Changing the visual style on Xiaomi smartphones is often a fascinating process, but it can lead to an unexpected result: the interface becomes overloaded and the usual controls disappear. Users experimenting with themes from the GetThemes store often face the need to return everything as it was, but standard rollback methods do not always work correctly. This is especially true for owners of Redmi Note models and Xiaomi Mi series, where the depth of the integration of the theme affects system fonts and icons.
Restore the factory look is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also of functionality. A mismatched theme can hide important notifications or make text unreadable in certain applications. In this article, we will explore proven ways to safely reset the theme and return the system to its original, stable appearance without losing personal data.
The return process can vary depending on the version of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS. Some methods require simple menu switching, while others involve deeper actions with the file system. It is important to understand that even if the Delete button does not work, there are workarounds for the enforcement of the classic style.
⚠️ Warning: Before you start any manipulation of system themes, make sure you have a backup of important data. Although changing the topic rarely results in file loss, system instability after resetting custom elements is possible.
Standard Reset Method through the Topics App
The most obvious and safe way to get things back to their place is to use the regular Themes app, but many users don’t notice the hidden return feature, as the store interface often suggests buying new content instead of managing the current one.
At the bottom of the screen is the Profile tab, which stores the entire download history, and you need to find the Topics section and select Third-Party. This list shows all the custom designs installed. Choose the theme that is currently active and click on the Remove or Reset button.
Once confirmed, the system will automatically apply the default theme, which is called Classic or Untitled, depending on the firmware region. If visual artifacts (such as strange icons in Settings) remain, it is recommended to reboot the device, which will allow the GUI cache to clear and correctly display standard elements.
☑️ Check before resetting the topic
Note that new versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS have changed the theme algorithm, so removing the theme may not automatically return fonts to factory values, so after removing the theme, you need to go to the Fonts section inside the theme app and force the default Roboto or MiSans font.
Forced installation of the Classic theme
Sometimes, an active theme is corrupted or removed from a third-party list, but it continues to act visually, distorting the interface, and in this case, the method of forcing the Classic reference theme to be installed helps, and this theme is embedded in the system and cannot be removed, it serves as the basis for all other designs.
To do this, open the Themes app and enter the word Classic in the search bar. It is important to search for the English name, because in the Russian segment of the store it may be called differently or not in the search results.
On the page that opens, you'll see a big "Apply" or "Activate" button, and clicking on it will start the process of replacing all graphic elements with standard ones, which is especially effective when the custom theme is removed and the tails are left in the form of black icons or transparent fonts.
⚠️ Warning: If the screen goes out after applying the Classic theme or the phone starts to work incorrectly, press the volume and power button to force a reboot.
Owners of global firmware versions may find themselves in a situation where the Classic theme is not searched, in which case you can use a direct theme identifier, if known, or download it. APK-a standard theme file from a verified resource, although this is extremely rare. Usually, it is enough to simply clear the theme application data through the system settings.
Where can I find a standard theme ID?
Resetting fonts and icons separately
Often the problem is not with the theme itself, but with separately installed components, such as fonts or icon packs. Even after returning a classic theme, the system font may remain changed, which spoils the readability of text on WhatsApp, Telegram and system menus.
Go to the Topics app, go to Profile and select the Fonts tab, where the current active font will be displayed, you need to find a standard font in the list (usually marked as Default or has a MIUI logo) and click Apply. The system will alert you to reboot, which is a normal requirement for changing the system font.
The same is true of icons: If after resetting the theme, app icons look stretched or unnatural, go to the icon tab in your profile, select the Classic or MIUI package and activate it, which will return the familiar look to the shortcuts on your desktop and app menu.
| Component | Where to find | Standard name | Reboot required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theme of the design | Topics → Profile → Third-Party | Classic - Untitled | No. |
| Systemic font | Topics → Profile → Fonts | Default / MiSans | Yes. |
| Package of icons | Topics → Profile → Icons | Classical | No. |
| Lock wallpaper | Settings → Wallpaper | Standard. | No. |
If you’re using Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, resetting a theme in the Xiaomi app may not change the desktop look, but will affect the notification curtain and settings menu.
Cleaning the data of the application Topics
When standard methods fail and the interface continues to behave strangely, you need to clean the cache and data of the application itself, which is responsible for the theme, this action will not delete your personal files, but will reset all the settings of the store theme to factory state.
Go to your device's Settings menu, then select App → All Apps. Search the Topics app in the list. Click on it and select Clean. There are two options: Clear cache and Clear everything (or Reset). Choose a full reset.
After this operation, the next time you run the Themes app, it's going to be like the first time you turn on your phone, you're going to have to re-accept the user agreement and maybe choose a region, and the system will automatically tighten up the standard theme, because the third-party cache will be completely destroyed.
Settings → Applications → All Applications → Themes → Clean → Clean EverythingThis method also helps to get rid of intrusive advertising, which sometimes appears in the theme of the design, if it was implemented through a modified theme package.
Return of standard wallpaper and lock screen
Often, by "returning an old theme," users mean restoring the beautiful standard wallpaper that came with the phone out of the box. Third-party themes often replace them with their own, and when the theme is removed, the wallpaper can simply turn black or white.
To return the original images, go to Settings → Wallpaper. This menu has an "Online Wallpaper" or "Catalogue" section, where you can find the original wallpaper for your model. Search for your model name, such as Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12, to find the corresponding package.
The situation is similar for the lock screen: If you lose Wallpaper Carousel, which shows new images when you turn on the screen, you need to activate it separately. Go to the lock screen settings and turn on the wallpaper carousel option if it was disabled by a third-party theme.
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Save the original wallpaper immediately after you buy your phone in the cloud or on your computer. When resetting the theme, it can be difficult to find it in the directory due to regional restrictions.
Some users prefer to install static wallpapers from the system folder, and you need to select any image in the gallery, click "More" and select "Install as wallpaper." However, to find the factory ones, you better use the file manager and go on the path /system/media/wallpapers, copying the originals from there.
Solving Advertising Problems in Topics
One of the main reasons users want to bring back old themes is pop-up ads. Many free themes in the GetThemes store contain ad modules that show banners on desktop or when unlocked. Deleting the theme doesn't always turn off these ad mechanisms instantly.
To ensure that you get rid of topic-related advertising, you need to turn off personalization. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to personal data. Find the Topics and MIUI Daemon app in the list, then turn off the data slider, which will limit the theme’s ability to collect information and display targeted ads.
You should also turn off recommendation receipt. In the Topics app, click on the profile avatar, then on the settings gear, and find "Get recommendations" or "Personalized recommendations." Disabling this option will make the store interface cleaner and remove unnecessary banners.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling data for system applications may disrupt some features, such as automatic wallpaper selection by time of day. Use this method if advertising becomes unbearable.
If ads continue to appear even on a standard theme, check to see if you have a third-party app installed to clean up memory or “accelerate” your phone. Often, these, not themes, are the source of pop-ups. Removing such “optimizers” often solves the problem.
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Theme advertising is often not related to the design picture itself, but to the permissions you gave the Theme app when you first installed it.