme Editor (Import button in upper right corner).
• 🔄 Apply and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Not all.mtz themes are compatible with Redmi 7A. If you have any errors after application (for example, icons or menus disappear), delete the theme through the same Theme Editor.

4. Recovery through ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods didn't work and you don't have root rights, you have the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) option, which is a debugging tool that allows you to manage system files via a computer. On Redmi 7A, this method only works until MIUI 12.0.3, the new firmware that Xiaomi has blocked access to /data/system/theme/ folder via ADB.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 📱 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 🔧 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times until the message “You’re a developer”) Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB (enable)
2. Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type: Adb devices Make sure your Redmi 7A appears in the list.
4. Run the command to remove the custom theme: adb shell rm -rf /data/system/theme/* This command will clear the theme folder and the system will automatically apply factory.
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

If the theme hasn’t changed after the reboot, the factory theme has been removed from the system files, in which case only the firmware will help (see next section).

Install Xiaomi drivers|Download ADB Tools|Enable debugging on USB|Connect the original cable|Check the visibility of the device in adb devices-->

5. Flashing through Fastboot (last resort)

If all previous methods failed, the radical solution is to reflash the phone through Fastboot mode, which will return the Redmi 7A to a fully factory state, including the standard theme, but remove all data from internal memory.

• 🔧 You are ready to lose all files (photos, contacts, messages).
• 📥 You have a backup of important data.
• 🛠️ You are confident in your actions or follow the instructions Step-by-step.

You'll need firmware.

Firmware instructions:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\ROM\redmi7a).
2. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (a picture of a rabbit in a hat-eared will appear).
3. Connect the phone to the computer.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. Select the “Clean All” mode and click “Flash”.
6. Wait for the process to end (5-10 minutes) and automatically restart.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool is in error 0x80070002 or 0x80070005, Delete the drivers through Device Manager (Ports section) COM») and install again from the official Qualcomm website.

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Fastboot flashing is the only way to get back a factory theme if it's been removed from system files, but it requires a precise follow-up and is only suitable for advanced users.

6. Alternative methods: launchers and overlays

If you can not return the factory theme, but the appearance of the system does not suit you, consider alternative options:

1. Installation of a third-party launcher

Launchers (like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or POCO Launcher) completely replace the desktop look, including icons, animations and app menus. They don't change the system theme, but the phone will look different visually.

• 🎨 Nova Launcher – flexible customization of icons, gestures and transitions.
• 🚀 Lawnchair – imitates Google’s Pixel Launcher.
• 🔄 POCO Launcher – optimized for Xiaomi devices.

2. Appendices for overlays (overlays)

Programs like Substratum or Andromeda allow you to change individual interface elements (colors, fonts, button shapes) without replacing the theme, but they need a root or unlocked bootloader to work.

3. Manual change of fonts and icons

Using MIUI Theme Editor (see method 3), you can manually replace:

• 🔤 Fonts (download.ttf files and import through the app).
• 🖼️ Icons (daddy) MIUI/theme/.icons).
• 🎨 Color schemes (files) colors.xml topic-folder).

FAQ: Frequent Questions on Topics at Redmi 7A