How to bring back the factory theme on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 working methods

Changed the theme to Xiaomi Redmi 9 and disappointed with the result? Or did the new firmware automatically set an uncomfortable color solution? Returning a standard MIUI theme is easier than it seems — but only if you know the nuances of the system. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of rolling back themes, including hidden settings and recovery through MIUI Theme Editor.

The problem is that the manufacturer doesn't always provide an obvious path to factory customization. Users often find themselves in a situation where, after updating or installing a custom theme, the original design disappears from the list of available ones. We tested all methods on Redmi 9 (models M2003J15SC/M2003J15SS) with MIUI 12-14 firmware and identified those that work stably.

Why the standard theme is missing and can it be returned?

A standard MIUI theme ("Basic" or "Default") may disappear from the menu for several reasons:

• 🔄 Automatic update – the system replaces the theme after the firmware update if the manufacturer has changed the design concept.
• 🎨 Custom Theme Installation – Some design packages overwrite system files, removing original templates.
• ⚙️ Settings reset – incomplete reset (e.g., only “Display Settings”) can lead to a conflict of topics.
• 📦 Cache Clearing – Deleting com.android.themes application data sometimes erases pre-loaded themes.

The good news is that the standard theme isn’t physically removed on Redmi 9, it’s simply hidden or replaced with the current Xiaomi version.

1. Menu of theme settings (if the theme is simply deactivated).
2. Reset your design settings through MIUI Theme Editor.
3. Hand-mounted APK-Standard theme file (for experienced users).

Before you start rolling back, check if the current design is an updated version of the standard theme. Xiaomi periodically changes the design system (for example, the transition from MIUI 12 to MIUI 13 made drastic changes to icons and animations), in which case it is technically impossible to “return the old” theme – only to roll back to the previous firmware.

Method 1: Recovery through the “Themes” menu

The easiest way is to return a standard theme through the built-in menu, and it works if:

• 📱 You installed a theme from the official store MIUI Themes.
• 🔄 The system does not block access to factory settings (no error "Theme is not available").
• 📦 You did not delete the system files manually.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the tab “My topics” → “Local”.
3. Scroll down the list – the standard theme is usually called Basic or Default.
4. Click "Apply" and confirm the action.

If the standard topic is not on the list:

1. Touch three points in the upper right corner → «Settings».
2. Select “Restore Standard Settings” (or “Reset Themes”).
3. Confirm the action - the system will return the factory design for icons, wallpaper and fonts.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14 The reset option is hidden. If it's not there, go to Method 2.

Method 2: Reset via MIUI Theme Editor (without root)

MIUI Theme Editor is a hidden theme management tool that doesn’t require super-user rights, and allows you to reset your design to factory status even if the theme is removed from the visible menu.

How to open the editor:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go to About Phone → press 5-7 times on MIUI Version until the notification “You are a developer!” appears.
3. Return to the main settings menu → “Advanced” → “For developers”.
4. Activate the Developer Mode switch and find the option “MIUI Theme Editor” (may be called “Theme Editor”).

Next:

1. In the editor, select “Restore the Standard Theme”.
2. Confirm the action - the phone will restart.
3. After turning on, check the design: factory wallpaper, icons and fonts must return.

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 13 and a newer theme editor may not be available, in which case use Method 3 or roll back to the MIUI 12 via Fastboot.

Method 3: Manually installing a standard theme (for experienced)

If the first two methods don't work, you have to manually install the factory theme.

• 📄 APK-Standard Theme File for Your Version MIUI (You can download it on the forums XDA Developers or 4PDA).
• 🔧 File Manager with access to system folders (e.g. MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔓 Root rights (optional, but simplifies the process).

Step-by-step:

1. Download. APK The standard theme for your model (Redmi) 9 codenamed Lancelot and version MIUI. For example: com.android.theme.default_v12.apk — for MIUI 12. MiuiSystemTheme_v13.apk — for MIUI 13.

DefaultTheme.apk

/data/app/com.android.themes/base.apk

Reboot the phone.

"Themes."

"Locals"

Critical detail: if the theme version doesn’t match your firmware, the phone may get stuck on bootloop, which means you’ll need to reflash the device via Fastboot.

What to do if none of the methods worked

If the standard topic failed to return, radical measures remain:

• 🔄 Reverse the firmware to an earlier version MIUI (Use the Mi Flash Tool and the official fastboot firmware from Xiaomi website.
• ⚙️ Complete resetting of settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting. It'll delete all the data, but it'll bring back the factory clearance.
• 📦 Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) where theme is customized differently.

Before resetting or flashing:

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9 firmware MIUI 14+ Resetting the settings may not return the old theme if Xiaomi has deleted it from the system files. MIUI 12/13.

How to avoid problems with topics in the future

To avoid losing your factory design again, follow the simple rules:

• 📥 Download themes only from the official store (MIUI Themes Store. APK They may contain viruses or may conflict with the system.
• 🔄 Before updating the firmware, back up the current theme through Settings. → Topics → Export (if option is available).
• ⚙️ Do not clear the Themes app cache (com.android.themes) – this can remove downloaded templates.
• 📦 Use alternative launchers (like Nova Launcher) if you want to flexibly customize your icons without risking system themes.

💡

Before installing a new theme, check other users’ reviews for compatibility with your Redmi 9 model. A theme running on MIUI 12 can break the interface on MIUI 14.

If you’re often experimenting with design, consider installing a custom recap (TWRP) and creating a backup section of /data/app/com.android.themes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about topics at Redmi 9

💡

Before any manipulation of the topics, back up your data. Even resetting your design can cause you to lose custom wallpaper and icon settings.