How to bring back a standard theme on Xiaomi: 5 working ways

You installed a new theme on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, but it was uncomfortable, slows down the system or just doesn’t like? You can return a factory MIUI theme in a few minutes — if you know the right steps. In this article, we will break down all the current ways to reset themes, including hidden settings, restore them through MIUI Theme Editor and even manually delete themes for power users.

The problem is that the manufacturer doesn't always make the rollback process obvious. For example, in MIUI 14, the "Return Standard Theme" button may be hidden in the back of the menu or not on some firmware, and after the system update, the old methods stop working, so we've compiled the current instructions for all versions of MIUI, including global and Chinese builds.

Importantly, if you use custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the methods in this article may not work, in which case you will need to flash it back, but for official versions of MIUI, our solutions will be 100%.

1. Method: Through the MIUI theme settings (the easiest)

This is the basic method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI versions 11 to 14.It doesn't require superuser rights and takes less than a minute.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush and palette).
2. Go to My Themes (or Manage Themes in older versions).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Return the Standard Theme.
4. Confirm the action – the system will automatically apply the factory theme.

If the item "Return the standard topic" is not:

• 🔄 Try a long press on the current active theme and select Delete (the system will prompt you to return the standard one).
• 📱 In some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12: You must first select a different theme and then return the standard theme.
• 🔧 V MIUI 14 for the global version of the path can be: Topics → Profile → Settings → Reset the subject.

⚠️ Note: Some devices may lose desktop wallpaper after resetting the theme. To avoid this, save your favorite wallpaper to the Gallery before the procedure. → Albums. → Wallpaper.

2. Method: via MIUI Theme Editor (for power users)

If the standard method didn’t work, you can use a built-in theme editor, which is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader or root rights, but works on some stock firmware as well.

Step-by-step:

1. Install MIUI Theme Editor from Google Play (or download APK from APKMirror for Chinese devices).
2. Open the editor and provide all the permissions requested.
3. Go to Local Themes and find the folder. miui_default or default_theme.
4. Select the description.xml file and click Apply.

If the folders miui_default no:

• 📁 Try to find her on the way. /data/system/theme/ (You need a root or file manager with superuser rights).
• 🔍 In some firmware, the standard theme is stored in /system/media/theme/default/.
• 🛠️ Forums 4PDA and XDA Developers have archives with factory themes for popular models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 11, etc.).

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete files manually without backing up! This can lead to bootloop.If you are not sure about your actions, use the following method.

3. Method: Resetting settings via Recovery Mode

If the theme isn't just disliked, but caused system lags or interface errors, resetting through recovery mode will help, and this method doesn't delete user data, but returns all interface settings to factory settings.

How to do this:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (on some Advanced Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache devices).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

What's gonna happen:

⚠️ Note: On devices with locked bootloader (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50 Recovery reset may require you to enter a password from your Mi Account. If you forget it, first unlock the device through the official website.

4. Method: Reinstall firmware via Fastboot

It's a radical method that's guaranteed to bring back the standard theme, but it requires a PC and a little bit of technical skill, and it's suitable for devices where other methods have failed.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/Mac.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Official firmware for your model (download from Xiaomi website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or fastboot for other OS.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Fastboot firmware ROM for its model (for example, tissot_global_images_V14.0.2.0.TCIMIXM_20230310.0000.00_12.0_global for Mi A1).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on the C:\ drive (the path without spaces!).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot Mode.
4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Select a firmware folder and press Refresh – the program must determine the device.
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

Important: When you flash through Fastboot, all data on the device will be erased, including photos, messages and apps. Pre-backup through Mi Cloud or locally on your PC.

💡

If after firmware the phone is stuck on the Mi logo, try to go to Recovery Mode (Loudness up). + Power, and make Wipe Data. If that doesn't work, then swipe the device with the "Clean All" tick again in the Mi Flash Tool.

5. Method: Manual deletion of theme files (for advanced)

If you don't want to reset or reflash your device, you can manually delete the files of the installed themes, which requires root rights or access to ADB.

Instructions via ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the version to unlock the developer menu).
2. Open the command line on the PC and type:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/system/theme/*




rm -rf /data/resource/cache/*




reboot

What these teams do:

• 🗑️ rm -rf /data/system/theme/* — Deletes all user themes.
• 🧹 rm -rf /data/resource/cache/* — Clears the cache of topics (important for the correct operation of a standard theme).
• 🔄 Reboot – Reboots the device.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you're not sure about the commands, use graphics tools like this. ADB AppControl.

6. Method: Recovery through MIUI backup

If you backed up your custom theme before installing the theme through Settings → Additional → Backup, you can return the standard theme along with other settings.

How to restore:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Select the latest backup (before you install the new theme).
3. Click Restore and select only the Topic and Wallpaper item (so as not to erase other data).
4. Confirm the recovery and restart the device.

Limitations of the method:

• 🕒 Backup copies MIUI Only 30 days are saved – if more time has passed, the file may have been deleted.
• 🔒 On some firmware, the recovery of those separately from other data is impossible.
• 📱 If the backup was made on another Xiaomi model, the theme may not display correctly.

💡

The most reliable way to return a standard theme is to reset it through Recovery or reflash it, but for most users, the first or second method in this article will suffice.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after resetting the topic, users face problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📋 Version MIUI — Beta versions often have bugs with themes.
• 🔄 System Updates – Sometimes fixes come in the next patch.
• 🛠️ System File Integrity – If the theme doesn’t reset even after firmware, the partition may be damaged /system.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions